Im lowkey freaking out right now because I booked a trip to Yellowstone next month and my current setup is just not cutting it for wildlife. Im shooting on a Canon EOS R7 which Ive had for about six months and I love the crop factor for extra reach since I mostly shoot birds and bears from afar but my old lens is dying on me and I need a replacement asap before I leave on the 14th. My budget is around 1500 max maybe a tiny bit more if its really worth it. Right now Im torn between three options and my brain is totally fried from watching too many youtube reviews. Option one is the Sigma 150-600mm with the adapter which seems popular but Im worried about the weight since I hike a lot. Option two is the Canon RF 100-400mm USM which is super light and fits my budget nicely but Im terrified 400mm wont be enough reach for Yellowstone wildlife even with the 1.6 crop sensor. Option three is hunting down a used Canon EF 400mm f5.6 prime but I wont have zoom which makes me nervous when animals move fast. Im leaning toward the Canon 100-400 because my arms are weak and Im clumsy on trails but will I regret not having 600mm when a grizzly is across the valley? If anyone uses the R7 for wildlife please tell me which one actually gets sharp shots without giving me a shoulder injury...
To add to the point above: honestly, since your trip is so soon and arm fatigue is a real issue, grab the Canon RF 100-400mm f 5.6-8 IS USM. Pair it with a monopod instead of messing with heavy adapters. You'll actually enjoy the hikes instead of passing out from exhaustion, and the R7 crop factor helps a lot more than people admit.
Yellowstone trips require careful gear planning. Unfortunately, the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM leaves you under-equipped for distant bears despite the R7 crop factor. 400mm simply falls short in wide valleys. Instead, look into the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary or the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM if budget stretches. Renting first is smart.
Quick reply while I have a sec... honestly dont stress too much about the weight, you get used to it fast. I took the Canon RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 USM out west last year and while the reach is okay with the crop sensor, you definitely want more pixels on distant subjects.
- Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary: Great reach and fits the budget with an adapter, but yeah its heavy for long hikes.
- Canon RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 USM: Super light and sharp, though you will crop heavily in post for bears. I ended up switching to a bigger setup because cropping 400mm gets old quick when wildlife is far out. If your arms get tired easily, maybe grab a good monopod to save your shoulders on the trails.