Barn Owl

Presently, the only way I can see for customers to buy the Canon R7 from B&H is as a kit: Canon EOS R7 Mirrorless Camera with 18-150mm Lens. Any UHH have ratings for the lens? I do not understand why the EOS R7 can's be purchased for $1500 without the kit. Your in-hand experience with the R7 would be appreciated as well.

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Same link as kuflenger offered: Canon website. "Body only" is backordered.

Regarding B&H, they are subject to Canon's distribution. The website shows coming soon:

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

It may say coming soon, but I have had it on backorder since May. I wrote them and asked how deep the list was and where I was on the list. They said it was privileged information.

Barn Owl

PHRubin, Thanks for your response. You and I find ourselves in the same situation.

Barn Owl

kufengler, Thanks for your response but I have no interest in backordering.

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

Since it backordered at Canon, it maybe the same for most reputable on line camera stores. You may be SOL till Oct 10th.

This is eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-R7-Body-Mirrorless-Camera/195232211889?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr=1&amdata=enc:1KYnlXO4WSTm1d1C2QNTMkg15&norover=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=195232211889&targetid=1587262742097&device=t&googleloc=1016191&campaignid=15275224983&mkgroupid=131097072938&rlsatarget=pla-1587262742097&abcId=9300697&merchantid=7987724&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrs2XBhDjARIsAHVymmQbvsgcKH2O0ayU-vQ_M6czXn3MMDWPH5hrvT_42eSy_pJjxW292dQaAlZYEALw_wcB&pageci=c153de94-edaa-433b-8714-61fb523d9a8d&epid=3055443404&redirect=mobile

Barn Owl

kufengler, Thanks for your search and response. Know it will be a while for just the R7 body but primarily trust B&H, Robert's, and Canon. Wish they would just sell the camera without the lens.

dave.m

I have the R7 with the 18-150 lens and am very happy with both - but my requirements may be different from yours. I have a full frame RF kit and wanted a) a small backup body when i travel b) a compact camera setup when I'm travelling light. The R7 with 18-150 fits that need really well.

As to the quality of the lens, it is the same lens that is supplied with the EF-M system, just with a different mount (I can confirm as I had one with the M50 I p/x'd for the R7.) So search for EF-M 18-150 reviews and you'll be able to pick your preferred reviewer. PCmag (and others) rate it excellent 4*
( https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/canon-ef-m-18-150mm-f35-63-is-stm )

I fully agree and together the R7 and lens make a great compact combo. I'm looking forward to other EF-M lenses to be released as RF-S - especially the 11-22 WA zoom and 22mm f2. Collectively they make a really compact wide range kit.

Incidentally, the RF100-400 lens + 18-150 RF-S make a great pairing givine 18-400 (29-640 FF equivalent) which all fits in a small shoulder camera bag. If like me you have the x1.4 extender for your FF kit, although not mentioned at all by Canon it works a treat with the RF 100-400 full range (unlike the RF150-500L) giving me 18-560 potential (29-896 FF equivalent!!) and with IBS, a reasonable shutter speed, and a little care, I can actually hand hold at long zooms.

So getting back to the original question: for me the extra cost for the 180-150 when bought as a kit is a bargain if you want a compact, 8x zoom/ walkabout lens

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

The original question was also regarding the value of the kit lens. It seems that this camera is available with the lens but not without. For those of us who have excellent EF lenses in that range, is there any real advantage to spending extra to have this kit lens in our bag? I know that it is much lighter than an EF 24-105L, for example, but can it compete in quality at all?

DaveJ Loc: NE Missouri

I had pre-ordered two Canon R7 bodies the day it was announced. I was told a week before no problem. Day before release seller said they only got 2 body only of 60 ordered and no idea how long until more . We ended up ordering the next day two kits(different seller) with plans to sell one lens and keep the other, as we own a EF 18-135 lens in great condition and very sharp. After getting the two kits and shooting with them, we have decided to keep both 18-150's and sell the 18-135 with a 77D we need to get listed for sale. New kit lens is very light, seems sharp and has a great range (same as 29-240mm) in a light kit. So I would recommend getting the kit and enjoy.

Barn Owl

dave.m, Really appreciate all the time and details you provided to me. I am just cautious about buying a kit lens that is being "forced" on R7 customers. From your real-life use of the lens, it sounds like something considered as a positive.

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I think Dave gave you an excellent review. I have a similar set up, but added an EF-S 10 22 (16 ~ 35) to cover the low end. I also shoot a RP with the 24 105 f4.4-7.1 for the same reasons. Going Light and pretty well cover most scenes that an ole guy can hike to. 'Go Light' is about the same as the old military 'KISS'

Barn Owl

DaveJ, You make a good argument for buying the R7 kit. Thanks.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I don't have the R7 or the RF-S 18-150mm (yet), but that lens certainly seems preferable to the only other RF-S lens available at this time... the RF 18-45mm. If your primary concern was size, the latter might be a good choice... but otherwise the much better range of focal lengths with the 18-150mm makes it a better option.

So far, Canon isn't offering the R7 with any other kit lens. There's a little bit of a discount buying the kit. The R7 body-only costs $1499 and the lens will be selling separately for $499. The R7 in kit with the RF-S 18-150mm is $1899... so about $99 less than purchasing them separately. (The RF-S 18-45mm will cost $299, so even if that were chosen instead your total cost with the camera would be $1798.)

Bryan at The-Digital-Picture has done a full review of the RF-S 18-150mm that you might find useful... His reviews are usually very accurate. https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-RF-S-18-150mm-F3-5-6-3-IS-STM-Lens.aspx