So My Long Term Plan - Lens & Camera Goals

[Far-Out-Dude]

So my long term plan over next 3 years is this:

1: I will be getting a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens later this month, this will connect to my Canon M50 for taking pictures of wildlife, particularly wild turkey and whitetail deer. It will also be used for landscape and birding.

2. Next April I want to get a new camera, something better for the lens. I am disabled but think I can save between $1500.00-2500.00 depending on how much I am willing to go without. I once built a computer by going a month and a half out of a 4 month period without eating (Not all at once) and think I can still do the same.

3. If my GF has not left me by then I want to get the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens by April 2025 which will be a main landscape lens.

Now a big question I have is should I trade the EF model (100-400mm) in for the mirrorless model when I get the camera, is there any difference in performance to warrant such an action?

Thoughts on this?

[Far-Out-Dude]

Somebody above asked what my intentions with my pictures are, I have been offered money for some of my pictures already and would like to try to sell some. Me being me I like nice big pictures with plenty to view including skies which I know many consider dead space but in many cases I do not so I would like to get a camera with more resolution for my landscape shots. Mostly local stuff, being disabled I do not have the funds to travel more than maybe an hour away, I wish I could afford a small camper with just a bed in it, that would let me extend my outings, my days of sleeping on the ground are long since over and I can't kneel so setting up a tent is just oh so much fun. I have to have a tree around me to get up off the ground when I put my blinds up or I can't get off the ground.

I have been asked about selling some of my deer and turkey shots as well but quite frankly I do not feel they are good enough to sell yet, the ones I posted are my best and they just do not make MY cut yet, when they do then yes I would like to try to sell some, at least locally. By the way, I got the word and will be ordering the EF 100-400 on Saturday!!! 🤓

[ebiggs1]

"...  I like nice big pictures with plenty to view including skies ..."

How big?  If they are much bigger than 11x14, you have the wrong camera in a "Canon M50". Of course that being a general statement since I have no idea of your specific requirement or acceptability for your prints. Based on my own personal job experience it wouldn't be.

[Far-Out-Dude]

Best way I know to answer that is to show you.

First time I used the 11-22

[ebiggs1]

"Could you educate me further please?"

All lenses, any lens, renders the data it captures differently. The focal length of a 50mm lens is always 50mm, regardless of the camera it is associated with. The focal length of a lens is independent of the camera system. However not all 50mm lenses or any lens is created equal. All lenses have distortions and aberrations. They have different IQ. They have different build and quality of construction. The top brands like Canon, Sigma and Tamron all make top quality lenses. They will all preform similarly. 

You question was about a 30mm EF-M lens and my answer was and remains, "Any Canon prime lens in the 30+mm FL range do as well."  

[Far-Out-Dude]

Thank you very much for the reply. I would like to apologize, I had intended to write Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM Lens and honestly thought I had. To me it seemed to have a nice amount of both zoom and width which is what I liked about it so much.

[ebiggs1]

"Best way I know to answer that is to show you."

Doesn't answer, "How big?" How much enlargement you want is critical if you also want great detail.

[Far-Out-Dude]

I like things in at least the 16x20 range, the picture I showed above that I took after my sister died will be 24x36 because if I go any smaller it will have to be cropped or lose image quality.

[ebiggs1]

" I had intended to write Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM Lens ..."

Makes no difference my answer that any Canon lens in the sane or nearly same focal range will do as well remains.

[Far-Out-Dude]

Okay, thank you. So is there one in that same budget that you could suggest that would work with EF or EFS?

[ebiggs1]

IMHO, the best 35mm lens made is the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art. All of the Canon 35mils, or near 35mm, are very good, pick one. Quote again, "... any Canon lens in the sane or nearly same focal range will do as well."