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The 100-500L, just like the EF 100-400L II, is such a versatile lens!

It's presented me with a problem...

Back when I was a dSLR user (pre Sept 2024), the 100-400 II plus x1.4 TC was my wildlife set-up for everything from insects to birds, and lots more in between. Since getting the R5 II, I have bought the 200-800 for bird shots, and I like it a lot. I could think about selling the 100-400 II (while it is still worth something)... except for that superb minimum focusing distances that lets you photograph stuff at 560 mm, a couple of feet away. Do I hold on to it as my bug lens??? I used to go out with one lens looking for whatever I could find - so it could be birds and it could be bugs, or sometimes just flowers. Now I would need to choose whether I was going after birds, or going after insects and flowers... :unsure:
 
It's presented me with a problem...

Back when I was a dSLR user (pre Sept 2024), the 100-400 II plus x1.4 TC was my wildlife set-up for everything from insects to birds, and lots more in between. Since getting the R5 II, I have bought the 200-800 for bird shots, and I like it a lot. I could think about selling the 100-400 II (while it is still worth something)... except for that superb minimum focusing distances that lets you photograph stuff at 560 mm, a couple of feet away. Do I hold on to it as my bug lens??? I used to go out with one lens looking for whatever I could find - so it could be birds and it could be bugs, or sometimes just flowers. Now I would need to choose whether I was going after birds, or going after insects and flowers... :unsure:
I hear you. Hard to carry both the 200-800 for birds, AND the 100-500 for its mfd. Maybe you should pick up a 100L macro which is a lot lighter. That way, you can choose the 100-500 on days when you think you can afford to not have the extra reach and on days when you go with the 200-800, carrying along the macro won’t add too much bulk to your kit.
 
I hear you. Hard to carry both the 200-800 for birds, AND the 100-500 for its mfd. Maybe you should pick up a 100L macro which is a lot lighter. That way, you can choose the 100-500 on days when you think you can afford to not have the extra reach and on days when you go with the 200-800, carrying along the macro won’t add too much bulk to your kit.

I don't have the 100-500 - though I am very impressed by the shots folk post on here taken with it. I've got the 100-400 II and the 200-800. I do have the 100 macro so, as you say, taking the 200-800 and the 100 macro is doable. The thing that makes the 100-400 II so good for bug shots is that you don't have to get right up in their face - and spook them while trying (which can be the case with the macro lens). You can stand back a bit and use that 560 mm and MFD to get your shot. These were all taken at Aberlady nature reserve with the 100-400 II plus x1.4 TC on one 2-hour walk, last August...

Small tortoiseshell...

Aberlady14Aug24_0395.jpg


Young rabbit...

Aberlady14Aug24_1585.jpg


Common darter...

Aberlady14Aug24_1816.jpg


Grasshopper...

Aberlady14Aug24_1870.jpg


Also photographed at the same time:

Seven other species of butterfly
Greylag geese
A day-flying moth
Twelve species of flower

The 100-400 II is indeed a versatile lens!
 
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Spotted this guy at work late last fall. I was surprised to see him so late in the season. I got to watch him have a drink which was pretty cool. I was also really happy with how well the old Nikkor Macro 55/2.8 freebie I was trying out did, I'll definitely put it in the bag more often.

2024 Macro 5 by Lucas, on Flickr
2024 Macro 7 by Lucas, on Flickr
2024 Macro by Lucas, on Flickr
joro spider?
 
It's presented me with a problem...

Back when I was a dSLR user (pre Sept 2024), the 100-400 II plus x1.4 TC was my wildlife set-up for everything from insects to birds, and lots more in between. Since getting the R5 II, I have bought the 200-800 for bird shots, and I like it a lot. I could think about selling the 100-400 II (while it is still worth something)... except for that superb minimum focusing distances that lets you photograph stuff at 560 mm, a couple of feet away. Do I hold on to it as my bug lens??? I used to go out with one lens looking for whatever I could find - so it could be birds and it could be bugs, or sometimes just flowers. Now I would need to choose whether I was going after birds, or going after insects and flowers... :unsure:
When I think to do it, I stuff my canon 50mm prime in a pocket in case I run across something really small. It's not macro but you can capture a lot of detail and with the large, f/1.8 aper, there's usually no problem with low light situations. It's a versatile little lens, it's also good for portraits, landscapes, light painting, night photography, and not the best lens for it, but some astrophotography. And they're dirt cheap. ;)
 
The Fred C. Babcock Wildlife Management Area, just outside of Ft. Myers Florida. It's a 81,000 acre preserve that is absolutely incredible.
I've got to make it to Florida one of these days. The photos you Floridians post are making me jealous!

(OK, I admit I've been to Florida once before, but trips to Orlando/Disney with the rugrats doesn't count!)
 
I've got to make it to Florida one of these days. The photos you Floridians post are making me jealous!

(OK, I admit I've been to Florida once before, but trips to Orlando/Disney with the rugrats doesn't count!)
Sam, the gators in Florida don't like people from California, they eat a lot of them for snacks.
 
This preserve is well worth the trip Sam. They allow 4 wheel drive into the preserve with the restriction that there is no off road driving. They have one main gravel road that travels from the front of the preserve to the back with many branches off to dirt roads that are in very good shape for remote access with 4 wheel drive. I drove a Ram 1500 and had zero issues.

I arrived at sunrise and left at sunset as they were closing the gate and covered probably 10% of the land. I had my GSP going just so I could find water and it resulted in some spectacular wildlife. Just be aware that where there is water there is gators and venomous snakes but so much wildlife that you would be amazed.

Bring an extra card and batteries, I went through several.

I am hoping to get back this year for a couple days.
 
It's quickly become my go to lens when hiking in our local preserves for exactly the reason you mention....so versatile and it produces some beautiful images.
Same here, very good for butterflies and dragons as it comes or with the 1.4x.

Very nice not to have to do a lens change when mostly shooting birds etc.
 
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