Both the new Canon R1 and R5 Mark II cameras bring a host of innovative features, although their core specifications haven’t changed significantly. Among these updates, I believe the Pre-continuous Shooting function will revolutionize wildlife photography—and potentially sports photography as well.
Pre-capture functionality has already been available in cameras like the Canon R7 and R6 Mark II for some time. This feature allows photographers to half-press the shutter to focus and start recording, then fully press the shutter to save all pre-recorded images to the memory card.
What sets the Canon R1 and R5 Mark II apart is their ability to keep the pre-capture function continuously active as long as the shutter is half-pressed for focusing and fully pressed for recording, provided the buffer hasn’t reached its limit. This makes it easy to refocus on a new subject or stay locked onto the same subject for additional pre-capture sequences.
For example, the R1’s buffer can handle up to 200 shots before slowing down. In pre-capture mode, it initially records 20 frames, and over approximately two seconds, it can capture additional sequences, such as 20 + 40 + 40 frames. Unlike other cameras, the R1 and R5 Mark II transition seamlessly between pre-captures without any delay, offering unmatched efficiency and flexibility for capturing fleeting moments.
全新的佳能R1和R5 Mark II相机引入了众多创新功能，尽管它们的核心规格并未发生显著变化。其中，我认为“预连续拍摄”功能将彻底改变野生动物摄影的风格，也可能对体育摄影产生深远影响。
类似的预拍摄功能在佳能R7和R6 Mark II等相机上已存在一段时间。这项功能允许摄影师通过半按快门进行对焦并开始记录，而全按快门则会将所有预录的图像保存到存储卡中。
佳能R1和R5 Mark II的独特之处在于，只要快门半按保持对焦、全按记录，并且缓冲区未达到极限，预拍摄功能即可持续运行。这使得用户可以轻松重新对焦于新的主体或保持对原主体的连续预拍摄。
例如，R1的缓冲区支持最多200张照片的连拍。在预拍模式下，它最初记录20帧，然后在大约2秒内捕捉额外的序列，例如20 + 40 + 40帧。与其他相机不同，R1和R5 Mark II可以在预拍摄之间无缝衔接，没有任何延迟，为捕捉转瞬即逝的精彩瞬间提供了前所未有的效率和灵活性。
Let’s share some samples as we normally do.
Once Pre-continuous Shooting is enabled, a “pre” indicator appears in the top-left corner of the screen whenever you half-press the shutter button, confirming that pre-recording is active. After taking a shot, you can immediately half-press the shutter again to restart pre-recording or continue shooting as needed.
Below are some sample images captured with the Pre-continuous Shooting feature. These can be enjoyed as standalone photos or combined and converted into a video sequence.
– Another common woodpecker in Malaysia, resembling the Greater Flameback but smaller in size with dark eyes.
– Another moment captured using the CANON R1’s Continuous Pre-record feature.
– One of the most common woodpeckers in Malaysia, this species can be found in a variety of environments—lowlands, mangroves, sub-montane forests, and even urban areas. Its overall rufous coloration makes it hard to miss.
– While testing the Canon R1’s “Continuous Pre-recording” feature, the bird was perched as usual. I half-pressed the shutter to activate Pre-recording, and only fully pressed it when the bird took off from the branch. Every frame of the action was captured in full RAW and saved to my card.
– 在测试佳能 R1 的“连续预录”功能时，这只鸟像往常一样站在树枝上。我半按快门开启预录功能，直到鸟从树枝起飞时才完全按下快门。整个动作的每一帧都被完整记录为 RAW 格式并存储在卡中
。
202411, Kuala Selangor, Malaysia
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4. Half-press the shutter before the active warbler makes any movement. When the bird takes off, fully press the shutter to capture everything that occurred 0.5 seconds prior. Immediately after pre-recording, the camera will seamlessly track the bird in real-time.
1. Half-press the shutter before the small raptor shows any movement. When the bird takes off, fully press the shutter to capture everything leading up to that critical moment. At the same time, you’ll see the camera seamlessly tracking the bird in real-time.
2. Half-press the shutter before any movement from the Owl. When the Owl takes off, fully press the shutter, and everything leading up to that “flash moment” will be recorded onto the card. And you’ll also see the camera immediately tracking the bird in real-time.
3. Half-press the shutter before any movement from the kingfisher. When the kingfisher dives down, fully press the shutter, and everything leading up to that “flash moment” will be saved to the card. You’ll also see the camera instantly tracking the bird in real-time.
Many of Bird Photographers really want to have high megapixels camera for many different reasons. But for me, most of the time I Birding in “dark” Rain forest. Most of the time I am using ISO 8000-30000 .. so ISO performance always my main concern beside AF performance.
I am honor to have the new CANON R5 markii few days, so I am using it to test things that Rain Forest photographers concern. AF, ISO .. .etc
so here I am using one of my very common ISO and sharing original pictures save from RAW and denoise version (with Adobe-Topaz)
a boring morning at mud beach, nothing special attract my attention, so I decided to try to shoot my CANON R3 with 195/120 fps and trying on new AngleBird AV Pro SE CFexpress B 1TB
I will continue to try post some direct RAW files browse view using FastRaw
1. AV mode
2. ISO 3200-6400
3. Animal detect and eye detection ON
4. Servo
5. customize 195 fps for 50 shots ot 120 fps for 50s
6. no pictures edit, just direct view the Raw files from the app
few close friends asking to work out new CANON RF200800mm lens with few camera … as the lens balance between weight, and light so it is F9 at 800mm and make many of us worry, how it perform in Rainforest.
Before I have the lens and other camera to work on, I already comment to them it work well with CANON R3 !!! but it is expensive camera with this lens … and it may not work really balance Investment-Performance .. than I am highly recommend to many CANON R6mark2 with really good ISO performance, AF performance
Finally, very first 800mm Full frame zoom lens available on my hand and very soon delivery to end user …
just a some of my thoughts before my first impression of the lens.
Part1 – F7.1 – F.63 Know what (20231214)
Part2 – Physical different (20231214)
Part3 – field test Full Size Jpeg sharing (20240113)
– add on R7+RF200800 (20240103)
– add on R7+1.4x+RF200800 (20231224)
– Sumatra Graceful Pitta
Part4 – real field test experience AF accuracy, handling (need more time to gather more information here) (20231221)
Part5 – 800mm !!! (update 20231222)
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update 202501
I’ve decided to stop using this lens—not because it’s not a good lens, but because it doesn’t fit my needs. When I’m working as a guide, I need a lightweight, fast setup with excellent image stabilization. On photography tours, I prefer to bring my 400mm f/2.8. This 200-800mm falls somewhere in between these two setups.
After three months of heavy use, it’s been sitting in my dry box because its size and weight are similar to my 400mm f/2.8, and it’s significantly larger than the RF 100-500mm. I’ve decided it’s better to let someone else make use of it and simplify my gear options, especially before going on long tours. Sometimes I spend too much time deciding what to bring.
Here’s a photo from a recent tour where I used this lens handheld with the R1. Click to view it in full resolution!
– birder always want longer reach most of the situation, and now full frame first 800mm and it is compatible with 1.4x and 2x TC .. for minimum impact the image quality I am using 1.4x on both R3 (1120mm) & R7 (1792mm)。click on the picture for full size jpeg
Part4 – real field test experience AF accuracy, handling
– I am shooting Handheld for or Tripod
– AV mode with manual ISO, wide open Aperture default
– Center Zone AF, Animal Detection, Eye detection ON, occasion MF with Focus peaking. AD-On button set to “5points AF, Animal Detection, Eye detection ON” (for situation where main subject surrounding with obstacle)
update 20231221
Sample3 – Fast and small subject
– a very small, fast moving subject and prefer at bushes .. the lens and R3 get the bird detect and look for eye almost seamless .. (AF center zone, Animal detection, Eye detection)
– a very fast moving tiny bird with very soft call bird, it is so difficult to have a open picture .. but with the current new mirrorless animal detect and tracking. It is some how quite easy to have some picture even at complicated environment like this
– 非常小+快的小鸟。叫的很小声。也喜欢在丛里跳来跳去。现在无反的动物+动物眼的 AI ，被不大可能做成比较容易。只要一有机会，我都有办法拿下它。
a very simple test on a raptor flying on very windy harbor at Taiwan.Setting
– CANON R3
– ISO3200, F9, 1/2500, 800mm
– Animal Detect, Eye detectio, Tracking On
– point the view finder to the subject, half press the shutter button allow it lock the focus and from the view finder can see the focus tracking just continuous track the subject.. than follow by continuous press the shutter button
– we can see how good is the CANON system while the Background change do not affect the tracking at ll
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here sample 1
*** it is not easy to shoot small subjects under close range 800mm, either good practice, shoot shorter focal length. So far this length lock focus fast when from near focus point to further focus point. ****so important to always try to shoot nearer focus subject before point toward the main subject for the long focal length (500-800mm especially this lens at 800mm)
– Fast moving subject, seldom sit still for more than 1 second
ISO10000, 1/30, 707mm Original JPEGISO10000, 1/30, 707mm Noise Reduction – Adobe Photoshop ACR AI + Topaz
Sample 9 with CANON R7with RF200800
Blue-winged pitta, 马来八色鸫, 馬來八色鶇, Pitta moluccensis,ミナミヤイロチョウ, BURUNG-PACAT SAYAP BIRU
– CANON R7, CANON RF200800
– ISO6400, F8, 538mm, 1/50
update 20240103
– 2024 official day1 working, it is faithful start … we arrive the “feeding spot” but without put any “food” the bird just stand there waiting so are we shoot at feeding bird ? … but it is real challenge having long focal length + high megapixel camera … CANON R7 + CANON RF200800. I am shooting ISO6400, F8, 538mm, 1/50
many keep talking the F too small for the lens, lets be fair to every brand… for current situation, we need something smaller size mean smaller aperture !!! than how small aperture you accept ? if you 90% stay inside rainforest, you know F4 is not big enough for many cases .. so anything smaller F5.6,6.3,7.1 make small different .. than why keep ask why it is F7.1 ? simple smaller size and lighter .
here is one example
ISO1000 , F6.3 , 1/100
can replace
ISO1250, F7.1, 1/100
ISO1000, F7.1, 1/80
so the ISO just 1/3 stop ! to shutter speed slower by 1/3 stops .. big different ? but this lens with 2kg come with 800mm option which is many birder “wish” .. one of my HK buddy always say “一寸長一寸強“ mean we always need longer for birding not just reduce disturb, but walk less (haha joking) the longer the focal length allow us to get bigger subject without going too close to the subject.
but many more ask why F9… so for most the manufacturer provide 600mm F6.3 to have the 800mm we need use 1.4x teleconvertor. But than the bigger aperture will be at F9 too !!!! but than this lens before using the 1.4x tc already give us 800mm .. and it is 2kg .. all other xxx-600mm F6.3 … 2.1-2.2kg before adding tc !!!
so let’s go out birding with this lens ! stop ask why why F9 … and some ask why F7.1
I am hopping this lens arrive 10 days ago so I can bring to Sri Lanka birding trip but it arrive just before I am leaving to Taiwan – Indonesia.
Skip the open box, the lens weight 2050kg… I cannot reduce anything more like 100500, RF400mm F2.8 or RF600mm F4 as thetripod collard seem not easy to removed, the hood also cannot be changealready very light (thin and the only part of the lens look fragile).
The lens look long overall, but still manageable before zoom (extend)
– before the 100500 and 200800 extend compare to RF400mm F2.8
– after extend, overall the 200800 is really long to normal handling but when handhold still feel good before go to the field .
it is a long time after this very special light and low price lens for me to test. finally while I take opportunity to test while I am having Gitzo-CANON special Bird Photography know what – Borneo Workshop.
I having it with me whole day, trying at low light and bright are with both R7 and R3. very small size and weight (635gram) !!! i think I can have it walking any time any where without any problem.
below is some real field test with full size pictures (click it to see full size)
The CANON RF100400 come with some interesting specification I like
0.41x (at 400mm)
635gram
79.5 × 164.7mm size
sample 1
CANON R3, Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens
ISO10000, F8, 1/100
without denoisewith default Adobe Camera RAW denoise
sample 2
CANON R3, Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens
ISO10000, F8, 1/250
without denoisewith default Adobe Camera RAW denoise
sample 3
CANON R3, Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens
ISO10000, F8, 1/250
without denoisewith default Adobe Camera RAW denoise
sample 4
CANON R3, Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens
ISO10000, F8, 1/250
without denoisewith default Adobe Camera RAW denoise
sample 5
CANON R3, Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens
ISO800, F8, 1/80
sample 6
CANON R7, Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens
ISO800, F8, 1/1600
without denoisewith default Adobe Camera RAW denoise
– we were looking at another flying squirrel flying like other tourist 10-20 minutes ago and while walking to the jungle for other subject. We saw some movement from far up and Nature guide point the “small torch” toward to the subject and shout “flying” .. what I did just point my camera to the sky and again #CANONR3 just lock focus and track the subject .. the picture may not best quality as it is shooting ISO16000 and picture is heavy under exposure.
(we don’t know flying behaviors before capture like nesting or some feeding spot)
I recently discover the R7, R3 and R6II allow me to customize for very good AF requirement for various environment for my shooting style.
it is so flexible that allow set Servo AF case, Servo, Single point, Track or NOT, Animal/vehicle/Human detect, Eye detection ON/OFF to each shortcut button set ….
why do I sharing this…. asking bird photographers …
1. when bird in flight what’s setting are you using ?
2. when complex environment what’s setting are you using ?
3. in General, do you shoot multiple subjects ? animal, human, vehicle ?
4. do you require auto detection subject (single subject , wide area) or selective (single subject and point)
5. you may also want no eye detection just normal old way of point focus with one button set to this
For me, I feel using Zone to general shooting wildlife is fast and easy, but it is not really fast or need accuracy putting “flying subject” into the box or not work at complex environment (which I always use single point to tough the subject body and eye will be automatic found)
For me, I feel using Zone to general shooting wildlife is fast and easy, but it is not really fast or need accuracy putting “flying subject” into the box or not work at complex environment (which I always use single point to tough the subject body and eye will be automatic found)
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Summary my Wildlife Photography AF Shortcut setup Animal Detect, Eye Detect for all
1. Shutter Button – Zone, General Shooting
(Zone allow me faster detect bird than single point)
2. Shortcut 1 – Wide screen, action (BIF)
(Bigger area allow the Animal in action been detect, if Zone or single point use may require accurate focus area on the bird)
3. Shortcut 2 – Single Point, Complex environment
(for many branches, it is easier to allow Animal eye to be detect)
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After Wide area detect bird or Single point detect bird, after press the shutter button, it will go back to “Zone” it work quite well or transparent
***my current setting will change back to default
AF setting after use the shortcut setup to detect the birds but so far it continue to lock focus on the bird eye and track
***but if you want specify what condition, can just set the shutter button to “metering start” which do not apply default AF setting
Actually This special shortcut setting method
allow us do more eg. Shooting portrait, wildlife with
various button. But this the shutter button not able to
use “meter and AF” else it will go back to the default AF
A feature that I love to have from long ago from CANON.
This is a very useful function for wildlife Photographer.
But for the first time, CANON put this special function into a R7 in a special way.
When I having the Pre-production unit, I am wonder
1. how it work (AF is like other system ? focus only happen on first moment when half press the shutter button)
2. how do we extract ! just from the camera ? why put everything into single file 3. pre record how long ? and now we know it is 0.5s and why ? enough for us ? 4. can we extract all the file within the single RAW Burst file ?
NO … why I am not answering all the question but this sharing is simply show why/when we need this function, how we shoot, how we extract …
I put everything how’s it work into a video..
or another sample while capture this bird with my guests and birder Alex
base on video below
1. the bird is standing a while before further action
2. CANON R7 Raw burst enable and half press shutter button when the bird standing before further action
3. press the shutter after see the bird jump (at the video below flag moment)
4. As the video show at frame 10 (16 frames before I press the shutter button pictures)
