EOS R7 - good zoom lens for wildlife photography?

[SteveKnowles]

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.

[March411]

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.

[ebiggs1]

"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.

[ebiggs1]

"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.

[SteveKnowles]

Thanks March411

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

[SteveKnowles]

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.

[SteveKnowles]

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.

[ebiggs1]

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!

[March411]

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.

 

[MrWalleye73]

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