If money's no object, wait for the RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 - just came out and early reviews are promising. But realistically, 90% of bird photographers would be thrilled with the 100-500. It's become the standard for good reason. Just make sure you have a sturdy tripod or good technique because 500mm can be unforgiving with camera shake!

I went with the RF 800mm f/11 and love it for stationary birds and perched shots. The reach is unbeatable for the price, and it's surprisingly sharp. Downside is it's obviously slower to focus on flying birds and you really need good light. But for backyard birding and patience-based photography, it's stellar.

> I've been eyeing the RF 100-500mm but wondering if the 600mm or 800mm primes are worth the extra investment Honestly, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM is the smartest move because of the technical flexibility. One thing people don't talk about enough is how the RF system has basically killed the need for professional service calibration. Back with EF lenses on DSLRs, you usually had to mess with AF micro-adjustment or send your gear in for "matching." With the RF mount's 12-pin communication and on-sensor AF, that's all DIY now—the lens and body just *talk* better. It's worth noting that you can handle most "tuning" yourself via firmware. For birding, keeping the lens and body updated is critical because Canon is constantly refining the Animal Eye-AF tracking algorithms. It's basically a free performance boost every few months. I’d also suggest learning to clean your own sensor and lens contacts tho. Birding gets dusty, and simple DIY maintenance with a rocket blower and some specialized contact cleaner will save you a fortune in CPS service fees. The Dual Nano USM motors are incredibly precise, but they need that clean electrical signal to really *snap* onto a target, tbh.

Depends on your budget honestly. If you're just starting out, the RF 600mm f/11 IS STM is amazing value - yeah it's f/11 but with modern bodies like the R7 or R5, high ISO performance is good enough that it's not a huge issue. I get fantastic results with it, especially on sunny days. For the price difference vs the 100-500, it's worth considering.

Can confirm