Looking for a good event/wildlife lens for EOS R6 Mark II

[ztraa]

Having had my r6ii for 7-8 months now, I am very satisfied with my purchase. I mainly use a 70-200 f4 for birding and event photos. I've got a huge event coming up in Houston as well that will be indoors at a convention center and I want to be able to shoot there for my own personal use. I'm on a $1000 budget so options have been limited. The three lenses I am torn between are the rf 100-400, rf800 f11, and sigma 150-600c. The 100-400 seems like the most reasonable option but I don't have any camera stores nearby where I would be able to test it out. From the reviews I've seen, the 800 f11 will be useless at indoor events, the 150-600 will have terrible autofocus problems, and the 100-400 might still be too short. That's why I wanted to get input on which one would really best suite my needs before I pull the trigger.

[rikazkhan]

Based on your requirements and budget constraints, here's a brief overview of the three lens options you're considering:

1. Canon RF 100-400mm: This lens offers a versatile focal range suitable for birding and event photography. However, without the ability to test it firsthand, it's challenging to gauge its performance indoors. It might be on the shorter end for indoor events, depending on your shooting style and the distance from your subjects.

2. Canon RF 800mm f11: While this lens offers an impressive reach, it's not suitable for indoor events due to its narrow aperture. It's primarily designed for outdoor use in well-lit conditions, such as wildlife photography. Therefore, it might not fulfill your needs for the upcoming indoor event in Houston.

3. Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary (C): This lens provides an extensive focal range, which can be advantageous for birding and outdoor events. However, as you mentioned, there have been concerns about autofocus performance. This could potentially impact your ability to capture fast-moving subjects effectively, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

[March411]

ztraa, with updated firmware the Sigma lenses perform rather well. I own the 60-600mm and have nothing but positive results with the lens. Several others in the community also own the 150-600mm and have reported positive results.

I also own the Canon RF 100-400mm and it is a good lens for walking through the woods and grabbing opportunistic shots but the reach is fairly limited.

If you have rental shop close to you it may be worth renting an adapter and the 150-600mm to make a personal assessment of the Sigma.

[johnrmoyer]

I have heard good things about the RF 100-400mm for the price and I am told that Canon extender RF 1.4x will work with it and the 2 of them together would be close to your budget if purchased from Canon refurbished.

If you have the adapter, then I think that Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM is good for the price. I have even used it with Kenko Teleplus HD C-AF 2X DGX teleconverter to get 600mm on my EOS 80D, but that requires bright light. That combination will autofocus on my EOS R5. Example: https://www.rsok.com/~jrm/2017Mar26_birds_and_cats/2017mar22_phoebe_IMG_2395.html on EOS 80D and https://www.rsok.com/~jrm/2021Jun01_birds_and_cats/2021may30_straycat_IMG_1437cx.html on EOS R5.

One advantage to using a Canon lens over using a 3rd party lens for me is the ability to process the image in Canon DPP software using the "digital lens optimizer" and DPRAW tool.

[March411]

To John's point, all the lenses mentioned need light, the only thing the Sigma offers is more range and is a little better/brighter @ 600mm.

• RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM
• 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C

The Sigma is a little better/brighter at 600mm then the RF @ 400mm and if you add a extender you will (I believe) loose on stop.

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@johnmoyer wrote:

One advantage to using a Canon lens over using a 3rd party lens for me is the ability to process the image in Canon DPP software using the "digital lens optimizer" and DPRAW tool.

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John, my intention is not to challenge but more of confusion. I use DPP with Sigma lenses and have the ability to use the raw functionality and about 90% of the lens correction functionality although the application does not recognize the lens. What portions of DPP are not available when using a thrid party. I attached an CR3 in raw/DPP as an example.

[johnrmoyer]

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@March411 wrote:

To John's point, all the lenses mentioned need light, the only thing the Sigma offers is more range and is a little better/brighter @ 600mm.

• RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM
• 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C

...

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@johnmoyer wrote:

One advantage to using a Canon lens over using a 3rd party lens for me is the ability to process the image in Canon DPP software using the "digital lens optimizer" and DPRAW tool.

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John, my intention is not to challenge but more of confusion. I use DPP with Sigma lenses and have the ability to use the raw functionality and about 90% of the lens correction functionality although the application does not recognize the lens. What portions of DPP are not available when using a thrid party. I attached an CR3 in raw/DPP as an example.

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Sometimes I need to be challenged.

I might be wrong, since the only non-Canon lens I use is one that is nearly 50 year old and from a film camera. It seems to me that "digital lens optimizer" and "diffraction correction" are not available when using a non-Canon lens or when using a Canon lens with the lens data not available to DPP.

The diffraction correction seems important to me when using a small aperture. Are you able to use "digital lens optimizer" or "diffraction correction" with your Sigma lens? Or do you always have a large enough aperture that it does not matter?

[March411]

My goal is to "attempt" not to insult anyone when I post. I am glad that you did not take my response that way.

With the image correction in DPP I loose the ability to see the lens, no problem since I know what I had mounted on the body. Digital lens optimizer is not available but the balance of the corrections can be used in Raw.

That being said, I've never compared and RF lens to the EF when opening Raw images. This list may be condensed. Here are the options form Sigma 100-400mm

[johnrmoyer]

Interesting. Thanks.

Might also depend upon which camera.

[March411]

That interesting, what body were you using. Mine was my M50 (may it rest in peace).

[johnrmoyer]

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@March411 wrote:

That interesting, what body were you using. Mine was my M50 (may it rest in peace).

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EOS R5. When I have downloaded a raw file made with a lens I do not have, I have seen the same thing.