Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I went from a 5dD IV to the R5 no problems and no transitioning.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

I second all the positive reviews/comments here.

CKAlbion Loc: Mendocino, CA

I just took my R5 out for its first big outing with mixed results. Most of the problems are my poor understanding of all the settings. There were a lot of good shots, but a lot of "what the heck went wrong" shots, too.

What did surprise me was how fast the R5 used up batteries. I knew it was a hungry thing, but two batteries in a few hours surprised me. I'm going to buy a third one, because running out of power made for a sad afternoon.

MeriPhotos Loc: Phile, Pa

I have never found their website to be user friendly. I bought the R7 from my local store. It is a wonderful camera.

MtManMD Loc: Beaverton, Oregon

That seems strange. I was recently at Bosque and shot over 1,000 photos per outing and never fully drained a battery. And yes, there are a whole bunch of settings. It takes quite some time and education to understand them.

stangage

The R5 and the 100-500 lens is a really great combination. I consistently get great shots while hand holding the zoom at 50mm . The color depth I feel is better than my previous 5D IV with the 100-400,
If I really wanted to reach and find something to complain about its that the camera is way smarter than I'll ever be. It has many functions that even after 2 years of use I still haven't mastered. Since nearly 100% of my photography is wild life in motion using many of these unique tools has to be per-prepared.

OK One gripe. On the 100-500 lens if you opt for the 1.4x teleconverter the lens must be zoomed to greater than 300mm. So it is really only useful if you are in a situation where you know in advance you will need something between 420 -700 range. At that range with a small target its hard to get the desired target into the field of view and keep it there - again on a hand held basis. To get back to below 300 mm the the teleconverter must be removed. So I don't really use it much. It would be nice if Canon could devise some optics that would work from 140 t0 700.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Mount a "red dot"* sight in the hot shoe. The cheapest one on Amazon will work, no recoil to tear it apart like on a gun. It works wonders for fast finding of subjects. I even had a Canon rep who saw me using one at a park pond doing water birds during an event put on by my favorite camera store, who showed up the next weekend for the follow-up event with one on his camera. You do have to realign them from time to time, as bumps will make them shift slightly in the hot shoe. I even have a splitter rail that I can mount the red dot and a flash at the same time.

*many you get green dots and some you can change the color and the dot to cross hairs or a number of other styles of reticles, not just a dot.

(Download)

MtManMD Loc: Beaverton, Oregon

Nice to see that I'm not the only one. I have an identical red dot with hot shoe mount, and even the same hand grip. I haven't really used mine much yet. Do you switch over to the viewfinder after quickly zeroing in, or continue to follow birds with the red dot? I purchased a new spotting scope last year, which came with a picatinny rail on it (which is very rare). I quickly purchased a red dot to add onto it, which works wonders finding something at 20-45x. It worked so well I thought I'd try it with the long lens too.

Zooman 1

I have the R5 and R7, no problems with either. I add the R10 to have a light body, age is a factor.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Use a Canon 100-400mm and a 2X extender and gives me a 200-800mm, it works fine for me. Ad that to my 28-250 mm and my R5 in a small over the shoulder lets me go world wide and covers 28 to .800mm

Hoku1 Loc: hawaii

A big MAHALO UHH members for your excellent feedback!! No longer have cold feet!! Every comment were great and educational that helped my decision making. It's good to know that I have good fellow hobbyist that will give me helpful advice and support.

UHH members, "NoKaOi"!!! (The Best!!)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Depends, if the bird/subject is still, I switch to the viewfinder. If moving or flying I usually use the red dot, back off the zoom a bit to give me a better chance to keep the subject in frame and do my best to keep the dot on the most important part of the subject.
When I feel like lugging it along, I use a tripod with gimbal head - steadier than me at 77 and with practice helps in following the subject.
And I keep both eyes open just like they now teach shooters - one eye for the red dot, one for situational awareness around the subject.

Before I do any serious shooting I check the alignment of the red dot with my center focus point and I realign every so often just because. Clamp the camera & lens on a sturdy tripod with a head that can be locked into position. Put the center focal point on a target at least 50–60 feet away, then look through the red dot to see if the dot is on the same target. If real close, I just use Kentucky Windage and remember something like "put the dot a hair high and left". If way off from a bump etc. then I get out the little allen wrench and adjust.

I have read an article on using a gimbal on a monopod but have yet to give it a try.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

it's the best camera EVER!! You will not regret it. I moved from 5D4 and 7D2 - and no comparison!! DO IT

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

The choice should depend on what your primary focus in photography is. I shoot wildlife and birds and you cannot get as close as you would like. The extra resolution is what I need; your needs may be different. I also shoot a lot of family and grandkids pictures. Do I need 45 megapixels for that, no. But I only have one camera.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

I totally agree on the 1.4 being a pain on the 100-500!!!