In-depth Canon RF 100-500mm review vs EF 100-400mm. Best RF telephoto zoom! Check prices at B&H: bhpho.to/3fgPW11 // WEX: bit.ly/3iNkAkX Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop Sample images: www.cameralabs.com/canon-rf-100-500mm-f4-5-7-1l-is-usm-review/ Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic #canon #rf #telephoto

@PlanetFrosty

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t use PayPal had bad problems with them and no trust with their customer service.

@jakobcaiden7206

2 жыл бұрын

instablaster

Thank you. I own the 100-400 IS II and a 1.4 III TC. I just took delivery on an R7. I plan to use that combination, along with my collection of older EF primes with the R7, at least for a while. I'm waiting on the RF/EF adapter, due today. I found your comparison of the auto focus (on the bicycle) to be very useful. I wish you had done a similar comparison on the bird in flight shots.

Another really helpful and detailed review Gordon. Thanks and enjoy your coffee ☕️:-)

I have been waiting for this one. Clear, objective and in-depth. Thanks for sharing!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thankyou!

All your videos are so informative... great work! Thank you!

I just rented this lenses this sunday and I'm amazed by the performance paired with the R6 high iso capabilities. One day I will definitely buy this lens instead of the 70-200.

Thanks so much for this review. Very helpful in filling in some of the blanks I had concerning AF and shutter modes!

First class review as usual, Gordon. Thank you!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you found it useful!

As always a superb review and comparison Gordon thanks for the hard work you have put in to do it for everyone 👍👌😉

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thankyou!

Super helpful review. I have the 100-400 vers ii. Based on your review, i think i’ll stick with it and just pick up the 1.4 teleconverter for a bit more reach.

Probably the best channel for in depth lens reviews. Thanks

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thankyou!

Fantastic video Gordon, loved the slo-mo videos and animal shots and in particular the dog at the beginning. I noticed some, very slight, hunting on the moon shots and some of the others, but it was very minor, the camera has it's work cut out at these focal lengths. As a combo, I have to gulp at the price though... must get a Saturday job!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bob, and also for mentioning all the slomo clips - I did put most of them towards the end, but I'm proud of that little sequence!

Gordon, great review. I just bought the ef 100-400 L is ii. There was a brief sale on it and i still am using apsc canon dslrs. So the ability to work with that and an rf mount down the road, and use the teleconverters throughout their zoom range was what sold me on it. Craig

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

I was really impressed with the 100-400 II

Very interesting to hear about the teleconverters and actual lens construction - Australian prices for the Canon mirrorless system are still too high to justify leaving my 100-400 but I appreciate your review so much!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Give it time, hopefully!

Thanks for this review! So, this lens is a great follow up to an already brilliant EF version.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly!

Great video and great explanation as well!!!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

I’m a fairly new follower, but this video is the best I’ve seen from you so far! Great review!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for following!

Thank you! I wish all reviews and comparisons were just like this. Subscribed.

@cameralabs

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, all of mine are!

fantastic, comprehensive video... thanks Gordon!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

perfect comparison. i love too use the 100-400 verion 2 because of the perfect quality with both extenders. thank you, Gordon.

Great review as always Gordon, but I would like you to repeat the test using the EF 100-400mm mkii with the EF 1.4x mkiii teleconverter to see how that combination works, as I own these and have ordered a R5 but will not be able to afford the RF 100-500mm as well, I can not find a review on this combination anywhere on you tube. A lot of people who are switching over to the RF mount that did not buy a EOS R or RP would have this combination of lens and teleconverter.

@noelchignell1048

3 жыл бұрын

Check out Ken Rockwell’s reviews , according to him the EF version works flawlessly with the R5 and R6 with the 1.4x and 2x T.C and even both stacked if you have the mark ii versions

Great work Gordon . My EF 100-400 mk2 and teleconverters will stay as rightly the review shows it’s not really worth the new lens purchase . Better for owners like me to save for the R5 or R6 body as I already have the RF adapter with the additional ring. I would highly recommend viewing your R camera reviews that provide all the answers to anyone pondering on what to invest in for the future. All in all another coffee donation is well warranted as I continue to enjoy your book and your brilliant back catalogue of KZread work . The industry would be a lot poorer without your commitment and honesty.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ken, your kind words - and coffee! - are always appreciated! And I agree, the R5 makes more sense to your future upgrades.

Thank you for the very thorough in-depth review. Liked and subscribed.

@cameralabs

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Do check out my other RF lens reviews too!

I was some what apprehensive about purchasing this lens. Your thorough review makes me feel so much better about my purchase. My pre-order is on the way.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to have helped - and bonus points if you pre-ordered via one of my links!

Wow those moon shots at the end!!! I'm sure you'll be able to see all kinds of interesting things filming like that!

Thanks for the video Gordon 👍🏻

Gordon, I love your reviews. Thank you for the time and effort you put into them. Only if I had the money to buy an EOS R5 + RF 100-500.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! This one took ages.

Gordon, you really hit home with the “it’s so easy to enjoy a video, but then move on without realizing you never subscribed.” KZread suggests your videos all the time, and I love them, but didn’t realize I wasn’t subscribed until today. I really appreciate the work you put in, and the depth that you go into for videos like these. Keep up the excellent work, definitely subscribed now.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jacob, much appreciated!

That was the video, which I was serching for. Thank you. I own the 100-400 II (+ 1.4 Konverter) and I will keep it for my R5.

Thanks for the complete review on this new lens.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

Another stellar review Gordon. Thank you!

@cameralabs

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks@ Do check out my other Rf lens reviews!

Thank you, Gordon! Your reviews are 👍

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Another excellent, thorough and intelligently presented review, thanks Gordon.

@cameralabs

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Again an outstanding thorough review Gordon 👍 Hope to see one of the RF24-70 f2,8 performing on the R5

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

I've actually used this lens on the R5 a lot and really liked it. Much better than the 24-105.

That chart at 10:00 is exactly what I needed to see, thank you for this!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@lima3341

3 жыл бұрын

does it mean EF lens wins because of longer range F5?

First, thank you for the video. Curious why you never compared the EF 100-400mm to the RF with a 1.4X III converter on the EF lens so they both reached out to 500mm? That would have been nice to see . With the greatly reduced price of readily available used 100-400 that would be a strong consideration I would have thought. Take care.

Nice review. After watching this I've decided to stay with my 100-400II. It's still a stellar lens and also works flawlessly with the 1.4x

@jakegreen9482

3 жыл бұрын

Do the ef teleconverters work when paired with an ef to rf adapter? Or what combination are you using?

@justinholding02

3 жыл бұрын

@@jakegreen9482 yes, they work perfectly

@jakegreen9482

3 жыл бұрын

justin holding Thank you!

Excellent review. I found your descriptions of the autofocus modes that you chose to be especially useful to be able to judge the merits of the lens. I've watched several other reviews of this lens and yours was the best! I shoot a lot of star fields and have noticed that the 100-400 mm has slightly uneven and out-of-round images just away from the optimum focus at wide open aperture - a good test of optics. Ultimately, this limits the magnitude that you can reach for a given exposure/aperture/ISO. Have you tried this with the 100-500 lens?

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark. No, I've not tried it with star fields, I find extending lenses aren't really ideal with potential creep.

Excellent review on a very interesting lens. I do agree that more affordable 200-600mm would be very interesting as well. Thank you very much for your great work !

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

Great review thank you Gordon

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Great review, thanks!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Exactly the review I was looking for :)

@cameralabs

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Great video! Gotta say, I love that tune in the slow mo b-roll, it worked perfectly!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Wonderful work. Thank you.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Amazing review as always, please make a review on the RF 15-35mm vs the RF 24-70mm, they overlap in focal lengths but do they perform the same within the overlap??

Great balanced review, would it ever be possible to review a side by side comparison of the 100-500 against the Sigma 150-600 Sport ? I have found the sigma to be almost as sharp as my Canon 600 f4 IS II prime, but unlike the monster prime very practical when you're not sure what distance you will need to shoot at. Like a lot of Canon users, I have no issue swapping to the R5 as I was using the 5DSR and 7DMKII, but the thought of changing over 20k of glass is daunting, to say the least. I also have to say I'm not a fan at all of the new F11, with our weather in the UK being stuck at F11 in poor light would be a nightmare for wildlife, with either the shutter speed coming down or the ISO sky high both of which would ruin a lot of wildlife shots

@AlbertKel

Жыл бұрын

Then it’s something wrong with your prime. The Sigma is crap.

I wasn’t quite expecting f7.1 on the long end! 😱

@wildcat1065

3 жыл бұрын

No, such a shame. I so wish that Canon had started out planning for 500mm f5.6 at the long end and worked back from there. If it had to end up a trace heavier or bigger so be it. However, now the only reason to buy the 100-500 over the excellent 100-400mk II is for the last 100mm of focal length but you have to pay the penalty of it becoming a really slow lens.

As always precise and clear review. Thank you.

AMAZING video, as usual. Thank you very much for all the time and effort you put into them, it really shows!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thankyou! They do take a looooong time!

A very useful review that tells me what I need to know, especially as I've owned the 100-400mm mkII lens for four years. One thing you might not be aware of is that the 100-400mm mkII has an undocumented close focus feature at mid-range. I've never actually measured this, but somewhere between 200mm+ to just over 300mm, it will actually focus to around 75cm instead of 98cm. I'm wondering if the 100-500mm might be similar. You can test it out for yourself, and maybe establish the exact figures.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

That's a good tip! I only tested them at the longest and shortest ends...

@stephenbarlow2493

3 жыл бұрын

@@cameralabs - I'd had mine for nearly a year and I only discovered because I read about it on a forum. Actually it makes it easier to handhold and it's very useful as I often use my 100-400mm mkII for photographing dragonflies and damselflies. I've not tested whether the reproduction ratio is higher, but at the very least it seems similar to that at 400mm.

Thanks for your video and i will got the RF100-500mm lens tomorrow. Lon Huang from Taiwan.

This, like all of your review, is very helpful!!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, you're very welcome!

I really like that you do this at 10:50. I wish more people has this kind of information available on their reviews

@cameralabs

7 ай бұрын

It's all about putting in extra effort!

I really enjoy your videos. I just ordered your book.

@cameralabs

2 жыл бұрын

Thankyou, hope you enjoy it!

Loving the slow motion b-roll Gordon! Plus the fact that my EF 100-400 is still competing with the new version.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ben! And thanks also for suggesting David Cutter music!

Another great video, Gordon. Thank you! Maybe one of these days my R5 will finally arrive. Until then, I won’t be ordering any RF lenses. Good to know what’s available, though, and by now Canon have released just about every type of lens I’d ever use. Perhaps the only thing missing is a native pancake lens.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, some really small lenses would be nice - that's why I like the RF 35mm

After 2 years since you posted your review I still benefit from it! I'm about to buy a 100-500!

@cameralabs

Жыл бұрын

Glad you're finding it useful!

Great review Gordon. I’d love to see how the IQ (and AF) holds up using the 1.4 or 2 teleconverters. And how well this lens works on an R. I know it isn’t always practical to test new lenses on older bodies, but I also don’t have $5500 to drop on a R5. As for 100-500/100-400, I rarely shoot below 400 on my 100-400 - I really just don’t have $10-11k to drop on a 400 prime...so for good IQ this is the only option. But need that 1.4/2 TC to get 600+ either way.

@mjsvitek

Жыл бұрын

YES! The EOS-R is a great deal these days which MANY people are picking up

Thanks for the great review. I’ve been shooting for the last month using my R6 with my 100-500. Love it! Doesn’t come off my camera!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Make sure you update your firmware!

@Hordesdaddy

3 жыл бұрын

Gordon Laing yes sir! I updated it when it was available 😊

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

@@Hordesdaddy good man!

Have you used the 100-500 RF on the EOS R7?

Super review. Thanks

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Awesome review. Thank you ! I think I will stay with my 100-400 lenses

Thank you for this, I have the R5, already had ef100-400 II and bought the RF 70-200 and rf800. I’m an old guy and find myself doing local hummingbirds.. I LOVE the RF 800 with the 2X, thx for that video too!!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

I'm just about to receive the 600 and 800 for testing, albeit 'only' with the 1.4x TC. How are you enjoying the 800 with the 2x? PS - if you're ever ordering online, please consider using some of my links here or at cameralabs.com thanks!

@howardduran4148

3 жыл бұрын

Gordon Laing I love it, minimum focus distance is a pain, but getting used to it! My hummingbirds are mostly in shrubs and hard to focus at f22, f11 works well at noon. Took som moon shots either the converter and pleasantly surprised! Sorry about not using your links for purchase will do next time. Thx again

Thanks for your review. I bought the 100-500 and love it! I'm now thinking of getting the 1.4 or 2x teleconverter. Aside from the issue of not being able to close the lens down below 300mm, is there a preference? Do they both autofocus? What are the minimum F stop on each. Anything else I should know? Thanks in advance!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

They should both autofocus, so it depends on what reach you desire.

For those who are complaining about f7.1; Canon does have alternatives. The RF 500 f4 prime for $13k USD. OR Sigma /Tamron 150-600 for about $1k. You get what you pay for.

Grate review, thanks. In comparison with RF 70-200 in similar focal length , which one is sharper?

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Good question. I always try to shoot the same scenes for some of my sample images, so try downloading the matching ones from this and my 70-200 reviews at cameralabs.com to find out. Let us know which you prefer.

wow amazing lens..i love it

Can the lens be locked at 472mm?

Excellent review although I would have liked to see the 100-400 with a 1.4TC attached vs the 100-500 naked. Using the RF 1.4TC is a bit of a no no really as it certainly restricts the range and field of view so if a subject is coming towards you you need to remove the TC. The 100-400 meanwhile is happy down to 140mm. I'd have like a comparison in AF acquisition between the the naked 100-500 and the 100-400mm plus 1.4TC. and is the latter faster on an R5 than on a body such as the 5D4?

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

that would be interesting, yes.

Fantastic review their Gordon did a great job I love it . I'm on the verge of moving into the RF system myself I borrowed a friend of mine's R5 to try it I was very confused and the look in the viewfinder ( I didn't like it ) I still do love my 7D Mark II I'm not quite ready to move into the R5 yet but when I do I probably will get the 100 to 500 like what you have used here the only question I have is why can't you use that 100-500 with 1.4 at all focal length's .

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

because the rear element protrudes too far and would bump up against the TC.

The latest AF from Canon is amazing. It’s almost set it and forget it, especially for video. It’s one of the reasons I’m migrating to EF and RF.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

I agree - and Sony too - I rarely have to think about manually placing AF areas anymore.

Excellent comparison ¡

Hi, this is a great review like R5, thank you so much. Apparently new rf 100-500 beter than the old ef 100-400 is II. I will buy it now :)

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! PS - if you're ever ordering online, please consider using some of my links here or at cameralabs.com thanks!

Just changed from Nikon D850 to a Canon R5, i went for the 100-400 but thought about changing till you pointed out the f stop difference, great review, one of the best I've seen so I've subscribed. Thank you

@cameralabs

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, hope you get a chance to check out some of my other reviews too!

@Mr-Steam

Жыл бұрын

@Gordon Laing certainly will, yours are clear, in depth and very precise

As always an excellent review. I currently use a 6D and 5Ds and own a few L lenses but it's the new RF L lenses that make me want to pick up an R5. The R5 comnined with the new RF lenses seem so much sharper with the added benefit of IBIS and lens IS.

what about in shot zooming for motion?

Wow, I really loved this review ! ! I’m currently carefully investigating each lens on my wish list in order to make a choice of going with the Canon R5 platform vs the Sony a1 with GM lenses. That Sony 200-600 looks really, really sweet, but video stabilization is more stable on the Canon with the 100-500. Decisions, Decisions …

@cameralabs

2 жыл бұрын

Both great choices!

@Zimmermann310

Жыл бұрын

The Sony FE 200-600 ist not a GM Lens ist is just a G lens, but still a very good lens.

If you had the choice between the canon 100-500 or the Nikon 500mm f5.6 which would you prefer? I have both the Nikon z6 ii and canon r6 so can’t decide which to invest in.

@cameralabs

2 жыл бұрын

Do you want a zoom or a prime? Which camera better focuses on the subjects you take? I think it would be Canon for both for me.

Great review. Perhaps because I was using the lower refresh rate in eco mode, but I found the EVF of the R5 very difficult to track kiteboarders in mid air vs a 5D body. I also found the subject detection was locking onto waves instead of people when the distances were greater than what you're showing in the video.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, it needs to identify the subject in order to track it, but I still had good success with the surfers when they were further than I showed here. If it's prioritising the waves, I help it along with a zoned area instead, but wide with face detect does work amazingly well for me. Make sure you have human selected too.

Hi Gordon and many thanks for another excellent review. CAN YOU please direct me towards how I update the firmware on my R10. Have I got to download the firmware to my desktop, put it on to my card via a reader and then put the card in my R10 or iOS there an easier way, many thanks for your help

@cameralabs

Жыл бұрын

Unless the phone app has a firmware update function, then sadly you've described the process.

Great video comparison as always. Hers a question for you. A friend (it's not me, seriously lol) is looking at moving up from the 7D MKII to R6 & has the EF 100-400 lens. As I have the R5, he asked me if the IBIS will work with the IS on the EF 100-400 if used with the EF - RF adapter. I would assume so but not 100% certain. As you have used both, what's the answer? I cant find this on the Canon website. Cheers

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, the IBIS on the R5 and R6 works with the IS of any lens whether it's RF or EF BUT due to the greater communications on the RF lenses, the potential stabilisation will be better from RF lenses. this is why they put a plus symbol next to the hand icon vs no plus on adapted EF lenses.

@anonymouspdg6121

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I'll let my friend know as he's deciding to upgrade from his 7D MKII to either a 5D MKIV or the EOS R. He's mainly stills on motor sport, with the odd landscape and holiday and usually uses single shot and not high FPS. It's a tough choice as both will do a decent job, especially with the firmware updates to the R that have recently come down. If he could stretch the budget, I'd say go for the R6 but that's just me. Cheers

Good morning Gordon, thanks for another informative and interesting video. I just received my 800 f/11 with the RF 1.4x and weather permitting will photograph the moon 🌝 using a Fornax LighTrack II tracker. Thanks again! ☕️

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

I will be receiving the same combo soon! Let me know what you think!

@SuperBuickregal

3 жыл бұрын

Maybe next week, the weather looks sour for at least a week in N.E Ohio USA.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

@@SuperBuickregalI wish you clear skies!

enchanting 💖

Loved the music with the dog walking around!! Great work as usual Gordon 👌

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, it was a fun section to put together!

I just recieved the rf 100-500 and r5 today. May I ask you 1 question. Should I turn IBIS and len IS on or should I turn off 1 of the above for the best image quality?. Thanks!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Turn them BOTH on, they work together for the best results. PS - bonus points if you ordered through my links!

I was either getting this for my rp or getting the r6 and 600 f11. Sold the rp and got the r6 and 600 and i don't regret it at all.

Thank you so much for these reviews, it's so well explained and very helpful!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

Can the new lens hood fit on EF 100-400 II? That is about the only thing I want from the new lens. There is not enough difference to upgrade optically or even af speed.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure - why would you want to use the new hood? For the colour and reduced slippiness? I fear they're quite expensive accessories.

So, how do you get this lens????? No one seems to have any idea when it may be available.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

I think pretty much all new gear is experiencing production and distribution delays right now.

Great review, just bought this lens at a tax-free Boxing day sale, around USD 2,300. Looking forward getting out and shooting some photos now

@cameralabs

Жыл бұрын

Nice price! It's a great lens.

Well, looks like Canon did not lose its mind with those f/11 primes. This lens looks beastly!

Gordon, you are my favourite!

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Why thankyou!

I am definitely going to get this lens based upon your very detailed and helpful review. Thank you for such wonderful detail. One really important detail to me was the fact that 7.1 only kicks in after 472mm. This is a VERY important detail

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

Great review thank you. Considering the majority of these lenses are used for photographing wildlife, I wish Canon would make a green or preferably camo version, I know that lens covers are available but they don't cover the bright white lens barrel when it is extended. I understand Canon claim it is to reflect heat but other manufacturers are able to overcome this issue so presumably it is just a marketing ploy which is ironic when I would be more inclined to purchase a non white lens.

Beast lens

nice review

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks

I love the idea behind this lens, which in my opinion was mostly it's portability for traveling. The compact design simply screams "take me to Iceland/ safari!". If I had to choose between this and a 70-200 I wouldn't hesitate one second and grab the larger lens and have the opportunity to photograph Puffins and have them nicely filling the frame without the need of cropping 300% and loosing a lot of the details. The teleconverters compatibility is a big bonus as well, regardless of the need to zoom in to 300mm to fit the extender tube withing the lens.

The greatest RF glass salesman ever! Now you’re tempting glass and that R3, you are truly providing temptation. Gotten your hands on a Ninja V+ that will record 8K ProRes Raw from the R5?

Great review. Hope you can review the sigma 60-600 lens compare to this 100-500 lens.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I have more lens reviews at cameralabs.com

Great review. If only the R5 and this lens were actually available 😁. Still I’ve ordered your book to keep me inspired while I wait for Canon to get the UK some stock.

@cameralabs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I hope you'll enjoy my book!

@craigcarlson4022

3 жыл бұрын

We here in the U.S. are having a similar issue with many canon items being out of stock or backordered. I’ve been waiting for an eF-RF adapter for close to a month and still no indication of when they’ll come back into stock. So i continue to use my canon dslr while the new RP sits, lens-less. First-world problems though.