cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Fast camera recommendations for birding/action

TareqPhoto
Contributor

Hi all,

I have some old cameras i was using for sports and they're fast for birds, but because they are old models i am thinking about to upgrade them to something new, so what are your recommendations for birding/wildlife and sports/action cameras?

The cameras are 1DX/1D3/30D.

23 REPLIES 23

p4pictures
Authority
Authority

A lot will depend on your budget, but the top performing current model similar to your 1DX / 1D3 would be the EOS R3. If that exceeds your budget threshold then consider an EOS R6 Mark II. 

A similar replacement of the EOS 30D would be the EOS R6 Mark II or EOS R10 depending on your budget. 

You can use old EF lenses on the new models using the EF EOS R lens mount adapter. 


Brian
EOS specialist trainer, photographer and author
-- Note: my spell checker is set for EN-GB, not EN-US --

Thank you Brian!

I am surprised that you didn't mention something like R5 or even R7, in fact i am very much looking at R7 as a replacement or upgrade to 1D3 and 30D first, then later i can think about something either Canon R3 or another brand like Sony as replacement for 1DX, i am still happy with 1DX, but 1D3 is already so outdated and i am very rarely using it.

If i go with something like R3 or R5 or R7, then how fast my EF lenses can be, i mean i might not replace the lenses, but i will try to know what i can do or decide, if i can win a lottery or sell my house then i can buy big lenses, but is the future now only for mirrorless so i don't hold any longer on DSLRs?

EOS R7 is a suitable update, but the resolution on the smaller APS-C sensor means that it is less capable in low light than the full frame models. 

EOS R5 is widely expected to be due for replacement by an updated model in the near future, so while it is a good choice that's why I didn't mention it. Also it has the least sophisticated AF of the models mentioned. 

Yes you can use your existing lenses, they will operate as fast as they are capable. The RF lenses may be faster depending on the models being compared. I've kept many of my EF lenses and use them on the mirrorless cameras just fine.

The last DSLR introduced by Canon was the EOS Rebel T8i in February 2020 and the EOS-1D X Mark III in January 2020. It's clear that no more new DSLRs will be developed.


Brian
EOS specialist trainer, photographer and author
-- Note: my spell checker is set for EN-GB, not EN-US --

Ah ok, now i understand, then i better not rush and think about R5, and for R7 in fact it is a new camera so the ISO capability is definitely much better than old models, i try to stay maximum ISO 3200 even under low light, i use it in the field so i try not crank ISO so high, and with f2.8 lens i can even live with ISO2000 maximum, those new cameras are regards for as high as ISO20000 also, that is a lot of exposure crank, even in the worst lighting in the stadium i rarely go as high as ISO 6400, and the main thing about R7 is that it is a crop factor camera, i always crop with my 1D3 which is also 1.3x and i crop a lot with my 1DX, so R7 with its higher MP and crop factor could be better, but i have to listen to you.

I saw two of old press photographers i know moved from DSLRs to R3, i am sure they moved to R3 for a reason, so you mentioned that camera, in fact R3 is an upgrade to 1DX to me, while for 1D3 or even the sold 1D2N i used to have i don't need to go with a full frame camera, and i always use two bodies where one is having 300mm and the other is either 70-200 or 24-70/24-105/16-35 depends on the situations, i think the prime is always fast with many bodies so i use it with 1DX, while my new 70-200 mkii with 1D3, i think this 70-200 will shine with R7, but i will look at R6II, not interested in R10.

R7 I cannot say enough about this camera and kit amazing

Myself I get awesome low light photos with my R7 love them i had the same outlook until i tried and wow!! amazing like i say bought it with the lens kit 18-150 even better 

R7 amazing paired with the rf 800mm f11 great choice you will love this pair period

Before i think about lenses choice i think about if R7 is the correct upgrade and worth it or not, on facebook i saw someone who used R7 with prime lenses for birds and the results are WOW really fantastic and amazing, so i was thinking about that R7 is capable to do that, then why it is not recommended by many, and the main reason to buy R7 for me is to have it as a backup camera in sports and not as a main camera for birding and wildlife, but if it is that much not a choice then i shouldn't ignore that and regret later if i buy it.

Tintype_18
Authority
Authority

What cameras do you have now? Are you looking for more lens speed? The community can judge what capabilities they have and go from there.

John
Canon EOS T7; EF-S 18-55mm IS; EF 28-135mm IS; EF 75-300mm; Sigma 150-600mm DG
Avatar
Announcements