Initial impressions on RF 100-500 for birding

Just got this to replace my EF 100-400 ii + 1.4x Extender mainly for the weight savings, but also to get maximum use of new features - viewfinder distance scale, high speed display in mechanical, and tighter IS/AF integration on my R5.

By losing the adaptor/extender/tripod-ring/RRS-foot, I dropped almost 2 lbs from my rig when configured for handholding. The reduced weight and length make it easier to carry for long periods, and much easier to handle when tracking birds.

What I wasn't expecting was how fast and quiet it is. AF seems much snappier and both AF and IS seem really quiet compared to the EF lens. This is a bigger deal than it sounds when you are trying to get close to a bird - the last thing you need is a lot of whirring, clunking, or clicking coming from your camera!

In my opinion there's not a lot optically between the two lens, though I think I'm more limited by my technique than equipment. This is my main daily lens currently so it was worth upgrading to me. YMMV. If you have a EF 100-400 ii you will also be fine sticking with that. If it's your first buy of this class of lens from Canon, I recommend getting the RF, you'll only wish you had later otherwise.

Here's some example shots from three days I managed out to test it. First four pics were from sunny days, the last two from an overcast day. All SOOC JPEGS, last three are 50% linear crops.

Brown Pelican

Royal Tern

Great Egret

Double Crested Cormorant

Sanderling

White Faced Ibis

Looks like a keeper to me.  Nicely done!

David

Nimonus wrote:

2.7 grand for an f/7.1 lens, too much.

Priced right where it should have been priced.  As much as we would like to see it cheaper...it wasn't made as such. As it stands right now, there is no comparable and there isn't even a third party knock-off that could fit in quite the same.  Nice piks... fast becoming my fav lens.

Nimonus wrote:

2.7 grand for an f/7.1 lens, too much.

I see this and always find it a little odd considering the EF 100-400L MKII has an MSRP of $2399. The RF 100-500 is $300 more, but adds 100mm of reach, lighter weight, faster AF, etc. The optical formula is basically the same, so the 100-400 lens would be right around 7.1 at 500mm as well

I think the used market prices, rebates etc have made people forget that the 100-400L MKII is also a quite expensive lens at MSRP, I don't remember how it was received when it was introduced as I wasn't in the market for one at the time so maybe people said the same thing about it.

In any case the RF 100-500 is a great lens, and one that lives on my R5 for the majority of the time.

Very useful, thank you; my 100-500 is on order for use with my new R6 but RF lens seem to be like hens teeth at the moment.

I’m moving over from Nikon Z6II where the ergonomics are wonderful but the AF is frustrating as is the lack of longer lenses than 200mm, only a promise of them, which is tiresome.

Reassuring though to know I’m making the right purchase for nature and wildlife photography.

Lovely images... 😊

Thnx Graeme. Know what you mean about hen's teeth. I got lucky - I had been waiting for the big stores to get one in stock before my birthday, when all of a sudden, a local store an hour away got a few in. Dropped everything and went straight there to get it!

Thnx David!

Thnx LesT, my favorite too!

Thnx spec68. Most of the cormorants round here perch a long way away, so I have to try and catch them on flybys. Here's one sunning himself from a different location/camera/lens last year when I did manage to get closer!

Double Crested Cormorant

Steve Balcombe wrote:

Nimonus wrote:

2.7 grand for an f/7.1 lens, too much.

It's expensive, that's a fact, but then so is everything RF, and even EF lens prices have gone through the roof.

Exactly. That's what surprised me too.

I was just looking at 100L Macro prices, following the announcement of the RF 100L. Five years ago I paid £475. Today you would have to pay £968. The RF lens launches at £1479.

The EF 100L went from 730 euro to 1050 euro in my market. The EF 24-70mm f/2.8 mkII was 1600 euro new, now it's 2000.

Not sure what's going on. Is it limited supply due to Covid?  Is Canon discontinuing these lenses and are OVF lovers fighting for the last new EF lenses?

I read a lot of predictions EF glass will loose it's value, but seeing these prices going up I'm not sure if this will be the case, especially given the fact RF glass comes in at even higher prices.

As for the f/7.1 at 500 mm, that's exactly what the EF 100-400 would be if you could fit a 1.25x TC. If you want a bigger lens, bigger lenses are available.

Thanks for sharing. I am currently using EF 100-400+1.4III + adaptor. A bit front heavy.

The combo has a bit more reach at 560mm than the 100-500mm at the long end.

If I go with the 100-500, I will not use the RF 1.4x because it is darker, so that 60mm is lost