Honestly its just ridiculous how much they expect us to pay these days just to keep up with the tech. Been shooting sports for over a decade and it drives me crazy how the goalposts keep moving. You drop nearly six grand on a pro body like the R3 and then you realize youre basically being forced into their proprietary RF ecosystem if you want the actual performance you paid for. It feels like such a scam sometimes. Over the years Ive watched these prices skyrocket while the compatibility gets more and more restricted. Using adapters is such a clunky workaround and honestly just feels like a band-aid on a gaping wound. It is incredibly frustrating to feel like high-end glass is being soft-locked out of the best AF features unless I shell out another few thousand. We are all just chasing our tails at this point and the companies dont seem to care about the people who built their brands... they just want that next massive upgrade fee. Its exhausting.

100% agree

+1

Honestly, since you're already dropping the cash for an R3 you really should look at the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM because the native communication speed is just sooo much faster than using adapted glass. I’ve been looking at some technical performance benchmarks and the Dual Nano USM motors in the RF version are basically built to actually keep up with that 30fps burst mode - which is like super important for soccer where players are constantly zig-zagging! Tbh I'm still learning all the specs but from what I've seen the RF mount lets the lens and camera talk way more times per second than the old EF pins can handle so you get way more keepers per burst. Plus it's significantly shorter and lighter which is great for moving around a basketball court - do you think the weight might be an issue for you during long games? It's right around $2800 so it fits your budget perfectly and feels like it’s the only way to really see what that R3 sensor can do!!

Can vouch for this

Just catching up on this thread... Honestly if you're dropping that kind of money on an R3 you really need to think about the long-term structural integrity and how the glass actually sits on the body because shooting sports is rough on gear like seriously... I've seen so many guys have issues with adapters over time. - Mount Leverage: When you're running around a soccer pitch with a heavy lens the adapter basically creates a secondary failure point and can sometimes get a tiny bit of 'play' or wobble which is the last thing you want when you're relying on those high-speed pins for the R3's data transfer speeds (at least that's what I've noticed after a few seasons).
- Weather Sealing: The R3 is built like a tank but adding an adapter means you've got two gaskets to worry about instead of one so if it starts pouring during a match you're doubling your risk of moisture getting to the sensor... it's just one more thing that can go wrong tbh.
- DLO and Processing: The native RF glass has much more bandwidth for Digital Lens Optimizer data and the R3 uses that in real-time to fix diffraction without slowing down the buffer... some of the older EF glass profiles can actually cause slight lag if the camera has to work harder to process the corrections. I'd definitely look at the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM because the balance is way better on the R3's integrated grip and it just feels more secure in the hand than a front-heavy adapted setup... keep it simple and safe.

Noted!

To add to the point above: I am honestly in the exact same boat right now and it is so frustrating. I just picked up my R3 a few weeks ago and realized that after dropping that much on the body, I basically have no budget left for the glass I actually want. I tried shooting a local game with my old setup and unfortunately, it just felt sluggish. The eye tracking is incredible but the lens motors couldn't keep up with the speed. It's just not as good as I expected for such a high-end system. I have been hunting for ways to get the job done without spending another four grand, and these are the options I am looking at for my own kit:

• Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM is actually surprisingly snappy for the price, usually found under $650.
• A used Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports for Canon EF is a total beast for soccer if you can find one around $1800, tho it is heavy as a brick.
• The Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM is a great compromise if you can live without f/2.8, and it fits way better in the budget at around $1500. It really feels like we are being forced into a corner with these prices... just wanted to let you know you are definitely not alone in the struggle.

My Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM still rocks on my R3. Reliable since 2014, great results.

Hey! For that budget, consider the used market. A Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM with an adapter is killer value. You can find them around $1200-$1500, leaving room for a good monopod. It's sharp, fast focusing, and works well. I've had no complaints using that combo. Plus, down the line, you can upgrade to RF glass later without blowing your whole budget now.

R3 sensor + fast glass is AMAZING! Forget zoom compromise for soccer. Consider a used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM via adapter. Tack sharp wide open; superior image quality trumps convenience. Check KEH; might snag one around $2800. Later, add a teleconverter for basketball!

Hey! R3's fantastic! Beyond image quality, consider carrying safety gear! For soccer, crowds can surge. Regarding lenses, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM with adapter is AMAZING! But ALWAYS keep your gear secure with a proper strap and consider a low-profile bag to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Safety first! Have fun shooting!

Forget the hype! Sigma's DG OS HSM lenses are sleepers. I did market research last year; they punch way above their weight class for the price. Happy shooting!