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Canon R8 Initial Impressions

newyork
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p.3 #1 · p.3 #1 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

Sounds like the r6 ii ibis really helps with that 24-70 f/2 not having IS.

Apr 28, 2023 at 05:05 AM

Jman13
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p.3 #2 · p.3 #2 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

newyork wrote:
Curious if the 50 1.2 or 24-70 f2 would make shooting tough since neither has stabilization. You’d have a camera and lens without. Same as a Leica I suppose.

Same as any unstabilized lens...you just up your shutter speed. For the 50/1.2, for me, it's not a big deal. When I'm shooting that lens, most of the time I'm shooting people, and my shutter speed is going to be at 1/100s at a minimum anyway, so it isn't a big deal. For handheld dim light shooting of static subjects, though? Yeah, it'll cost you several stops of ISO. It's worth noting that the R8's high ISO performance is pretty good. ISO 3200 shots are rather clean, and ISO 6400 shots are still quite good. With proper NR, they look fantastic. Even ISO 12,800 and a bit higher clean up very nicely and are more than usable. 25600 starts killing detail a fair bit, and beyond is definitely going to be noisy.

For an example. This is a 100% crop of a shot at 10,000 ISO (RAW), with no NR applied in LR...this was also e-shutter, so it's from a 12 bit RAW.

And here's the same crop with LR's new Denoise, set at 40:

For me, the lack of IS on the R8 isn't a problem, since I have an R5 as well, and so I'd use the R5 in those situations where I'd need it, but for an only body, it's a consideration if you often shoot longer exposures handheld with those types of lenses. In that case, the R6 II makes more sense to choose.

For what it is, though, I'm finding the R8 makes the right sort of compromises for its price point. It's an immensely powerful camera for $1500, and sure, it is missing some of the things on higher end bodies, but that's the reason they're a higher end body.

Apr 28, 2023 at 06:26 AM

newyork
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p.3 #3 · p.3 #3 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

Very promising for $1500. Big leap to $2500.

Apr 28, 2023 at 06:42 AM

PicGuy
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p.3 #4 · p.3 #4 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

I called a local camera store a few days ago and found they had the R6/2 and R8 (body and kit) in stock. I went there fully expecting to buy the R6/2. I first handled the R6/2 and the the R8. Immediately I was very surprised with the difference in weight between them. It was very noticeable and turns out to be eight ounces with the batteries installed. Then I was surprised with how well the R8's grip felt in my hand. At this point, I started considering the R8 as a serious option. To cut to the chase, I picked the R8 mainly for its lighter weight and how well it handled. I gave up IBIS which is the only difference between the two models I really cared about. The differences with the EVFs wasn't all that noticeable. I have had cameras with the EP-L17 battery for years and don't find this to be a major issue. I don't care about dual card slots at all. The weight difference was what won me over though. Plus, with the $1k I saved I bought the RF 24-105mmL.

I haven't had a lot of time to use it but I am very impressed with the AF. It is quick to acquire and tracks the target like a bloodhound. The sensor appears to be very good with its level of detail, high ISO performance and overall IQ. The electronic shutter is something I will be using a lot and 40 fps is just insanely fast. Canon hit the nail on the head with the R8's size, weight and handling. I bought the kit and while the RF 24-50mm isn't Canon's best kit lens effort, I think it will be useful as a lens option to take when I want to take full advantage of the R8's small size and lightweight. I can carry this combo around for as long as needed and not be annoyed with it.

Barring any unforeseen gremlins popping up, I think the R8 will be a camera I will enjoy for many years. I no longer plan to buy any APS-C cameras or crop lenses going forward. I liquidated enough of my older gear to cover the cost of the R8 kit and half the cost of the RF 24-105mmL. I'm taking some more in tomorrow to hopefully do an even swap for the RF 100-400mm. Now I just need Canon to open up the RF mount to third party lens makers.

Apr 28, 2023 at 10:09 PM

Scott Stoness
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p.3 #5 · p.3 #5 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

PicGuy wrote:
I called a local camera store a few days ago and found they had the R6/2 and R8 (body and kit) in stock. I went there fully expecting to buy the R6/2. I first handled the R6/2 and the the R8. Immediately I was very surprised with the difference in weight between them. It was very noticeable and turns out to be eight ounces with the batteries installed. Then I was surprised with how well the R8's grip felt in my hand. At this point, I started considering the R8 as a serious option. To cut to the chase, I...Show more →

Good choice. I agree r6ii without the IBIS that I don't need and whole lot lighter. My only regret vs R6ii is c3 setting for wildlife. [ But I would not go with either if I did not have the r5's 45mpx for big printing of landscape.1/3 bigger print with same quality]]

Apr 29, 2023 at 06:02 PM

rscheffler
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p.3 #6 · p.3 #6 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

newyork wrote:
Sounds like the r6 ii ibis really helps with that 24-70 f/2 not having IS.

For me it does. Not sure how many R8 owners will buy the 28-70.

But if adapting an EF24-70/2.8, it would be a similar situation.

---------------------------------------------

Jman13 wrote:
For an example. This is a 100% crop of a shot at 10,000 ISO (RAW), with no NR applied in LR...this was also e-shutter, so it's from a 12 bit RAW.

At least based on the Photons to Photos DR chart for the R6II (same sensor/electronics), once you're around ISO 1600 there's no longer a DR penalty to using e-shutter.

Apr 29, 2023 at 09:40 PM

Jman13
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p.3 #7 · p.3 #7 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

One interesting improvement from Canon with the R8 - there appear to be no arbitrary electronic shutter speed limitations any more. The R5 and R6 were limited to 0.5 seconds on electronic shutter. Now there appears to be no limit. In normal modes, it can be up to 30 seconds, just like mechanical shutter, and it can even be used in Bulb mode. Due to the lower bit rate, I don't think I'd use it often for very long exposures, but it's nice to have for things like the focus stacking mode (where electronic shutter is mandatory), or for really long time lapses, since you're doing hundreds to potentially thousands of images, and taking the wear off the mechanical shutter is now possible at all speeds.

May 10, 2023 at 08:09 AM

f_a_98
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p.3 #8 · p.3 #8 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

I handled the R8 in the shop and came out really really impressed with it, especially the size, weight and AF.

May 10, 2023 at 09:48 AM

comotionfilms
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p.3 #9 · p.3 #9 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

Interested in the r8, but how has the bokeh issue been for folks who have one? I shoot a lot of wide open fast shutter speed stuff on 1.2-1.8 lenses, so I’m worried it will be an issue. Thx!

May 10, 2023 at 12:14 PM

Gochugogi
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p.3 #10 · p.3 #10 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

Jman13 wrote:
One interesting improvement from Canon with the R8 - there appear to be no arbitrary electronic shutter speed limitations any more. The R5 and R6 were limited to 0.5 seconds on electronic shutter. Now there appears to be no limit. In normal modes, it can be up to 30 seconds, just like mechanical shutter, and it can even be used in Bulb mode. Due to the lower bit rate, I don't think I'd use it often for very long exposures, but it's nice to have for things like the focus stacking mode (where electronic shutter is mandatory), or for really...Show more →

The R6 MK II also allows long shutter speeds in electronic mode.

May 10, 2023 at 01:47 PM

Gochugogi
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p.3 #11 · p.3 #11 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

comotionfilms wrote:
Interested in the r8, but how has the bokeh issue been for folks who have one? I shoot a lot of wide open fast shutter speed stuff on 1.2-1.8 lenses, so I’m worried it will be an issue. Thx!

If ISO 50 isn't slow enough to use F1.2 in bright light, use a ND filter. The R8's 1/4000 sec shutter speed is only one stop of difference from 1/8000 found on the R6/R6 MK II.

May 10, 2023 at 01:50 PM

Jman13
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p.3 #12 · p.3 #12 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

May 10, 2023 at 02:08 PM

Jman13
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p.3 #13 · p.3 #13 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

Gochugogi wrote:
If ISO 50 isn't slow enough to use F1.2 in bright light, use a ND filter. The R8's 1/4000 sec shutter speed is only one stop of difference from 1/8000 found on the R6/R6 MK II.

I think they're referring to cut off bokeh from electronic first curtain shutter, since the R8 doesn't have a mechanical first curtain. The solution is to use electronic shutter (which also goes to 1/16000s).

May 10, 2023 at 02:09 PM

Rivermist
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p.3 #14 · p.3 #14 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

Thanks to all contributing pictures and first impressions. A lot to digest. I currently own an R6mk2, backed by my original RP when I need a second camera, the latter of course due for phasing out at some time in the future. A lot of things going for the R8 to take that spot: identical sensor and many common features, more compact so may take on street photography roles. IBIS not a deal-breaker, just about all my lenses have IS anyway. I have never been bothered by the single card, although I do like the dual cards as it allows to separate RAW and JPG. The remaining issue is the battery inconsistency. I have said many time here in other posts that the compactness and low weight of the RP (and the R8) are possible by the use of a smaller battery, no miracles there. Two sets of spare batteries is an inconvenience, would a standard R6 as second camera be a better choice? Older sensor, older flash terminal, lesser shooting options and speeds, but same battery. 6 months to a year to think that one through...

May 11, 2023 at 08:30 AM

Scott Stoness
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p.3 #15 · p.3 #15 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

Rivermist wrote:
Thanks to all contributing pictures and first impressions. A lot to digest. I currently own an R6mk2, backed by my original RP when I need a second camera, the latter of course due for phasing out at some time in the future. A lot of things going for the R8 to take that spot: identical sensor and many common features, more compact so may take on street photography roles. IBIS not a deal-breaker, just about all my lenses have IS anyway. I have never been bothered by the single card, although I do like the dual cards as it allows...Show more →

Differing batteries are a pain. R5 (landscape, more mpx) or R7 (wildlife, more pixel, more reach -kinda) would be a better complement to 6v2 and use the same batteries. I have r5 and; got r8 a my backup wildlife and backpacking landscape and travel (don't need 45mpx) camera. I have found the focussing to be snappier than r5 and I really miss the c3. Its not yet summer here and its not still winter - so I have not tried it out enough yet, but aside from battery and 24mpx (I don't care about IBIS) its great.

May 11, 2023 at 11:56 AM

PaulMaewpa2
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p.3 #16 · p.3 #16 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

How do you manage without the AF joystick? I understand you can use the rear screen to select your starting focus point but I can’t imagine consistently having time to do that - plus my eyesight is no longer what it was so while I can see fine in a viewfinder, sometimes switching to a rear screen leaves my eyes out of focus.

I can’t remember not having a joystick to help the camera find the focus. My assumption is that not having one would drive me nuts, but I don’t see this consistently mentioned as a feature difference.

I think I can get past all the other differences from the R6II based on past experience with other cameras (although I need to check the fps options in electronic) and given that all my Canon lenses have IS, but I’d really appreciate some idea of how things work for you without a joystick. With Canon gear I shoot mostly wildlife (think jungle birds and active mammals in long grass).

This isn’t playing naive to make a veiled criticism of the camera by the way - both R6II and R8 look very impressive. It’s just that I am planning to sell whichever camera I buy now fairly quickly, as from July I probably have a period of 9-10 months when I won’t be shooting much and my old Sony A9 will do a job for those months. So I plan to revisit what I need going forward towards the end of the year/ early next year, presumably with new higher resolution options available by then.

May 16, 2023 at 08:42 PM

Jman13
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p.3 #17 · p.3 #17 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

I mostly just use the four way controller on the back. I have it set for direct focus point movement, so I just tap and move. It’s not quite as fast as a joystick, but it’s not much slower either.

May 16, 2023 at 10:00 PM

Gochugogi
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p.3 #18 · p.3 #18 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

PaulMaewpa2 wrote:
How do you manage without the AF joystick? I understand you can use the rear screen to select your starting focus point but I can’t imagine consistently having time to do that - plus my eyesight is no longer what it was so while I can see fine in a viewfinder, sometimes switching to a rear screen leaves my eyes out of focus.

You don't have to look at the LCD to select AF points with the rear LCD. As you look through the EVF, simply touch the LCD with your finger to move the AF point. It basically acts like a track pad. I find it easier to do than using a joystick and rarely use the joystick on my R6 MK II other than pressing it to center the AF point.

May 16, 2023 at 10:26 PM

PaulMaewpa2
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p.3 #19 · p.3 #19 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

Gochugogi wrote:
You don't have to look at the LCD to select AF points with the rear LCD. As you look through the EVF, simply touch the LCD with your finger to move the AF point. It basically acts like a track pad. I find it easier to do than using a joystick and rarely use the joystick on my R6 MK II other than pressing it to center the AF point.

Oh, right! Thanks so much. Actually now I remember that but I never really used the function so completely forgot. I suspected it had to be a dumb question. I can try it on my A9 if I turn the function back on! And then try with the actual R8 in a shop.

I think my problem would be that my left hand is tied up holding the lens - my lightest Canon lens is a 70-200/2.8 - and I use my thumb for back button focus - but I won’t know if I don’t try.

May 16, 2023 at 11:30 PM

Gochugogi
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p.3 #20 · p.3 #20 · Canon R8 Initial Impressions

You have a choice in the menu setup: AF selection from the left, right or whole LCD screen. I use my right hand thumb with the touch surface limited to the right side. Whole screen is too hard to reach for me, but those with spider fingers may like it. With screen surface limited, it takes tiny strokes to move or select AF points. Even the 2018 EOS R has this feature albeit not as smooth as newer models.

May 17, 2023 at 01:23 AM

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