In the Field: Canon EOS R5 for Wildlife and Bird Photography

Wildlife filmmaker and television presenter Hannah Stitfall, who holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree in wildlife filmmaking, has worked on the BBC’s Earth, Springwatch and The One Show. For a trip to northern Sweden, Hannah borrowed a used Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS from MPB. Read on to find out Hannah’s verdict on this full-frame mirrorless setup. Over to you, Hannah.

As a wildlife filmmaker and presenter, I understand the importance of having the right kit when you’re out in the field. Whether I’m behind the camera or in front of it, wildlife shoots are some of the most challenging around. Let’s face it—the wildlife doesn’t always read the scripts!

Over the years, I have become increasingly interested in wildlife photography. I borrowed a Canon EOS R5 and RF 100-500mm lens from MPB. For wildlife filmmaking and photography, this setup is a game-changer.

On a recent assignment to northern Sweden, I visited these wildlife hides. The locations were incredible, perfect for photographing winter birds—plus the occasional red squirrel, which turned up while I was there. This is when the RF 100-500mm lens really comes into its own, you can quickly change focal lengths to get a variety of different shots of the same species and to follow the birds as they fly to another position. So, you can get the most out of the same viewpoint. 

The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is pin-sharp, especially when coupled with the auto animal eye tracking, which really helped with my wildlife photography. 

I have always been tempted by prime lenses. However, for the quality and sheer focal range, the Canon RF 100-500mm should be in every wildlife photographer’s kitbag.

I used to shoot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM EF. In comparison to my old setup, the Canon EOS R5 is easier to use and so much more lightweight. You can carry it around in your backpack at all times, ready to pull out if you see any wildlife.

During my time in northern Sweden, I was really lucky with the number of different species that turned up—there were bullfinches, jays, greenfinches, nuthatches, willow tits, red squirrels and great spotted woodpeckers, just to name a few. 

Often, they’d all be at the wildlife hides at the same time so I’d have to move my camera and lens quickly into different positions. But as this setup is so lightweight, movement was no problem at all.

Another brilliant feature of this setup is the ability to change between photo and video. I primarily use video, with photography always coming second. My work requires me to film more than take stills. Within the menu, you can set the front button to change between video and photo mode with one press. 

All in all, the Canon EOS R5 and RF 100-500mm is a great setup and I’d recommend it to any wildlife or bird photographer.

Fulmars

Fulmars are known to spend most of their lives out on the open ocean but come to breed around our UK coastline each spring. They belong to a group of seabirds known as ‘tubenoses’ as they have a specially adapted part on the top of their beak that resembles a tube. This adaption helps them remove salt from their bodies. Fulmars are monogamous—they pair for life—and each year, they'll return to the same nest site where the female will lay a single egg.

Great crested grebes

Great crested grebes are famous for their elaborate courtship display each year in early spring. Once the pair has mated, the female will lay around four eggs on their amazing floating nest which is made from reeds, grasses and vegetation all entwined together.

When the chicks hatch, they can swim and dive. But for the first few weeks, they'll hitch a ride on their parents' backs while they're still learning. The parents help the chicks learn how to dive and hunt by leaving them to float on the water while they dive under to catch fish. If you’ve ever witnessed it, it's amazing to watch.

Tawny owls

The Canon EOS R5's animal eye-tracking and speed of this setup is a total game changer for any wildlife filmmaker or photographer. Plus, it's super lightweight, which has made a massive difference—especially for wildlife, as you usually have to trek a fair distance to some pretty hard-to-reach places! Also, the 500mm lens—plus shooting in 4K—enables you to keep your distance from the subject and not disturb it, which is the most important part of wildlife filmmaking and photography!

Swallows

It’s incredible to think that swallows undertake around a 6,000-mile trip between South Africa and the UK each year. They cover 200 miles a day when migrating. They will do this mostly at night, and will return to the same nesting site year-on-year. While they're in the UK, a breeding pair will attempt to have two broods, sometimes three, before they head back to South Africa for the winter.

I have been filming the swallows for the past few weeks and have watched them most evenings as they twist and turn in the sky, chatting to one another as if they are almost dancing. You may notice that one of the swallows in this reel has only one leg—I don’t know what happened to it, but you will be pleased to know that it is doing very well and I have still been seeing it most evenings.

Using the Canon R5 with the Canon RF 100-500mm lens really helped me get those in-flight shots! I tried to use the fastest shutter speed that the light allowed, and I'm pretty pleased with the results!

Rabbits

When filming wildlife, it's all about dusk and dawn. Not only is this the best time to get that magic light, but it's when wildlife is most active. During the summer, it may mean getting up at 4:00 in the morning to catch the dawn or staying out until way past 22:00. But it really is worth it, as this is when the wildlife comes alive!

I managed to get some great footage and stills of rabbits with the Canon R5 and the RF 100-500mm. It even performs well in low light, which is usually when all of the action happens!

Looking for more wildlife content?

This article is part of the MPB Guide to Wildlife Photography and Videography, our comprehensive look at how to create wildlife imagery, with camera recommendations, advice and interviews with experts.