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Which M model for Wildlife & occasional sports

Started Jul 3, 2020 | Questions thread
R2D2 Forum Pro • Posts: 26,528
Re: Which M model for Wildlife & occasional sports
19

JWAR1976 wrote:

Hi all, long time lurker of the main site but new member.

Welcome to the Forum!

I am currently the proud owner of the original 7D & 5D MKIII. Now both these bodies along with my favourite glass. Canon 70-200 2.8L II & 100mm 2.8L, amongst others is making my kitbag less back friendly.

I know exactly what you mean! I started lightening my load about 3 years ago when the Canon M5 was released (first mirrorless with a Dual Pixel sensor). It was just a ton of fun, and being able to simply pick up and go shoot really reinvigorated my photography.

So now that my 7D is showing it’s age, I am seriously considering one of the M models for wildlife & the occasional sport.

The M5 wasn't really the greatest action shooter, so I did keep a DSLR around for that (mainly for birding and sports).

I was wondering which M model would be best to achieve this

So last year when the M6 Mark II was announced with its greatly improved spec, I had to jump on it. Well it immediately became obvious that I wouldn't be needing a DSLR around any more for shooting wildlife or sports! As was mentioned by the others, the M6ii out-performed even my 7D Mark II very handily. The autofocus was significantly faster, much more consistent, and even focused better in low light. My keeper rate shot way up.

After several outings shooting BIFs I did find however that I still preferred my 7D2's optical viewfinder for acquiring and tracking birds. The M6ii could do it, but it was harder...

Canon 100-400 Mark II on the M6 Mark II. Click on "original size"

Canon 100-400 Mark II on the M6 Mark II.

Canon 100-400 Mark II on the M6 Mark II.

For everything else the M6ii just kicked butt.

I don't usually post full-size images, but to help evaluation here are some 100% crops (click on "original size")...

Canon 400mm f/5.6L on the M6 Mark II.

Canon 100-400 Mark II on the M6 Mark II.

Canon 100-400 Mark II + Canon 1.4x TC Mark III on the M6 Mark II.

Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro on the M6 Mark II.

As for sports, here's a nighttime bike race I shot. The M6 Mark II (and Canon 32mm f/1.4) did brilliantly...

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4464775

This combo was spectacular at basketball too...

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4471373?page=2

and if they are compatible with the Kenko 1.4x & 2x for that further reach on the above glass ?.

I don't have the Kenko Tele Extenders, but the Canon 1.4x iii on my telephotos focuses faster and more consistently on the M6ii than on the 7D2. Plus with the M6ii you can select any of the AF points (instead of only the 7D2's center point).

I have tried my older Tamron (non-reporting) 1.4x TC on the M6ii and it was blazing fast (faster than Canon's 1.4x TC since it didn't have Canon's built-in slowdown). Canon's IQ is better tho.

Personally I'd avoid the 2x TCs, but you should test yours to see if you gain enough reach to compensate for the down-sides. And remember that 32 MP will gain you some "reach" too.

Thanks for the replies it is much appreciated, must admit that the thought of not having a OVF / EVF is rather daunting

Just attach the EVF-DC2. I use it with my big lenses. Works great.

however in videos I have seen the eye tracking focusing etc on the screen looks really good, not to mention the samples of images that I have seen.

Eye AF is stunning. It's all I use now when shooting people.

I am just thankful that there are plenty of compatible lenses out there due to the limited M range.

Get the EF-M lenses, esp the primes. Also the Sigma fast primes. You won't regret it.

On a amusing note the missus’s face was a picture when I told her I was looking at not 1 but 2 mirrorless bodies, but then she doesn’t understand about crop and full frame, so good to have a choice. Who knows I may get hooked on mirrorless but then that remains to be seen.

I can just imagine her expression!

Like your FF and crop DSLRs, the R/RP and M Series will complement each other nicely. Heck, I just shoot the little M6ii now!

Best of luck with your quest (and DW). Holler back with any questions, or if you want more samples.

R2

ps. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to include some DIFs (Dragonflies In Flight) from earlier this summer. M6ii and 100-400ii (+Tracking Mode)...

R2

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