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    Review: Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM by TDP

    By 64 Comments1 Min Read Canon Reviews
    rf100500 - Review: Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM by TDP

    Bryan at The-Digital-Picture has completed his review of the brand new Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM, a lens that will take the place of the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM for the RF lineup.

    Bryan came away super impressed with the lens.

    The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens set the bar very high, but the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens has cleared it. Only six years after the EF 100-400 L II was released, the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens is on the streets. Featuring a lighter weight and longer focal length range, this lens surpasses the impressive predecessor in many regards and gained immediate strong popularity. This lens and I are going to spend a lot of time together. Read the full review

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    64 comments

    1. I received this lens early last week and it is an exceptionally versatile lens for wildlife photography. On an R5 with the available 17 MP APS-C crop I have a 800 mm field of view at the long end. Overall the combination makes for a lightweight flexible zoom that with the full frame and APS-C crop I can have a 100-800 mm field of view at my disposal without having to change a lens in the field. I now only hope that Canon releases a 500 mm f4 DO lens in the RF mount within the next 1-2 years.
    3. Sounds really impressing from Brian.

      I thought this was supposed to be DOA because of the f/7.1? ;)
      ...and because of the switch over of f value according to FL. See the remarks about FL @400mm in other threads.
    5. I received this lens early last week and it is an exceptionally versatile lens for wildlife photography. On an R5 with the available 17 MP APS-C crop I have a 800 mm field of view at the long end. Overall the combination makes for a lightweight flexible zoom that with the full frame and APS-C crop I can have a 100-800 mm field of view at my disposal without having to change a lens in the field. I now only hope that Canon releases a 500 mm f4 DO lens in the RF mount within the next 1-2 years.
      How does that crop mode work? It seems to me that its just taking an APS-c sized chunk out of the middle of the image, and not doing any pixel magic/downsampling. So really, you're not gaining anything 'reach' wise vs. just zooming in on the same section of the full image. Or am I not understanding what the camera is actually doing?
    6. You’ve got it right; all “crop mode” does is throw away the outer pixels if you know you won’t be needing them, for smaller file sizes on your memory card and write buffer. Certainly has its uses in that way.
    8. I received this lens early last week and it is an exceptionally versatile lens for wildlife photography. On an R5 with the available 17 MP APS-C crop I have a 800 mm field of view at the long end. Overall the combination makes for a lightweight flexible zoom that with the full frame and APS-C crop I can have a 100-800 mm field of view at my disposal without having to change a lens in the field. I now only hope that Canon releases a 500 mm f4 DO lens in the RF mount within the next 1-2 years.
      I can crop even further in post and get a 4,000mm field of view. Never change a lens. Looks like crap, though. ;)
    9. Isn't a big advantage of crop mode found in the OVF. The tighter field of view enlarges the subject in the OVF. This aids tracking and focusing. Wonder if the R5 eye AF mode will benefit?
    11. Now if mine would just show up! On order since 8/6/20!!!
      Try ordering directly from Canon. I ordered from Amazon, and then 2 days before release ordered from Canon directly and got it on release day.
    12. Isn't a big advantage of crop mode found in the OVF. The tighter field of view enlarges the subject in the OVF. This aids tracking and focusing.

      But also discards the 'buffer' around the edges when panning with a subject.

      As for the lens, looks impressive but why start at 100mm? A 200-500 could have been even sharper and fitted nicely above the 70-200. I usually have a 1.4 on my 100-400 and seldom need to take it off. Just change to a wider lens when needed.
    13. But also discards the 'buffer' around the edges when panning with a subject.

      As for the lens, looks impressive but why start at 100mm? A 200-500 could have been even sharper and fitted nicely above the 70-200. I usually have a 1.4 on my 100-400 and seldom need to take it off. Just change to a wider lens when needed.
      How do you know a 200-500 designed by Canon would be sharper? How do you know?.
    14. Try ordering directly from Canon. I ordered from Amazon, and then 2 days before release ordered from Canon directly and got it on release day.
      The problem is that with B&H I save the sales tax of 8.25% ($200) and that's keeping me waiting.
    15. How does that crop mode work? It seems to me that its just taking an APS-c sized chunk out of the middle of the image, and not doing any pixel magic/downsampling. So really, you're not gaining anything 'reach' wise vs. just zooming in on the same section of the full image. Or am I not understanding what the camera is actually doing?


      It works well - you just have to be really careful how you compose when you're shooting because you won't have much to work with when you get the image into post.

      I was experimenting with it on my EOS-R and I prefer it over the on and off again of the 1.4X III. I've decided that I prefer the image from my naked 100-400L II over the greater reach when using the 1.4X III.

      I'm programming one of my three custom spots for the crop mode and keeping the 1.4X III at the ready for the instances where I think I need the full resolution.

      For birding - when I need that little bit of extra reach for a perched or slow moving subject I think the crop mode will be the superior option given the f-stop alternative of the 1.4X.
    16. The problem is that with B&H I save the sales tax of 8.25% ($200) and that's keeping me waiting.


      Ditto. Pre-ordered from B&H this morning.. $2549 and no tax. Between my R5, Grip, Battery, CFExpress card, and this lens, B&H has saved me $960 in discounts and tax.
    17. How does that crop mode work? It seems to me that its just taking an APS-c sized chunk out of the middle of the image, and not doing any pixel magic/downsampling. So really, you're not gaining anything 'reach' wise vs. just zooming in on the same section of the full image. Or am I not understanding what the camera is actually doing?
      But that is exactly how crop cameras work, so why/how would there be “any pixel magic/downsampling”?
    18. But that is exactly how crop cameras work, so why/how would there be “any pixel magic/downsampling”?
      That was my question. I didn't think there was any magic happening, and there isn't. I just wasn't sure if I'd missed something.
    19. This lens won’t be as popular as the 100-400 mk1 and 2... because of this huge price step again....
      I can buy the mk2 for ~1300€ in 2nd market and for around 2k€ new. Sometimes with cashback of 200+€.

      yeah it’s sharp, light but not that bright as I espected. Maybe for 1500€ but not for >3.000€!

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