From last weekend

Mating season had begun, and male cardinals were actively chasing females, so much so that they paid little attention to my close presence.

 

Using EF lenses in your R Series camera?

 

The choice between EF and RF lenses on Canon mirrorless cameras depends on a few factors, including your budget, existing gear, and what you're shooting. Here's a breakdown to help you decide:

EF Lenses on Canon Mirrorless

Canon’s EF lenses are designed for their DSLR lineup but can be used on RF-mount mirrorless cameras with the Canon EF-EOS R adapter (or third-party equivalents).

Pros of EF Lenses:

1. Wide Selection: Canon has been making EF lenses for decades, offering a massive range of options at different price points.
2. Affordable Used Market: EF lenses are readily available on the used market, often at lower prices than RF lenses.
3. Compatibility: Many EF lenses work flawlessly on RF-mount cameras when using the adapter, retaining image quality, autofocus and image stabilization.
4. Long Reach for Wildlife: Telephoto EF lenses, like the 100-400mm or 600mm primes, are popular among wildlife photographers.

Cons of EF Lenses:

1. Bulky Setup: The adapter adds extra length and weight, which might feel less balanced on smaller mirrorless bodies.
2. Not Fully Optimized: While EF lenses work well, RF lenses are designed to take full advantage of mirrorless technology. My recommendation is to stick to "L" EF lenses. 3rd party lenses from Tamron or Sigma may look attractive with a low price but they may not work properly in the R Series Camera.
   

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RF Lenses on Canon Mirrorless

RF lenses are specifically built for Canon’s mirrorless R-series cameras, like the R3, R5 Mk I or II and the  R6 Mark I or II.

Pros of RF Lenses:

1. Better Image Quality: RF lenses are optimized for mirrorless, often delivering sharper images, better edge-to-edge sharpness, and improved bokeh.
   
2. Advanced Features: Many RF lenses include advanced optical technologies like faster autofocus, customizable control rings, and superior stabilization.
3. Compact Designs: Certain RF lenses (e.g., the RF 50mm f/1.8 or RF 70-200mm f/2.8) are more compact than their EF counterparts.
4. Future-Proof: Canon is heavily investing in the RF system, so you’ll be better positioned for future upgrades.

Cons of RF Lenses:

1. Higher Cost: RF lenses are generally more expensive than EF lenses.
2. Limited Budget Options: While the RF lens lineup is growing, there are fewer affordable choices compared to EF.
3. No Third-Party Autofocus Lenses (Mostly): Until recently, third-party lens manufacturers couldn’t produce autofocus RF lenses, though this is starting to change.

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Which Should You Choose?

1. If you already own EF lenses: Stick with them and use an adapter. Canon’s EF lenses are still excellent, especially for wildlife photography with telephoto lenses like the EF 100-400mm.
2. If you’re starting fresh: Consider RF lenses for their better compatibility and future-proof design. You could start with versatile lenses like the RF 24-105mm f/4L or RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L if you shoot wildlife.
3. Budget Constraints: Use EF lenses with an adapter to save money, especially since the adapter maintains great performance.

Specially for Beginners

 This is a perfect video for beginners because it covers all the things you need to buy and that are considered essentials. It also tells you what not to buy, something very important because when you start in this hobby you may end buying stuff that you do not need at all. 

Baby on the run!

This candid photo was capture the last weekend. 

This picture captures a beautiful moment, but the humor lies in the little child confidently striding into the scene, possibly about to photobomb the couple's special moment. The photographer's casual stance suggests they're prepared for anything, but the child clearly has other plans—maybe they think they are the real star of the show!

EF 1.4x extender performance

I’ve read numerous reviews and opinions about extenders—some people love them, while others hate them. This note focuses on the Canon EF 1.4x Mark III extender, and it’s worth specifying that most of the negative opinions about extenders often refer to other brands.

The reality is that extenders require more light for autofocus to function properly. When it comes to sharpness, if you pair an extender with a high-quality lens and use a full-frame camera with good dynamic range, you likely won’t notice a significant loss in image quality.

A while back, I bought the Canon EF 1.4x Mark III to use with my Canon R7. Unfortunately, my experience with that combination was disappointing. The performance issues were so frustrating that I stashed the extender in my backpack and didn’t touch it for nearly two years.

Recently, after reading some new reviews, I decided to give the extender another chance—this time pairing it with my Canon R6 and EF 100-400mm Mark II lens. WOW! The results were incredible. Not only does this combination work exceptionally well, but it might even deliver sharper results than using the lens alone!

Here are some pictures taken this weekend in a very cloudy day using this setup.

ISO 12800 and after denoising the level of details is great.

The sharpness of this photo is just incredible.

R7 mechanical shutter failures

It appears that some users are reporting issues with the mechanical shutter failing in Canon R7 cameras.

In a post on the Canon Community forum, one user shared the following:

I joined an R7 group recently and there seems to be an ongoing issue with this model's mechanical shutter. The reports of MS (Mechanical Shutter) failures in this one group alone is unlike anything I've seen/heard before. Particularly for a cam that's only been around for 2 years.

Canon has not replied to this post yet.

Photography Seminar

 If you live close to Tampa you may want to show up to this photography seminar. 

Saturday, Jan. 25th at 6:00: Join us for a photography seminar with award-winning photographer, David Witty. Motorsports photography tricks and tips for all. No prior experience required. $10 the door
The Collection on Palmetto Speaker Series resumes on Saturday, January 25th at 6:00 with a photography seminar presented by David K. Witty, an award-winning motorsports, aviation, and marine photographer.

David will share tricks and tips to capture your best shot, just in time for the St. Petersburg Grand Prix. David has been featured in numerous publications for decades. In addition to capturing action shots, David will speak about strategies for improving your static shots inside and out, along with capturing motion, and blur, camera and lens preferences and using your phone, and shooting at Florida's tracks.

Admission is $10 at the door. This includes museum admission, seminar, and snacks. And your complimentary return admission means you can visit again (on us) and try out some of David's tips!

RSVS today to reserve seats: 727-953-8356 or laura@collectiononpalmetto.com