lorvey Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

No question here. Just wanted to share a comparison analysis with you. I have a Canon R5, an R7, and two lenses-a 100 to 500mm RF zoom and a Canon 800mm RF prime. I have often wondered which combination of camera/lens would provide the best results at 800mm. I was not able to find a good analysis of this with a google search or in the Ugly Hedgehog search, so I decided to conduct my own comparison. Maybe not the most scientifically controlled, but my best effort.

Here is the setup-
-R5 with an 800mm lens.
-R5 with the 100-500mm lens, cropped in post to get to 800mm.
-R7 with the 100-500mm lens, no crop needed since this is a crop sensor camera 1.6X

I took several different sets of images in these three scenarios. I have attached one of those sets. I went into this thinking the R5/100-500mm cropped image would be the best. It will probably be the system I use most often, but the results did not make it a clear cut winner. In fact I think the image quality on all three were quite close. See the images provided.

Here are some of my conclusions:
-Because the 800mm lens has a fixed aperture at f11, it is only usable in good light and also when the subject is more that 18 feet away. The sample images provided were about 200 yards away.
-The DOF using the 800mm lens is less than when using the 100-500mm lens.
-I also paired the 800mm lens with the R7 to get an effective focal length of 1280mm, but I have not been successful at getting any quality images with this setup. So I don't plan on using that combination.
-The R5/100-500mm is obviously the most flexible system, so another reason to use it.
-The JPG file size/pixel count of the R5/100-500mm-cropped option was significantly less than the other two alternatives, so that may make it less usable for enlargements.
-In some of my other test shots, the image quality from R7/100-500mm combination tended to be a bit less detailed, but it required some pixel peeping to make that determination.
-When using any of these setups, a high shutter speed was required to eliminate camera shake. Definitely 1/1000 or higher (shorter).
-Originally, I was thinking about selling my 800mm lens or my R7, but now I think I will keep them. There may be situations when I will want to use one combination over the other.

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Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

In my eyes, the R-5 with the 500 looks best.

tbsteph Loc: Ohio

Interesting comparison. All are very close. YMMV.

mikey12654 Loc: Vancouver, WA

I would have to say the R5/100-500 would be my pick. I have the R5/800 too and use it quite a bit but would love to have the 100-500. For the 800, since using DxO DeepPrime I'm able to jack up the ISO for low light shooting. I like your post, great info!

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

When you tried the 800mm on the R7 and did not get quality images, were you on a tripod and using a remote release? If not, would that be something to try?

lorvey Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Thank you, 100-500mm is a great lens. Focuses as close as 3 feet, very useful in multiply situations. So, if you get it, you won't regret it.

lorvey Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I did not use a tripod, but I was resting my camera and lens on the window of my car shooting at 1/2000. Subject was pretty far away, so many it would work better on a closer subject.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

I’d say that for most purposes, all are equally good. Since you seem to be curious, it might be interesting to compare them under low light at sunrise or sunset, a closer subject, shooting in the general direction of the sun and so on. Were it me, I’d want to compare them under more difficult conditions to separate the men from the boys. Only because I’m curious about such things and like you, I too have compared lenses, cameras and different combinations under varying conditions.

One thing I did find was that my Nikon D80 and 70-300 (the cheap lens) don’t seem to like each other. The lens performs adequately on other cameras and other lenses perform adequately on the D80, but even on a tripod, the D80 & 70-300 combination refuses to deliver sharp images at infinity. You would think that if it was the lens then it wouldn’t be sharp on other cameras of if the camera other lenses would not be sharp b

mikey12654 Loc: Vancouver, WA

You're so very welcome. Yeah, it seems most folks who have the 100-500 love it, unfortunately it's a bit out of my price range, however, I said the same thing about my R5 lol. I'll just use my trusty old EF 100-400 ii for now.

lorvey Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Yea, it probably would be better to show comparison photos under different conditions and using different settings. But I am pretty sure which combo would win in low light. The 800mm/f11 at low light would require a higher ISO setting. So more noise. I know the R5 is a better camera in low light than the R7. So I guess I'm saying I'm pretty sure the R5 with the 100-500mm lens would win that battle. I will probably be using the R7 with the 18-150 lens because it is smaller/lighter and provides a good walk around range.

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

Proof positive that your post proves nothing.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I have a Canon R5 fitted with the Canon RF 100-500 mm lens.
When I shoot RAW at 500 mm I have a file size large enough to comfortably crop to the equivalent 800 mm view image.
I also have a similar result when I shoot at 500 mm, and using the "Q" button and selecting the "crop/aspect ratio 1.6" for an equivalent 800 mm result.
Just another option to consider. It works well for me though your mileage may vary.
Using any measure, the Canon RF 100-500 mm when paired with the R5, makes me . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I spend a lot of time taking photographs...very little time contemplating my navel!

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I’d love to have one too, but probably not gonna happen anytime soon. In the meantime I’ve been very happy with my Sigma 150-600. That lens (compared to the RF 100-500) is 100mm longer and 1/3 stop brighter. I’ve had it paired with the R5 at Bosque Del Apache and it was quite good. Surprisingly so.

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

It would be intereting to see the R5 with the 100-500 plus a 1.4 teleconverter in the comparisons.