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How should I resolve my birding GAS?

Started 5 months ago | Polls thread
drsnoopy Senior Member • Posts: 1,216
Re: How should I resolve my birding GAS?
1

User1303423862 wrote:

Larry Rexley wrote:

User1303423862 wrote:

StevenSHH wrote:

M6 Mark II is not bad, but if you are really serious about birding - get the R7 , sell the R, maybe with M6 and other lense

R7's crop factor helps with reach and the AF is just next generation stuff.

Good Luck!

I know the R7 is state of the art for AF, but I'm reluctant to sell my M gear and get locked into a system using heavy full frame lenses or rehashed M lenses (at higher prices) with no native third party options to provide price competition and wider choice.

I like advanced tech, but hate being led by the nose.

I'm with you... I once calculated how much it would cost for me to move to 'R' and get 'similar' bodies and a comparable lens system. I shoot with 2 m6ii's and 2 M200's, and 14 lenses plus TCs and speed boosters. The 'upgrade' cost is well over $10,000!! I have spent less than $5000 on my entire system to date. The upgrade cost seems insane and it would be a far larger, heavier system - to get images that would be almost no different than what I get today with 'M' and DxO.

Sure the autofocus of the R7 is state of the art, but the M6ii and even M200 autofocus is also excellent for 95% of my uses. That extra 5% is not enough to warrant such a vast price difference.

Secondhand price on the M6ii is almost as high as new at the moment, and I don't think that'll change much anytime soon. I might buy my first ever brand new ILC.

I've found a possible lens option too. The Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS II USM is as quick to focus as the RX 100-400, and I could use it on both the M6ii and EOS R at full resolution. It's a gamble so far as birding goes, because Canon say it isn't TC compatible. As you and I know, Canon may just be saying that for commercial reasons, rather than optical/mechanical reasons. But even if I can't get a TC to work with it, I could have a lot of fun at the motorcycle race circuits and up in the hills getting dramatic landscape angles. And squirrels, of course.

The EF 70-300 L definitely doesn't accept a Canon TC, there is insufficient room behind the rear element.  It will apparently accept a Kenko TC, but with some AF issues.

Your 55-250 STM will work brilliantly on an R7 or R10 body, using the EF-RF adapter.  My strong suggestion is to go with an R7/10, possibly by selling something.  You aren't limited to "expensive FF RF lenses" as you can use any EF or EF-S lens.  One very good lens to adapt is the 10-18STM which gives the UWA currently missing from the APS-C R range.  You will be amazed at the AF on the new cameras, especially for birds whether perched or in flight.

 drsnoopy's gear list:drsnoopy's gear list
Canon EOS RP Canon EOS R5 Canon EOS R10 Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro +10 more
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