Watch This Before Upgrading!

[@WildlifeSnaps283]

Great video 👍 As a 14 year old beginner photographer, I spent my first 6 months using a compact camera and I managed to get some really nice shots by just improving my skills.

[@natureredux1957]

I have 3 ONE inch sensor cameras. There is a very HARD limit on the quality one can get regardless of what Skill Level you ever achieved with what I am assuming is a compact, 1 inch sensor camera. Better to learn that now as opposed to only figuring that out, many years later. So there is NOTHING wrong with buying, better gear. The very BEST PROs have been doing that since the invention of Camera Gear. You don't see many if any PROs using Kit lens and bare bones gear. There's a very good reason for that.

[@huntsman24]

Do you have a photography account on Instagram? I'm a young wildlife photographer as well, i love meeting young photographers like me!

[@ME2K23]

Photography is like music. If you know how to play an instrument and get good ideas to make good sounds, you'll play way better than anyone who doesn't know how to play... Even if they have the most expensive, most recent gear. Then, once you have the right technique, you'll be able to make the most out of that "better/best" gear, and really be able to get better results compared to cheaper gear. I own a lot of cameras : bridge super zooms, 1 inch, APSC, Full Frame, and I took very good pictures with each one of them. I usually bring the 1 inch sensor camera with me when I go out "just in case", and use the APSC mostly when I need more reach (in good lighting conditions) like sports and wildlife, and the Full frame for every other planned events. Same with lenses, I cover focal lenghts from 8 mm to 1000mm (1600 on APSC), zoom, and primes, they all have their specific use. Better gear allows us to shoot with higher shutter speed and lower ISO in low lights, freeze action, etc, therefore allowing a wider range of conditions in which you can get good photos. What I like is you didn't stick to a mobile phone for taking pictures. The 1 inch sensor is a good step up from the regular smaller sensor, cheaper compact camera. Knowing all about the effects of aperture, shutter speed and ISO (and knowing all the features of your specific camera) allows you to use the manual setting and take full control of your camera (in turn getting the type of shots you intended). The other important thing to me is to also learn to do the post processing of your (RAW files) photos. Photography is a nice hobby that can also become work for some people. Just like playing music, it's nice to start early because there is always new stuff to create and learn along the years, getting better all the time. Happy shooting! 📷😎

[@ME2K23]

P.S. Duade is one of the best on KZbin, I suggest also checking out Simon d'Entremont, who also has great tips and videos...

[@Duade]

Great to hear, I am sure you are in a much better place once upgrading to better gear. Cheers, Duade

[@CatServant]

I just upgraded from a Canon Rebel XTi (purchased in 2006) to an R6 Mark II, which has me a bit overwhelmed. The mirrorless cameras have so many more settings than my XTi did because of everything a mirrorless setup enables. I decided to keep my primary EF 24-105mm f/4 L series lens. I had been holding out for a 100-400mm zoom for many years and I plan to get the RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 zoom lens as my next major gear purchase.

[@raleighmeade9104]

Duade, this is one of the best videos to get folks thinking about gear, their needs, and the reality of 'knee jerk' purchasing. You sure have a nice way of describing the pitfalls and benefits. We greatly appreciate the content you produce for the rest of us. (even as far away as we are, in Texas)

[@Duade]

Thanks Raleigh, you are too kind and I am glad the video was helpful and hopefully helps people who are thinking of upgrading. Cheers, Duade

[@Scottye-yn8zc]

Also take into account image editing software, when I first started out couldn’t understand why my images had more noise and flat compared to my friends with the same gear. Shooting in RAW and Image editing software made a huge difference. Always enjoy your channel..

[@Duade]

Thanks Scott, great point, that is very true, Cheers, Duade

[@benja1378]

It's always moral to pirate Adobe 😅

[@EarNoodles]

Yep and there is a learning curve to editing images too. Everyone has their own style of course, but I look at some of the edits I used to make and wonder what I was thinking?

[@stevemurnan1702]

Weight is an under rated problem that many fail to consider when purchasing kit so I'm very pleased you highlighted this Duade. The OM-1 and G9II are credible alternatives to bulky, heavy and expensive FF kit.

[@buggersofoz]

Great point, see my comment above. I've settled on Olympus E-M1.2 with 75-300mm lens that weighs 1.27kg. I've never owned a full frame camera and scored a bargain on 5D2 and a Sigma 150-500mm lens. I went to the local forest reserve to shoot some birds. After 3h walking and shooting, last 20 minutes straight upwards (new bird species on a tree bark!😂), I couldn't hold this bazooka anymore. I grabbed my E-M1.2 and it suddenly felt weightless!😅

[@babajaiy8246]

To me weight is irrelevant if the increased weight means getting the shots not otherwise possible. I say that from being an experienced hiker that has trekked many miles into the woods - Yes, it's always good to take something gear wise(camera kit or not) that is lighter in weight. But when you have a specific goal/intention - taking what gets the job done is more important. And if it weighs more, so what - Working harder with more effort is not an issue - just do it.

[@esterix101]

or get nikon p950 if you plan to shoot at hikes and 1200mm plus and its sharper at high FL than mirrorless cameras.

[@Duade]

Thanks Steve, yes, weight should be a big consideration when upgrading and its great to have the M43rd systems. Cheers, Duade

[@Kellysher]

Have to say, I’ve seen many photographers with REALLY expensive kits shooting straight down on a chipmunk or duck. Gear is only part of the equation to producing nice images. My motto is work with what you have. Just get out there, be in nature and enjoy the process!

[@Skene_O]

I went from Canon 6D to R6 18 months ago and that helped me improved my photography as it made focusing easier. I see all the new cameras popping up now but i am not upgrading as the R6 if awesome for a hobbyist like me. I believe i have a t least 5 years out of the R6 before i will upgrade. My skills will be better (hopefully) but by watching vids from people like yourself and others helps enormously. Thanks for sharing your advice with us all. keep it up mate

[@Xirpzy]

For me it was so many things that made photography more enjoyable. Coming from a canon 600D to an R6. Things that let me focus on just taking photos. I also spent more time learning the controls and how to setup my camera. Learning what iso and shutter speeds im comfortable with. It was just more fun to go through than on the my old camera.

[@Duade]

That is great to hear and I am glad to hear you are enjoying your R6, Cheers, Duade

[@reinhard8053]

To me the mirrorless camera was much easier for exposure settings. You see what you get and don't need to dial in, check the result and correct it. It's much faster. Often you don't need to check the result for exposure.

[@eric.p.merlin3537]

@@Duade hello Duade, still have my "old tech" but ultra-robust and reliable 6D Mk I .. I suppose its limitations but good IQ have helped me grow in my technical knowledge... Yes, will upgrade to a mirrorless FF Canon, mostly for this "magic" autofocus functionalities.. But will miss my ultra-simple, built like a tank 6D with huge battery life

[@paulandrewrussell]

I have a Canon 5D MKIII and do find it heavy (I’m 62) with the Sigma 150-600mm lens on it. However I realise I don’t ‘need’ to upgrade. I’m just an amateur and my camera is a marvellous bit of kit. My solution? I bought a monopod and a cracking attachment called the ‘SpeediGimbal’ I’m no longer lugging a tripod around, and I have support whenever I need it. I am not a seller or anything. Just love this solution.

[@Duade]

Great to hear Paul, the 5D3 is a wonderful camera that gave me a lot of joy. Cheers, Duade

[@williamsharp5973]

Whenever possible, do upgrades far enough in advance of any significant or critical shooting, for example travel. Allow for familiarization and practice with the new gear - hardware and software. A new 'system' and major upgrades with many new features and differences can be especially challenging, but even one major difference that is critical to you and perhaps your primary reason for upgrading should be given time to become proficient 'enough' with before using on a trip on which you will probably not want to spend a lot of time learning what you could have before leaving on the trip. If you can take your current gear and the new gear, great, but if you will be relying only on the new gear, remember that time is special, and the special trips are for shooting images, and all else that go with being in new and special places. :)

[@Da-Real-Gigachad]

Biggest tip i can give is to “sleep on it” just spend some time not thinking about anything related to whatever you want to buy, then reevaluate. (Looking at your wallet might also help decide)

[@ajc1482]

Ah unfortunately that's not an option for me 😅

[@bryantwalley]

14:00 I’m still hanging on to the 80D also. The no battery grip for the R7 gave me red flags. Maybe the R7 II will be the one. The R6 II is really tempting me though.

[@WernerBirdNature]

Hi Duade, you nail all important things to consider ! After you & Jan cured me of my fear giving up the OVF for EVF, I upgraded in 2021 from 70D to R6. And it was a huge improvement in all areas except one crucial corner: using the same glass, a 20mp FF sensor obviously puts less pixels on the bird than a 20mp APS-C sensor 🙈 Besides that one frustration, I loved it so much that 11 months and 70k shots later, I swapped it for the R5. I couldn't know the R6ii would appear a few months later, which plummeted the resale value of my R6. So in hindsight, I would have lost much less money if I had skipped the R6 and went straight to the R5. But at the time I didn't have the experience with the new tech and wasn't aware I would become soo addicted to our common passion, which meant I couldn't possibly justify such investment in a hobby. I guess it was necessary learning money .. Obviously, now the R5ii looks tempting .. but I'm doing my best to resist the temptation for a while 😛

[@tomlew55]

As a wedding/event photographer who also has a great love of landscapes I am a big believer in not fixing what isn't broken. Believe it or not, I still shoot events with a pair of D750s and landscapes and portraits with a Z7. I couldn't agree more that much depends on who is behind the camera. I keep looking for an excuse to upgrade my mirrorless for a Z8 but can't justify it to myself. I also bought into MFT and was pleasantly surprised for casual usage. An Olympus E-M1 MKII with some long lenses is a definite plus for me under certain situations like nature photography and lugging gear around. Good informative video.

[@willemdebeer2507]

What a worthwhile video. I currently have a 90D, been using it since early 2022 and I am extremely happy with it. Have been considering buying the R6 mkII or R7 but to be honest I have not been dissapointed yet by the 90D. There are functions the R range has mine does not and it's a lot easier to get good shots. But I cannot complain like you said. It's all about the person holding the camera..

[@johngunning2123]

Some good advice. I've just bought a second-hand R5 (Still under Canon warranty)as I'm about to go on a pretty big trip overseas. Incidentally, I was standing next to Heyn Decock aboard MV Grinner on a pelagic trip out of Southport when his camera strap broke and his Nikon camera and 400mm lens dropped into the Pacific Ocean. Luckily he had his gear insured but I was very impressed that he didn't burst into tears as we watched the camera sink! You're right he is a good bloke and a knowledgeable birder.👍

[@RogerFranksSr]

Duade, I really love my R6 but have thoroughly researched the changes in the R6 Mark II and feel it would be a worthy upgrade. I am retired so budget does some into play. The low light performance of the camera with the slightly larger megapixel sensor is appealing to me and your review of the cameral was very concise. With the price lower now (which leads me to be believe there will be a Mark III shortly) it checks my boxes. I have lenses for reach so I do very little cropping. The original R5, also reduced now, is on my list but I lean toward the low light performance and improved autofocus over the increased megapixel. Your thoughts.

[@richwoodham3296]

Excellent advice, once again Duade. I am at the stage of my photography journey where “working on my skills” is the primary focus. I have been waiting for the past 6 months for the RF 200-800 and am close to not even pursuing that anymore…. Great advice! Thanks for sharing.

[@Duade]

My pleasure Rich, have fun improving those skills. Cheers, Duade 👍

[@archiemccafferty9136]

Excellent video Duade!! You've covered so many thoughts, opinions and ideas regarding purchasing gear etc. I sometimes wonder if sponsored reviewers of gear skew our expectations in talking up the latest innovations that the new gear has that will take your photography to the next level. I firmly believe that EVERY lens or camera body has its limitations, and it's up to the user to work with what they've got within these limitations and not have unrealistic expectations. First and foremost......get out and enjoy nature! The majority of us are amateurs and benefit from making the decision of when we will venture out and what we will post or share....... Thanks again Duade, all the best for you and your channel!

[@petercreagh8797]

I always find the commentators on the gear reviews are never as excited as the reviewers. So I never trust the reviewers opinion on its own.

[@RollTideUK]

Great video and almost perfect timing. I have just been considering upgrading my gear but decided against it for a couple of reasons. Firstly I can’t really afford it but the most important reason is that I will be a full time carer very soon and I won’t be able to get out very much if at all. I did actually use most of the check list you gave but with the added “How much use will I get out of the new gear”. Keep up the good work as I really enjoy your videos

[@HP2441]

Great video Duade. You are so right. When i first got started in wildlife photography I discovered that I was trying to buy my way to better photos. I finally decided to learn more about what i was doing and started getting better images. Now I try to save money for trips. My only "want" is the 200-800. Otherwise, my R5 and R3 do way more than I'm capable of.

[@AnandaGarden]

This was fun. Regarding the woman wanting to upgrade from the 80D, I would tell her to find a very good used R7 and upgrade immediately. Maybe she'll end up paying $500 for a year's worth of great bird photography, but if she's avidly engaged with the sport, she'll be well served. It's why I upgrade my iPhone Pro every year, because it serves me and the clients so well for quick ProRes LOG video.

[@steveparent8788]

Regarding your question about the lady and R7 new I would have bought a mint used R5 with a new RF 100-500. Maybe the 1.4 extender if reach is an issue. Personnaly Ilove using the 1.6 crop function that gives me exactly what I am looking for without the need of an extender. I am very happy with the results even 36x24 prints that are hanging on my wall. Good video Duade !

0:56 there's always things to learn, skills to improve. I've been doing amateur photography for 20+ years, started with a FujiFilm S5500, now i have a Lumix FZ-82 which is still a very low end camera. Still, i've managed to take stunning pictures with both, and when i don't, it's rarely because of the equipment. Sure, i can't shoot in low light, don't have beautiful shallow DoF, but given the tools and circumstances, i keep pushing myself to make better pictures. Good angles angles, good moments and good composition is never on the camera. (still, i'm thinking about upgrading after all these years so i can make decent pictures not only in direct sunlight :D )

[@bruceholmes4006]

Duade, Another great video. Love the checklist and really great advice to get folks thinking about gear, what they are looking to get out of photography, and the reality of 'newer gear' purchasing.

[@Duade]

Thanks Bruce, I appreciate it, Cheers, Duade

[@deegreen3351]

Very informative video. A lot of photographers suffer from GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) and don’t always make the most of what their using first.

[@jean-louisrousselle1794]

You did a great job covering all the basis and for anyone who can understand where they are in the cycle of amateur photography your video provides a solid path. Keep up the great work as you are providing valuable information for your viewers.

[@Duade]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback, Cheers, Duade

[@zaxtheman4917]

Awesome advice, thanks Duade. I've outgrown my present camera in only a month as it has so many limitations, like no stabilization in the body, cant save set ups, (I'm primarily a landscaper and only recently started doing birds as well), but having used FF cameras for almost 5 decades (real 35mm film not digital) I felt like a change to a mirrorless crop sensor camera. so your advice arrived just at the the right time, thanks :)

[@Duade]

My pleasure, good luck in your upgrade path, it is very overwhelming with the choices that is for sure. Cheers, Duade

[@HR-wd6cw]

My biggest suggestion is to rent the gear first that you are looking to purchase. It may cost you $100-$200 but if you're buying a high-end lens or body, it may save you thousands if you decide it's not for you or the upgrade cost is not worth it. And this applies to upgrading and buying gear in general and sometimes goes beyond camera gear too, and even cars. I've rented cars for a week long trip partially as a rental but also ts ee if I'd enjoy owning one (when I was looking to buy a new car for example). Also by renting first, you can see if the camera is a good fit (such as with ergonomics) because you may find that while a camera is easier to hold, it's menu and operation may make it undesirable to you and you may compromise a bit on other areas to find one that is both mostly comfortable to hold and also operate. An example might be some of the older Sony cameras that were good from a performance standpoint, but from an operational and handling standpoint, had a lot to be desired (smaller grip, lack of customizable buttons, etc, but this is also subjective).

[@buggersofoz]

Your detailed tip videos are getting better and better! For the last 4 years I've been following 'buy used before you keep' strategy and patiently waited for deals that actually gained me a few $$ per kit on resale. I've gone through (in this order!)😅 Sony A6000-> Canon M50 and 7D2-> Olympus E-M1->E-M1.2+ Panasonic GH4, GH5 (both sold), + Canon 5D2, Nikon D7200 and this was just the birding gear, not counting smaller M43 bodies. Currently holding on to last 3 with quite a steikimg difference between 3.19kg 5D2 with Sigma 150-500mm lens and 1.27kg EM1.2 with 75-300mm lens... I also bought EF to M43 adapter. If that works, I'll likely keep the EM1.2 and the Sigma, it not, I might end up re-buying the 7D2 which had the best FEEL of all cameras I've ever used... or I'll try and get a deal on a used R10 and see how the new bargain Canon stacks up against old but gold Olympus😅 Not much to loose, on the gear that I bought and resold, I've currently got around $500 profit... bot counting the freebies (lenses, bags, tripods and monopods, memory cards, flashes) that I gathered 'for free' along the way.

[@charlesscott6202]

Good advice. My problem with waiting for the R7 II or R5 II is availability. They may be released in 6 months or a year, but my experience with the R7 (pre-ordered body only) was waiting 6 more months before I canceled and bought the kit when it became readily available. I'm still waiting for the 200-800 to be available because I wasn't willing to go the pre-order route again. For that reason I recently bought the R5 rather than waiting for the R5 II. I will have had the enjoyment of using it for a year or more before the R5 II is readily available. I'm sure the R5 II will be more expensive than what I paid for the R5 too.

[@jereXIX]

I just bought the R7 and this is the first I’d heard about an imminent R7-II but I don’t regret it. I was upgrading from a Rebel Xti and my experience so far has been amazing.

[@ianhinrichsen7547]

Thanks!

[@Duade]

G'day Ian, thank you so much for the support, I really do appreciate it, Cheers, Duade

[@TheKatWatto]

Yet another brilliant video, Duade! I'm learning so much. This has come at a good time for me as I research my next camera. Upgrading from the EOS 700D. As suggested by you, I was looking at the 90D but am now considering the R7 as I can still use that with my Sigma 150-600mm lens (just finished watching your video on best settings to reduce pulsing...). In no rush as I certainly have skills to improve on. I struggle with the AF on my current gear as well as limited ability to take bursts of shots. Again, thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I love reading through all the comments too.

[@Duade]

It is my pleasure, good luck on your choice, lots of good comments here. Cheers, Duade 👍

[@fy7589]

I love how you always remind us that it's the the photographer's skill, not the gear. Just another great video!

[@BillFerris]

I recently did a major equipment upgrade moving from a DSLR system to mirrorless for wildlife and birds, and I couldn't be happier. I spent years preparing for this move - maximizing my skills, understanding my equipment needs, researching the options, and seeking advice from other photographers who are deeply familiar with the kit I was considering - and the time & effort invested really paid off.

[@Duade]

Great to hear Bill, sounds like a great way to do it. Cheers, Duade

[@etiennecoetzee1591]

Hello Duade Thank you so much for your informative videos I really do enjoy them and I learn from them. I did an upgrade from the Canon 80d with 100 to 400 Mark 1 to the R7 with the RF 100 to 400 my main reason for upgrading is the weight difference and also the eye tracking of the R7 of which the Canon 80d does not have. I also have the R10 which I upgraded from my Canon 550D. The only problem that I have with the R7 is that some of my photos do come out soft and are not Sharp. I have no regrets about my upgrades. Etienne

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing and great to hear you are enjoying the kit, thanks for sharing the shots. Cheers, Duade

[@sklay78]

Very good video. This kind of advice needs to be put out there. I'm highly disappointed by the overwhelming volume of talking heads and "influencers" who do little more than produce videos to sell gear for the purpose of access to review samples, affiliate link profits, and ad revenue. I personally can't afford to buy stuff that isn't solving a problem. In shooting wildlife, I've progressed in gear according to how the gear was holding me back. My bodies have been a Canon T3, 6D, 80D, 6D II, and R6 II. My wildlife lenses have been the 70-300 IS USM, Tamron 150-600 G2, Canon 100-400L II, and I recently bought a 500 f/4L IS USM. The 500 was a big decision. It cost about as much as the RF 100-500L, but I just couldn't see how the 100-500 would improve my photos in any meaningful way over the 100-400 I already have. The 500 absolutely does. Unfortunately, I meet people that don't even know that kind of a lens is an option.

[@curtislewis3555]

Nice video. I currently have 2 R5's along with multiple Canon lenses. At this point, the only reason I would upgrade to a R5II would be how well pre capture works if it's included. I agree with your comment and the end to maybe save your money on upgrades and do more travel. That's what I've been doing the last few years. On a side note, I ordered the Canon 200-800 in late December and I'm still waiting on it.

[@craigcarlson4022]

Great comprehensive advice. I just forwarded to a friend who is finally ready to upgrade from an oldish apsc DSLR to mirrorless.

[@kailback1093]

Just upgraded to a r7, finally having eye tracking is the most amazing thing ever . Sure the eye focus isnt perfect but its better than not having it at all.

[@bengterlandsson7921]

Could not agree more. Had the 80d and the Sigma 150-600C, upgraded to the R7 and adapter for the 150-600C and number of images to keep has gone up considerably. Still learning but the eye tracking and animal tracking helps a lot. One thing to keep in mind compared to the 80d the R7 is power hungry I also bought 2 extra batteries with high mah and I keep them charged all the time. 😊

[@HlepBulka]

Does the eye tracking af work while using single point af? I'm confused because on my z50 this feature is only allowed while using auto af which makes the eye tracking basically useless because I can't rely on it most of the time

[@welovelouella1718]

Hi Duade, Appreciate this really comprehensive KZbin video, it certainly covers a great list of considerations before we spend our hard earned money. I’m 65 now and 159cm (5’3”) and after realising the limitations of my previous system-autofocus too slow and way too heavy, about 18 months ago I switched brands to an R7 with the RF 100-500. Even with the frustration of low light issues and autofocus jumping around, I still stand by my decision and can easily and happily carry it around all day photographing which to me is invaluable. (using the Carry Speed Sling Strap,) It gets me out and about, and that’s ideally what it’s all about. First time Canon user.

[@msyuan1124]

Nicely done, as usual. The process that you outlined works for many problems. A colleague of mine used to start her meetings with, “What problem are we trying to solve?” Writing all this down helps calm you down and can really help you narrow down the options. Better to know why you’re buying this new gear, even if the reason is, “it’s new, and shiny!” I swear, I must have been a crow in a past life. 😂

[@Duade]

Thanks mate, made me laugh, I would use the Bowerbird reference down here though, have you seen how much they collect lol. Cheers, Duade

[@ww3688]

Another excellent, down to earth and practical video. You have covered the bases so well Duade! Thank you!

[@Duade]

Thanks mate, my pleasure, Cheers, Duade

[@nis1002]

Great video! It actually helped me because right now I'm about to buy the RF200-800mm and RF100mm Macro. Also I'm thinking about buying the R5 but as you well said, one should wait right now for the R5 Mark II (maybe I'm just buying the Mark II then, it's all about the money xD). The 200-800 is getting more realistic but for me it's still too expensive, will have to wait for that. What's worked for me is when I think about getting something I will wait seven days. If I still want to buy that thing after those seven days I will scout for the best price including prices from two years ago. If I see a nice discount, that's when I buy new gear and only then. Most lenses have failed after seven days because after this short amount of time I was always like "What for?".

[@ajc1482]

Thank you!. I lost all photography motivation eighteen months ago and sold all my gear, recently ive been feeling a little more myself and ive started to think about what system to get into....but rhe sheer amount of choice triggers my anxiety and I feel overwhelmed. I think you lost of questions will definitely help, so far i know my passion is Wading birds, waterfowl and sea ducks. I want to tey a mixture of BIF, environmental and close up detail shots....so now i just need to answer the rest 😅

[@RVNmedic]

Probably one of the most useful videos ever. I'm shooting with the R5 Mark ii now with the 200-800 or 200-400 F4L. I have a 100-500 that I was going to sell but would like to use it with an R7. This convinced me to wait for the R7 Mkii. I'm in no rush. I'll sell the 200-800 and just keep the 100-500 on the R7 wihen it comes out. Thanks.

[@Duade]

Great idea, the R72 and 100-500 should be a great combo and I look forward to trying it out. Cheers, Duade

[@denisesavage2382]

Really helpful insights there Duade. My last upgrade was from a 13 year old DSLR crop sensor to a full frame 4 year old DSLR. Found one second hand to fit within the budget. Wasn't keen on mirrorless - yet. I very much enjoyed the upgrade. I hadn't been looking to upgrade until one of the lenses was dropped and finding a replacement was almost impossible. I knew I was up for exploring an alternative system to reduce that risk next time something like a dropped and broken lens happened. (I can thank the kids for that accident . . . .)I crunched numbers, worked out what lenses would be most helpful for the type of photography I do, what the budget would allow. I had borrowed another camera and just gradually acquired what I was aiming over a couple of years. Worked well for me at that point in time.

[@basilbcf]

When the R5 was first introduced in 2020, I had the opportunity to try one for a day at the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Canon had several of these on loan (for free) on a first come first served basis. (Had to get there at 4AM and got the last copy they had). My camera at the time was the 5D Mark IV, which was a stellar camera, but after a day of using the R5, I knew I had to have one someday as the AF was just so good! (not that the 5D4 was bad). I didn't jump right away, but waited a couple of years when I was able to get a good deal on the R5 with the RF 24-105 lens. The R5 is now my main camera and I'm in no hurry to upgrade when the R52 comes out because I'm really not finding anything lacking with my current R5.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing, sounds like you are loving the new kit and well worth the upgrade. Cheers, Duade

[@thehoundGOT]

Great video again Duade. I also think getting to know all of the features on a camera is important. New cameras have 100s if not 1000s of settings that can be changed. Also the "I've met a man online" bit made me laugh.

[@TomazNMelo-tf9sc]

Very interesting video (and I was very happy to see my photos), especially at a time when new gear models are being released all the time and never before have we had so much information available through tests and reviews. My decision-making process for upgrading takes into account a few points: 1 - How much would I have to spend on a new camera or lens; 2 - Within this budget, another important point is whether this investment would make a big difference in the results I would get. A while ago I was able to test a friend's Canon RF 100-500 on my R7 and although I liked the experience of shooting with this lens, I don't think it would make a big difference compared to the EF lenses I already have, so I'm not thinking about changing equipment. 3 - The third point is that we often hear opinions from other photographers saying that, for instance, a 300mm lens is not enough for bird photography, but I think it depends a lot on your style. For example, I have really enjoyed a lot including more habitat in my photos and my Canon EF 70-300 L is a good choice for many situations. In fact, all the photos I took in Colombia that appear in this video were with this lens and I was very happy to be able to travel light the whole time. 4 - I think life is short and there are so many species and places to visit. I really like being able to spend more time in nature and with my friends instead of having the latest equipment on the market. I think that if you are satisfied with the results you get with your equipment, there are more important things to invest in (but that is just my personal choice). My equipment is far from being the best for bird photography (Canon R7 + Sigma 150-600 + Canon EF 70-300 L), but I am very satisfied with the photos I take with it and looking back, even with my very simple Canon T7 + Sigma 150-600 I was already happy with the results, the only thing that has changed is the ease of taking the photos.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and you raise a number of good and valid points. I am one that often talks about needing 300mm+ but you are right that shorter lenses often allow you to take some stunning habitat shots that you may overlook otherwise. Tanks again, Cheers, Duade

[@MVBirdphotos]

Very helpful video Duade, thanks. After a lot of research, I upgraded my gear in January from a Canon 60D / EF 400 5.6 to an EOS R7 / RF 100-500 - in my opinion the best combination for bird photography under $4,000. Many of your earlier videos really helped with this decision. The improvement in image quality has been fantastic and I'm truly pleased with the investment. Granted, some of the "cons" related to the R7 are accurate, most notably AF struggles in low light but it is a great performer overall and I think there will be trade-offs with just about any gear. There are no "cons" to the RF 100-500, a superb lens for this purpose. The combination is reasonably light and to have an effective reach of 800mm, due to the R7 crop sensor, that can be easily hand-held, is amazing. Shooting C-RAW at 1/4000 sec. with a 15 fps frame rate, elec. first-curtain shutter, gives tack-sharp results for birds in flight. No buffering issues whatsoever. A great, compact travel combo as well. It will certainly be a while before I'll think about upgrading!

[@wellingtoncrescent2480]

I try to avoid 'me too' comments, but your point deserves emphasis. I use my R7 with the RF 100-500 for birds and wildlife, and as an avid bird photographer, the combination lives in my camera bag 95% of the time. Sure, I'd like faster sensor readout to reduce rolling shutter with the electronic shutter, but it's not an issue with the electronic first curtain or mechanical shutters, and 15 fps in these modes suffices for my needs. I originally upgraded to the RF 100-500 because of focus pulsing with the Sigma 150-600C and Tamron 100-400 Di VC, and I've been thrilled by the new lens. It's not only lighter than the lenses I replaced, the OIS works well with the R7 IBIS, the dual focus motors are fast and accurate, and the image quality is spectacular. While a bit pricey, there was a 20% off sale here in Canada, and after trading in my EF lenses, l was not much out of pocket. If you can manage the budget, it's well worth it. Until the R7 Mark II offers faster sensor readout and (perhaps) a higher resolution EVF to better judge image quality, I'm in no hurry to move on.

[@RichardBragg]

One thing I do is read the negative reviews and see if any factors there will impact me. And I mean proper negative reviews of the product, not complaints about delivery or supplier. And, as you highlight, will the new fix the problems I am having with the old that I can't fix without spending money.

[@ppww6076]

Fabulous advise Duade. Especially to consider what else you could spend the money on. Hmmm... so many things..

[@grady2000xr]

Thanks Duade. I’ve purchased many lenses and bodies from CanonUSA refurbished and had good experience while saving money. They include a one year warranty, so it’s a great way to mitigate risk of the issues like you described with the memory card slot. Hopefully they offer this in other markets as well.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing, yes, that sounds like a great option also, not sure we have that down here unfortunately. Cheers, Duade

[@cesarm8811]

Great advice Duade. I am a hobbyist photographer and 71 years old. Most of my photography is when I travel overseas on vacation, visiting my grandsons and family gathering. My first real digital camera was the Nikon D7000 and then I upgraded to the D7200. Love both cameras, but as I got older I found myself not bringing my camera with me, because of the weight of the D7200 and all the lenses. So I decided to purchase the Nikon Z50 with both kit lenses (great travel camera) and eventually sold my D7200. Now I bring my Z50 every time I go on vacation, so for me going from a heavy DSLR to lighter mirrorless camera was the right choose. I am waiting on Nikon to introduce a Z50 replacement (upgrade) with better AF, IBIS, etc. But may not upgrade if the camera becomes to heavy.

[@barbarachamberlain6918]

One of the most helpful things I have found to do after I’ve done the online research, watched good review videos, etc, is to go to a local camera store and put my hands on the equipment I am considering. Is it a good match for your hand size/finger length? Do you like the button/dial locations? Do you generally like the way it feels? Is the lens plus camera weight something you can picture carrying around comfortably for several hours without a tripod if that’s the kind of shooting you do? The list goes on, but those are the main things for me to decide in person. I have never rented, but that seems like a fine idea too. And I just realized I didn’t say anything your video didn’t say better! And by the way, I have been very happy with my Canon R5 and the RF 100-500 L lens combo. Thank you for another excellent video Duade.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Barbara, I really appreciate it and I totally agree with what you have said. Very important to hold the gear to see if it fits well with your style. Cheers, Duade

[@Uwe_Mueller]

Hi Duade, really great video and you are absolutely right. Nothing further need be said! Uwe Greetings from Germany

[@joeyret.617]

Yes, great advice. I did upgrade 2 months ago. Weighed all the benefits like you thoroughly discussed in this video and rented the camera body but the lens was so new that no one had it for rent. So, I brought it thru an online retailer and worst-case scenario I could return it and get a full refund within a month. Got both the new lens with the rental body and went on vacation and took over 8,000 images and many using my old camera and lens that a wanted upgrade for comparison. When I got home, the rental camera went back, and I got on the computer pixel peeping and comparing images and, in many insistences, figured out how easier it was to track on subject, plus the many other pros to cons. I shot wildlife, a surfing contest and an air show. In the end, I traded some of my old gear to pay for the new camera body and lens, but it is like you said, you do sometimes outgrow your stuff and need to move on.

[@pablojaviermuratore]

Thanks for sharing your ideas and expertise!! I would probably buy an R6 II because of all the features it has, although it is not cheap at all but I could have that camera for many years. Some things you mention regarding waiting for newer versions, what new features you get and at what price are very interesting. I think waiting some months is not nice because I would need to wait even more for price drop and availability (I live in Argentina) so some months can easily become more than a year. There will always be better cameras than the ones we buy so I think aiming at what you can buy with the most features and be happy and have fun with that is the best option.

[@sg3596]

You are correct about the travel. I do not have one decent pic that I would warrant keeping but I do get out in the scrub.

[@killerzweg509]

I used always a 90D and recently bought de R5. What a difference! Really glad I got it😊 still use the 100-400 mark 2 lens and it works great with the converter.

[@markelroy7774]

Great information. I read, look at reviews, watch KZbin! I have the 100-500 rf-someone gave it a good review (thank you). I'm trying to decide on the R6 ii or the R5, both are great. I'm moving from the R6 and now thinking about a trip instead.

[@Duade]

Too many choices lol. I would go with the R5 for stills based shooting. R62 better for video/stills. Cheers, Duade 👍

[@woodygreen6826]

Another thing that I think can really improve people’s photos without upgrading equipment is learning to get the most out of processing software. I have known people to blame equipment for “problems” that are really just a matter of proper processing of a RAW file. Great video as always, thanks much!

[@Rajat_Chordia]

Fantastic video Duade !! Really enjoyed it, inwas previously using a Nikon D3400 with the 70-300mm kit lens, upgraded to a Nikon D7200 with the Sigma lens and initially noticed a big difference but was not that happy with the results, and just like you mentioned i started working on my skills and improved my fieldcraft which helped me get much better and much more satisfying results, and what i believe that if i upgrade now the only difference i would see is in image quality not much improvement in my images so still very happy with my current gear. Your channel have been very important in improving my fieldcraft. I have learnt and improved a lot froom your channel and it have hepled me understand various topics and one of the most important one was to know about histogram and not blow the whites which is was not aware about. So really thank you for your amazing content and Best wishes. Cheers

[@Parroting_Australia234]

Great video, very informative and easy to follow. I'm only 14 and my current setup is the Canon 100D and EFS 55-250mm. I have been using this gear for a couple of years and have gotten everything I can out of it. I plan on upgrading to the Canon R7 and rf100-400mm in the next year or so. Their collective price second-hand is only $2.6k, so very tempting and achievable. However, if the Canon R5 were to decrease to AUD 1.8k after the MKII is released, that would be only $200 more than the r7, which is utterly ridiculous. I'm not getting the gear immediately so I can wait a bit and see if the R5 price does drop that low second-hand.

[@OutdoorswithJeremy]

I would actually recommend the ef 400mm f5.6 L because it costs the same used and has better sharpness and background blur. Also the R50 has about 90% of the features of the R7 for about half the price. The ef-s 55-250mm is not a bad lens at all, and in my opinion, the rf 100-400 is very similar, almost too similar in image quality, and can only zoom in a little bit more, so it's not really worth the upgrade.

[@Parroting_Australia234]

@@OutdoorswithJeremy Thanks for the advice. The ef 400mm f5.6 L seems like a real cracker of a lens, and the R50 also sounds tempting! I'll watch some reviews for sure.

[@karinbennett9807]

I have bought several used lenses from MPB Camera, a company that resells used camera gear. What I love about them is the fact they grade each item so you can buy, say a lens either in excellent like new condition or one that is in fait condition. I have no regrets from purchasing from them.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing Karin, I wish we had them here in Australia, sounds like a great way to buy with confidence at a cheaper price. Cheers, Duade

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

Excellent! For about 5 years, I learned from my mistakes with a used $300 bridge camera. I recently upgraded to a Canon R7 with RF 100-400mm and RF 800mm F/11 lenses....all purchased used in excellent condition. I love these for wildlife photography here in Montana. My old bridge camera stored only jpeg files, had no IBIS in the body and lens and had no eye detection or automatic tracking. Took some bird in flight photos this morning and it was amazing! Went on a 10-mile dike hike this morning and took along the R7 and 100-400mm which are lightweight and that was fun. I did find that when I set the R7 to auto-level, first curtain shutter was disabled. I also discovered that when I set shutter to silent, it automatically set the camera to electronic shutter....I noticed taking a burst of photos of a fawn running along the fence line the fence posts were not vertical (rolling shutter). So I learned to live with shutter noise and first curtain shutter with no rolling shutter in a burst.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

I finally ordered the RF 200-800 because I know it'll be a huge increase in length over the 100-500. I'm interested in the R5 II but, since I already own an R5, I'll likely wait a bit. As you said, the improvements will likely be minor for birding (and maybe none at all for landscape).

[@nordic5490]

Can you change your order ? The RF100-500 is a much better optically lens. Yes the RF100-500 is %30 more $$, but... is a much much better investment than upgrading your R5 body. Glass is all important. I also swing a R5 + RF100-500, and my birding mate has an R3 + RF100-500, and neither of us would buy the RF200-800 for many reasons: image quality (contrast, ca), af performance, cannot use as a field macro lens like the 100-500 can, and.. 200mm is often to long for a single lens walk. By mid morning, heat distortion, even on a colder day, softens longer images. I have the 1.4x but almost never use it now - better to crop. You might be able to change your order.

[@WernerBirdNature]

Hi John, I'm sure you'll like the 200-800 besides the 100-500 💪. Since I have both, I use the long one when I used to turn to the clumsy 420-700. A 800/9 gives notably better bokeh-power than 500/7.1, Due to shorter MFD, the 100-500 has a macro advantage, and it's also more agile for birds-in-flight. Last weekend I did some fun distant macro around 800mm of insects about 11 foot away .. Like you I'm also not yet swapping R5 for R5ii .. when within a year an R7ii would come out with stacked sensor, CFxB and the AF of the R5ii, it might be smarter to add that to the R5 instead of selling R5 for R5ii ..

[@blutey]

@07:02 _...UK has a great gear rental system..._ Hi Duade, Great video. Who do you recommend in the UK for gear rental, try before you buy?

[@Michael_Chay_Photography]

Well I just spent a fortune, I've changed from Canon to Nikon. Even though the R5 with a 100-500mm was a great combo, I just couldn't resist how good of a lens line up Nikon has. I've purchased a Z8 with a Nikkor Z 600MM f4 TC and a 180-600MM for wildlife and couldn't be happier. More reach, stacked high megapixel sensor, and no hard cut-off buffer. Plus, Nikon Australia was an absolute pleasure to deal with.

[@Duade]

That is great to hear, Nikon seemed to have invested in the Australian market with lots of good people behind the scenes. Enjoy your new kit. Cheers, Duade 👍

[@martingibbons8021]

Another great video luckily not had too much of an issue but research is key i shoot in the forest in low light bought 2xCanon R10’s and 600mm f11 lenses not much good for me , a good camera but not in the forest now have 2 6D Mikita and the Duane legend Canon 1DX

[@alainmichaud6747]

Great presentation , very honest , I just purchased last week R7 with the kit lens , I had a 90d , I am going to a safari and needed a second camera ...well time to upgrade , I will use some of my EF lens with the adaptor 100 to 400 , will give me some versatility , Did research and since the 90d was a aps-c so is the R7 and doing animal this is good for me , since I am just an amateur photographer , I love photo , but need to keep it at a Cost factor that is reasonable for me.

[@Duade]

Thanks, have fun on the trip, the R7 should be great for eye tracking the big cats etc. Cheers, Duade

[@grahamniven]

Cracking video Duade, sadly a few months too late for me. Weight is definitely an issue, at 63 I'm not as strong as I used to be. Earlier this year there was a sale on the Fuji XF150-600, (£350 off) I couldn't resist and got one to use with my X-T3. When it arrived I found I needed a battery grip to improve handling. That took the total weight up to 2.7kg and I've found it to be uncomfortably heavy for my usual photo wanderings. Added to the weight issue is the Fuji autofocus issue, it can be truly awful for tracking birds in flight, both in stills and video. So I'm considering selling the X-T3 and XF150-700 (at a loss) and switching to a Panasonic G9ii and matching 100-400.

[@tjdultra6982]

Ah this is such a quintessential question everybody goes through! Especially at these tougher times and also the quick advances in camera tech that we're spoiled to. I'm in this mess as well as I'm justifying an upgrade for my R6 Mark I(Bought it 2 months before the Mark II came out smh), I'm aware that I just can't justify upgrading to an R5 (on sale) because of how often I casually shoot(only 1-2 times a week) and it's not for a side business either. I do need the video specs as I'm part of my church's production team for shooting short-form contents. The upgrade will costs me paying extra CA$2K on top of the cost of the R6 which is already a price of a good lens to extend my range as I currently have a 24-105 f4L and a 50mm f1.8 STM. Because of your videos, I got curious if a 200-800 will satiate my hunger for local birding here in the Canadian prairies. Oh well 😂

[@gafurphotography6504]

Hi Duade, as always I really apriciate your honest review. I went from canon 5d mark ii and tamron 70-300 to canon R7 & rf 100-400(now rf 100-500). And it help me whery much to increase my wildlife photo quality

[@petercreagh8797]

I have always bought gear that does more than I need so if I want to try something new I don't need to upgrade so frequently. I also don't buy cameras during their first year of release as I know I will save money in following years buying them then. When I bought my first zoom lens I made a mistake due to being unaware Canon made 2 grades of them. That was in the days before internet reviews though. I found joining a photographic club where they had judging and critique extremely valuable in learning composition etc which you will never learn by just buying gear. I bought an R7 late last year and did experience it going out of focus on fast flying planes at an airshow as you talked about in a previous video and will try and slow the shutter burst down to see what happens as you suggested. As for the heavy weight of a zoom lens if you don't have a tripod I found screwing a monopod onto the tripod collar and closing it up abit while resting it in a carpenters tool belt will go some way to preventing it feeling so heavy for so long, as you can rest it in the tool belt between shots.

[@gregdedrick2150]

Nice video. I'm excited as I rented the R5 a year ago and meets everything I need. Now, prices are dropping for new and a whole bunch for used. I'll get a great camera at fraction of price.

[@stevesperlo6143]

I went from a 7D Mark ll to an R5 which vastly improved my bird photography. The eye tracking does loose the subject at times with busy background but most of the time is spot on. I'm still waiting for that 200-800mm lens though. Great video Duade. I think I've watched them all.

[@AlainLafleche1]

As a beginner, i bought a APS-C camera Fujifilm X-T4 for photos and videos. I bought after, a used DSLR full-frame Canon 6D MKII from a friend photographer who left us with sigma and canon lenses at a pretty good price. i Also bought a fringer adaptor so i can use canon ef lenses on my fuji. Pretty happy with the result, and i dont think i will upgrade to canon r models or nikon z, happy with what i have.

[@mawavoy]

Duade, what a great way to address the fallacy of the, “Gear does not matter.” cliche.

[@jayengee]

Hi Duade, I'm seriously thinking of selling my R6 and either buying the R6 Mk 2 or the R5 Mk 2. I already use my R7 a lot but the R6 Mk 2 and R5 Mk 2 also have the power switch on the right hand side which I think will make all my cameras easier to use . The improvements in subject identification and focusing are also significant. I had considered buying second hand the R6 Mk 2 and the R5 but I think I will buy new ones to benefit from their full life as I don't think that I'll buy another camera as I approach my 80's! ;-)

[@markglenday7291]

Hi Duade another good video, I would like to agree with you about buying 2nd hand gear, both my Nikon Bodies, my 2 x Nikon Lenses and 1 x Sigma lens are all 2nd hand. In saying that I have a great Camera shop here in Brisbane that offers 12 month Warranty on all of their 2nd hand gear. Thanks again for sharing.

[@chrisahern21]

Really good points Duade and they’ve helped to shape and confirm a few of my decisions 👌🤝

[@Duade]

Great to hear Chris, I wish I followed my own advice more often lol :-) Cheers, Duade

[@chrisahern21]

@@Duade haha… I’m hearing ya! No different here. 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@stephenthompson1998]

Hi Duade, I bought the R7 with Rf 100-400 and traded in Sony RX 10 I’ve. Drove my wife mad makin* spreadsheets of cameras and lenses, plumped for OM1 with 100-400 lens, lovely camera but the lens was too heavy, so back too spreadsheet and listened to various contributors and the canon combo was in the right weight area and your video What a Ripper sold me. Haven’t looked back take too many photos as my expectations are too high however I usually get the bird !

[@DanBetty]

Good advice ! When I finally bit the bullet and upgraded my 500 F4 ii to a 600 F4 iii my expectations were so high that I was quite disappointed. In my opinion the 500 IQ was better, it fit in my bag and the focal length with a 1.4 TC was perfect for what I shoot. Over time I have acclimated to the 600 and it is a very good lens but in retrospect it wasn't worth the cost to me. I would be happier to have that cash today to buy a 200 to 800.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing and being honest, I too have made many purchases over the years that did not quite meet my expectations. Glad to hear you are making the 600 work for you and I am sure the IQ you get from it is excellent. Cheers, Duade

[@AstairVentof]

Nice video! I definitely feel you on the R6MII. I didn't preorder but picked one up for around $2500 USD and also the RF100-500 for a similar price. I would have liked to wait longer and I've always been told that camera bodies depreciate faster than lenses so buy second hand, but migration season was coming up and I wanted be ready and have something better than the D5600 + Sigma 150-600. About 4 months later I check B&H Photo and they have both on sale for around $500 USD off. I asked them if I could get some of my money back but they told me that my purchase date was too far out. :( Now i feel as though I have buyers remorse because I'm finding that after moving to full frame I really could have used 45MP and the 100-500 is just too dark and I dislike the lack of internal zoom.

[@lisab8078]

Ted’s have an amazing deal on the r7 kit, which probably motivates many to purchase it right now, the new version would be significantly more. Some good advice here - my first 2 cameras were the 40d then 7 d I skipped the 5d series because I rented a 5dii and didn’t like the autofocus. Totally agree with what you said about mirroless autofocus this was how I felt with the r6 - biggest regret jumping to mirrorless was not realising there were brands other than canon. Now have a Nikon simply for the lightweight telephotos, I won’t buy heavy lenses. Favourite place to buy second hand is camera exchange. They are awesome

[@Enviportraits]

Pink robin such a cute bird. Ima come to Australia one of these days and capture one 📸

[@brucegraner5901]

I thought your advice on this video was well thought out and presented. I was about to suggest getting better birds when you started talking about taking birding trips which has served me well even just traveling within the state of Florida. I would recommend a taking along a second camera body just to make sure no camera gremlins interrupt your photo expedition.

[@robynambler1479]

Thanks for a wonderful video and your advice "what problem are you trying to solve" really resonates with me. I got into photography seriously about 3 years ago with the Canon 90D. It was a great beginner body for me and allowed me to decide if this was something I was serious about or not. About 18 months later I upgraded to the R7 and absolutely love it. The mirrorless technology and animal eye tracking have really enabled me to improve my photography, and the price of the R7 made mirrorless affordable for me. The challenge I am experiencing is low light performance (noise in low light images where high shutter speeds are required). I have been considering a future upgrade to the R5. In your experience does the difference in lowlight performance of the R5 warrant the extra price and worth the sacrifice of the extra reach of the R7? I would wait for the R5 II to be released before making a purchase. Also, on a side note, I was surprised at how quickly the R7 II was released considering the R7 was only released 2 years ago. Is this the usual timeframe for new versions?

[@CultureAgent]

I'm amazed at the number of photographers I speak to who are completely unaware of auto focus fine tuning, it's absolutely vital to do this with lenses, especially the long focal lengths used for wildlife.

[@MaidenBklyn]

I currently own the R7. I am frustrated with AF and the rolling shutter etc, so looking forward to a new R7 that will resolve those issues. I'd love to try the R5, but realistically it boils down to camera weight for me personally. Great video as usual Duade.

[@arthurg9737]

Nice video, great advise. I borrowed the R6 before I upgraded from my 90D towards the R6 Mark II. After that I tried different lenses before making the investment. I found out that the performance of the camera in bad light conditions was very important to me. So image quality at high ISO and low aperture. Try, go out, talk to other photographers and practice, sitting on the couch eliminates photo opportunities.

[@davepastern]

I think for that lady Duade, it all depends upon what the R7II specs are. If it's still crippled with burst rate, buffer, no grip and a not so good button UI layout, then I would grab an original R7 at a discount price after the release of the R7II. If the R7II offers improved high ISO performance, CFExpress type b slot, improved buffer, improved button layout (like the R3/5/6), better burst rate and buffer, then it may be a better option, depending upon the megapixel count and pixel size (and ultimately, the high ISO performance). For me, I'm late doing my 22/23 tax return, and of course, have my upcoming 23/24 tax return to do. I may get ~5k back on my tax if all goes well. I had originally though about selling the mark 1 EF 500f4 prime and using the proceeds of sale + tax returns to upgrade to the mark 2 version (full DPAF coverage, slightly better optical and AF performance, much better IS performance). I was also toying with the RF200-800 and keeping my 500f4. I've considered a new original R5 when the R5II drops to compliment my 24mp R3. Depending upon the price of the R5II and if it can come down on sale to around the 5k mark (unlikely) that could be an option. Or, I could say stuff it and get the GSO RC-10A Ritchey-Chretien telescope that I've lusted over for like 6 years LOL. I have too many expensive hobbies. For me, I still need to hone my skills with regards to basic bird watching, vastly improve my ability to approach birds without spooking them, and improve both my photography skills and post processing skills. So I don't think a new lens or camera are going to help me much in this respect. I haven't reached the full potential of my current gear. For me, going from a 60 to a 7DII was a good option, as the AF was better on the latter. However, the high ISO performance of the 7DII left a lot to be desired and imho, went backwards vs the 60D. Going to the R3 has been an absolutely massive boost to my birding photography and my keeper rate is out of this world vs the old DSLRs. I would NEVER go back to a DSLR. EVER. The 24mp hurts me though and after 18 months of ownership of the R3, I regret not going with the R5. I've been busy the past week getting images of Scarlet Honeyeaters. Such gorgeous birds. Sadly, I can't get close enough to them to really do them justice. I think a tent hide and suitable chair would help somewhat as I have a good location that atm, sees them appear in waves several times from 10.30am to 1.30pm with certain flowing Black boys being very popular for them (guaranteed locations really).

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing mate and yes all valid considerations, we are lucky to have so many options arent we. Scarlet HE are so pretty but so small and quick. I got lucky many years ago with a flowering Bottlebrush attracting them. Good luck with your tax return. Cheers, Duade

[@definitelyhexed]

I went from the 400 prime to the 100-400L IS II, and it was so much easier to use with the IS, but the photos weren't sharper. I just got more keepers. Which at the end of the day, is what its all about. In terms of bodies, from the 7d2 to 90d wasn't a huge difference in IQ, but the 90d battery lasted a hell of a lot longer than the 7d2. Now I have the R7 and again, more keepers, the eye auto AF is a must for birding, and I can't imagine going back to DSLRs, but sometimes I miss that OVF when panning, as OVF is always lag free and EVF can never compete with that.

[@reinhard8053]

I'm a bit of a gear nerd but with a limited budget. My (body) upgrades were not all really necessary. I went from a 350D to a 500D because it just was better (resolution, viewfinder, (bad) video). the 760D had real video, more resolution and a better viewfinder. Several years later I went to a R7 which made things really easier, not only for video but also with more options and much better AF. The next step was to a R6-2 because I wanted full format. The camera can do more and has some nice features but it wasn't really necessary or getting me a big step ahead. I'm not regretting it, because I knew that before. I still have the R7 as second camera and I will probably still use it for hikes and wildlife (bigger picture). I always held the older camera as second camera. And by the time I really wouldn't need it anymore it often was so old that a sale wouldn't be reasonable anymore apart from having a bit more space. With lenses the bodies sometimes dictated an upgrade. I had two Sigma lenses which wouldn't work with a new Canon body. Therefore I stay away from non Canon lenses now. The R7 needed its own standard zoom because the old lens with adapter was really bulky. I was not happy with my EF100-300 on the R7 so I went to a RF 100-400. For the R6-2 I went (relatively) full in with the 14-35/4 and the 24-105/4. I like the lenses but compared to the R7 with RF 18-150 they are very big and heavy.

[@pauldarville3843]

Great advice, thanks Duade!

[@Mthompson4545]

Hi Duade. It’s Mick Thompson again from Seattle, Washington. Your advice on this video is absolutely spot on. I want to share my experience with you and, at the end, make a suggestion. I’ve been doing bird photography since 1986 and was so happy to start using digital cameras in 2008. Here’s my progression. Canon 7D with Canon’s 300mm. Then the 7D Mark II with the Canon 500mm. Then up to the Canon 5D. Then the Canon 1DX Mark II with the Canon 600mm. I then traded all that in for the Olympus OM-D E-M1X with the Olympus 300 f/4 (the lens in your video). Then I upgraded to the OM-1. Then the absolute highlight of my bird photography career, I got the Olympus 150-400m with the built in 1.25 extender. Finally, last March, I bought the OM-1 Mark II. I have advanced my photography to the point where I am now a judge for the National Audubon Society’s annual photo contest. I feel very confident in saying that the best setup currently available for bird photography is the OM-1 Mark II with the OM 150-400mm. I hope you get a chance to try this yourself.

[@Duade]

Thanks again Mick for joining and sharing your story, sounds like you have the bug as bad as me. We have a very similar upgrading history also and I can appreciate the M43rds system and look forward to using it more when I get time. Congrats on the judging, that must be quite the honour. Cheers, Duade

[@cthorsman4242]

Unfortunately, the 150-400 is more $ than many can justify and bit heavy for those of us having to shed as much weight as possible. The r7 and 100-500 weigh about 4.3 lbs (sans tripod collar), but the r7 issues are unattractive. The Oly OM-1 Mark 2 and 100-400 are about the same weight (with tripod collar), but the lens and body IS are not synced. The Panasonic G9 Mark 2 and 100-400 lens are about 3.8 lbs (with foot attached), the lens and body have synched stabilization, and superior video capability. So, Canon R7 worst body, largest sensor and best lens of the three; the Olympus with best birding body/autofocus, but no body/lens stabilization sync; or, the Panasonic with synched stabilization and superior video abilities.

[@henrybrylowski1332]

Great advice! As always, thank you for your experience, thoughts and sharing it with us! 🤘

[@davidipema7898]

i go and look one yt for reverences , thatch a start , going one a holiday whit a brand new camera , no go, being busy whit the setting of the camera during the vacation , and than ending up with a small number of photographs , how do you travel ? because a lens like the 200 to 600 takes a lot of space , so i think the 200 to 800 even more ( i have the tamron 150-500 ) thatch easy to pack small lens big reach , also what is to be photographed , to determent what to bring , and sometimes you yust got to try thinks , i just ordered a probe lens, there not a lot on the yt that i can find so it kind of a gamble fot me good choose ore a expensief mistake 🤔

[@stevedavis2050]

I fully agree with you about trips, Duade but I regularly wish I could revisit trips I did many years ago with the new gear I have now 😊 Regarding your lady and her gear - I would either wait for the R7ii or buy an R6ii - for me, the R7 has too many issues to commit a lot of money on… Great video as always !