Photographing a Saffron Finch with the Canon R5 and RF800mm + 1.4x Extender

[adamrainoff]

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At Caracolí Bird House in Colombia’s Meta region, this Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola) perched on a slender green stalk about 15 meters away.

I was using the Canon R5 with the RF800mm f/11 lens and 1.4x extender for an effective 1120mm reach. The early morning light was soft but limited, so I set the ISO to 3200 and let the camera choose 1/125 second at f/16. The R5’s strong in-body stabilization helped keep the bright golden-yellow plumage and fine feather detail sharp even at that distance and slower shutter speed.

The combination of reach and high-ISO performance made it possible to capture this small, colorful bird without disturbing it.

©2026 Adam Rainoff Photographer

[Tintype_18 · Accepted solution]

Colorful bird! Seems Columbia has some beautiful birds. What's next on the list?

[adamrainoff]

Colombia is the best for birds. Coming up next we have the most common Colombian bird with a twist!