Is the RF100-400 good for birding?

[bilomni]

At Ted’s camera, there is an RF100-400 for 800 AUD. Would this lens be good for birding on a budget? I know the focal length is considered short so I will have to get closer to the subject but otherwise, is the lens a good lens for birding and is 800 bucks a good price for this lens?

If the unit is still available on Tuesday next week, I might rent it for two days at 59 AUD a day and see if I want to choose this lens over saving and getting the RF200-800

[ebiggs1]

"If the unit is still available on Tuesday next week, I might rent it for two days at 59 AUD a day and see  ..."

That will answer your question! IMHO, I consider 400mm to be the shortest FL for birding. However, at times I have used my 300mm f4L with good success. So it does just depend on you, go try it if you can.

[March411]

I own the RF100-400mm and I am currently waiting for my RF 200-800.

That being said the 100-400mm has been a great travel and hiking lens and at the cost of 800 AUD/$522.04 it is an attractive price. Both of the lenses you mentioned are not extremely fast and need light or higher ISO. The 800mm will give you nice extra reach but the lens availability is limited with most buyers waiting about 4-6 months to receive the lens.

These are a few of the images I've managed to grab with the 100-400mm. They are from the dense jungles in Costa Rica. Good light was pretty limited so I did have to bump the ISO but resolved the noise in post production using Topaz.

Again, the 800 AUD is a pretty attractive price if the lens is in good condition. Even if you decide to pick up the 200-800mm having this lighter lens in your lens stable would still a positive when you want to travel light. If you can find a deal for the 1.4X extender it's also possibly worth adding to extend your reach. I've used it on mine, you lose around a stop but the IQ is pretty good and the setup remains pretty light weight.