leelefaivre

I have a Canon EOS R full frame mirrorless camera. I have a 55 to 250 telephoto but would like something that would get me closer. I am looking at Canon EF 100 to 400 telephoto (expensive but might pull it off) or one of the "off brand" 600 mm versions. One of the big trade offs is aperture 4.5 to 5.6 vs something like 5 to 6.3 on the longer 600 mm. How much am I loosing to go with the smaller aperture?

I wonder if going with the closer 400 mm vs the 600 mm would really get me to where I want to go. I very much like the flexibility of the zoom and consider the solution (if I want to get closer) using some sort of doubler. I gather they now (if you pay for it) have optics and coupling routines that allow full functioning.

I guess the general question is what would anybody recommend for getting up close to wildlife?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Welcome to the forums.
From personal experience, especialy if photographing smaller wild life, longer lenses are better.
Here's why.
.

400mm on a 1.6 crop body.

(Download)

markstjohn

I took Nikon 500 PF to Africa. Really great.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...for me, when shooting wildlife, I like to be at f/8 - f/11 if I can, with a shutter speed at 800 or above...this makes my images much sharper...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Why not the RF 100-500mm being introduced July 9, 2020?
More reach especially on a FF camera and native to your camera.
I love my 100-400mm but with the R camera I would definitely get the RF 100-500mm.

"Here are some new lens images and early pricing
By Canon Rumors | July 7, 2020 | Canon Lens Rumors

Some early pricing and new lens images have leaked ahead of the official announcement on July 9, 2020.

UK pricing for four lenses has been confirmed.

Canon RF 85mm f/2 IS STM Macro £649
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4-7.1L IS USM £2,899
Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM £699
Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM £929"

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The savvy photographer shoots with used equipment. Look at online resources for a used copy of the 100-400 L II. Certainly look closely at the list prices of Canon to-be-announced RF lenses later this week. They're said to be compatible with RF extenders too.

Danielmb

The Canon 100-400 is an excellent lens. Both my wife and I use it when shooting wildlife. And it stays sharp when using an extender. Don't leave home without it.

Winslowe

Can you walk?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have owned and used both the 100-400L (original & mk2) and the Tamron 150-600 (original and G2).
According to reviews the Canon 100-400L outclasses the Tamron and Sigma 100-400 but they are still good lenses and will produce publishable results.
I have no experience with the two Sigma 150-600 lenses but an extensive review of the 4 150-600's on the market with images by a group of wildlife photographers I read a couple of years ago rated them: Best IQ Tamron G2 & Sigma C, best build and sealing Tamron G2 and Sigma Sport, best bang for the buck Tamron original. All four lenses are still made and sold. They stated that all of them produced publishable images with good IQ if the photographer did his/her job.

And the Canon L, esp the mk2 sometimes thinks it is a closeup/macro lens. All four have extenders designed to work with that lens and your EOS R will AF at f/11 so you could use a 2x - my three bodies only AF to f/8 so I stick with the 1.4x on the Canon. I use these lenses with Canon 5DIV, 7DII, 80D.
Here are pictures taken with them - I do birds, butterfles etc.
1. Canon 100-400 mk1 with 7DII hand held at aprx 30 yards
2. Canon 100-400 mk2 with 5DIV hand held at aprx 40 feet
3. Canon 100-400 mk2 + 1.4x with 7DII
4. Canon 100-400 mk1 dreaming of being a macro/closeup with 7DII
5. Tamron 150-600 first generation
6. Tamron 150-600 G2 with 80D bird up at about 4th story level on the other side of a large lot next door-just at sundown-extremely warm light

I included so many with 7DII because I use it a lot when out walking and it is only 20 MP, yet these lenses still produce great images.

Canon 100-400 mk1 with 7DII

(Download)

Canon 100-400 mk2 with 5DIV

(Download)

Canon 100-400 mk2 + 1.4x with 7DII

(Download)

Canon 100-400 mk1 dreaming of being a macro/closeup with 7DII

(Download)

Tamron 150-600 first generation with 7DII

(Download)

Tamron 150-600 G2 with 80D

(Download)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Why not consider a 400mm prime. You've got half the zoom range on the 100-400 covered already. If you go for a zoom it has to be the 600 in my opinion because of the coverage you've already got.

obsidian

Very good suggestion.
My first thought is to go with 100-400 mm but if Canon will have this available this summer then
this will be my choice.
There will be a lot of opportunity to shoot at different times of the day during the safari trip but if you
take the balloon ride at dawn then it will be very convenient to have the F/4 capability of this lens.
Same goes with sunset with that lone acacia tree, which is spectacular and breath taking view

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The Canon 100-400 II lens is one of the sharpest zoom lenses out there. But mounted on a FF body, for me in Florida, it would not get the job done, my subjects are too far away to fill the frame.
You have choices.
Get a cropped sensor camera and mount the 100-400 II lens on it.
Get the 100-400 II lens and a Canon 1.4 teleconverter
Get a Nikon D500 and the Nikon 200-500 5.6 lens

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Good Job Robert

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I like a wide angle 2.8 for wild life in the local bar.