p.2 #1 · Transition from NIkon (DSLR) to Canon - Good move?
Sy Sez wrote:
I have an R5 & RF 100-500L, and though I'm generally satisfied with lens IQ, & operation, my primary gripe is the 100-500's inability to zoom back beyond 400mm with an RF TC attached
If you were to go Nikon, there's the Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens (Nikon Z) for less than the 100-500L, and it has full zoom with their TC
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm is as big and heavy as the Canon RF 200-800 lens, which also supports the entire zoom range when used with an RF extender. Maybe 200-800 is the better lens for your R5 usecase.
p.2 #2 · Transition from NIkon (DSLR) to Canon - Good move?
I’ve used the R5ll with Rf 100-500 for over a year. R5 and EF 100-400 before that. Battery life is excellent on both R5 variants. The EF 100-400 is excellent, the RF 100-500 is even better. The 100-500 has caught many BIF shots that I would have missed with any other camera/lens combos that I’ve had. The one lens that I envy the Nikon shooters is the Z-600mm PF lens. But the Canon 100-500 has a short minimum focus distance. You can photograph butterflies and dragonflies, then immediately catch a hawk flying overhead without changing settings.
I suggest that you rent or borrow the R5ll and the RF 100-500 along with a teleconverter. See for yourself if that is a worthwhile expense.
p.2 #3 · Transition from NIkon (DSLR) to Canon - Good move?
jmckayak wrote:
But the Canon 100-500 has a short minimum focus distance. You can photograph butterflies and dragonflies, then immediately catch a hawk flying overhead...
Yes, that and having the 100–180mm range makes it an ideal lens for general nature photography, the kind of lens for the Galápagos, Antarctica, safari, or even just hiking in a national park if you can handle the extra weight over a 70–200mm f/4.
In contrast, the Canon 200–800mm and the Sony 200–600mm are in a different category, more specialised, bigger and heavier. I do think in that category internal zoom (meaning the lens does not extend when zooming) is desirable, given that you’ve already compromised on size and weight; the Sony has internal zoom but Canon chose to go with the extra focal length instead. I haven’t used either of these lenses, but am happy with the results of the 100–500mm on a 1.4× teleconverter. The difference between 700mm and 800mm isn’t that much (the Sony’s true focal length is reportedly 560mm so on a 1.4× would go to 780mm).
Given the OP’s weight concerns, the 100–500mm and a 1.4× is probably a good choice. Otherwise OM System’s micro 4/3 system is very popular for and specifically targeted towards this kind of usage.
p.2 #4 · Transition from NIkon (DSLR) to Canon - Good move?
I had the 2x long before the 1.4x. Got surprisingly good results with 100-500 with the 2x as a 600-1000 on the R5, at least at shorter ranges where the atmospherics wont interfere too much.
p.2 #6 · Transition from NIkon (DSLR) to Canon - Good move?
I'm curious what your main driving factor is in looking towards the Canon gear instead of getting a Z8?
Is it the 100-500 lens? If so then it is a one of a kind compared to Nikon or Sony. It can certainly be a good reason to switch systems.
Arguably Nikon has the best telephoto lens lineup for birds/wildlife but they don't have a lens quite like the RF100-500. The 180-600 is much larger and heavier. The other compact lenses are primes (400/4.5, 600PF or even adapted 500PF). The real standouts in the Nikon lineup are the TC lenses but those are in a different class and wouldn't be what you are looking for to help with weight.
But one thing to keep in mind is if you already own a number of F-mount Nikon lenses you can adapt them to a Z8 so you aren't having to swap a bunch of lenses into Canon equivalents.
I've owned the Nikon Z9, Canon R5 and Sony A1/A1II and shot with the Z8, R5II (and R3/R1).
The R5II is certainly the best value between those competitors. It bests the Nikon in pretty much every metric relevant to bird photography (like FPS, pre-capture). It also has hands down the best Bird Eye AF of all three brands. It also has the 2nd best BIF performance (the Sony cameras are still better for this).
The R5II and 100-500 is what I'd recommend for most people unless they really want to spend on the A1II and 300GM or one of the Nikon lenses that just aren't available from the other brands. But the R5II/100-500 is so good and the price is a great value for what you are getting.
p.2 #7 · Transition from NIkon (DSLR) to Canon - Good move?
Sy Sez wrote:
I have an R5 & RF 100-500L, and though I'm generally satisfied with lens IQ, & operation, my primary gripe is the 100-500's inability to zoom back beyond 400mm with an RF TC attached
If you were to go Nikon, there's the Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens (Nikon Z) for less than the 100-500L, and it has full zoom with their TC
What happens when you try to zoom back beyond (I assume it means below) 400mm? Does the TC element physically grind against the lens element and cause damage?
p.2 #8 · Transition from NIkon (DSLR) to Canon - Good move?
howard wrote:
What happens when you try to zoom back beyond (I assume it means below) 400mm? Does the TC element physically grind against the lens element and cause damage?
Thanks,
Howard
The lens will zoom back to 300mm, at which point the inner lens barrel stops against the rubber ring at the front of the teleconverter, so you have to take the TC off again to get back to the 100mm end of the zoom range.
The Nikon zoom can't get below 180mm no matter what you do, so you have to carry a second lens if you need a shorter focal length.
p.2 #9 · Transition from NIkon (DSLR) to Canon - Good move?
Cliff L. wrote:
The lens will zoom back to 300mm, at which point the inner lens barrel stops against the rubber ring at the front of the teleconverter, so you have to take the TC off again to get back to the 100mm end of the zoom range.
The Nikon zoom can't get below 180mm no matter what you do, so you have to carry a second lens if you need a shorter focal length.
So the lens is not designed to work with TCs, right?
(I have the lens but not RF TCs yet, hence the ask)
p.2 #11 · Transition from NIkon (DSLR) to Canon - Good move?
howard wrote:
So the lens is not designed to work with TCs, right?
Optically, the lens works fine with the TCs. Based on tests, as well as any Canon zoom lens I have seen save perhaps the 70-200 Z.
The zoom range limitation is physical. The TCs extend inside the lens barrel, so can only work with lenses that provide a large enough clearance for the rear elements.
This approach is a tradeoff, allowing for smaller, more compact lens designs. It means 100-500 will accept TCs, but only when zoomed out to 300mm and beyond.
Nevertheless, this is a supported configuration; the lens cannot be damaged by zooming when a TC is fitted.
p.2 #12 · Transition from NIkon (DSLR) to Canon - Good move?
I think you will find the R5 II + lens/es and excellent combo, but remember to be kind to yourself and patient, because there will definitely be a (big) learning curve to get the results you are expecting - learning new AF system, dialing it in, new menu system, training muscle memory, setting up short cuts, learning how to color grade to your liking, etc, etc, etc - it will all take time.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy minty used here on FM from a trusted seller and save thousands. Or go to Greentoe and get a much better deal than paying MSRP at a local dealer (even if I am a big fan of supporting local camera shops).
In reality, these days, you can get the results with any modern Canon, Nikon or Sony. They are all that good by now. I would say - even as a current Sony shooter - that Canon makes the best cameras on the market - as long as they have the lenses you need and they fit your budget, Canon lenses are great (but that is the reason I shoot Sony, I don't like the RF lens option and prices, nor the philosophy of a closed lens mount).
Did yours not come with an instruction manual?