I spent a week photographing concerts with the Canon EOS R and here’s what I think
Aug 1, 2019
Rui Bandeira
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Canon Portugal sent me a Canon EOS R with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens for me to test. Unfortunately, it was only possible to keep it for a little over a week, but I still managed to make the first day of the MEO Mares Vivas Festival where I am the official photographer. This gave me the opportunity to test it during the day in good light for the assembly of the venue, but also at night in concert, which was what I was most interested in seeing.
I had already tried some mirrorless cameras, from other brands, and I confess that I was never very satisfied. Certainly, never to the point of wanting to chang I had already tried the Canon EOS R once, but only for a few minutes, which was not nearly enough to form an opinion about it.
Being used to working in both the studio and at concerts with the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, I confess I had some fear of not adapting to the Canon EOS R, especially the electronic viewfinder.
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 was another point that freaked me out. I had used the Canon EF 24-105 f/4 and never felt very satisfied. It never felt like a real L series lens. Possibly the one I used might not be in good condition, but at this point, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 is the most versatile lens and the one with the longest focal length in the RF line.
The body
The first thing I noticed was ergonomics, this body fits perfectly in my hand, it’s a body that makes me feel comfortable. When shooting 3 Day Festivals this is really important.
Even without the grip, which would make it bigger and even more comfortable, allowing me to use two batteries, this body, while smaller and lighter than my 5D Mark IV, achieves the level of ergonomics that I have on Canon SLRs.
Normal image and 100% crop
EOS R 24-105RF f/4L – ISO 400 1/320 f/4 61mm
Menus
Nothing to say about this, really. The menus are pretty much the same as I have on the Canon 5D Mark IV, so I don’t need to adapt, it’s the same system I already know.
Normal image and 100% crop
EOS R 24-105RF f/4L – ISO 320 1/400 f/4 50mm
Focus
I was not prepared for such a big evolution! Focus does not fail!
At concerts, the autofocus has to overcome some challenges, either because the musician has moved, or the light has changed, or the mic is right there in front of the subject. With EOS R, I don’t even have to worry about confirming if the image is focused, I can edit it and send it without any problem, the Focus is amazing, and yes, even with the 24-105, this lens is awesome …
The whole focusing system is much faster than SLRs and much, much more effective.
With more focus points it is easy to find one that suits us, but even when using the center point, the technique of “focus and recompose” the result was surprising.
The fact that we don’t have the focus sensor and the mirror system is a giant leap in terms of focus quality, you can’t go back.
Normal image and 100% crop
EOS R 24-105RF f/4L – ISO 2500 1/320 f/4 105mm
Batteries
We all know that mirrorless systems use more battery, honestly I am not interested in the numbers, the most important thing for me is that I photographed all day, and only changed batteries at night so as not to risk running out of charge. As I can use the batteries of my 5D Mark II and 5D Mark IV, which were in the bag, batteries weren’t a big problem, though.
With the grip, I believe I would be able to shoot all day and night of the festival without having to change batteries.
Normal image and 100% crop
EOS R 24-105RF f/4L – ISO 2000 1/160 f/4 91mm
Customization
In Canon SLRs, we were already used to a fairly high level of customization, but in EOS R the ability to customize the body is even greater, especially with the addition of the third ring on the RF lens, or with the EF lens ring adapter.
I don’t know why, but I never went too far with customizing my SLRs. With EOS R, I felt comfortable risking a little more and I switched the functions of the buttons to what I felt most comfortable for me.
RF lenses also help to enhance the customization capabilities of the EOS R system. First, because we can choose which way we want to focus in or out, but mainly by adding the third ring.
I chose to use the third ring to control ISO, but it can be used to control aperture or speed.
I loved this third ring, but I would like to see it with a brake so it doesn’t change the settings when I have the body on my shoulder.
Normal image and 100% crop
EOS R 24-105RF f/4L – ISO 2000 1/160 f/4 85mm
The Adapter Ring
I briefly tested the ring that comes with the EOS R. Canon has 3 adapters, one to use EF lenses, one that has the third control ring and another that allows the use of drop-in filters.
With this ring, I used my EF lenses and I felt no difference in lens response, but I felt that the focus is better since we don’t have the mirror and the focus is better in the camera. I don’t have to worry about micro-adjustments anymore because, with the EOS R, the focus is on-sensor.
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens
I have no words to describe this lens. The EOS R system is not just a new body without the traditional SLR mirror, it is a whole new universe of bodies and lenses that together make this new system something extraordinary.
The RF 24-105mm is a very fast lens to focus with and amazingly Sharp. At any focal length, the quality is always the same and the results always perfect.
Normal image and 100% crop
EOS R 24-105RF f/4L – ISO 2500 1/320 f/4 26mm
Resume
Far beyond the numbers announced by the manufacturer or the “lab” tests, what matters to me is what I feel during the work and the result I get.
This system is, for me, the natural evolution of Canon. This is the future, and do not forget that the Canon EOS R is the first body of this system. What will come next out of Canon?
A camera is a working tool and as such the most important thing is to help me do my job better and easier, and EOS R does that.
My work with EOS R gets easier, better and more consistent. If it has more or less pixels, if it has more or less functions it doesn’t matter. A bad photo will always be a bad photo with 10-megapixels or 50-megapixels. The important thing is to have tools that help me do a better job and this is the EOS R.
Now I will have to exchange my 5D Mark II and Mark IV for two EOS Rs!
This article represents what I felt during the time I was with Canon EOS R and is not sponsored by Canon or any other brand.
About the Author
Rui Bandeira is a concert photographer based in Porto, Portugal, you can see more of his photos on his site, and say hi on facebook and Instagram.
We love it when our readers get in touch with us to share their stories. This article was contributed to DIYP by a member of our community. If you would like to contribute an article, please contact us here.
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41 responses to “I spent a week photographing concerts with the Canon EOS R and here’s what I think”
I must say I’m very surprised that a pro photographer, official photographer of an event, tests a camera he/she doesn’t know during this event…
“Unfortunately, it was only possible to keep it for a little over a week, but I still managed to make the first day of the MEO Mares Vivas Festival ”
I had it fo a week, and i only tested it on the first day because i had to return it.
my inicial plan was to use my 5DMkIV and make some images with the EOSR, but during the week i found that i like id do mutch that i decided to use it for the first day, my 5DMkIV stayed on the bag
I did the same thing for my EOS R. Bought it along a 7D for the first wedding I shot with it only 3 days after I got it.
The 7D stayed in the bag the entire day as the EOS R performed so well and as they say, the rest is history.
Bought the EOS R to replace my damaged 5DSR, in case if anyone was wondering.
I did the same thing for my EOS R. Brought it along a 7D as backup for the first wedding I shot with it only 3 days after I got it.
The 7D stayed in the bag the entire day as the EOS R performed so well and as they say, the rest is history.
Bought the EOS R to replace my damaged 5DSR, in case if anyone was wondering.
I don’t understand why people think it’s madness to upgrade and use the new camera.
Why? Several colleagues and I have also done it. I unboxed a Z6 and took it to a boxing title fight event and shot over 80% with it the same night… then to a three day music festival the next week. How are you supposed to test out new gear in real world conditions that we deal with day in day out otherwise? You will never recreate the conditions of that type of event shooting birds or flowers… Even with tried and tested gear we have backups on hand just incase…
I imagine they took at least a single shot before entering the event.
Once you have a Canon, and the menus are familiar, and the buttons are second nature, a new Canon feels the same, just might not have a mirror, might be a bit smaller, a bit lighter.
If you pick up a 1DXII you will have a significantly larger and heavier camera, but you sure as hell are going to use it as your primary camera at your next event.
I tested it as a second camera to take some regular shots at the church and during the reception; some during getting ready. No big deal unless you are trying to use it as a primary camera without knowing it well.
Sergi Yavorski Exactly, it’s not like the basic rules of photography go out the window with a new body… When you buy a new body, you do so after having made sure it’s specs meet your needs.. as OP was talking about pro shooters, going from one body to another in roughly the same bracket is no biggie, we do it all the time.
A canon commercial ?
Bertram Plischke my exact thought ! No flows with the af system ?!
Where some many people reported that it wasn’t so great…
Amd the EF lens work better on the R with the adapter than it would on the Canon DSLR ?!! Wtf ?!
It is absolutely true. Try them and you’ll just see this.
I don’t have a Canon EOS R but a similar Nikon Z – and it is not perfect at all at mirrorless Systems. ;-) So the EOS R thougts may be sponsored by Canon :-D
So another dweeb talking about equipment they haven’t tried in a shoot much less own. Good info Rui. And I’m a user/owner of mixed cam/lens makers btw.
thank you ;-)
LOL .. exactly … you nailed it. Just a Dweeb they do sound like. Contrasting, I think a video by Travis Harris on Youtube last autumn about the EOS R is one of the best I’ve seen. He’s a 1DX shooter who got the EOS R and started using it a lot.
nop.
this is what i felt with it.
no sponsor post
Duncan Dimanche do you mean flaws?.. twice?
Didn’t they do a firmware update?
Bertram, so based on the Nikon Z you conclude that the R doesn’t work? What in the world….
Viggo Næss it’s not perfect at all doesn’t mean that she doesn’t work ? No camera on the world is built perfect ?
So is this guy sponsored by Canon ?
No flows with the af system ?!
Where some many people reported that it wasn’t so great…
Amd the EF lens work better on the R with the adapter than it would on the Canon DSLR ?!! Wtf ?!
No, this guy is not sponsored by Canon.
This is what i felt using it on concerts.
The EF works better becaus the focus is better, no micro adjustments no front or back focus.
Duncan, absolutely correct the AF system is killer.
And absolutely correct adapted EF lenses works better on the R, because of the MUCH more accurate AF system and the incredible spread and sensitivity of the AF-points, more intelligent tracking etc. and of course, no need for calibration which means you will get what you pay for in image quality always.
Viggo Næss …. alright alright i’ll have to try it out then
Viggo Næss so the ef lenses work seemlessly w the adaptors?
They do!
The Canon EOS R is so good with lenses, it can slaughter the IDX mk ii for nailing focus with the older 85mm 1.2 ii EF lens. Not for speed, but for locking focus especially in lower light conditions. I have one from autumn and would buy a 2nd in a heartbeat, but waiting for the 2 card model to hit the market.
Of course, after DSLR every EVIL-camera will be better. And any new lens is much better than old Canon piece of glass.
Yes the R has strengths but it is simply totally deficient if you shoot sports (fps is a joke) or do sports videography lacking 120 fps for slow motion.
If you do landscape or portrait photography it will be a good option, essentially an improved 5D but mirrorless.
For sports photography and videography the Sony A9 or new Sony AR74 destroys it.
8 FPS is not a joke. Firmware gets it to all 8 FPS now. Now my 5DS could seem like a joke. But really, the 7D mk ii and 1DX mk ii are sports bodies. Talking about the EOS R in context of sports is almost pointless. As for Sony, the A7R iv will be useless for 96% of photographers, because the epic fail of omitting S-RAW and M-RAW shackles every user to gargantual files. I use 50 megapixels in one body, and realize the gift of S-RAW and M-RAW
It is interesting how people that are brand loyal just can’t use products as tools and have to defend the product even if it isn’t the best tool for the job.
Yes, that’s the point, the Canon R is an inferior product for sports photography period . 8 fps is achieved by losing continuous autofocus. A Sony A9 shoots 20 fps. I guess you simply don’t understand sports photography . When I am shooting surfing every little detail of a breaking wave makes the photo useable or not. Your discussion on types of raw is secondary if you missed the photo because it can’t capture photos fast enough. Maybe fps isn’t critical to you, maybe dynamic range isn’t critical to the next photographer but these things matter if you need it.
The R is a landscape and portrait centered camera. It lacks video capabilities and certain capabilities beyond landscape /portrait for stills. It is like claiming the Canon 100mm macro is a great macro lens so anyone that owns anything else made a poor choice.. Yes it is good macro lens but not a good telephoto lens and it appears that’s the point you don’t get, every camera has pro’s and con’s . The R falls short outside apparently what you do, I get it but keep in mind it has limitations.
In addition Sony, although ergonomically inferior is in many aspects literally 2 generations ahead of Canon and that’s coming from me, a guy that has 80% Canon gear.
No-one gives a f ….. actually
Same applies to your post, moron.
8fps stills can only be achieved with no AF or AE. Full auto slows it down to 4-5fps.
R=smarter AF tracking, limited performance in low light. 5D=MUCH faster AF, better performance in low light.
Not sure how you shot a concert AT NIGHT and claimed that the AF was better.
Why no mention of ANY flaws in the camera like poor continuous AF, limited DR, annoying touch bar, lack of AF joystick, single card slot, lack of glass, etc?
The EOSR uses the same sensor of the 5DMKIV, and the new cpu.
I have the 5DmKIV and i the EOSR perfoms better on AF, just the fact that with the EOSR ther iso no back or front focus is better.
If ive shoot concerts with the old Canon 350D why shouldnt i make images with the EOSR????
im the one that have to be a Pro, not the cam, im the one that must be able to use the gear the way i nead it.
Not being able to make an image with certain gear tells more about the user capabilaty of making images that it says about the gear capability…
what makes you think that the EOSR has poor continuous AF?, it was some tests that yu made or it was somthing that you read?
To be honnest i dont use continuous AF, yes, ots true i dont use it…the touch bar i didnt used it i prefer the joystick of the 5D, but i use my cams as a working tool, i do the images using what they have and ignoring what i dont like or have no use to.
I only use one Card on my 5DmKIV, i trust my Prograde cards that mutch!
Lack of Glass!?!?!?!?you can use all Canon EF and RF lens, that is not enought????
;-)
The AF tracks better across the frame on the R, but the 5D acquires focus noticeably faster. The EF lenses are slower when adapted, so not really an option for pro workflows. Everyone knows that mirrorless don’t have back-focus issues, but they do struggle in low light.
I’ve shot with both cameras, and in a concert setting the 5D smokes the R. Seems like you are making excuses like “i trust my Prograde cards that mutch!”
It’s an inferior product when compared to Canon’s other cameras and several years behind the competition.
Your article was not about how the pro photographer matters more than the camera, it was about giving praise to a mediocre camera and making excuses for its shortcomings. I would never use the R to shoot a concert if I had a 5D to work with as well, and I would not make ridiculous claims about the AF performance that just weren’t true. It’s about as good as the a7II from several years ago, which paled in comparison to DSLR AF.
Its obvious that we had totaly diferent experiences with the cam.
I didnt has any prob GP using with it, and i found that the EF lens worked better
I never saúde that this is the best cam of canon, I just talked about what I felt with it, if you don agree or if you dont like it, its your problem.
I have no problem with opinion, but doing a review that is misleading just for the clicks is pretty pathetic.
How can you make claims about the AF if you didn’t even use continuous focus? Who even uses single-shot AF any more? Especially for professional use outside of a studio or static subject, single-shot AF is pretty useless.
I dont use it but I didnt sayed I didnt tested it…
I use single shot AF and i have no prob with it, in fact ibtry to avoid any type of help from the cam, I try to use the most manual as I can, and that allowed me to make a living with concert photography,…
Speacking of work I have to go… I dont have the time to be discussing on the web. ?
canon or Nikon will not make a better mirrorless as it will kill dslr sales