R5? R6? Anyone?

[Kayaker72]

Brant - super review, thanks for all those details! The R-bodies are clear winners in so many ways. I'd certainly lean to getting one when the 1DXIII becomes the 1DX-R. When I imagine all the mirrorless benefits merged with the 1DX, it boggles the mind. But really, I'm still super happy with what I have, and it's sort of like owning a Ferrari and wondering if I should get a Lamborghini (just a tiny bit less costly )

Thanks. I think you are providing ample proof that Ferrari still has some game in them.

I agree, very nice review.

Are you considering adding the battery grip?

Thanks.

As for the battery grip, I am. It is a bit lower on the priority list. Right now I am trying to sort out the memory card situation. What do you think about yours? I have never owned one for my previous cameras, but I am thinking about one for the R5. As long as the batteries stay at >1000 images per charge, that will be great for my typical shooting style, but I can see an advantage for a photography dedicated event where keeping the fps up longer and getting over 2,000 images before swapping out batteries would be useful.

Had really nice weather today here on my north finland trip and had also my 800mm with me and ran into lone common redpoll. This image is really tight cropped and slight edits without any sharpening etc.. just some colors clarity etc.

Have to say that once the weather is clear this lens with r6 is really boosting my bird photo graphy.

Great that it is opening up a new type of photography for you.

[Joel Eade]

As for the battery grip, I am. It is a bit lower on the priority list. Right now I am trying to sort out the memory card situation. What do you think about yours? I have never owned one for my previous cameras, but I am thinking about one for the R5. As long as the batteries stay at >1000 images per charge, that will be great for my typical shooting style, but I can see an advantage for a photography dedicated event where keeping the fps up longer and getting over 2,000 images before swapping out batteries would be useful.

I did get a battery grip for the 5DIV and the battery life is a non issue ..... I have shot 8 hours days with thousands of images on two batteries and I think they drive the big lenses quicker too.

Not sure about getting one for the R5 ..... I really like the compactness and light weight of the system as a whole (especially with the 100-500) and I am hesitant to add weight and size.

I did purchase one 64 gig CF express card and a reader.

[Kayaker72]

I did get a battery grip for the 5DIV and the battery life is a non issue ..... I have shot 8 hours days with thousands of images on two batteries and I think they drive the big lenses quicker too.

Not sure about getting one for the R5 ..... I really like the compactness and light weight of the system as a whole (especially with the 100-500) and I am hesitant to add weight and size.

I did purchase one 64 gig CF express card and a reader.

I hadn't considered that it might drive a lens faster. Interesting. Ultimately, volts are volts, but I wonder if there are momentary drops in voltage with one battery that is fixed by having two? Or maybe as the battery drains it's performance lessons, despite still being within an "acceptable" spec. With two batteries, that drain takes longer to appear? I am seeing something like this with my M6II. I haven't covered this in a post yet, but there were a couple sequence of images where it just did not get focused even though the scene had good contrast. I did not notice until I was at home looking through photos, but in retrospect, the 2-3 events occurred when the battery was low.

BTW, I should probably clarify, my 5DIV would be ~400-1,200 images, per battery (mix of batteries from 2013-2017). So the higher end is inline with what I've seen on the R5. My main issue with batteries and the 5DIV is actually drain while the camera is off or powered down. A fully charged battery will be dead in a week or so. If I mistakenly just pick up the camera and go, the battery might be dead. My fix is that I have multiple fully charged batteries and charger sitting on a shelf for easy access. Whenever I grab the 5DIV, if I haven't used it in a day or two, I swap out the batteries. But, I have yet to see any appreciable drain on the R5.

But I agree, I am also enjoying the compactness of the R5. This gets a bit more complicated as I shoot enough off a tripod that the "L" bracket is important and, of course, there are different "L" brackets for gripped vs non-gripped configurations.

Also, and I do not know if you use a "L" bracket or leave it on, but I was just looking at the RRS images/videos. While it looks like RRS has worked to accommodate the swivel screen, but that is a bit too tight of fit for the screen and L bracket for my comfort. Plus...more size/weight.

[Joel Eade]

But I agree, I am also enjoying the compactness of the R5. This gets a bit more complicated as I shoot enough off a tripod that the "L" bracket is important and, of course, there are different "L" brackets for gripped vs non-gripped configurations.

Also, and I do not know if you use a "L" bracket or leave it on, but I was just looking at the RRS images/videos. While it looks like RRS has worked to accommodate the swivel screen, but that is a bit too tight of fit for the screen and L bracket for my comfort. Plus...more size/weight.

I have never used an L bracket ..... have not done much landscape imaging via tripod. The super tele lenses of course have the rotating tripod collar.

[Jonathan Huyer]

I have never used an L bracket ..... have not done much landscape imaging via tripod. The super tele lenses of course have the rotating tripod collar.

I love L-brackets for landscape work... it's so quick to switch from horizontal to vertical. Brant if you're going to get one, I might suggest just going for the non-grip version. You aren't too likely to need to grip when you're using a tripod, I'm thinking. The grip is more for wildlife and BIF when you are shooting rapidly. And in those cases, you're likely using a gimbal anyway. The only disadvantage is that you'd have to remove the L-bracket to put on the grip, but that's not too big a deal in my view.

[Kayaker72]

The more I mulled it over, the more I came to that conclusion. As much as it is nice to not be messing around with your camera, I'll likely swap out the L-bracket and battery grip when needed as I do not really see needing both at the same time. The L-bracket has lived on my 5DIII and 5DIV. Not only is it very convenient for landscape photography, family portraits, etc, but it does provide an extra level of protection for the camera. So, I am keeping my pre-order for the RRS non-gripped L-bracket. But, honestly, the biggest thing I am waiting for is a clear drop in filter or the second EF-RF adapter with a control ring that I've ordered. The adapter that showed up right away was the EF-RF with the CPL drop in filter, which seems to be ~2 stop ND.

[Busted Knuckles]

Just picked up R5.

Went to the Grand Canyon with my EF lenses and found I really like the adapter with the cpl.

Have both straight and filter insert adapters.

Shot alot with my 16-35 and 90 t/s.

I habe sooo much ef glass wondering of the RF glass is "worth it" and have to give up the cpl adapter.

Thoughts????

[neuroanatomist]

I habe sooo much ef glass wondering of the RF glass is "worth it" and have to give up the cpl adapter.

Thoughts????

Depends on the lens, IMO. My most-used filters are a 10-stop ND and a CPL, and I have those in 77mm and 82mm sizes that work with most lenses. Where the drop-in adapter if really nice is with lenses like my TS-E 17 and EF 11-24, where the front filtering options are a real PITA.

Filters aside, the question of is it ‘worth it’ comes down to the features and cost of the RF versions.

[Busted Knuckles]

So how long does it take to take 500 frames w/ the electronic shutter and 20 fps? well not that long. Just did a short tour of a popular birding spot and focused on perhaps 8 birds.... 467 frames later..... LOL LOL LOL

[Kayaker72]

I habe sooo much ef glass wondering of the RF glass is "worth it" and have to give up the cpl adapter.

Thoughts????

I've been mulling over exactly the same thing. Overall, my plan is:

1. Pick up an RF lens that does something significantly better or new for me, compared to my existing kit.
2. Wait 1-2 years as Canon fills out their RF lens lineup just in case something comes out that changes how I might want to construct my kit.
3. Eventually make the RF conversion to take advantage of native lenses and the various enhancements that they offer, although, I doubt I will convert everything.

Most RF lenses have offered something over their EF counterparts. Right now, the RF 100-500 is probably most tempting. Lighter, slightly sharper, great balance, and 100 mm extra reach. I've seen some references go by that the AF may be faster too. Thus before my next event where I may focus on wildlife, I'll give that lens and any other wildlife focus lenses a harder look.

But, other than that, the adapters work great, and have the advantage of the drop in filters and being compatible both with my 5DIV and M6II.