I'm an amateur photographer but am really sad about this site going away.  I've learned a lot reading the articles and forums.I'm planning to upgrade my Canon 550d, probably to an R7 or R10.  But I'm planning a birding lens purchase first.  So, I'm looking for advice.  Should I first buy a 70-200 2.8 with a 2x extender or instead, something like a Sigma/Tamron 150-600 or a similar, or Canon, 100-400.  Would have to get the adapter after an upgrade, but right now, those are $99, so affordable.

70-200 will be very short for birding. Go for something bigger, bigger the better. So Sigma/Tamron 150-600 will be a great range, but just check on the issues that you might face with third party adopted lens on Canon R bodies. Else Canon RF 100-400 will be great budget lens.You also might want to explore EF mount lenses such as 100-400 L lens. All the best!

I went with the R7+ RF 100-400 and think it's the obvious path for entry-level wildlife/birds. Small, light, relatively inexpensive, and as a native RF lens focus is fast and accurate. I plan on adding a longer lens - probably either the Sigma 60-600 or 150-600, but maybe the RF 100-500 if some $$$ spontaneously appear.

The Rf 70-200 F2.8 will not accept an extender. I have the RF 100-400 and its great except its not weather sealed. I use the R7 for birding.

As others have said 70-200 is nearly useless for birds. Take a look at the RF 100-400. It pairs well w/ the R7 for birding w/ the 1.6x crop factor and is very light. It goes on sale frequently.

Good advice for you so far. Don't discount the 150-600's too quickly. Check on the wildlife forum; Red posts images regularly that he has shot with the R7 and a 150-600. I did not had any significant issues when I used my Sigma 150-600C on my R6, although the RF100-400 spends most of its time on the R6 and the RF800 on the R7.Happy shopping.

souvikdgp wrote:70-200 will be very short for birding. Go for something bigger, bigger the better. So Sigma/Tamron 150-600 will be a great range, but just check on the issues that you might face with third party adopted lens on Canon R bodies. Else Canon RF 100-400 will be great budget lens.You also might want to explore EF mount lenses such as 100-400 L lens. All the best!Thanks for this.  That makes sense.  I'm definitely looking now at EF compatible lenses.  If it wasn't clear from my request, I'm planning to buy a lens now and use it with my 550d while I save some more for a new mirrorless Canon camera and an EF-R adapter.  Don't have the money to do both now and with spring here soon (live in Chicago), I want to take more pics.

dwkdnvr wrote:I went with the R7+ RF 100-400 and think it's the obvious path for entry-level wildlife/birds. Small, light, relatively inexpensive, and as a native RF lens focus is fast and accurate. I plan on adding a longer lens - probably either the Sigma 60-600 or 150-600, but maybe the RF 100-500 if some $$$ spontaneously appear.Thanks.  This sounds like good advice, but will have to wait I guess to get enough money for both.  I don't think the RF 100-400 is backwards compatible with my old Canon?BTW, let me know if you find a reliable way to get some "$$$ to spontaneously appear."In the meantime, I'm still working my day job.

Bestwun2 wrote:The Rf 70-200 F2.8 will not accept an extender. I have the RF 100-400 and its great except its not weather sealed. I use the R7 for birding.Thanks.   I'm seeing lots of good things about the RF100-400 for birding.

spec68 wrote:As others have said 70-200 is nearly useless for birds. Take a look at the RF 100-400. It pairs well w/ the R7 for birding w/ the 1.6x crop factor and is very light. It goes on sale frequently.Thanks.  I met someone the other day shooting with that and she said she really liked it.

John Photo wrote:Good advice for you so far. Don't discount the 150-600's too quickly. Check on the wildlife forum; Red posts images regularly that he has shot with the R7 and a 150-600. I did not had any significant issues when I used my Sigma 150-600C on my R6, although the RF100-400 spends most of its time on the R6 and the RF800 on the R7.Happy shopping.Thanks much.  I'll look for Red's posts so see what he says (before all this disappears!).  The advantage of the Sigma is, from what I can tell, I could buy it now and use it on the 550d, and then maybe in the fall, when I have more money for the new camera, continue to use it with an adapter.

KShaneH wrote:John Photo wrote:Good advice for you so far. Don't discount the 150-600's too quickly. Check on the wildlife forum; Red posts images regularly that he has shot with the R7 and a 150-600. I did not had any significant issues when I used my Sigma 150-600C on my R6, although the RF100-400 spends most of its time on the R6 and the RF800 on the R7.Happy shopping.Thanks much. I'll look for Red's posts so see what he says (before all this disappears!). The advantage of the Sigma is, from what I can tell, I could buy it now and use it on the 550d, and then maybe in the fall, when I have more money for the new camera, continue to use it with an adapter.I would recommend that if you buy now an EF lens, consider buying 2nd hand from a reputed reseller, save money now to upgrade the camera earlier, and in case you don't keep it and sell it , the loss will be much less vs buying now a new lens

Llop wrote:KShaneH wrote:John Photo wrote:Good advice for you so far. Don't discount the 150-600's too quickly. Check on the wildlife forum; Red posts images regularly that he has shot with the R7 and a 150-600. I did not had any significant issues when I used my Sigma 150-600C on my R6, although the RF100-400 spends most of its time on the R6 and the RF800 on the R7.Happy shopping.Thanks much. I'll look for Red's posts so see what he says (before all this disappears!). The advantage of the Sigma is, from what I can tell, I could buy it now and use it on the 550d, and then maybe in the fall, when I have more money for the new camera, continue to use it with an adapter.I would recommend that if you buy now an EF lens, consider buying 2nd hand from a reputed reseller, save money now to upgrade the camera earlier, and in case you don't keep it and sell it , the loss will be much less vs buying now a new lensThanks.  I'll look into this.  I've looked at some used lenses on line before (B&H, Adorama, Keh) and did not see much of a discount to buying new, but it sure makes sense to look.