Second Guessing R8 Purchase: Camera body too small?

[chriss232]

A few weeks ago I posted in here regarding what camera body to buy that would pair well with a EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens I inherited. I’ve decided to go with an R8 as I got a really good sale in Canada and it will work well for other types of photography I want to get into. After ordering I’m now just second guessing that this body is too small in size to comfortably use with some bigger telephoto lenses like the one inherited. Am I just overthinking this or will this be a noticeable drawback? Thanks for any advice!

[shadowsports]

Greetings, 

Unless you posted using a different username, you only have one post on the community.

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Normally I would recommend holding a body before purchasing to avoid this uncertainty.  Using the EF lens with your mirrorless camera will require an EF to RF adapter which is going to Increase what you have mounted to the front of the camera.  Some people enjoy the smaller footprint of the R8, but it can make using longer lenses a little less balanced.  The R8 also uses a smaller battery the LP-E17.  You should plan on having one or more spares, in addition to one or more SD cards.  Maybe you should drop by a Best Buy or local photography store to hold one.  The R8 Is an extremely popular, entry level, full frame body.  Visit a store and check one out.  🙂

[March411]

@chriss232 how's it going? Congrats on the new body.

You question is more of a person preference than a potential problem because of the lens size. If you don't like the size of the body that is one thing but you can adjust when using larger lenses.

One thing I've learned as there are compromises regardless of the body you purchase. I've mount the RF200-800mm and the RF70-200mm on my R7 and when I owned it my R50 is also had long lenses mounted and the R50 body was tiny. For me the fix was easy, carry and support the setup by the lens and not the body. I even went so far as to pick up a Black Rapid strap and always mounted it to the lens. With this strap the added bonus is that the setup always on my right hip ready to go, easy to reach and supported by the lens ring.

If the R8 checks all the boxes you had for functionality then you didn't make a mistake with your purchase. Simply adjust and keep the weight off the mount and support the setup with the lens. It took me a bit to adapt but now muscle memory kicks in when I mount a large lens on the R7. 

Enjoy the new gear! 

[normadel]

I have had an issue with too-small cameras forever. My four Canon DSLRs all have battery grips on them. Not because of extra battery power or vertical-position comfort, but because I like a large handgrip for all my fingers. 

Canon doesn''t make a grip for the R8, but Vello does...BG-C18.  Amazon shows a lot of off-brand grips too.  B&H Photo has the Vello, which is a good recomendation for it.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1525429-REG/vello_bg_c18_battery_grip_for.html/overview

Vello is a top-notch accessory maker.

[wq9nsc]

I would try it for a few weeks and see how the combo feels to you after some use.  The comfort level also depends upon the type of photography you use, specifically will you be holding the camera in position for longer uninterrupted periods of time?

A somewhat unbalanced combo isn't a huge issue for most people when the combo isn't being held in position for a long period of time but as time without a break increases, the balance becomes more of an issue.  I shoot sports using a pair of 1DX III bodies with EF 70-200 and EF 400 f2.8 glass and the size and weight of these bodies balance the lens well where I don't notice holding them in position for long periods of time.  

I do limited handheld shooting with a EF 800 f5.6 on one of the 1DX III bodies but I definitely wouldn't want to hold this lens in position for 10 minutes without a break!  I think you will find the same with your EF 70-200 f2.8 on a small light body that it will be fine for the type of photography most people do BUT if you find you need to track a scene or action for extended periods then you will find the imbalance is tiring.

Photo is my EF 800 f5.6 on a 5DS body mounted on a heavy duty Manfrotto tripod.  With the light 5DS body, I wouldn't want to handhold this combination for more than a very few captures because at this focal length, keeping the target properly in frame requires decent balance between the camera and lens or a lot of exertion by the photographer.

Rodger

EF 800 5DS.jpg

[TomRamsey]

You probably are overthinking this.  The size of the body does not need to increase for a larger lens, It's just technique, you support the lens with your left hand under it when shooting.  Now if the body is too small for your hands that is a different problem.

[SignifDigits]

Unless you just cannot work the camera due to the size of your hands the size makes it great for travelling.  If you got a great deal I would suggest you focus on that and learning the ins and outs of the camera you purchased.  I've put my 200-800mm on my R50V for fun.  I wouldn't hesitate using a ridiculously small camera on a big lens to get better pictures, and I think you might be overthinking.  That said, if your return window is closing and want to step up to IBIS you could consider the R6Mark II, I suppose.