Canon RF 100-400 Bird Photography with the EOS R7 Is the RF 100-400 any Good? Is RF 100-400 Sharp?

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 26 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 105

  • @SnaphypeWorld
    @SnaphypeWorld Місяць тому +2

    Phil, your dedication to photography and family is inspiring. You’ve turned your back porch blind into a showcase of stunning shots. Wishing Heather a smooth and speedy recovery!

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      @@SnaphypeWorld thank you! Heather is recovering steadily.

  • @adrianalfordphotography
    @adrianalfordphotography Місяць тому +4

    Nice work Phil on the photographs. Hope Heather is feeling better after her operation 🙏

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      Thank you, Adrian! Heather’s surgery was October 22 and she is continuing to recover. She is ahead of schedule on her recovery compared to the last time she had this surgery on the other foot and ankle.

  • @michaelagin7076
    @michaelagin7076 2 дні тому

    There are aftermarket lens mount collars available for the 100-400. They do have the limitation of only mounting in the landscape orientation.

  • @Eli4Bill
    @Eli4Bill Місяць тому +1

    Great images Phil. Thanks for sharing with us what that combo is capable of, especially in good light. Hope the healing process for Heather is swift and complete.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      @@Eli4Bill thank you! Heather is recovering nicely.

  • @k26kv31
    @k26kv31 Місяць тому

    Liked the video at the end where Mr. Chip is barking out a warning, as well as the pictures of all of your birds. Hope Heather is feeling better and recovering from her surgery.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      Thank you! Heather’s recovery is on track.

  • @richwoodham3296
    @richwoodham3296 Місяць тому

    Hi Phil... Great video as usual. Praying for Heather's speedy recovery.... 🙏

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      Thank you! She is recovering steadily and in my opinion ahead of schedule.

  • @heidismerek4163
    @heidismerek4163 Місяць тому

    Sending Heather hugs and prayers for a speedy recovery. Great photos

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@heidismerek4163 thank you!

  • @stephenbolger5925
    @stephenbolger5925 Місяць тому

    The 100-400 F8 is a gem! I hope that Heather recovers from her surgery soon 🙂

  • @jalenobanphotography
    @jalenobanphotography Місяць тому

    Wishing your wife a speedy recovery. Love your channel and, as always, great photography. Thanks, Phil!

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@jalenobanphotography thank you, Jalen!

  • @JonnyPink65
    @JonnyPink65 Місяць тому +2

    That is such an awesome lens. The only reason I don't own it is because I have the 100-500 and I used to have the EF V1. Beautiful shots and take care of Heather ❤

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      Thank you, JP! Heather is continuing to recover from her surgery, which was October 22. I think she is ahead of schedule on her recovery.

    • @JonnyPink65
      @JonnyPink65 Місяць тому

      @@PhilThach Glad to hear. And, you have that amazing blind to shoot from while being close! 🤗

  • @MrTmiket0007
    @MrTmiket0007 Місяць тому

    Thanks Thanks Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always, I hope Heather get well soon 👍🤗

  • @davidct2406
    @davidct2406 Місяць тому

    Nice photographs again Phil. I used to have the same camera set up but upgraded to the Canon R6ii and the 100-500 lens. Wife was happy as she inherited my old (not very old) set up and we both got some amazing pictures during a recent holiday in South Africa.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      Thank you, David! I think the 100 to 500 on the R7 is a great combination. I’m not sure if you’ve ever tried it, but you have all the resources to do it.

    • @davidct2406
      @davidct2406 Місяць тому

      @@PhilThachI did indeed Phil and as you say it is a great combination. My wifes camera was the Canon D100 (I bought it her many years ago as a Xmas present) but lately she has really enjoyed our photographing days out and so I used it as an excuse 😂 to buy the R6ii body for use with the 100-500. The R7 with the 100-400 is a nice light set up for her as well.

  • @jeffgaboury3157
    @jeffgaboury3157 Місяць тому

    Awesome images! I love my RF 100-400, which pairs well with my R8. Such a light and painless carry!

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      The lightweight is a great part about this lens and also its minimum focus distance is outstanding. Thanks for watching!

  • @acemanNL
    @acemanNL Місяць тому

    Love the Carolina wren! In Dutch that's a winterkoning (winterking) 🙂🇳🇱

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@acemanNL thank you! I’m pretty much a fan of all Wren.

  • @ses4vols
    @ses4vols Місяць тому

    Nice shots! I really liked the chipmunk shot.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      @@ses4vols thank you! You always like the chipmunk. Me too, they are cute.

  • @Kellysher
    @Kellysher Місяць тому

    That last shot of the chipmunk making noise made me chuckle. I was hiking earlier this spring in an area with thrushes, and kept hearing this noise. There was more than 1 for sure. I got the Merlin App out and it just couldn’t identify the “bird”. I was stumped for a minute until I realized…..the noise was not a bird! If Merlin could talk, I would have got an earful that morning!

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      I’m sure I have done the same thing!

  • @augusto_alves
    @augusto_alves Місяць тому

    Sometimes I miss more reach on my R8, but I love this lens! Great video!

  • @leonfisher
    @leonfisher Місяць тому +1

    Speedy recovery wishes for Heather.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      Thank you, Leon! Her surgery was October 22 and she is recovering nicely. We are hoping she can be partial weight-bearing on the foot and ankle that had surgery in the next couple of weeks.

  • @blisteringbooks2428
    @blisteringbooks2428 Місяць тому +1

    In the UK small birds are like bullets, vanish the moment they have seed. A friend changed his 100-400Lii for the RF because of the weight, says it is pretty good with the RF1.4x. At the moment we are getting very little sun in the UK, I tried the 1.4 on my 200-800, but at f13 I was on 12,800 iso, pretty much a waste of time. Lovely images as always.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      Our birds are often that way here as well. You usually only have a fraction of a second to get a photo once they have a seed. I’m personally kind of down on teleconverters right now and may sell my RF 1.4.

  • @amitkrupal1234
    @amitkrupal1234 Місяць тому

    I am getting addicted to watching your video.

  • @PhotoGearFun
    @PhotoGearFun Місяць тому

    I just love my 100-400 on a crop body like the R7 or even R50. For the price it's hard to beat. It's not 100-500 for sure but at 1/4 the price or so it's a great value. You made some great images as always. I love that Chickadee shot (the first one). I love to use this lens for video even at 400mm on the R7 the video is pretty darn stable. Keep up the great work!

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@PhotoGearFun thanks, Phil!

  • @Chris_Wolfgram
    @Chris_Wolfgram Місяць тому

    I own one. It's a fine lens. Definitely a WAAY better value than the 100-500. Only problem is, it's just too short for "most" of my bird shooting. It's fine for shooting from the blind, and good for stuff like flowers, butterflies, etc. As for sharpness, its just like what I say about ALL these modern lenses, which is to say > Used correctly "from close enough" to make shots with a lot of megapixels on your bird.... then shrunk down to 3-5 mp for digital viewing, and one would be hard pressed to see a difference in shots from this lens, and the 100-500, the 200-800, the 800 F11, etc, etc.
    Oh hey btw, I think its cool to see you using this microlight setup on a tripod :) You must be as crazy as I am :) lol BTW, I actually found a tripod collar for the RF 100-400 on amazon. Really helps with the balance :) And it lets me pre-focus on a likely spot on my perches, then use my hands to surf around on UA-cam and FB while I wait :)

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      Great comment. I agree! 👍

  • @PamHaynes-oo3ck
    @PamHaynes-oo3ck Місяць тому

    Hi Phil and Heather, I pray for Heather's healing.🙏

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@PamHaynes-oo3ck thank you, Pam she is doing well and is in my opinion ahead of schedule on her recovery.

  • @davetv8171
    @davetv8171 2 дні тому

    Selling my Nikon stuff for the R5II, I had got the 100-500 coming again. This looks like a great lens and one reason to downsize the weight of my kit as much as I can. This looks tempting as another option after I get the R6 mark III

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  2 дні тому

      What Nikon stuff are you selling? I might be interested.

    • @davetv8171
      @davetv8171 2 дні тому

      @ it was my z8 and Plena. I seen you were getting a Plena but I had already traded mine at Roberts. Great combo just bigger and heavier than the Canon and Sony. I’m a big guy but don’t like to carry more weight than I need. Favorite cameras are the A7CR, SL3 but always loved the R5 when I had it. So hence the R5II and my want for the R6III. Just got the 28-70 f2 Sony. Very good.

  • @IsaiahMcAllisterImagery
    @IsaiahMcAllisterImagery Місяць тому

    I think the 100-400 is great for backyard birding where you can get relatively close to your subject without having to crop much. Where the 100-400 starts to breakdown I noticed is when you start cropping a bunch, the IQ just doesn’t hold up as well as something like the 100-500 does.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      It’s always best to get close when it comes to bird photography, even with expensive lenses and especially with inexpensive ones. Thanks for watching!

  • @Alexander_Kushnarev-117
    @Alexander_Kushnarev-117 Місяць тому

    Hello, I'm glad you made a video about R7. It's been a while since you made one. I still think the 100-500 is a waste of money. The difference is not so big that it's worth overpaying so much. It's best to buy the 100-400 and 200-800. I have both of these lenses and I owner of R7.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@Alexander_Kushnarev-117 thank you!

  • @ianslingsby3415
    @ianslingsby3415 Місяць тому

    I have this set-up it's great for the cost.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@ianslingsby3415 I agree!

  • @SkylarkFields
    @SkylarkFields Місяць тому

    Thank you, very useful video!

  • @davidsaylors
    @davidsaylors Місяць тому

    Those tufted titmouse photos are awesome. That has to be me favorite photos.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      Thank you, David! I love those little birds!

  • @wellingtoncrescent2480
    @wellingtoncrescent2480 Місяць тому

    Lovely images. Thanks for sharing. I use the RF100-500 with my R7, but I am tempted by the lighter RF100-400. Do you think it's usable with the R7 and the 1.4x TC? Best to Heather.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      Thank you! I don’t recommend using a teleconverter with this lens. Opinions vary on that question.

    • @wellingtoncrescent2480
      @wellingtoncrescent2480 Місяць тому

      @@PhilThach Thanks. If I remember correctly, you and Heather described your experience with the R7/RF100-500, and even with the better lens, you seemed unconvinced.

  • @michaelpeppersack8599
    @michaelpeppersack8599 Місяць тому

    give us a view of the perches ! how they are attached , are they drilled to hold seed ?

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      They are screwed on to the handrail. One, the stump perch, is drilled for seed. There are many videos on the channel that show the perches better.

  • @xb9er
    @xb9er Місяць тому

    I hope Heather has recovered and is doing well. I have the RF 100-400 that I use with my R6 Mark ii. The combination works well for me. By the way, FYI, I was able to get a very nice tripod collar for this lens on Amazon from a company called "iShoot." It cost me around 50 USD. (Sorry, didn't read all the comments, so ignore if it's already been mentioned) Have a happy Thanksgiving!

  • @stephendando-j4n
    @stephendando-j4n Місяць тому

    Simple answer is YES.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@stephendando-j4n yep!

  • @geraldherd4199
    @geraldherd4199 Місяць тому

    Get well soon, Miss Heather.
    The chipmunk sound clip may solve a mystery for me. I hear the sound often and have been using Merlin Bird app to try to ID it. If it’s coming from a chipmunk, that would sure explain why Merlin is drawing a blank.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@geraldherd4199 thank you! I did not know what that sound was for a long time.

  • @gregmonforton4103
    @gregmonforton4103 Місяць тому

    I've been using the R7 and 100-400 more or less since it was available and it has been a great combination. I've since picked up the R8 as well for wide/normal and video so the 100-400 lives on the R7.
    I'm intent on getting the 100-500 but that brings the questions: do I sell the R7 (and consider a teleconverter), and do I sell the 100-400? I take it on a lot of strenuous hikes and its size and weight and performance have been fantastic. I wonder if I would prefer to leave the 100-500 at home for those situations. The RF 100-400 is an amazing value and I would recommend it (with the R7 or even a lesser body) for anyone who is starting telephoto photography.
    You pointed out where in the zoom range the various minimum apertures become available and that's a really interesting thing about the 100-500: if you just zoom out a little bit it can do better than 7.1. The 100-400 hits F8 pretty early.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@gregmonforton4103 great comment, thank you!

    • @Alexander_Kushnarev-117
      @Alexander_Kushnarev-117 Місяць тому

      Don't buy 100-500 - the difference is small, but it costs a lot of money. Better buy 200-800

  • @brianode11
    @brianode11 Місяць тому

    The R7 and RF 100-400 is such a great combo. I’ve been wanting some more reach for sunrises, sunsets, and moon shots. What are your thoughts on the RF 800mm f11 for shots like this? On the R7 of course.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      @@brianode11 I think the 800 f/11 would be fine for a photograph of the moon on the R7.

  • @marcoshea4868
    @marcoshea4868 21 день тому

    Hi Phil r7 or z50ii for birding and wildlife ? Many thanks

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  21 день тому +1

      @@marcoshea4868 I can’t make that decision for you. I have both and I like both, but neither are perfect.

    • @marcoshea4868
      @marcoshea4868 21 день тому

      @ thank you Phil low light and auto focus is more important to me than resolution , I’m getting older can’t see to make decisions 😀, I really enjoy your videos thanks for sharing..

  • @malekith13
    @malekith13 Місяць тому

    It would be nice to have an affordable lense like that for nikon Z, we only have the tamron but it's only a 70-300 without IS :/

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@malekith13 I agree.

  • @ivanross-d6b
    @ivanross-d6b 26 днів тому

    Phil, I use that lens when I don't feel like carrying the rf 100-500mm. It's a very good lens for the price.
    Been trying photograph two birds close together using f8, stop focus point. The first bird is in focus, the second one is not .
    Would it help if I used f14 and a larger focus area to get the two in focus.
    I don't do a lot of photography.
    Thanks

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  26 днів тому

      It might help, but you’re typically only gonna get one bird and focus unless they are on the same plane.

  • @WernerBirdNature
    @WernerBirdNature Місяць тому

    Hi Phil, beautiful shots, especially the great poses of your titmouse!
    This is the combo my wife is using, mostly because of the impressively low weight. She hasn't even been tempted to try my 100-500 when I used the 200-800. Few weeks ago, we got her an iShoot collar for this lens, and it made a hell of a difference in balancing for the mushroom shoots (trying out focus stacking) we did the past weekends. She's now also using the Flexshooter ;-)
    Take good care of heather, and give her a big hug from your audience !!

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      @@WernerBirdNature thank you! I did not know they made a collar for the 100-400. That is really cool! I have never tried a flex shooter, but I would love to at some point.

    • @WernerBirdNature
      @WernerBirdNature Місяць тому

      @@PhilThach I think the model type is IS-RF140. It does have some gaps around the AF/MF etc buttons, meaning it cannot rotate 90 degrees like most lens foots. But it already is arca-swiss comaptible (a little short, so we had to unscrew one of the stop-slip screws at the bottom.)
      Last time we chatted about Flexshooter you found it a bit too expensive. But my price-sensitive wife is happy she's now got it, and my colleague aka birding buddy has also just ordered his flexshooter.
      Next Friday we'll be with 3 Flexshooters in a kingfisher hide 😀

  • @SsoulBlade
    @SsoulBlade Місяць тому

    what is Vero? a website?

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      @@SsoulBladeVero is a social media application. Imagine Instagram except the pictures look good even when you zoom in on them and with less BS.

  • @forced_perspective
    @forced_perspective Місяць тому

    You gwt some amazing images from your hide even with the 'budget' setup. Definitely not as bokehfied as your more expensive glass but still fantastic

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      @@forced_perspective thank you!

  • @bindaasrover
    @bindaasrover Місяць тому

    Thumbs-up

  • @amitkrupal1234
    @amitkrupal1234 Місяць тому

    Are all feeders 10 feet away from camera

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      Yes. 10 feet. :)

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому +1

      Yes, they’re all 10 feet from the front of the blind.

  • @bowdenimages1197
    @bowdenimages1197 8 днів тому

    It’s funny that you said this lens is “plenty sharp,” but you complained about the 200-800 being soft, and it’s significantly sharper than the 100-400 😂 It’s not at 800mm, but it’s only slightly softer, and it’s sharper at every other 100mm mark. I mean I would take the 100-500 for the sharpness, of course, but not for $1k more and 300mm less when it’s damn close to being as sharp.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  8 днів тому +1

      For 649, this lens has great sharpness. For 1899 the 200-800 doesn't. For 2899 (on sale now for 2399!) the 100-500 better be damn sharp, fortunately, it is.

    • @bowdenimages1197
      @bowdenimages1197 8 днів тому

      @ It’s on sale for $2399??? I didn’t know that! But to be fair, the 200-800 for $1899 and that sharp I still think is a great deal. But, as much as you shoot wildlife and such, if you could only have one of those lenses, which would it be?

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  8 днів тому

      @@bowdenimages1197 100-500 for sure!

    • @bowdenimages1197
      @bowdenimages1197 8 днів тому

      @@PhilThach Wow, I’m a little surprised by that. I’m not a bird photographer though and don’t spend as much time doing wildlife and such, even though I love it, so I’m not the best judge of that. But I would’ve thought that the extra reach would be more important. I’ve used the 100-500 renting it a lot, and I always felt like I wanted a little more. I honestly had the chance to buy it, and since I had the 100-400 I felt like it was unnecessary. I bought the 200-800 and it definitely gets there, but I’m honestly just not sold on it, even though I feel it’s great for what it is, I’m still not sure it’s worth it either. Which is why I’m on one of your videos 😂

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  8 днів тому +1

      @@bowdenimages1197 I agree, the 100-500 is often too short on a full frame camera for birding. On an R7 it's perfect. 800mm full frame equivalent with great sharpness. It's everything the 200-800 wishes it could be but it can't.

  • @MattisProbably
    @MattisProbably Місяць тому

    I just don't understand Canon's approach to lenses. They only have either super budget lenses with nearly unusable apertures or uber expensive premium lenses 😅
    Let's say you want a telephoto lens. What are your options if you want a native RF lens? You have your typical high performance primes. 400/2.8, 600/4, 800/5.6. Then there are the... Budget primes. 600/11? 800/11? I mean yeah they are cheap and decently sharp but... f/11? Really?
    And when it comes to zooms the only one they have with a focal length beyond 200mm but without a stupidly small aperture is the 100-300/2.8. The 100-500 is a really sharp lens but it has an MSRP of close to 3 THOUSAND bucks (usually price seems to be 2500 but still) and it has an aperture of f/7.1 at 500mm anyway! 200-800? 6.3 to 9!
    That's what I like about Nikon. The 100-400 is great and it's at f/4.5-5.6. 180-600 at 5.6-6.3. And while their less expensive primes are still pretty pricey, at least they have very usable apertures.

    • @PhilThach
      @PhilThach  Місяць тому

      I agree, Canon really needs a 200-600 5.6-6.3 for under 2000.

    • @MattisProbably
      @MattisProbably Місяць тому

      @@PhilThach Yeah but if you were to ask them for one they would just point at the 200-800 and call it good enough. Or at the 200-500 and suggest you add a TC.
      They are doing pretty will with the shorter lenses but as a Canon shooter you need pretty deep pockets to get something decent for wildlife and such...
      Meanwhile I had pretty good fun with my 180-600 today 😀Also met a friend, he showed of his Plena he got recently and we actually talked about this very subject.
      Another friend of mine does shoot Canon and he is jealous about the 180-600 as well.