Frustrations with a newly released camera

This is not just happens when you buy a new version of a camera that includes new features. It happens with mostly everything. New features demand more resources and more resources demand more “juice” aka power resulting in the need of new redesigned battery. This is what is happening with the Canon R5 Mark II. The issue is that the camera is being sold but there is not any stock of those new batteries and the old batteries restrict many of the features of the camera and those restrictions are not well documented. The following video is about what to expect if you are forced to use the new R5 Mark II with your old LP-E6NH battery. 

Check this before buying the R5 Mark II

To me, the Canon R5 Mark II is a classic example of a company attempting to fix one issue, only to inadvertently create another.

 

 "After testing the Canon R5II I discovered it had a weakness I was not aware of, and it may impact if the camera is right for you."

The video above shows Duade Paton's disappointment upon discovering that the dynamic range of the Canon R5 Mark II was compromised due to a fix for the rolling shutter issue and an increase in the sensor's readout speed.

Here is what I think about this matter. When purchasing a new camera, it's natural to expect improvements in image quality compared to your previous model. In the case of the Canon R5 Mark II, however, this expectation falls short. While the Canon R5 Mark II offers enhancements in many areas compared to the R5 Mark I, the image quality has unfortunately suffered. Despite advancements and additional features, the overall quality of the photos does not meet the standard set by its predecessor, which is disappointing.

Your stolen camera may not be a priority

Tracking devices have become increasingly popular among photographers, who may believe these tools will help recover stolen cameras or other photography-related gear. However, according to an article on DIY Photography, the reality might not live up to those expectations.

The conclusion is straightforward: no device can replace vigilance and common sense when it comes to protecting your equipment.

TechRadar declares the R5 Mark II the best Pro Camera

TechRadar has recently declared the Canon R5 Mark II the best pro mirrorless camera, though they pointed out a "very slight loss in dynamic range" as one of its few cons. This comes as no surprise, as the Canon R5 Mark II is indeed one of the most impressive cameras on the market today.

With a 45MP full-frame sensor, 8K video recording, and superb auto focus capabilities, the R5 Mark II is designed for professionals who demand high-quality images and video performance. Its in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is particularly strong, offering up to 8 stops of stabilization, which makes handheld shooting more effective, even in low light.

The camera’s Dual Pixel auto focus system ensures that subjects remain in sharp focus, whether you're shooting fast-moving wildlife or cinematic footage. While TechRadar noted a very slight loss in dynamic range, this is a minor issue that won't be noticed by most photographers, especially given the exceptional image quality, color reproduction, and ISO performance of the camera.

Its popularity is undeniable, with demand so high that it's out of stock in nearly all major online stores. The Canon R5 Mark II delivers a remarkable balance of speed, resolution, and video prowess, cementing its place as a top choice for professionals across genres.

Settings for Wildlife Photography

There aren’t necessarily right or wrong settings—there are settings that work well for you and your specific shooting situation. I chose the following video because it perfectly explains my approach and settings to wildlife photography.

Image stabilization

Image stabilization is crucial for any type of photography. Here’s a picture I took using a super low shutter speed to capture the movement effect in the water. I used 1/15s; at this speed, without image stabilization, there would have been no way to shoot this image without a tripod.

Julian Lennon as a photographer

For many, his name may sound familiar—yes, he is the first son of John Lennon.

He ventured into music years ago, but now he's showcasing his work as a photographer.

You can enjoy some of his photos in this article.

Wow! His photos are so beautiful!

Not everyone is happy...

Not everyone is happy with Canon's new cameras, the R1 and the R5 Mark II. Here, you can read what photographer Illya Ovchar thinks about these two models.

While the Canon R1 and R5 Mark II undoubtedly bring some interesting features to the table, they don't represent the game-changing advancements that many of us were hoping for. The incremental improvements and high price points make them less appealing for photographers who are already well-equipped with previous models. The reality is that in the world of photography, there haven't been any truly "bad" cameras for over a decade. What matters more than having the latest gear is mastering the tools you already have and focusing on the craft of photography itself. So, before you get caught up in the hype and feel the urge to upgrade, consider whether these new releases genuinely offer something that will transform your work—or if they're just another marketing push designed to empty your wallet.

Here is one important point, the R5 Mark II has a stacked sensor which makes a huge difference for wildlife, sport or any action photography. Other than that, a wedding photographer will not notice any substantial difference between the R5 and R5 Mark II, not to pay the huge difference in price. 

Shadows and lights

 This is what is photography about, a dance between shadows and lights. 

Taken with a Canon R6 w/EF100-400L.

The Best Canon Mirrorless Cameras for Wildlife and Sport Photography

In this article I will do my best to create a list of Canon cameras that I believe are ideal for wildlife and sports photography. I'll also share my personal recommendations based on my experience and specific needs.

• Canon EOS R1, Recommended for Professionals Only, Full Frame, 24.2 MP stacked sensor, New ($6299), Used (),  Expected to be released in Nov 2024. Canon Flagship. The overall opinion is that this is the best Canon Camera that money can buy but the differences between this camera and the R3 are not substantial and most photographers would probably buy the R3 and save almost $2000. Big and Heavy. Uses a new Digic Accelerator ship optimized to minimize rolling shutter, and enables up to 40 fps with the electronic shutter. Dual Card Slot. Includes Action Priority, a new feature that allows to enhance AF when used at Sport Events. Includes Eye Control. Includes In Body Stabilization.Good Low Light Performance. 40 FPS in Electronic Mode.It uses a different battery than the R5, R6 and R7: LP-E19. No Rolling Shutter. Full weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R3, Recommended for Professionals, Full Frame, 24.1 MP stacked sensor, New ($4499), Used ($4000), before the release of the R1 this was Canon's Flagship. Big and Heavy. Dual Card Slot. Includes Eye Control but it's not as sophisticated as the one used in the new R1 and R5 Mark II.  Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance. 30 FPS in Electronic Mode. It uses a different battery than the R5, R6 and R7: LP-E19. No Rolling Shutter. Full weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R5 Mark I, Recommended if you do not want or can't pay for the R5 Mark II. Full Frame, 45 MP non stacked sensor , Hard to find New ($2999), Used ($2480), Dual Card Slot: CFexpress and SD Card. CFexpress are the faster cards available and this will add an extra cost if you decide to buy this camera. Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance. 20 FPS in Electronic Mode. Very low  Rolling Shutter. No fully weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R5 Mark II, Recommended, Full Frame, 45 MP stacked sensor, New ($4299), No available Used (), Uses a new Digic Accelerator ship optimized to minimize rolling shutter, and enables up to 30 fps with the electronic shutter. Dual Card Slot: CFexpress and SD Card. CFexpress are the faster cards available and this will add an extra cost if you decide to buy this camera. Uses a new type of battery LP-E6P that will add cost if you buy this camera. The old battery LP-E6NH used in R5, R6, R7 will still work with some limitations. Includes Action Priority, a new feature that allows to enhance AF when used at Sport Events. Includes Eye Control. Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance but reports indicate that the R5 Mark I performs better. 30 FPS in Electronic Mode. No Rolling Shutter.  No fully weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R6 Mark I, A good option if you do not want to pay for the R6 Mark II or the R5 Mark II. Full Frame, 20.1 MP non stacked sensor , Hard to find New ($1799), Used ($1499). This is the camera that I'm currently using. Dual Card Slot using SD Cards. Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance. 20 FPS in Electronic Mode. It uses the LP-E6NH Battery. Some  Rolling Shutter. No fully weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R6 Mark II, Recommended, Full Frame, 24.1 MP non stacked sensor , New ($1999), Used ($2029-$1949), Dual Card Slot. Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance. Auto Focus in this camera is more sophisticated than the one included in the R6 Mark I. 30 FPS in Electronic Mode. It uses the LP-E6NH Battery. Very low Rolling Shutter. No fully weather sealed. 
• Canon EOS R7, Recommended for Beginners and Amateurs, Crop Sensor, 32.5 MP non stacked sensor, New ($1399), Used ($1159), Dual Card Slot: Both SD Cards. Includes In Body Stabilization. Low Light Performance is not as good as the other cameras included in this list. Suffers from a heavy Rolling Shutter. It uses the LP-E6NH Battery. No fully weather sealed.
• Canon EOS R8, Recommended for Beginners and Amateurs, Full Frame, 24.2 MP non stacked sensor, New ($1299), Used ($1174), Single Card Slot, this is a negative point. Does not Include In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance.Uses LP-E17 Canon Battery, smaller battery than the rest of the R cameras. Does not have a joystick in the back of the camera, a feature that help a lot in your image composition. Very low Rolling Shutter. No fully weather sealed.

Please note that there are other Canon mirrorless cameras on the market that are not included in my list. The reason for their exclusion is that their characteristics and features make them less suitable for wildlife and sports photography. However, this does not mean they are bad cameras; in fact, they may be ideal for other types of photography, such as portrait, family, landscape, or travel photography. 

In the Canon R ecosystem, the lower is the number, the better is the camera (E.g. R1 is the flagship, R8 is considered a Beginner camera).

Important Features for Wildlife and Sport Photography:

• In Body Stabilization. This is a very important point if you are using a lens that does not include stabilization or you are shooting without using a tripod.
  
• Dual Card Slot. Keep in mind that those cameras using CFExpress will add an extra cost to the initial price to pay for the camera. Keep in mind that Canon cameras do not include memory cards in the box.
• Low Light Performance.  While this point is important we need to say that this can be remediated by using Noise Reduction Software such as DXO PureRaw and Topaz Denoise.
  
• Auto Focus (AF) features and speed. 
• Staked Sensor, this feature will resolve Rolling Shutter issue when shutting in Electronic Shutter Mode. 
• Maximum FPS in Burst Mode. Useful when shooting fast action such as Birds in Flight.
  
• Sensor Format, Full Frame or Crop Sensor. Crop Sensors will give you an extra reach if you are using a full frame lens. They are also cheaper than Full Frame cameras. Full Frame cameras will perform better in low light and usually will give you better image quality. 
• Picture Resolution in Megapixels (MP). A higher resolution does not mean better images but having a higher resolution will give you more room to crop your image in post editing. Higher resolution results in more time in post processing and the need of more storage space to keep your files. If you are not cropping a lot I would say that 24 Megapixels the sweet spot.
  
• Weather sealing.
  

Summary

 As you can see, I’ve recommended the Canon R6 Mark II, R5 Mark II, R3, and R1. For those starting out, the R6 Mark II is my top pick. If you’re looking to save some money, the original R6 (used) is a solid choice. Typically, you’ll find that previous versions of any camera come at a more affordable price than the latest release. Once you’re confident that photography is a hobby you want to pursue, upgrading to the R6 Mark II would be a smart move.

If your budget allows, starting with the R5 Mark II is a fantastic option, especially if you're interested in wildlife or sports photography. The R3 and R1, with their higher price points, are ideal for professionals who rely on their cameras to make a living.

The R7 and R8 are good cameras, but they don’t quite match the power of the others in this lineup. While they’ll get the job done, you might soon find yourself wanting more, leading to an upgrade to the R6 or R5.

For those considering the used market, buying from eBay is an option if you want to pay the lowest price possible, but it does come with certain risks. I prefer companies like MPB or KEH, which offer a 6-month warranty on any used camera. When you purchase a camera from them labeled as "Like New" or "Excellent," you’re likely to get a camera in excellent condition, tested by their expert teams.

Lastly, the most important thing: go outside and enjoy your camera, whichever one you choose from my list. That’s what truly matters.

What can you do to protect your camera when traveling?

If you’re traveling with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it's natural to be concerned—they're expensive, and may attract thieves. So, how can you protect your investment?

This video offers a few helpful tips.

Can you use the RF 50mm f/1.8 for wedding photography?

 The RF 50mm f1.8 is one of the cheapest lens you can buy. Would you shoot a wedding using this lens? 

According to Taylor Jackson, you could and your pictures would not be that bad.

I own the lens and while it’s not the sharpest lens, it’s not that bad. In fact, If you change the aperture to f/2.8 your pictures are going to be decent pictures and sharper than using f/1.8. 

Shooting Raw

In simple terms, a RAW file is a format used by camera manufacturers to save images with the maximum amount of detail captured by the sensor, particularly in the shadows and highlights. RAW files are not commonly used on websites or for other practical purposes because of their large file size. Essentially, a RAW file is considered an unfinished image that requires post-processing to bring out its full potential. After editing, RAW files are typically converted into JPEGs for easier use and sharing.

That said, should you be shooting in RAW? The simple answer is no, unless you plan to post-edit those images. Most modern cameras include profiles that allow you to produce JPEGs with in-camera editing, which will satisfy the needs of most users.

Professional photographers shoot in RAW but spend many hours in post-editing to deliver refined images saved as JPEGs for their clients. They often keep the RAW files as a backup, allowing them to reprocess the images if the clients are not satisfied with the initial edits. This workflow requires professional photographers to invest in costly storage solutions. On the other hand, amateur or hobbyist photographers typically have no need for the RAW files once they have been edited and converted to JPEG, especially since most major flaws are corrected in the final JPEGs.

Shooting RAW is not a social statement; it's a necessity that not everyone who owns a camera understands or requires.