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Wildlife Trip: M6 II + EF 100-400L vs R5/R6/R7 + RF 100-400/RF 100-500L?

Started 8 months ago | Discussions
OP cbrmanf4 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Possibly "none of the above"

MyM6II wrote:

Maxmolly7 wrote:

I guess this is really smart advice!

I disagree.

Don'tgo with new and unfamiliar gear.

Going from M5 to M6 Mark II should NOT be unfamiliar. I had no problems going from M6 (which is almost the same camera as M5) to M6II. 😃

(But option 2 and 3, I would not recommend.)

Yeah, I'm hoping the M6 II isn't too different from the M5 so the learning curve will be minimal.

OP cbrmanf4 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Wildlife Trip: M6 II + EF 100-400L vs R5/R6/R7 + RF 100-400/RF 100-500L?

Sooo, that brings us to the M6 Mark II, which I upgraded to coming up on 3 years ago now. And it’s indeed the upgrade you anticipate. I shot wildlife (mainly birds) with it plus the Canon EF 100-400L Mark II (+/- 1.4x Mark III TC) exclusively for a year. Yes it’s a heavy lens and carrying can be awkward, but it’s do-able, and shooting with it is actually no problem. Results are excellent, and the only subject I struggled with were BIFs.

Fortunately, my main goals are capturing larger animals (foxes, walruses, bears, whales.). There will be some birds (puffins, , but I hope I can get them nesting rather than flying.

Here's what I'm looking forward to...

https://www.secretatlastravel.com/explorers-club/svalbard/svalbard-wildlife-animals/

Personally (having shot extensively with both the M5 and M6ii), I don’t think you’d have a problem making the transition in the timeframe ahead. They’re very closely related. My #1 rule is to use Spot Autofocus exclusively. It’ll net you the highest number of keepers. I’d also advise shooting RAW (and processing later with DxO Photolab 5).

Thanks for the tip. How's the Zone AF? If I'm trying to catch a dolphin jumping out of water, I may not be able to get it on Spot as quickly.

To help with settings, check the M6ii Tips & Tricks thread…

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4433968

Thanks, I'll be sure to read up on it.

OP cbrmanf4 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Possibly "none of the above"

Yup, my fear with the R5/R6 is that they're so different from my M5 that I'll be spending more time figuring out settings rather than using the camera.

Alexis
Alexis Senior Member • Posts: 1,998
Re: Wildlife Trip: M6 II + EF 100-400L vs R5/R6/R7 + RF 100-400/RF 100-500L?

MAC wrote:

Alexis wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

My #1 rule is to use Spot Autofocus exclusively. It’ll net you the highest number of keepers. I’d also advise shooting RAW (and processing later with DxO Photolab 5).

Hi R2 - not for the first time I read with interest about your #1 rule to use "Spot AF" but as my M50 did not feature that mode I didn't really pay much attention. As my M50 Mkii does have "Spot AF" I was wondering if you can tell me under what circumstances Spot AF is preferred/more effective. With the eye AF being much improved on the M50 Mk2 (vs the M50) I tend to default to that especially when it comes to people, weddings etc but as you know, my other passion is sports photography (esp. water sports) and wondered whether the "Spot AF" is the best mode for those situations?

hi Alexis,

outside -- deep dof, high ss as R2 said

for sports I use spot, BBF and a sports 70-200 lens since I get a low hit rate in sports with my 55-250 stm lens

Thanks MAC

I don't have the luxury of an L lens (I sold my 70-200 L), but been quite happy with the EF-M 55-200 both in focusing speed and IQ. I am however flirting with a Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary or Sigma 150-600 for water sports but then again I am wondering how the whole RF/RF-S game is going to pan out and maybe best to hold back and get myself (if I join the RF/RF-S camp) an RF 600 f/11 as I usually shoot outdoors in very bright conditions plus at f/11 it  meets the "deep DOF" tip that you and R2 mentioned!

best wishes

 Alexis's gear list:Alexis's gear list
Canon EOS 50D Canon EOS M50 II GoPro Hero9 Black Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +12 more
Alexis
Alexis Senior Member • Posts: 1,998
Re: Wildlife Trip: M6 II + EF 100-400L vs R5/R6/R7 + RF 100-400/RF 100-500L?
1

R2D2 wrote:

Alexis wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

My #1 rule is to use Spot Autofocus exclusively. It’ll net you the highest number of keepers. I’d also advise shooting RAW (and processing later with DxO Photolab 5).

Hi R2 - not for the first time I read with interest about your #1 rule to use "Spot AF" but as my M50 did not feature that mode I didn't really pay much attention. As my M50 Mkii does have "Spot AF" I was wondering if you can tell me under what circumstances Spot AF is preferred/more effective. With the eye AF being much improved on the M50 Mk2 (vs the M50) I tend to default to that especially when it comes to people, weddings etc but as you know, my other passion is sports photography (esp. water sports) and wondered whether the "Spot AF" is the best mode for those situations?

Hi Alexis,

I like to get close to water level whenever possible (this increases subject isolation... for the AF too).

Good tip R2 thanks!

I don't know how the M50ii's AF will respond as I don't have one, but go ahead and experiment both ways. Theoretically (if AF acquisition is fast enough), Eye AF could yield some extremely well focused shots, if the eye is clear enough.

I'd be really interested to know how the M50ii fares. Be sure to report back!

For sure! I will have some opportunities in July/August for some water-sports action so watch this space!

R2

 Alexis's gear list:Alexis's gear list
Canon EOS 50D Canon EOS M50 II GoPro Hero9 Black Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +12 more
MAC Forum Pro • Posts: 18,487
Re: Wildlife Trip: M6 II + EF 100-400L vs R5/R6/R7 + RF 100-400/RF 100-500L?
1

Alexis wrote:

MAC wrote:

Alexis wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

My #1 rule is to use Spot Autofocus exclusively. It’ll net you the highest number of keepers. I’d also advise shooting RAW (and processing later with DxO Photolab 5).

Hi R2 - not for the first time I read with interest about your #1 rule to use "Spot AF" but as my M50 did not feature that mode I didn't really pay much attention. As my M50 Mkii does have "Spot AF" I was wondering if you can tell me under what circumstances Spot AF is preferred/more effective. With the eye AF being much improved on the M50 Mk2 (vs the M50) I tend to default to that especially when it comes to people, weddings etc but as you know, my other passion is sports photography (esp. water sports) and wondered whether the "Spot AF" is the best mode for those situations?

hi Alexis,

outside -- deep dof, high ss as R2 said

for sports I use spot, BBF and a sports 70-200 lens since I get a low hit rate in sports with my 55-250 stm lens

Thanks MAC

I don't have the luxury of an L lens (I sold my 70-200 L), but been quite happy with the EF-M 55-200 both in focusing speed and IQ. I am however flirting with a Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary or Sigma 150-600 for water sports but then again I am wondering how the whole RF/RF-S game is going to pan out and maybe best to hold back and get myself (if I join the RF/RF-S camp) an RF 600 f/11 as I usually shoot outdoors in very bright conditions plus at f/11 it meets the "deep DOF" tip that you and R2 mentioned!

if you can get your m55-200 to work that is great.  My 55-250 is not very good with AF  speed to and fro, or too far away, sometimes ok with speed sideways.

I'm also looking at R7 + RF 100 - 400 or just no R7 and the siggy 100-400 c

please keep us apprised

best wishes

 MAC's gear list:MAC's gear list
Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EOS RP Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS R8 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM +7 more
Maxmolly7
Maxmolly7 Senior Member • Posts: 1,481
Re: Wildlife Trip: M6 II + EF 100-400L vs R5/R6/R7 + RF 100-400/RF 100-500L?

MAC wrote:

if you can get your m55-200 to work that is great. My 55-250 is not very good with AF speed to and fro, or too far away, sometimes ok with speed sideways.

<snip>

Are you aware that the lens may need a firmware update?

I cannot complain about AF speed of my STM after the update it was rather fast.

-- hide signature --

May THE LIGHT be with you!

 Maxmolly7's gear list:Maxmolly7's gear list
Sony RX10 IV Sony RX100 VII Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +16 more
MAC Forum Pro • Posts: 18,487
Re: Wildlife Trip: M6 II + EF 100-400L vs R5/R6/R7 + RF 100-400/RF 100-500L?

Maxmolly7 wrote:

MAC wrote:

if you can get your m55-200 to work that is great. My 55-250 is not very good with AF speed to and fro, or too far away, sometimes ok with speed sideways.

<snip>

Are you aware that the lens may need a firmware update?

I cannot complain about AF speed of my STM after the update it was rather fast.

how did you update it?

 MAC's gear list:MAC's gear list
Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EOS RP Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS R8 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM +7 more
MAC Forum Pro • Posts: 18,487
Re: Wildlife Trip: M6 II + EF 100-400L vs R5/R6/R7 + RF 100-400/RF 100-500L?

Maxmolly7 wrote:

MAC wrote:

if you can get your m55-200 to work that is great. My 55-250 is not very good with AF speed to and fro, or too far away, sometimes ok with speed sideways.

<snip>

Are you aware that the lens may need a firmware update?

I cannot complain about AF speed of my STM after the update it was rather fast.

ahh, I just updated the 55-250 stm on my RP

it went from version 1.02 to 1.03

Thanks for the heads up

I'll see how this works!!

 MAC's gear list:MAC's gear list
Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EOS RP Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS R8 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM +7 more
bisquefire Junior Member • Posts: 27
Re: Wildlife Trip: M6 II + EF 100-400L vs R5/R6/R7 + RF 100-400/RF 100-500L?

Sounds like a fabulous cruise! I just got back from a 14 day to Iceland, Ireland and Scotland. Carried the M6mii with the Canon 22mm pancake and the 18-200mm Tamron. Traveled light. Also carried the Panasonic  FZ1000 for panoramas and some long shots. Pancake worked well out the windows of busses, tenders and cruise ship. Others for anything else. Really liked the 22mm though. The Tamron even though not the sharpest is pretty good for long shots. As far as wildlife, hope to someday see a longer lens.

Make certain to have covers for weather, back pack/bag, and waterproof cover for camera.

Take care and have a great trip

 bisquefire's gear list:bisquefire's gear list
Panasonic FZ1000 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Tamron 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC Canon EF-M 15-45mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM +1 more
Maxmolly7
Maxmolly7 Senior Member • Posts: 1,481
Re: Wildlife Trip: M6 II + EF 100-400L vs R5/R6/R7 + RF 100-400/RF 100-500L?

Download firmware for lens from Canon website, unpack to SD card and go to firmware updates in camera menue, start according to instructions.

-- hide signature --

May THE LIGHT be with you!

 Maxmolly7's gear list:Maxmolly7's gear list
Sony RX10 IV Sony RX100 VII Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +16 more
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