DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

RF extender experiences with RF 100-500 1.4x vs 2.0? Locked

Started Oct 16, 2020 | Discussions thread
This thread is locked.
Wildlife Guy
Wildlife Guy Senior Member • Posts: 1,956
Re: RF extender experiences with RF 100-500 1.4x vs 2.0?

rodor wrote:

mikepro74 wrote:

I recently picked up the 100-500 lens, which has been great on my R6. Been thinking I should pick up an extender, and trying to decide between the 1.4x and 2.0x.

100-500 with extenders becomes:

420-700mm f/8-10 L IS with 1.4x

600-1,000mm f/11-14 L IS with 2.0x

They both overlap.

100-500 with extenders becomes:

140-700mm f/8-10 L IS with 1.4x

200-1,000mm f/11-14 L IS with 2.0x

The lens has to be extended to 300mm before you add the extender. Once you add the extender, you can not retract the lens below the 300mm mark (blocked by extender). This is the one gripe I have against the lens. The range with the extender attached:

1.4x 420 - 700

2x. 600 - 1000

I can tell you this is accurate because I have the RF 1.4x & 100-500. It is also in the Canon RF 1.4x & RF 100-500 material. I do not own the RF 2x and don't plan to purchase. Personally, I don't like the results with 2x extenders other than the EF 200-400 f4 L IS and the Big White Primes. The EF 70-200 F2.8 II/III also does a decent job with 2x extenders.

Just in case you are not aware, the 1.4x TC does not work with the RF 70-200. It has to do with the rear element sitting so close to the mount, doesn't allow the 1.4x extender to be attached.

I was too lazy to find it in the Canon material, but this is from the RF 1.4x TC product page on B&H. Lens compatibility in the description:

  • RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (can only be used within 300-500mm range)
  • RF 600mm f/11 IS STM
  • RF 800mm f/11 IS STM
 Wildlife Guy's gear list:Wildlife Guy's gear list
Canon EOS R6 Mark II Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM Canon RF 24-105mm F4.0-7.1 IS STM Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM +4 more
Post (hide subjects) Posted by
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum PPrevious NNext WNext unread UUpvote SSubscribe RReply QQuote BBookmark MMy threads
Color scheme? Blue / Yellow