Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Like to hear thoughts on this. For sale now at $799. Originally $1,300.

I want to go back to full frame. I have been Canon shooter for over 45 years with lots of Canon gear. When I moved to Digital I was shooting mainly family stuff so went with a T1i, upgraded to T4i. I’m retired and on fixed income so need to keep costs down. I was thinking of a 6D Mark II but the RP seems better.

The biggest fault I see with it is battery life. Is there a way to have a bigger battery other than a battery grip? It looks like the EF/ES lens adapters work great.

Is the kit lens good? Kind of slow.

Thoughts?

User ID

I use both SLRs and LVs. Much prefer LV. Having admitted my prejudice, I’d say skip the kit lens, use the EF converter, and accept shorter battery endurance as the new normal. At $800 you won’t find a better camera ... unless you greatly prefer SLRs and buy a clean used one. But for brand new, $800 rules. The RP is probably the nicest entry level camera ever offered.

If all my existing EF lenses had IS then I’d be using the RP offered to me from a friend. But too many non-IS lenses means I keep using my EF lenses on my Sonys, with IBIS.

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Paul should chime in soon to say that a Canon R with EF lenses is a shame. While I typically agree with Paul, no way on that one ! I use what lenses I’m already happy with and just choose a body to allow me to use my lenses. I could not care less whether the newer lenses might be better. “Good enough” is more than good enough, in real world use.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I have the R but the RP is a fine camera by all accounts. After I got my R I ended up selling my 5DIV because I liked the R better. Odds are you would end up preferring the RP to the 6DII. With the adapter your EF lenses will work as well or better on the RP then they would on a DSLR. As far as battery life a thorough examination of your settings can save considerably on your battery. For example, the R came with the constant auto-focus option enabled. I shut it off because it just drains the battery. There are also good quality, very reasonably priced third party batteries, such as Watson, available. In addition to Canon I use Watson and Power2000 batteries. Never a problem. It takes only seconds to change a battery so having a spare or two solves any battery life issues.
The 6DII is a good camera. I had a 6D and it gave me very good results, but, for me, the biggest advantage of mirrorless is the improved auto-focus. Even my 5DIV was not as consistent as my R. I resisted the idea of going mirrorless, but, now that I have I would never go back.
Whatever you end up getting I hope you get a lot of use and fun out of it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you for the invitation User ID.

I do want to call out the RF 50mm f/1.8 just discussed on Canon Rumors. Not IS-enabled, but available for preorder from B&H and all the usual places for $199. My 1987 copy of the EF version is still one of my most used lenses.

Stepping away from the RF lenses being best, the IBIS feature from my Sony body makes all my FD lenses "better". In considering the EOS RP, I'd suggest to our OP Ednsb to consider:

1, How many full-frame EF lenses already? The EF-S lenses work seamlessly on RF-mount via the adapter. But, the crop factor is enforced by the camera, yielding 10MP images (3888 x 2592 pixel). That's a step-down from the 18MP of the T4i.

2, How many IS-enabled lenses already? Is this relevant?

I've been shooting almost exclusively film for the past two months, an EOS body where I can use IS and non IS EF lenses. In addition to the framing and focus and exposure, every non IS shot has the added consideration of whether I'm 'shooting fast enough'? This past Sunday I grabbed the Sony and an FD for a change of pace. I shot through the golden sunset, the blue hour, and into the dark. Not a single image of camera shake, even down to around 1/10sec.

The 6DII (any DSLR) adds no more IBIS than the EOS RP, so I guess the lack of this feature shouldn't be held against the RP. $800 new for 26MP of full-frame glory is a steal, especially if your personal lens catalog is prepared for this body. Also, my Sony a7II is battery life challenged. I can shoot most of the day on one new-charged battery, if judicious on image review. It's better to always have one or two spares in a pocket. Not a big deal is you just leave home prepared.

bleirer

I have the RP and it is great for the money, but of course I drool over the r5. While I haven't noticed it in practice the dynamic range tests less than some more expensive cameras, but still around 9 stops so that is usually plenty. The pics are roughly 4000x6000 so plenty for enlargements or cropping, and I'm happy with preserve details 2 in Photoshop if I want to resample.

I like the exposure simulation, the 5x and 10x magnification in the viewfinder, the red glow of focus peaking (you can't magnify and focus peak at the same time though), being able to slide the focus point around with my thumb when my eye is up to the viewfinder, the fully articulating screen for tough situations. I like having the individual color histogram in the viewfinder. Blinkies only happen after the shot so I set the preview to hold for 2 seconds to see the blinkies. It doesn't interfere with shooting many shots with one press.

The battery isn't bad for the shooting I do. I carry a spare and keep a charger set up in the car powered by a low cost inverter plugged into a cigarette lighter thingie in the hatchback. I keep a type C usb cable also in the car so the battery in the camera can also charge. Not sanctioned by Canon but it works fine. I've never filled up an sd card as it holds a bunch, but carry a spare anyway. No second slot but not an issue for me.

The adapter works great but stick to ef lenses (why throw away pixels). Among my 'bargain' lenses I have the version 1 of the ef100-400, works great. I have the version 1 of the ef100 macro, also works great but no IS (not a problem for me). I also have the RF 24-105L f4, does just fine.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Thank you for the great response.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Thank you - I believe Sony's are great but at least twice the price plus I've heard the adapters don’t work as well as what the RP does. I have 10 lenses with only 2 being EF-s; the kit lens which I will not use and the great 10 to 18 zoom. The other 8 lenses are all EF with a few being IS. They are primarily prime lens and it will be great to be able to use my fav - the 24mm again with it being 24mm not almost 35mm. I shoot mainly landscapes these days. I also am very impressed with the reviews for the R5 and R6 but way out of my range especially as I am in a refresh period for my computer as well. The battery issue is if I am on a backpacking trip. I've never found a solar panel to be able to recharge a camera battery. For a 5 day trip, I might have to carry 10 batteries which I really don’t want to as the saying goes an ounce on your back is an lb on your feet. I could try to see if the devices I use that allow me to have a large battery to recharge my phones and iPad would work. It looks like the RP battery is not much bigger in amps as my iPad.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Thank you for the great reply.

User ID

Battery capacity is pretty much by weight. For cameras with similar appetites for power, the battery weight for a multi day hike will be the same whether it’s 5 big batteries or 10 small ones. I use the a7ii and a7iii “twins” and although I don’t take long hikes, I find that a day or two of use without any recharging calls for 5 to 6 small batteries or 2 to 3 big ones. Not exact but close enough for rocknroll ;-)

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

I just bought the new kit deal $999 for Rp and 24-105 STM lens. Very compact. I have shot about 100 images and am very impressed by how small and quiet it is. Images are good. I am a Canon guy. Also have the RF Ef adapter.

Chuckwal Loc: Boynton Beach Florida

Have the Rp carry an extra battery
Love the camera also light
Chuck

Bbarn Loc: Ohio

Recently picked up an RP with the 24-105 IS STM kit lens. Battery life is noticeably less than my Nikon D7200 (which has good battery life). An extra battery took care of that for me, an extra being a good idea with any camera.

The 24-105 kit lens is fine, but the max aperture drops quickly as you zoom above 24mm, reaching f7.1 somewhere above 70mm. I tend to prefer primes, but overall it's very good given it's range, IS, and price.

I'm enjoying the camera, especially it's size and mirrorless benefits. Not sure I'll ever buy another SLR.

Also note that Canon's EF to RF adapters are currently out-of-stock everywhere, and have been for awhile.

maciej

Sounds like you found a bargain! I have the R and R5 and now seldom use the 5D4. I have some RF lenses but also use my sizable collection of EF glass.
On the battery front - the latest firmware update for the R (and maybe the RF) allows the use of the R5 high capacity battery. That and a spare should help the battery situation. I have never run out of battery on a shoot when starting with a fully charged battery but everyone's experience is different and I always carry at least one spare.

smiller999 Loc: Corpus Christi

They are back in stock now. I just got mine today from B&H.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

I read most of the positive comments abt the RP, can’t add much, other than to say, I agree.