I finally ditched my old 90D because the autofocus was honestly driving me insane and I missed so many shots of the red-tailed hawks near my place in Colorado. Just got the R7 today and im so hyped but also kinda overwhelmed because I realized none of my old slow SD cards are gonna cut it for this speed. I spent basically my whole savings on the body so I only have about 250 bucks left for extras. Im so fed up with running out of juice mid-hike like with my last setup so I need to know what I actually NEED to buy right now. What are the absolute must-have accessories for this thing to keep it running smooth without breaking the bank?
The R7 is amazing for Colorado hawks! I missed shots before switching and these saved me:
@Reply #2 - good point! Power management is definitely a big adjustment coming from a DSLR. Since youre hiking in Colorado, I recommend looking at ergonomics and basic protection next. I've been very satisfied with the Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap SLL-BK-3 for carrying the R7... it lets you carry the body crossbody which is much easier on your neck during long treks. You should also pick up a ULBTER Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Canon R7 immediately. Its a cheap way to prevent scratches from zippers or branches. Also, the SanDisk ImageMate PRO USB-C Multi-Card Reader is a reliable tool that has given me no complaints when moving those big files to my laptop. These few items stay well under your budget and keep your gear safe while youre hunting for those hawks.
I saw your post earlier today and it really took me back to when I made the jump from my old DSLRs to mirrorless. Over the years, I've realized that the learning curve is less about the settings and more about managing the different power demands. Back when I first started shooting wildlife, I could go days on a single charge with my old optical viewfinder, but these new R-series bodies are basically tiny computers with screens that never turn off. It really changes the way you plan a hike. I remember one morning out near Estes Park where I forgot to toggle the power saving modes and my camera died right as a bull elk stepped into the light... ngl I almost threw the thing in the river. You definitely notice the drain more when youre using the high-speed bursts for those hawks because the processor is working overtime. Before you drop that last bit of cash though, I'm curious about your lens situation. Are you adapting your old glass from the 90D with an adapter, or did you grab a native lens with the body? The weight balance makes a huge difference in what kind of strap or support you might want to spend money on. Also, are you planning to strictly stick to stills for the birds, or are you thinking about trying out some of that 4K video the R7 does? That usually changes what kind of gear you actually need to prioritize right away.