The first real test of my new camera, the Canon R5.
Fair warning: Unless you’re into photogeekery today’s post may hold little interest for you. I hope those folks can at least enjoy the photo.
Yesterday morning I made my first birding trip with my new R5. It was a bit of a bummer because after a long drive I only found two birds that made good test subjects, both of them Bald Eagles, and I never did have a decent chance with a bird in flight. But I did get preliminary answers to several of my many questions.
I put off buying the R5 for about 18 months because of several concerns I had, including but not limited to the following:
- Would I be able to adjust to the electronic viewfinder and its several quirks, including a short lag before it turns on after you half-depress the shutter button and the extra drain on the battery?
- What would the image quality/sharpness look like when matched with my favorite lens, the Canon EF500 f/4, and a 1.4 teleconverter?
- The image file size is huge (45 MP), much larger than I prefer, but the R5 allows shooting in compressed RAW which reduces the file size to about 27 MP. Would the compression affect image quality? Research tells me it doesn’t but I wanted my own proof, or at least evidence.
- With most full frame cameras like the R5 I’d lose the optical reach of the cropped frame sensor I’ve always used but the R5 offers a cropped frame option in the settings and besides, the large file size helps to make up for the loss of optical reach. Would I be happy with how the cropped frame option works and the results?
- Would I have any unexpected issues using the required adapter with the R5 when it’s matched to an EF lens?
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning this adult Bald Eagle provided preliminary answers to some of my questions. ‘He’ was perched on a rocky outcrop on a cliff above me and he was tolerant of my presence so I had time to fumble-fart around with at least some of the camera buttons and dials that I’m still largely unfamiliar with. For this shot I was shooting compressed RAW in 1.6 crop mode with my teleconverter attached so it gave me the same effective reach (1120mm) I get with my old cropped frame Canon 7D Mark II attached to the same gear.
I’m more than happy with the results related to image quality, even though I may still have some tweaks to make in the color profile and elsewhere. The photos I took of both eagles were tack sharp, so sharp I had to reduce by half the amount of sharpening I usually do in post processing.
I’d prefer not to have the brief viewfinder lag when I half-depress the shutter button but I can largely work around it by developing the habit of half-depressing my shutter button as I lift my camera to my eye. The extra battery drain, especially while sitting on a bird with the viewfinder active while waiting for action, will always be a problem but having extra batteries and a battery pack makes it an issue I’m pretty sure I can live with.
I can see no loss of image quality when shooting in compressed RAW, none at all – that’s some amazing technology. I’ve noticed no problems using the adapter. Since there’s no mirror box on the R5 the overall length and weight of my combined camera and lens seems the same as it was before. It still fits into my lens caddy without alterations (as long as I don’t have the battery pack attached.)
I still haven’t tested the R5 with birds in flight and that may be a good thing because I also don’t have the incredibly complicated and convoluted autofocus settings figured out and set to my liking. I’m anxious to test the animal/eye detection in particular.
But yesterday morning was a start and so far I’m very happy with the results.
Ron
Note: I’m sure some of my regular readers noticed that my copyright watermark is missing from this image. The watermark is one of the Custom Shapes of Photoshop but I still haven’t been able to import it into PS on my new computer (it’s more complicated than you might think.) I’ll add the watermark to the image at a later time, if I remember…
I know I’m late in commenting, but I absolutely thank you for your analysis.
Love it all, and can’t get over the sharpness of your shots.
Looking forward to more information on how you are doing with this “Beast”.
I love everything about this magnificent Bald Eagle photo, even that ultra-blue sky you’re not fond of, and Mr. Eagle is no doubt pleased to be your first R5 post-worthy raptor. But I especially love that you got it with your new camera and it hasn’t disappointed (altho’ still a tad frustrated on that learning curve). I predict great things ahead for all of us! 😎
Chris, thanks for your confidence in me and the R5.
Beautiful shot, Ron. And great, informative post. I enjoy reading about the mirrorless cameras now available from other manufacturers. I’ve been shooting Olympus for years, and got one of Oly’s early, mirrorless models in 2012. I still shoot with its successor, the E-M1mkII.
I’ve loved the technology from day one and was a big fan of the EVF, despite some detractors. My gear got quite a bit lighter, too. Today, compared with some of the newer models like yours, my older Oly lacks a few features I would love. I hope someday to add a full-frame mirrorless to my gear bag. I definitely have new-model envy right now. 🙂
Ingrid, now that you mention it I do remember that you went mirrorless very early in the game. Thanks for sharing some of your thoughts about it.
Wowzers, is that one sharp (in more ways than one) Bald Eagle! I’m such a “technodolt” that I admire anyone ready and able to embrace new gadgetry. Looking forward to more amazing shots from your new R5 and the accompanying explanations of your learning journey.
Marty, maybe if I ever get the technology of my camera figured out I’ll one day be able to operate my TV without screwing something up. Or maybe not…
Gorgeous bald eagle image Ron. I am a multi-year follower and infrequent poster. You have been an inspiration to me since I found your blog a few years ago. I am an avid birder and love photography of all types so have been trying to elevate my avian skills with you as my guidepost (your posting of image specs has been a tremendous learning tool).
I made the jump to mirrorless early in 2020 by buying the Canon R5 (previous Canon 7D Mark II and 5D Mark IV owner). I do not have your highly coveted EF500mm f/4L IS II but an EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6 that I use with a 1.4 tc for bird photography. My first significant use of my new camera for bird photography was on a trip to the Pantanal of Brazil in June of last year. We were in a boat on a river looking for jaguars for much of the time we were there. Birds were flying over in front of us all day long. I learned very quickly how to get the camera up, let the R5 focus, and start capturing images.
I had read about (and set up the camera) to separate the focus and shutter release buttons (a trick that wildlife and sports photographers use). This separation allows the thumb to set focus from the back of the camera and my index finger to release the shutter in the normal way. By the time I get the camera on the bird, thumb depressed for focus, the index finger is now depressing the shutter for image capture with no delay associated with the dreaded half-depression.
With the R5, my number of keeper images has expanded by an order of magnitude (if not more). The eye tracking AF feature was indeed a game changer for me. Even though the eyes of birds in flights may not be visible, the R5 tracking will pick up on some aspect of the bird and lock in a focus that is exceptionally quick and accurate if against an uncluttered background. My blurry images are generally a result of my poor tracking or not setting my shutter speed fast enough.
You will absolutely fall in love with the R5 and I cannot wait to see the magic that you will be able to capture with your set up.
I wish you the best of luck! Remember that our brains need to stay active as we age so learning something new (like your mirrorless R5) and embracing new technology (changing faster everyday) is helping in multiple ways.
Gary, first of all, thank you for the very kind words.
What you describe is called back button autofocus. I’ve been using it for years and couldn’t function as a bird photographer without it.
And yes, my brain has been particularly active this morning because I’ve been attempting to set up all of my AF settings in a logical and functional manner. I’ve been at it for nearly two hours and I’m still working on it.
A great shot to start your new journey – well done.
As a mature age adopter of mirrorless camera technology I found I quickly stopped reaching for my DSLR and going for the mirrorless instead – so many advantages despite a couple of minor niggles. You will likely find the same. I and many others have found the battery life is far better than advised by the camera companies and I have no complaints there.
Best wishes from NZ
Thanks for providing the optimistic report, Gary. It gives me additional hope that I didn’t make a mistake in going mirrorless.
I’m thrilled that you are pleased. I admire your work greatly and it’s validating to me that you are liking the R5 so far. It’s been a game changer for me. I’ve gotten in the habit of half-pressing the shutter button whenever I hear the viewfinder shut down. I also have the autofocus searching set to 3m-and up so it’s not constantly searching and draining the battery looking at nearby things when I’m waiting for something to happen. Looking forward to more comments on the new beast.
Thanks for the tips, Ann. Lots of new things to get used to.
Sometimes the learning process falls right between WTF MURPHY!!! and Hey, that’s cool. Here’s to less of Murphy and more cool!
“Here’s to less of Murphy and more cool”
I second that motion, Arwen. Enthusiastically.
Ron, your photo of the eagle is wonderful. I love the details of the successes and challenges you are navigating with your new camera and computer. Thank you for sharing this technical journey with us.
It’s a technical journey indeed. Thanks, Melanie.
A great advertisement for the R5. Beautiful photo.
Thanks, Ann.
Nice! Good analysis of trade offs we must endure as we take on new tools to work with. Bravo!
Thank you, Brett.
Ron,
Nice pic, of course; we would expect nothing less! 😉 I admit that the lag in the viewfinder with the mirrorless tech drives me nuts with my Nikon mirrorless. I have missed an occasional quick shot and compensate with intermittently pushing the shutter release down to keep the viewfinder on. This is analogous to pushing the shutter half way down when you lift the camera. I have used both techniques.
And yes, take some extra batteries. My camera bag holds six but I have never needed that many, of course, not even carrying two cameras. However, I can shoot for a long time with one battery. They do drain more quickly but functionally changing a battery once in a morning isn’t that big of a deal.
Finally, shooting with a crop factor on your camera (Nikon DX vs FX) or cropping after the fact in software is just a game of math. I choose between “seeing” (magnifying) better in camera with the cropped setting to having a bigger field of view with full frame to follow the bird, not unlike “removing my teleconverter.” I usually stay on FX and edit later. DX will hold more pics on a card, of course.
All in all I have become accustomed and fond of the mirrorless tech. Admittedly, the shutter lag is the most frustrating if I let the camera “turn off” but you will get used to it and love it I am sure.
And besides, if we never embraced new technology we would all still be using film!
Best,
Stephen
Stephen, excellent point in your last sentence!
At this point I’m thinking that I’ll often be shooting in cropped mode, if for no other reason than it makes sense that the eye detect AF will be more reliable with the bird (thus the eye) larger in the frame. But we will see…
Soooo sharp! Auspicious beginning!
Kathleen, I like “auspicious”, especially in this context.
Tack sharp is right! I think you’re on to something, Ron. 😉
I hope so, Kathryn.
Excellent detail in both the light and dark feathers. The sky is ultra blue.
Looking forward to seeing your first takeoff/flight shots. Auspicious beginnings!
Thanks, Lyle. That sky is a little too blue for me. I could have played with the color but that’s the color it was so I didn’t.
I’m glad your investment paid off so far, and that is indeed a sharp shot of a handsome bird. You are braver than I. I don’t think I could ever adjust to, or even want to adjust to lag time but I will keep my fingers crossed for you that it will work out for BIF.
Granny Pat, I agree that the lag time will be inconvenient but it’s short and I should be able to get into the habit of half-pressing my shutter button as I raise my camera to my eye.
We’ll see. But I know and know of other photographers who are excellent at BIF and they do well with the R5.
That is one sharp photo. Excellent Ron. If that is the result it should be well worth the effort to master the new camera. You are more courageous than me. At my age I don’t have the patience to go through that learning process.
Can’t wait to see how the in-flights and other situations turn out.
“You are more courageous than me”
Everett, adjectives other than “courageous” may be more accurate in that sentence, including “foolish”. And others…
I bought a new iPhone three months ago and have been too nervous to set it up. Your sterling example of tech-bravery and the stern glare of the eagle are encouraging me to move along already…
Frances, I’ve been just waiting for my phone to die at the same time I was trying to learn all the ins and outs of a new camera and a new computer. If that happens, and it still could, I’ll be looking for a very high cliff to jump off of…
“Lookin’ good !” I admire that you are willing to take on the challenges
of brand-new and very advanced equipment– that says a lot for your
tolerance for frustration, not to mention sense of adventure…….
Thanks Kris but I’m not sure how much credit I deserve in that department. At this point at least my frustration levels are pretty high. Yesterday’s results helped a little though.
My absolute favorite bird. I feel privileged to live where Eagles are abundant. I gotta say, I love this image.
” I feel privileged to live where Eagles are abundant”
As do I, Karen. Thanks.
Beautiful! 🙂 So far so good on living up to expectations. 😉 Glad the Eagle decided to sit still for you to get some practice with your new set up. 🙂 A good start I would say…….
Thanks, Judy. That cooperative eagle was definitely appreciated.