Full-Frame Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Image Thread

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Tim Mayo

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Just trying to kick start this new forum focussed on lens sample image threads, something we have been missing here.

Please do start your own thread if you can contribute other lenses, or add your 100-500 shots to this thread.

Here are just a few images from my RF 100-500mm all shot with the R5.

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Stunning work. This is my next lens to purchase, hopefully right after the first of the year. It is disappointing that the teleconverters do not operate in the complete focal length range.
 
Just trying to kick start this new forum focussed on lens sample image threads, something we have been missing here.

Please do start your own thread if you can contribute other lenses, or add your 100-500 shots to this thread.

Here are just a few images from my RF 100-500mm all shot with the R5.

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Excellent shots. I use this lens all the time too for birds (posted under Birds) and even for bug closeups.
 
Stunning work. This is my next lens to purchase, hopefully right after the first of the year. It is disappointing that the teleconverters do not operate in the complete focal length range.
Right, the TC is awkward with this zoom. I am seriously wondering, though, if cropping might give just as good a result as using the TC on this lens. Some say the TCs are designed for the big white primes, not for zooms.

I have not purchased the converter and probably won't.
 

There's always one out of step …


Bar-tailed Godwits : Moreton Bay, Queensland


Original …

Bar-tailed Godwits : Moreton Bay, Queensland


  • Eye AF — back button (asterisk)
  • Aperture — manual (maximum)
  • Shutter — manual (electronic)
  • ISO — auto
  • Drive — H2 (about 20 frames/second?)

A good example of when not to use an extender? If the truth be told, I had forgotten that my RF 100–500 was at its minimum focal length to make it easier to carry back from much further out on the tidal flats. (Just another 'senior moment'!)
 
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I'm using the RF 100-500mm primarily for aviation. I bought it to match with the R5, having previously used the EF 100-400 MkII. The MkII was pretty good, but the 100-500 is sharp from end to end (the 100-400 was softer at 400) and is lighter. I did use the EF 300 MkII with a 2x converter for a while, which was very good, but I much prefer the flexibility of the 100-500 zoom, which means I can adjust the zoom depending on the movement of the aircraft. Often with the fixed 600mm it was difficult to find the aircraft, never mind track them !
 

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A few from a pelagic trip out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. All taken with an R5 from a moving 47-foot boat.

A harbor scene at 100mm. Straightened a little, but otherwise full frame.
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Whiskered Auklets were the primary target for the trip. A 3155x2404 crop. They're only 8 inches long and they like to feed in tidal currents, so there was some chop at this point in the trip.
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Laysan Albatross. Uncropped image at 270mm. These are a bit larger than the auklets, with a wingspan of 78 inches. EXIF says the focus distance was 19.1m.
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Northern Fulmar. Gull-sized bird about 29m out. A 19mp crop.
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OK a few more. Sorry. I've had a bit of a shooting drought for the last few months. Happens every year. I think Timothy just saved me $2,500 CND on the 200-800.

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Same little one on backside that shows a little feather detail. My little buddies which I'll be visiting when we go back to Portugal in February.

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Right, the TC is awkward with this zoom. I am seriously wondering, though, if cropping might give just as good a result as using the TC on this lens. Some say the TCs are designed for the big white primes, not for zooms.

I have not purchased the converter and probably won't.
Stunning work. This is my next lens to purchase, hopefully right after the first of the year. It is disappointing that the teleconverters do not operate in the complete focal length range.
It has never bothered me. I like how compact it makes it without it attached. When it is on I rarely shoot less than 500mm. Usually all out at 700mm. For local transportation I used a tool box but someone pointed this bag in the link. It just drops right in with the TC. Unlike a backup style I don't have to worry about zippers. Many years ago my brand new EF 70-200 F4 IS went flying out of a backpack.

I even took it to Europe this year. I checked it but packed clothes in it. We bought a bigger suitcase for me and I will pack in there. To my wife's delight I only need two t-shirts, one pair of shorts, a few socks and some skivvies :)

 

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A few with the RF 1.4 teleconverter attached. I find it very helpful for small subjects up close. At longer distances the bare lens with moderate cropping will usually work. I would use it more if it didn't restrict the zoom range so much.
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This shot is outstanding - the others are all good but the bee. . . . beeeeutiful ;-)
 
This shot is outstanding - the others are all good but the bee. . . . beeeeutiful ;-)
Thanks! It always helps to have an attractive subject, and this is one of my favorite bees. I don't know the species, but I got several confirmations of Melissodes as the genus on iNaturalist.k the

At 700mm with the t/c I think the magnification ratio is about .46, almost 1:2. The bee and the wasp were both cropped to around 13-14mp, but that's not a problem at all with the R5. And that's at 1.3m, so scaring the subject is rarely a problem.
 
Not the best but a little story behind it - On holiday in Canada, driving along and out the corner of my eye spot something sat on a fir branch 'omg - it's a tiny owl'. . . . . no other cars about so stop, reverse back and pull off the road, jump out open boot (trunk for our American friends) open camera bag - put lens on - hoping it's still there - yes! take a shot. . . . few steps closer another. . . . closer still and. . . . . gone! Moral of the story - keep the camera set up on the back seat lol.
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