RF full frame lens recommendations for bird photography

[mglotspeich]

Hi all,

I was wondering what your choice is for bird photography. Are you happy with the 100-400mm lens or do you use more reach? I am trying to choose between the 100-400mm or the 600mm (non-L lenses). I can't afford to purchase a 1.4 or 2.0 extender at this point.

Thank you!

Mike - St. Louis, MO

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

What body are you pairing the lens with?

The RF100-400 is considered "short" for most bird and wildlife photography.  It's better suited for backyard and closer proximity wildlife.  It's not that it can't work.  It can, but your subjects may get spooked more easily.  Granted it can be a little better on a APS-C body.  You may just have to work at it a little harder.

I've seen some fabulous pictures from the RF600mm f11.  It needs a lot of light.  

Let us know what body you're shooting with.  That will help us make the best recommendation.

[March411]

If I remember your past posts you shoot the R6 MkII and I use this setup when traveling.

Like Rick mentioned my biggest issue with the RF100-400mm lens is reach, you either need to find a spot with good activity, be right spot at the right time or hike slowly and be stealthy. Personally I like the combo, it is light wait and easily an all day carry. On the 24MP sensor composition and filling the frame will just be a little more critical as you have less MP to work with if you crop. The sensor is great but heavy crops will result in diminished returns, the IQ suffers. 

I have carried the RF600mm f11 mounted on the same camera but passed because it was simply to dark for hiking or overcast skies. When the light was good, insanely beautiful images. That being said I bought the RF100-400 because it had less compromises but it's important to know your limitations. As you start building you lens stable you will have to make compromises along the way. If you had an open budget I would recommend the RF 100-500 (love this lens) or the RF 200-800 (great price point and pretty good IQ).   

In a fairly dense forest with the little fellow tucked away pretty good. If I remember correctly I would say it has has a 40% crop.

• R6 MkII & RF100-400mm
• f8 @ 1/100 - ISO 3200

I sat on this tree for a while, these are quick little suckers and they were on an off the tree multiple times. A 50% crop and it was overcast. Same setup f8 @ 1/800 - ISO 2000

   

[ebiggs1]

I would say the best lens for us consumer grade bird photographers is the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens. I would not even look at any other lens. IMHO, 400mm is the very shortest FL for birds so than makes the 100mm to 300mm wasted money. The only other solution is to get closer and some times that is not possible. If you don't have enough FL or can get close to a tiny bird if will remain a tiny bird in your photos.

[mglotspeich]

Thank you for the information Rick. I will be using the lens with my new R6 Mark II. Maybe I should take "baby steps" and get the 100-400 and enjoy my lens in the backyard. 😊

[mglotspeich]

Thank you Whiz. I think I will concentrate on the 100-400 and move on later from there. Waiting for a sale but I might be waiting too long. 😊 I want to thank you for posting images with the exact equipment that I will intend to use. Your images are wonderful! I hope I didn't make a mistake purchasing a full frame 24mp camera. I was really wanting a full frame and the R6 MII was within my budget. But it appears (based upon your images) that I will have a *little* leeway to crop. Thank you once again!

[mglotspeich]

Thank you ebiggs1! I will make the Canon RF 200-800mm a goal for the future. It looks great for the price.

I appreciate your input and advice!

Mike

[March411]

mglotspeich, you didn't make a mistake, you will love the camera and once you find your sweet spot never look back. 24 Megapixels is more than enough, just know what you are working with, fill the frame as much as possible and grab some images.

If you are in the states I left a link below to the RF100-400mm in the Refurbished marketplace. There are none in stock right now but if I were you I would set up a notification for in stock. You'll see the link on the right hand side of the page. I can tell you from experience you have to move fairly quick once you get the e-mail. If you miss the in stock set up the notification again, I think it purges the list once a message is sent.

RF 100-400 in Refurbished 

[mglotspeich]

Hi Marc. Thank you for your support! 😊  I just ordered the lens from B&H. You showed me an image using the 1.4x extender in a previious post and it looked great! I will check your website for used equipment for a used extender as they are very expensive. Do you recommend the 1.4x or 2.0x extender? Thank you!

[March411]

I use the 1.4x and it gives me what I need, doesn't add much weight to the bag and when the light is good has very little impact on the ISO. Go with the Canon adapter if you can swing it. I know they are a bit more expense then 3rd party but the communication protocols aren't shared with 3rd parties and the one's I tested gave me challenges, focus racking was bad on the three I tried consistently. 

The adapter with the control ring isn't worth the money and the ring sits to close to the camera body making it easily accessible.

BH photo ships quickly to you should be having fun very shortly mglotspeich. Congrats on the new gear!