Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Super Telephoto Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
RF Mount cameras.
What type of photography is the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L lens good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:
Reasons to Buy Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
| Optical Image Stabilization (up to 5.0 stops) |
| Weather-sealed |
| Autofocus |
| AF/MF Switch on Lens |
| Stabilization On/Off Switch on Lens |
| Focus Range Limiter |
| Focus Hold Button |
| Compatible with Canon Teleconverters |
| Hood supplied |
| Tripod Collar |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
| 500mm reach great for Wildlife Photography |
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| Lens Extents while zooming |
| Slow Aperture at Wide end |
| Slow Aperture at Tele end |
| Variable Aperture |
| Heavy |
| Pricey |
Lens Mount
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L is compatible with cameras that have a Canon RF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon RF lenses are Canon R100, Canon R8 and Canon R50.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L has a maximum diameter of 94mm and total length of 208mm when not extended. It weighs 1365g / 48.1 oz.
Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L and Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C (Sony Alpha mount) to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here.
Comparison image of the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L and the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C Size and Weight
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L has a filter thread of 77mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L:
Focal Range
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L has a focal range of 100-500mm and 5.0X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 160 - 800mm.
Teleconverter Compatibility
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L is compatible with the Teleconverters below. With the use of these TC/extenders, you can find how the total focal reach and effective aperture of your Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L changes below:
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Weather Sealings
The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Canon R8, Canon R6 II and Canon R7.
Optical Image Stabilization
The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting. Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L's stabilization system is effective up to 5.0 stops.
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L also has a Stabilization On/Off switch on the lens body so you don't need to delve into your cameras menu to disable or enable the IS.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 208mm and a weight of 1365g, the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-100-500mm-F4.5-7.1L-IS-USM-tripod-collar.jpg]()
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L Tripod Collar
Zoom Method
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-100-500mm-F4.5-7.1L-IS-USM-extended.jpg]()
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L Extended State
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.33x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.9m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.33x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.
Below are the 2 Super Telephoto Zoom type Canon RF mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f4.5 and a minimum aperture of f32 at 100mm, and a max aperture of f7.1 and minimum aperture of f54 at 500mm .
| Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
|
100mm
|
F4.5 |
F32 |
|
500mm
|
F7.1 |
F54 |
Optical Formula
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L's optical formula consists of 20 elements in 14 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:
Lens Hood
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-100-500mm-F4.5-7.1L-IS-USM-hood.jpg]()
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L Lens Hood
What's in the Box of Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L:
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens Canon E-77 II Lens Cap Canon Lens Dust Cap RF Canon ET-83FW III Lens Hood Canon LZ1328 Lens Case Tripod Collar Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Recommended Accessories for the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L
Now it is time to look at the Top Recommended Accessories for the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L.
Some of these accessories such as memory cards are essential to operate your Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L while others are optional but greatly recommended to increase the potential of your photography or videography.
Chiaro Pro 77mm 99-UVBTS Brass UV Filter
MSRP: $79.95
Hoya 77mm NXT Plus Circular Polarizer Filter
MSRP: $112.9
Canon Extender RF 1.4x
MSRP: $499
LensCoat Lens Cover for Canon RF 100-500 IS Lens (RealTree Max 5 Camo)
MSRP: $100.99
Vello Auto Extension Tubes for Canon RF-Mount Lenses
MSRP: $79.95
Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
MSRP: $649.95
Oben QR-53 Long Lens Quick Release Plate (5.3)
MSRP: $13.95
Sensei DOC-CK Deluxe Optics Care and Cleaning Kit
MSRP: $24.95
Body Colour
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L is available in White color.
Popular Comparisons of Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L
Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L Lens
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