topic Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography? in Gear Guide

EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

SteveKnowles — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 12:34:57 GMT

I recently purchased a Canon EOS R7 with the RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM and also added the RF 50mm F1.8 STM.

I'm now on the hunt for a lens for longer distance wildlife photography, and i'm currently contemplating the RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM. Is this a good option or is there something better that I should be considering?

My budget is ideally below £1,000/$1,350.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

March411 — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:10:47 GMT

On the R7 the RF100-400mm will have an effective focal length of 160-640mm due to the 1.6x crop sensor which would work nicely for wildlife. Have you looked around for a good used RF200-800mm (equivalent focal length of 320-1280mm)?

Another option is to purchase an Canon EF/RF adapter and look at the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM C or the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 which are both close to you budget. Either one will give you equivalent focal length of 240-960mm on the R7. Both provide very nice IQ and are used quite a bit for wildlife photography.

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 21:13:39 GMT

"i'm currently contemplating the RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM. Is this a good option or is there something better that I should be considering?"

IMHO, I would never buy a 100-400mm (I own two of them) for wildlife especially when you have the option to buy the better Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens. Two big factors nobody buys a big tele zoom even a small one like the 100-400mm to use the short end. Virtually all your shoptsd are going to be in the 300mm to 400mm side.

And the secondly, since the RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens has 200mm to 400mm included there is no good reason to not buy it over the 100-400mil zoom. There is no substitute for FL and you can never have too much FL.

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 21:16:14 GMT

"Another option is to purchase an Canon EF/RF adapter and look at the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM C or the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 which are both close to you budget."

I love that suggestion. Personally I would opt for the big Tammy G2 over the Sigma C. The G2 is just a tad bit better in every spec and way. But the Siggy will do a good job and it is a very popular lens.

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

SteveKnowles — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:26:24 GMT

Thanks March411

I hadn't thought about third party lenses, so will have a look into the two you mentioned (both new and used).

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

SteveKnowles — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:38:42 GMT

Thanks ebiggs1

Your comments make sense regarding going for something with more FL.

I'd love the RF 200-800mm, but will only be possible if I can find a reasonably priced used one.

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

SteveKnowles — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:40:48 GMT

I hadn't even considered third party lenses before March411 mentioned it in the earlier post.

I will have a look at both options and see what deals I can find.

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:27:00 GMT

I have no idea what the used market for a Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens is but it is a super popular lens and that is going to keep the price up. Keep in mind sometimes the cheapest way is not always the cheapest way in the end. I would be worried if you by a 100-400mm zoom you will eventually wish you had the extra FL of the better 200-800m lens.

However, it does depend on what wildlife you want to photograph. If it is dinosaurs or elephants you don't need a great deal of FL but if you want to shoot birds you need all the FL you can get. A tiny bird will be a tiny bird in the frame in most cases unless you have mega FL or are very close to the bird. On the other hand dangerous wildlife like a grizzled bear you may want all the FL you can get too. Close to subject can be harmful to your health sometimes!

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

March411 — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 17:31:27 GMT

On the R7:

RF100-400mm will have an effective focal length of 160-640mm due to the 1.6x crop sensor
RF200-800mm equivalent focal length of 320-1280mm

Again, if the expense is something you are considering closely the RF100-400 is $700 new, with a four year CarePak $770. If you check out the FOP forum you will find many using this lens for wildlife and BIF.

From a current user of this lens for wildlife I can tell you that for the expense, image quality and light weight/portability this is a wonderful lens and I don't have the advantage of using it on an APS-C sensor. Once the R7 MkII hits the streets that may change.

If I plan on hiking or carrying a setup all day this is the lens I mount over the RF200-800. If you can swing the expense the other lenses are also a great choice but to say this lens can't/shouldn't be used for wildlife, well I believe the results speak for themself.

These came off an R6 MkII with the RF100-400 mounted, I would have to say there was very little compromise in getting quality shots and you would have the advantage of additional reach.

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

MrWalleye73 — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:24:58 GMT

Very nice! That lens isn't so bad now, is it? Thanks for sharing, good to know!

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

March411 — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:35:16 GMT

Appreciated MrWalleye! Every lens has compromises and the old adage right tool for the right job fits in this conversation. For areas where a long lens would be to much, thick woods, long hikes or needing a setup that you can carry all day because of reduced weight this lens is great. would it be my primary lens on a Safari or a trip to Alaska, nope, would it be in my bag, absolutely! Add the 1.4x extender and it's still lighter that all of the zooms mentioned. On the R7 you end up at the long end, 640mm. I would say again, from personal experience this is a good wildlife lens, better on the R7 then my R6 MkII. And if budget is an issue this is a fantastic choice. Like any other lens, know your location and your equipment limitations.

There are Pro's out that that pretty much agree.

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

MrWalleye73 — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:45:25 GMT

Yes....Duade likes the lens. He laughed in his video he was enjoying himself. I subscribe to/support his YT....he's just a good guy, to me. I totally get the limitations, and it's certainly not like the old E F75-300 III lens I hope. 🙄

Thanks for the feedback

Re: Canon EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:51:02 GMT

Marc is obviously a talented guy and sometime that makes a huge difference. Some people can get the best form the worst.