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Canon EF 100-400 (version 1) vs Canon RF 100-400 for Antarctica

Started Oct 25, 2021 | Questions thread
Charles Sidney Regular Member • Posts: 127
Re: Canon EF 100-400 (version 1) vs Canon RF 100-400 for Antarctica
1

I received the RF 100-400 lens yesterday and had time for a few tests.  I used my Canon R and compared the RF 100-400mm IS lens to my Canon EF 100-400mm L IS model 1 with an adapter.  In one test I photographed an Edmund Resolving Power Chart #83-001.  At about 40 feet and 400mm focal length the chart more than filled up the viewfinder screen.  I could see all but the last square on each of the diagonals.  I used f/8 and 1/400 sec shutter speed.

I found that the old RF lens (a very good copy) held up very well in the tests.  There was little if any vignetting, and the images were very sharp overall both handheld and on a tripod.  In contrast the RF images appeared to be darker, primarily because of vignetting.  Resolution or apparent sharpness was better on the old EF lens.  There was not much difference at the center, but at the corners the EF lens was clearly better.  The upper left hand corner in the RF images was noticeably less sharp than the others indicating a small bit of decentering.  In nature photography I think the RF lens would be satisfactory.  It is a joy to use because of its size and weight.  The RF images are bright in the viewfinder, and the close focusing feature is very nice.

I will do more testing, but I may return the lens because of decentering.

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C Sidney

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