So I've been using Canon gear since the 5D Mark II days and I thought I knew what I was doing but this R7 is throwing me for a loop. I bought the body for the 1.6 crop reach specifically for birds and bears but my old EF 100-400mm L (the mark i version yeah i know its old) is just not keeping up with the dual pixel AF or something. It keeps pulsing and missing focus right when a hawk dives and I'm honestly about to pull my hair out. I have a trip to Yellowstone in exactly 19 days and I cannot go with gear that's acting this flaky. I need something native RF I think or maybe a newer EF that actually plays nice with the adapter.
I'm trying to decide between a few options and the reviews online are all over the place. Some people say the RF 100-500 is the gold standard but man that price tag hurts. Others say the 200-800 is a beast but I'm worried about the weight for hiking. I'm an experienced shooter but this mirrorless transition is trickier than I expected with the lens compatibility issues especially with the high pixel density on this sensor. If the glass isn't perfect the sensor just shows every single flaw its frustrating.
Here is what I'm looking for:
- Budget is $2500 max including tax if possible
- Must be sharp enough for the R7 high megapixel sensor (32mp is demanding)
- Fast AF is non-negotiable for birds in flight
- Lightweight enough for 5-7 mile hikes
I've looked at the RF 100-400 too but f/8 at the long end feels like it might be too slow for those early morning grizzly sightings in the valley. Does anyone have real world experience with these on the R7? I'm worried about the ISO noise if I go too slow on the glass but the 100-500 is like $2800 now which is pushing it way past my limit. Should I just bite the bullet and get the 100-500 or is there a better middle ground I'm missing like a used EF 400mm DO ii or something? I really need to get this ordered by Monday so it gets here in time to test it before the flight out...
Man, I feel your pain with that old push-pull Mark I! The R7 is a total speed demon but it definitely exposes every single flaw in older glass. I went through the same transition and honestly, you need something that can handle that 32MP sensor. That high pixel density is no joke and really demands modern optics to shine. Here is the real world lowdown on what actually works for hiking in places like Yellowstone:
- Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM is the absolute king. I know the price is scary but it is amazing! It is super light for 500mm and the sharpness is mind-blowing even at the long end. Check the Canon refurbished store or sites like MPB... you can often find it closer to $2300. This lens stays on my R7 90% of the time because it is just so versatile.
- Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM has fantastic reach, but honestly? It is a beast to carry. If you are doing 7-mile hikes, your back is gonna hate you. Plus, f/9 is rough for those dawn grizzly shots in the valley. You'll be cranking the ISO way too high.
- Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is the best value choice if you find a used one. It works perfectly with the adapter and is worlds better than your v1. It is sharp and the AF is very snappy on mirrorless bodies. If you can swing the cash, just grab the 100-500. It is life-changing for birds in flight and the autofocus is basically instant. You dont want to be messing with focus pulsing when a wolf shows up! Good luck in Yellowstone, its gonna be incredible!
