Re: I Could Use Lens Recommendations for Wildlife in Alaska (Bears!!!)
I do lots of bear photography and my three most used lens are 100-400, 200-400f4 and 600f4 (long shots with 1.4x). The 100-400 I use most in the car in good light. But much of the best shots are at dusk and dawn where f4 is ideal and the 100-400 is too slow. The 200-400 tends to get the best pictures because they tend to happen in low light and the animals are moving (zoom and f5.6) and the best shots are when they are closer in. The 600f4 excels when you find a subject a long way off - it tends to get the best wolf shots.
I still think that the EF 200-400 [to 560/f5.6] is the best bear lens because of zoom and f4 (low light) and flip in adapter.
I would not be fixated on RF lens. I would be trying to cover scenarios.
You lack a fast zoom in medium range and a long fast lens.
The best selection now ignoring your current kit for bears is likely 200-800 (car shooting with extreme zoom range and relatively light and close to same iq as 100-500 at 500), 200-400 (low light and zoom) and 600f4 (long shooting with 1.4x in low light).
100-300 is too short and expensive and you would always have the 1.4x on it. This is an ideal lens for someone who shoots sports and wildlife - not predominantly wildlife.
You already have the 100-500. It's a good lens but a bit slow and does not have 500-800. But it would be expensive to trade down to 200-800.
I am not sold on RF 600 being a big upgrade on EF 600. You could save some money and buy a used EF 600v3 (same weight as RF).
What about either:
200-800 and used ef 600f4v3 [sells the rest]
used 200-400 and 600f11 and your 100-500 [sell the rest]
Mar 29, 2024 at 04:17 PM
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