My preferred Canon gear for aviation photography would consist of the following:

Canon EOS R5 MKII (x2) + RF 100-500 + RF 400mm f/2.8 + RF 1.4x Extender + RF 2x Extender + RF 24-105 f/4 + RF 15-35 f/4

Why this photography setup? I prefer to balance the sharpest yet lightest lenses I can carry for handheld photography. The 400mm f/2.8 is an extremely sharp lens and matches that performance with a 1.4x Teleconverter, creating the perfect balance between reach, sharpness and easy handling and can fit in a carry-on baggage aboard aircraft. A 100-500mm zoom allows flexibility for a wide variety of focal lengths, especially at airshows where you are limited to where you will be allowed to photograph from. The 24-105mm provides you with the coverage you need to capture static aircraft, people as well as the landscape surrounding you. Lastly, the R5 is a high performance camera that has most of the features of its big brother the R3, yet weighs less, smaller, a perfect fit in the hand as well as having a 45mp sensor vs 24mp.

Canon Body + Lenses

  • Budget

    Canon EOS R7

    32 megapixels APS-C sensor, 15 frames per second mechanical, 4K video (60p), Full HD at up to 120 fps, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization (up to 7 stops), 2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder.

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  • Intermediate 1

    Canon EOS R6 Mark II

    24 megapixels Full-Frame sensor, 12 frames per second mechanical, 4K video (60p) 10-Bit Internal Video, C-Log 3, Full HD at up to 120 fps, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization (up to 7 stops), 3.69 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder.

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  • Advanced 1

    Canon EOS R5 Mark II

    45 megapixels Full-Frame sensor, 12 frames per second mechanical, 30fps electronic, 8K 60fps Raw, 4K 120 fps video 10-Bit Internal Video, C-Log 3, Full HD at up to 240 fps, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization (up to 7 stops), Large 5.76 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder.

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  • Professional 1

    Canon EOS R3

    24 megapixels Full-Frame Stacked BSI sensor, 12 frames per second mechanical, 30 fps Electronic shutter (virtually no rolling shutter distortion, 6K 60p Raw, 4K 120 fps video, 10-Bit Internal Video, C-Log 3, Full HD at up to 120 fps, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization (up to 7 stops), Eye control autofocus, 5.76 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder, Pro-Grade body construction

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  • Budget

    RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM

    Uses: Landscape, Travel, Aviation, Sports, Wildlife

    A very compact, lightweight and high-image quality RF telephoto zoom lens, with a range of 100-400mm and Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5.5 Stops.

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  • Intermediate

    RF200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM

    Uses: Landscape, Aviation, Sports, Wildlife, Travel

    RF telephoto zoom lens, with a extended range of 200-800mm and Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5.5 Stops.

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  • Advanced

    RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

    Uses: Landscape, Travel, Aviation, Sports, Wildlife

    A High Performance L-series versatile Super-Telephoto Zoom RF Lens yet compact, lightweight and very high-image quality, with a range of 100-500mm and Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5 Stops.

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  • Professional

    RF600mm F4 L IS USM

    Uses: Aviation, Sports, Wildlife

    A Super-telephoto High Performance L-series 600mm Lens with Wide f/4 Aperture and stellar image quality and Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5.5 Stops.

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  • Professional

    RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z

    Optional: Would either replace th RF28-70 F2 L USM or in addition - A one lens solution from wide angle to telephoto when carrying space is limited yet very high quality images are required

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