Hi from Macclesfield,uk

[Chess 010]

New member
I have just bought canon R5 mark 1, and 100-400 lens. Considering purchase of 1.4 or 2x telephotos going safari next year
What are recommendations on these telephotos? I also have a Sony RX100 mark 7
I have previously had Nikon D90 and mostly used for landscapes etc on holiday but as going on safari and will want take photos of wildlife hence new purchase

 

[MikeZ]

Hi Alan, and welcome to the forum. Regarding your photographic questions/concerns about a safari (I presume Africa), a couple of years ago I shot my R5 MkI and a borrowed Sigma 150-600 and had great results. So, perhaps the 1.4 converter (ensure that it works with your lens before purchase) should be sufficient, especially when combined with the R5 sensor which is highly tolerant to cropping. You may also be surprised at how close you get to wildlife and will be grateful for the lower end of the zoom. Also, consider getting comfortable with your new gear with a few practice sessions at your local zoo before leaving home.
Have a great trip.

 

[Chess 010]

Hi Alan, and welcome to the forum. Regarding your photographic questions/concerns about a safari (I presume Africa), a couple of years ago I shot my R5 MkI and a borrowed Sigma 150-600 and had great results. So, perhaps the 1.4 converter (ensure that it works with your lens before purchase) should be sufficient, especially when combined with the R5 sensor which is highly tolerant to cropping. You may also be surprised at how close you get to wildlife and will be grateful for the lower end of the zoom. Also, consider getting comfortable with your new gear with a few practice sessions at your local zoo before leaving home.
Have a great trip.

Yes I am going South Africa next year
Some people advise getting 1.4 rather than 2.0 lens as reduces light too much and lowers focus so cannot decide which if any to get
Not a bad idea re going a zoo but may just go birding areas near to home
Still learning all the settings and setting up back button focus etc

 

[Woodbadger]

I just got back last month from a photo safari in Botswana. I own an R7 with the RF 100-400. The crop factor gave me an equivalent 640mm…plenty of reach. However, the f/8 max aperture (plus the R7 sensor lowlight performance) at 400mm worried me. So I rented a second R7 body and an RF 70-200 f/2.8. I probably shot 90% on the RF 100-400 but was glad to have the 70-200 to fall back on for low light situations. In low light we were usually closer to animals anyway so I did not miss the range when using the 70-200.

 

[Chess 010]

I just got back last month from a photo safari in Botswana. I own an R7 with the RF 100-400. The crop factor gave me an equivalent 640mm…plenty of reach. However, the f/8 max aperture (plus the R7 sensor lowlight performance) at 400mm worried me. So I rented a second R7 body and an RF 70-200 f/2.8. I probably shot 90% on the RF 100-400 but was glad to have the 70-200 to fall back on for low light situations. In low light we were usually closer to animals anyway so I did not miss the range when using the 70-200.

Thanks for this reply
So would you recommend a x1.4 rather than x2 teleconverter with 100-400 or neither ?

 

[Woodbadger]

Thanks for this reply
So would you recommend a x1.4 rather than x2 teleconverter with 100-400 or neither ?

I personally would not go that way. Apart from the cost/value proposition (the TC is 2/3 the cost of the lens) you lose another f-stop on a 1.4x and TWO on a 2x.
I am not familiar with the performance of your particular combo, but the 45mp FF sensor may allow you to crop sufficiently when necessary without having to worry about the TC. 45mp / (1.4)squared = 23mp. So you would get plenty of mp while achieving the same effective crop as with a 1.4x TC.
On our trip my wife borrowed a R6mkII with an RF100-500 and was more than happy with the results.
NOTE: This is only my opinion. I would suggest you check out a bunch of videos especially from safari photogs. A lot seem to use 400mm primes at f4 but that is a whole other price range!!!!

 

[miuzi]

Hey there! I have an R8 and frequently use the 100-400mm paired with the 2x extender, although not so much for wildlife. I've used it for airshows, the moon/eclipses, etc. Always handheld. I'm fine with letting the ISO get higher and then bringing the noise level back down using Lightroom. I think it's really great bang for the buck. Feel free to check out my media gallery for images I've shot with this combo.

 

[Chess 010]

Hey there! I have an R8 and frequently use the 100-400mm paired with the 2x extender, although not so much for wildlife. I've used it for airshows, the moon/eclipses, etc. Always handheld. I'm fine with letting the ISO get higher and then bringing the noise level back down using Lightroom. I think it's really great bang for the buck. Feel free to check out my media gallery for images I've shot with this combo.

Thanks for info
Am still undecided on 1.4 or x2 converter as worried about increased noise rather than just crop image

 

[MrSparks999]

As with lenses, if unsure rent both converters and see which works better for you.

 

[MikeZ]

As with lenses, if unsure rent both converters and see which works better for you.

That is sound advice.

 

[Archibald]

I don't have the 1.4x TC (on purpose). I think cropping on the R5 will be all you need.

The teleconverters were designed for the "big whites" - for instance the 400mm/2.8 and 600mm/4. They work on many zooms too of course, but one presumes the optics are less advantageous. This is just hearsay, mind you. It is stuff I have heard over the years but not tested myself.

Here is an AI result from Google.