Some actual first impression of the R7 (with first images)

Nature Lover 2018 wrote:

Could you help me with this?

I am planning to upgrade my canon D80 camera to the R7. My only use is for wildlife photography, mainly birds. Questions

1. I heard the mechanical shutter is unusually noisy (audible), so it may scare the birds (that sometimes came close enough and present unique opportunities for great photos). Is the mechanical shutter noisy, like a machine gun? Canon EOS R7 Shutter sound check (mechanical) - YouTube

Not as bad as some suggest. Compared to the 80D it is only noisier as it is running at 15fps.  However you can just switch to electronic shutter and have silent shooting. I have a simulated click on mine as otherwise there il no feedback, especwhen your shutter on hanging from the strap and you are accidentally pressing the button. I have it set to the lowest volume level so not intrusive at all

2. Also, I have reports that the shutter button is mushy, and it is difficult to sense the midway to activate the autofocus, and ones ends up taking the photo before ready. What is your experience with this? Usually I focus on a bird, and I have to stay on it while gyrates to a better position for the photo. During that time, I keep the shutter button halfway (while balancing in one leg at the edge of a deep creek)

I use back button focus so for me it is not an issue. It gives me more control as I can change AF modes just by using different back buttons. Having said that, I don’t find it mushy at all. I come from multiple other Canon bodies including the 80D and 7D2 and find the button similar.

3. Any feeling yet if using the electronic shutter reduces the battery life. I spend long days in the field, carry two batteries, and I do not want to run out of juice far from my base.

No, battery life in ES is very good. I am getting well over 1000 shots on a battery. I am using the high speed mode of the viewfinder too and it is just fine. Probably only getting 20-30% less shots than I used to on my 7D2.

4. Finally, any experience using the adaptors for EF lenses? I have zoom lenses that are all for the D80, which are EF lenses.

I am using a number of Canon EF and EF-S lenses adapted and they are as good or better on the R7 than they were on DSLRs before.

It seems that the autofocus capabilities of the R7 are superior to the 80 and 90D. I wander if they can be useful to focus on birds in the grass, obstructed by thin grass (or small leaves, thin straw, etc.).

The eye AF really is astonishing. You will find it a big jump from the system you are used to. It does have quirks though which take some adjusting. I have been very impressed by how well it picks out a subject even if you use all focus poi st for acquisition and tracking.

Thanks,

Rudy.