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AlanF · Jun 5, 2026

MkSprintz said:
Despite its shortcomings it is an incredible camera, and very capable of capturing quite a lot of avian wildlife including hummingbirds. The only BiF it might struggle with is take-offs, of which pre-capture on cameras can sometimes make that scene more obtainable than in the pre-mirrorless days.

I don't use Pre-shooting much at all waiting for birds or insects to take off. For me, it's far more useful for birds in flight in general as it enables you to track and capture an action that you would otherwise need to save images continuously and have more to process. It's also very useful when you are trying to capture very fast erratically flying birds or insects that flash across your viewfinder and you react only after they have disappeared off screen.

Click · Jun 5, 2026

I really like this shot. Well done, foda.

AlanF · Jun 5, 2026

Del Paso said:
Or did you perhaps mean People Inhibiting Tasty Ardbeg?
If so, I'm an active member of the sect!

I have never thought of you as a PITA.

AlanF · Jun 5, 2026

dynamike said:
The R7 does have Pre-shooting, although 0.5s is not always enough (1s like the Z9 & Z8 are offering gives a bit more room for reaction, if you are slow, but the Nikons don't record RAW-files, only JPEGs...). Unfortunately it is hidden in the menu under RAW burst mode and is not deployable as a single button action via Custom Functions which makes it not very useful especially in situations (such as wildlife has plenty of) where you would want to activate this setting quickly.

Here's the link to the manual for those who are not familiar with the feature:

Canon : Product Manual : EOS R7 : RAW Burst Mode

The R7 has other major drawbacks such as its "unique" button layout (no other Canon EOS has the same scheme; the EOS 7D, 7DII and 5D models had all the same universal button layout which was extremely comfortable when using different bodies - except for the EOS 1D series which was and is always something special), it has a very loud mechanical shutter (almost unusable for shy wildlife) and a slow electronic shutter, no option for a separate battery grip (like the EOS 7D & 7DII had and all the EOS 5D models had and was extremely handy with long telephoto lenses) and - as you mentioned - the lack of a powerful & intelligent AF-system (which could have been at least partially addressed via Firmware updates, but that never happened and this shows the low priority the R7 has at Canon).

I have used it, and it's a disaster. As @neuroanatomist and you have said it's a pain to get into and use. But, more importantly, it works only with ES, of course, and the R7's rolling shutter is a catastrophe with fast action. Here are some shots from it I posted some years ago to illustrate how rolling shutter renders it useless for capturing fast action with ES using the pre-shooting mode of the R7. You need to use the mechanical shutter or EFCS for fast action and it's OK then.

3R3A8421_01-DxO_Grey_Wagtail+rolling_shutter.jpg

MkSprintz · Jun 5, 2026

dynamike said:
The R7 does have Pre-shooting, although 0.5s is not always enough (1s like the Z9 & Z8 are offering gives a bit more room for reaction, if you are slow, but the Nikons don't record RAW-files, only JPEGs...). Unfortunately it is hidden in the menu under RAW burst mode and is not deployable as a single button action via Custom Functions which makes it not very useful especially in situations (such as wildlife has plenty of) where you would want to activate this setting quickly.

Here's the link to the manual for those who are not familiar with the feature:

Canon : Product Manual : EOS R7 : RAW Burst Mode

The R7 has other major drawbacks such as its "unique" button layout (no other Canon EOS has the same scheme; the EOS 7D, 7DII and 5D models had all the same universal button layout which was extremely comfortable when using different bodies - except for the EOS 1D series which was and is always something special), it has a very loud mechanical shutter (almost unusable for shy wildlife) and a slow electronic shutter, no option for a separate battery grip (like the EOS 7D & 7DII had and all the EOS 5D models had and was extremely handy with long telephoto lenses) and - as you mentioned - the lack of a powerful & intelligent AF-system (which could have been at least partially addressed via Firmware updates, but that never happened and this shows the low priority the R7 has at Canon).

Despite its shortcomings it is an incredible camera, and very capable of capturing quite a lot of avian wildlife including hummingbirds. The only BiF it might struggle with is take-offs, of which pre-capture on cameras can sometimes make that scene more obtainable than in the pre-mirrorless days.

That said bodies such as the R6ii run circles around the R7, and there is a noticeable step up in image quality sometimes. Though better image quality might not always be discernible to the naked eye. Probably why the R7 has largely sat in my bag while I use the R6ii.

Hopefully whatever is released in 2027 or 2028, or whenever at this point addresses those minor shortcomings of the existing R7.

neuroanatomist · Jun 5, 2026

dynamike said:
Unfortunately it is hidden in the menu under RAW burst mode and is not deployable as a single button action via Custom Functions which makes it not very useful especially in situations (such as wildlife has plenty of) where you would want to activate this setting quickly.

Not very easy to deploy, and the RAW burst must be unpacked with Canon's DPP. Vastly inferior to the pre-continuous shooting option on more recent cameras.

dynamike · Jun 5, 2026

AlanF said:
The major drawbacks for the R7 are AF and not having Pre-shooting. It's great for stills, but for action, BIF, DIF etc it's not in the same league as the R5ii etc. If they improved the AF and added Pre-shooting, I'd throw on a lighter telephoto like the RF 100-500mm or the RF 100-400mm and use it rather than the R5ii + RF 200-800mm. I have a feeling Canon might not like that.

The R7 does have Pre-shooting, although 0.5s is not always enough (1s like the Z9 & Z8 are offering gives a bit more room for reaction, if you are slow, but the Nikons don't record RAW-files, only JPEGs...). Unfortunately it is hidden in the menu under RAW burst mode and is not deployable as a single button action via Custom Functions which makes it not very useful especially in situations (such as wildlife has plenty of) where you would want to activate this setting quickly.

Here's the link to the manual for those who are not familiar with the feature:

Canon : Product Manual : EOS R7 : RAW Burst Mode

The R7 has other major drawbacks such as its "unique" button layout (no other Canon EOS has the same scheme; the EOS 7D, 7DII and 5D models had all the same universal button layout which was extremely comfortable when using different bodies - except for the EOS 1D series which was and is always something special), it has a very loud mechanical shutter (almost unusable for shy wildlife) and a slow electronic shutter, no option for a separate battery grip (like the EOS 7D & 7DII had and all the EOS 5D models had and was extremely handy with long telephoto lenses) and - as you mentioned - the lack of a powerful & intelligent AF-system (which could have been at least partially addressed via Firmware updates, but that never happened and this shows the low priority the R7 has at Canon).

foda · Jun 5, 2026

Chestnut-eared Araçari seen while birding in Colombia, January, 2026.

R5MkII RF200-800mm

Del Paso · Jun 5, 2026

AlanF said:
Not a PITA - People Imbibing Tasty Alcohol?

Or did you perhaps mean People Inhibiting Tasty Ardbeg?
If so, I'm an active member of the sect!
Edit: "Imbibing". (I wasn't imbibed when I wrote "inhibiting", no idea why)

Del Paso · Jun 5, 2026

neuroanatomist said:
In the USA, too. They switched from the leather pouches to the metal alloy boxes some time in the second half of 2025. Despite stating in 2022 that, "From now on, all B+W filters will be delivered in high-quality cases made of genuine leather. The leather cases not only protect against scratches and dirt but can also be reused for storage and transport."

View attachment 229944
I dunno, maybe they got some blowback on using genuine leather from a group like PETA (of which I'm an affiliate...no, not that PETA, the other one...People who Eat Tasty Animals).

The 67mm Master 007 clear that I ordered on the same day that I ordered the 20-50/4L came in the metal box, as did the 43mm Master 007 clear that was delivered today alongside the RF 16/2.8.

Out of curiously, what made you go with the T-Pro instead of the Master? I've stuck with the Master line, which has the same spec as the prior XS-Pro mount. The T-Pro mount is very slightly thinner, but I find the XS-Pro to be more than thin enough, and I'll pass on the titanium-colored coating instead of the black coating on the same brass; I also prefer the knurling on the Master over the smooth T-Pro edges.

Actually, I prefer the smoother knurling of the T-Pro version, especially when cleaning the filter. Besides, I never use any other filters on my lenses, so an easier removal has no importance to me. The clear filter stays on all the time. The boxes will be used for small camera screws or other parts.

Click · Jun 5, 2026

Vas Val said:
Alpine swift and Jackdaw
from South Portugal

Very nice shots. Welcome to CR.

neuroanatomist · Jun 5, 2026

I've been flirting with the idea of picking up this lens for some time, mainly with rationale that Bryan/TDP expressed – "What if you could take a compact prime lens to cover the widest angle needs with the general-purpose zoom lens handling the rest?"

I ordered it yesterday, sort of an impulse buy. Yesterday evening, I was at my youngest's middle school concert performance with a full backpack of gear, and decided that for my oldest's high school graduation tonight I wanted to take just one toploader bag (the on-stage photographer will get pics of the diploma handoff, far better than I would get from the stands with the families of about 500 graduates). I was planning to take the 24-105/2.8, but had also considered the 14-35/4 because there will be some group shots after and the field will be crowded. So the solution will be to put the 16/2.8 in the pocket of the toploader, in case I need a few wide shots. Courtesy of Amazon, the lens that I ordered late last night was on my doorstep when I woke up this morning, and the hood is out for delivery today.

neuroanatomist · Jun 5, 2026

AlanF said:
Not a PITA - People Imbibing Tasty Alcohol?

Yes, that one, too.

AlanF · Jun 5, 2026

neuroanatomist said:
View attachment 229944
I dunno, maybe they got some blowback on using genuine leather from a group like PETA (of which I'm an affiliate...no, not that PETA, the other one...People who Eat Tasty Animals).

Not a PITA - People Imbibing Tasty Alcohol?

neuroanatomist · Jun 5, 2026

Del Paso said:
I just got a 67mm B+W T-Pro 007 clear filter for my not yet delivered RF 20-50.
Instead of those soft pouches, they now ship them in square metal boxes. A much better choice (protection!).
Edit: At least in the EU.

In the USA, too. They switched from the leather pouches to the metal alloy boxes some time in the second half of 2025. Despite stating in 2022 that, "From now on, all B+W filters will be delivered in high-quality cases made of genuine leather. The leather cases not only protect against scratches and dirt but can also be reused for storage and transport."

I dunno, maybe they got some blowback on using genuine leather from a group like PETA (of which I'm an affiliate...no, not that PETA, the other one...People who Eat Tasty Animals).

The 67mm Master 007 clear that I ordered on the same day that I ordered the 20-50/4L came in the metal box, as did the 43mm Master 007 clear that was delivered today alongside the RF 16/2.8.

Out of curiously, what made you go with the T-Pro instead of the Master? I've stuck with the Master line, which has the same spec as the prior XS-Pro mount. The T-Pro mount is very slightly thinner, but I find the XS-Pro to be more than thin enough, and I'll pass on the titanium-colored coating instead of the black coating on the same brass; I also prefer the knurling on the Master over the smooth T-Pro edges.

Exploreshootshare · Jun 5, 2026

AlanF said:
The R7 plus RF 100-400mm is a winning combination, and for perched birds is pretty close to the R5ii + RF 100-500mm. It's also great for dragonflies and butterflies etc. I've posted dozens of shots on CR of birds and insects taken side by side by my wife with the R7 + RF 100-400mm and by me with the R5ii/R5 + R 100-500mm, and it's pretty difficult to distinguish between them. Here are some shots from yesterday. https://www.canonrumors.com/forum/threads/dragonflies-and-damselflies.35543/page-148#post-1046336

Amazing shots!

Del Paso · Jun 5, 2026

john1970 said:
A naive question: Will this lens be internal zooming because it is a PZ design? I assume that it would be and I very much prefer a compact reasonably fast internal zoom covering 21, 28, 35 , and 50 mm focal ranges.

There's nothing naive about your question!

Bob Howland · Jun 5, 2026

riker said:
I just want that 32.5MP sensor in the tiniest possible compact body.

I'd also like IBIS. Is the R50 small enough?

SilvaPsp · Jun 5, 2026

I´m waiting for a 7D MK lll since 2019. I bought a 7d MK ll in 2016, and has been my go camera to wildlife paired with a Sigma 150-600C, with great results, especially now with the new features in noise reduction of LR, helping in one of the drawbacks, low light performance/noise. In 2019, i bought a second body (90D), hoping it was a kind of 7d MK lll, but it isn´t, especially for small flying birds and fast AF, and i use it mostly to portraits, landscapes and with smaller lenses. Then it come out the R7, but never convinced me enough to do the trade to mirrorless. So, in resume, i´m one of the guys who are waiting to one new R7 MK ll, to step up my wildlife photos. If it takes too long, with this constant waitings, i will go for a R6 MKll instead.

SnowMiku · Jun 5, 2026

Take the 90D, add 2 card slots, update the AF to 65 points and there's a 7D III

Maybe the memory price/shortage has something to do with the R7 II delay? Or maybe Canon are just taking their time to get it right.

@zajicekpavel · Jun 5, 2026

To what I wrote. I will add that maybe this is the only way for Canon now.....make the R72 as a flagship .. in price and features, as small R52 ... and consumers may not like that too much.

So the R72 would not be a competitor to the R52 but a smaller brother (both premium and expensive).

Kanivete · Jun 5, 2026

I've been waiting for the R7II for the R7I to lower in price and buy it. I want an APS-C camera with the bigger LP-E6 batteries, the only option is the R7. Furthermore, I'm also on the budget and shoot both video and photos, so going full frame is out of reach. The R6II would be perfect, but I'd need RF 200-800 and that's impossible for me (expensive kit). With R7 I could jump on the RF 100-400 and be happy.
Canon has a market for it, they just prefer to focus on full frame. This year is for video focused people, maybe we get something in 2027.

@zajicekpavel · Jun 5, 2026

AlanF said:
The major drawbacks for the R7 are AF and not having Pre-shooting. It's great for stills, but for action, BIF, DIF etc it's not in the same league as the R5ii etc. If they improved the AF and added Pre-shooting, I'd throw on a lighter telephoto like the RF 100-500mm or the RF 100-400mm and use it rather than the R5ii + RF 200-800mm. I have a feeling Canon might not like that.

Yes, that is perhaps one of the reasons for the constant delay. How to do it without endangering our flagships...

AlanF · Jun 5, 2026

@zajicekpavel said:
So that it doesn't happen after those amazing rumors... I'll keep the same sensor, make the body smaller, add CF cards, improve reading and cheers... but the question is, would we need anything else? The R7 is just too good

The major drawbacks for the R7 are AF and not having Pre-shooting. It's great for stills, but for action, BIF, DIF etc it's not in the same league as the R5ii etc. If they improved the AF and added Pre-shooting, I'd throw on a lighter telephoto like the RF 100-500mm or the RF 100-400mm and use it rather than the R5ii + RF 200-800mm. I have a feeling Canon might not like that.