Canon RF 100-500 Pros and Cons

[Michał Dudulewicz]

I am considering getting the RF 100-500 for sport and concert photography. I'd like to do some wildlife too. Could you guys share your opinion and hightlight the pros and cons of the lens? Thanks

 

[Dave Williams]

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/...s-of-stabilization-on-the-canon-eos-r5-and-r6 maybe this article will help

Interesting to read that the 100-500 isn't one of the top lenses when it comes to IS. I have since bought the lens and my appraisal here and elsewhere has suggested no discernible difference in AF speed,IQ or IS compared to the EF100-400 Mk2. The article suggests I was correct on IS .

 

[Shotbycurtin]

I jumped on the RF 100-500.

You’ll be pleased with it, great piece of kit. Like others here I’ve the 100-400iiL as well so the decision to jump to the RF lens was hard. In the end the extra reach and lighter weight did it for me. When I do sell on the 100-400 lens it will leave a sentimental hole in my kit bag.

 

[Dave Williams]

You’ll be pleased with it, great piece of kit. Like others here I’ve the 100-400iiL as well so the decision to jump to the RF lens was hard. In the end the extra reach and lighter weight did it for me. When I do sell on the 100-400 lens it will leave a sentimental hole in my kit bag.

Likewise! I'm wondering if I should keep it or sell. It does have some advantages over the 100-500, for a start it can regain the reach with a 1.4TC to become a 140-560 f8 lens. You can of course regain the reach by adding the RF 1.4 but lose it at the short end. I'm thinking that as a twosome side by side, both with TC's they give the ideal range of 140-700mm for a safari trip where you have sizes ranging from tiny to gigantic to fit in the frame. In the tight confines of a car they are easier to manhandle than a big telephoto lens like the 4/5/600mm or 200-400f4 big whites.

 

[Stoo]

The 100-500 when coupled with my R5 is just amazing. I have a Sigma 150-600 C as well but my go to long lens is the 100-500. I don't think it would be a great lens for a concert but I don't think I've seen many better photos from any of the long lenses I've had. These were taken from the same spot, the first at 100mm and the second at 700mm, both taken with the 100-500 and the second with the 1.4x converter fitted. Until I got these onto my computer I never knew the sails were numbered.

 

[Stoo]

These were taken yesterday (Saturday 27th, March) at a local park. These have come straight out the camera apart from a crop. Both were shot at 500mm.

 

[dmiller68]

I bought the Sigma 150-600 (the non-sport model) for my wildlife with the adapter. At the time this lens wasn't out yet. However, I have been shooting the Sigma for a long time had the Sigma 120-500 before this one. Since it is my only EF Lens I just leave the adapter attached so it is easy to swap. It is a great lens and you can get it for less then 50% of what Canons version cost. However, the negative is it is a heavy lens.

https://flic.kr/p/2hdKgRN

 

[Shotbycurtin]

Gave the 100-500 a first go at a rugby training session under floodlights tonight. I was going to use my 70-200L 2.8 EF lens but wanted to try the rf in poor light conditions. ISO was maxed out most of the time, shutter speed was 1/500 to 1/1000. Images were generally passable as thumb nails.

The 70-200 f2:8 will no doubt be better under the same conditions albeit with poor reach.

 

[Dave Williams]

Gave the 100-500 a first go at a rugby training session under floodlights tonight. I was going to use my 70-200L 2.8 EF lens but wanted to try the rf in poor light conditions. ISO was maxed out most of the time, shutter speed was 1/500 to 1/1000. Images were generally passable as thumb nails.

The 70-200 f2:8 will no doubt be better under the same conditions albeit with poor reach.

View attachment 1031

View attachment 1032

Horses for courses as they say!

 

[Lookyloo69]

saw a cardinal and couldnt keep the branches from being focused on ... I'm gonna have to try this again

 

[Stoo]

I bought the Sigma 150-600 (the non-sport model) for my wildlife with the adapter. At the time this lens wasn't out yet. However, I have been shooting the Sigma for a long time had the Sigma 120-500 before this one. Since it is my only EF Lens I just leave the adapter attached so it is easy to swap. It is a great lens and you can get it for less then 50% of what Canons version cost. However, the negative is it is a heavy lens.

https://flic.kr/p/2hdKgRN

I've got a Sigma 150-600 Contempory (non sport model) lens and got some fantastic shots with it. That lens now lives in a bag with my 1Dx MkII and the Sigma 1.4x converter is in the bag too. Since getting the R5 and the Rf 100-500 L the Sigma hasn't seen much use, but then neither has the 1Dx MkII lol.