Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

Messages
28
Name
Adrian Norris
Edit My Images
Yes
Is the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM worth the money?

After recently purchasing one and having to return it, due to internal dust. Also doing an internet search and finding examples of others with the same issue I'm not sure about buying one and think I could be wasting my money?
 
There will always be dust in a zoom lens to some extent, I have seen it in brand new lenses. It's annoying but rarely, if ever affects the image, it's just something we have to live with.

I've had my eye on the 100-500L myself but I've decided to stick with my EF 100-400Lmkii, which is an absolutely beautiful lens, razor sharp and with a 1.4xTC, gives me similar figures to what the 100-500 would.

I'm keen to buy into RF lenses but there is nothing that Canon offer at this moment that I'd drop the cash on. I'll continue to use my EF glass on my RF bodies, for now at least.

If the rumoured Canon RF 500 f5.6L ever comes to be a reality, that may be my first RF lens.
 
IMHO, yes, absolutely.

I used my trusty EF 100-400Lmkii with the ef-rf adapter on initially an r7 and laterly, an r5.

It was fine, but I find that the RF100-500 focuses better / more quickly / hangs on to focus better in AI mode, and just feels less 'clunky' than the 100-400 / adapter set-up. The RF lens is lighter (even before adding in the EF-RF adapter), I appreciate the extra 100mm of reach on a full frame body (and dont like using extenders, no matter how nicely the lens 'plays' with them) and the extra stop of IS is handy.

I haven't even checked for dust, but struggle to imagine that it would materially impact IQ in a long lens

2F4A3736-Edit-XL.jpg
 
Last edited:
Am planning to get this same lens later in the year and have only heard good things about it
 
There will always be dust in a zoom lens to some extent, I have seen it in brand new lenses. It's annoying but rarely, if ever affects the image, it's just something we have to live with..

the 100-500 is a very sharp lens . nice and light and provides stunning images , as dale says all zoom lens are prone to dust .
My bold above - Especially external (extending) zooms - they're like vacuum cleaners - always have been, always will be. If only there was a 100-500 internal zoom. Happy with my 100-500 though, even though it's the only lens I've ever had to have repaired (due to water ingress)
 
Another yes from me. Great lens. Dust is a fact of life. Unless it effects the end result (and it rarely does) it's no biggie.
 
I had one on a test drive and thought it was very good. However I bought a used Canon EF 100-400Lmkii and a 1.4 extender which I consider to be very good. I am not anti RF lenses but I think they are overpriced. I would not worry about dust unless it clearly impacts nearly on your images. Nearly all listings for used lenses on the main sites mention dust.
 
The EF 100-400mm series one I have just sold didn't show any signs of internal dust.
 
Back
Top