The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it’s focal range can be used for video because cinema lenses in the equivalent focal range are really expensive.
Let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Here’s the official Canon video:
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- EF vs RF:
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- What about teleconverters or extenders?
- Alternatives to the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H):
- The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is a niche zoom lens that can be great for sports and wildlife work. Great focal range and decent optics but at the expense of a smaller and variable max. aperture (f/4.5-f/7.1).
- Has no constant aperture. A variable aperture of the range f/4.5-7.1
- Focus ring can be changed to fly-by-wire for follow focus work.
- Control ring can be de-clicked for a small fee at a Canon service center for aperture transitions.
- The lens has Image Stabilization, and three modes of image stabilization. You will get even better stabilization with a Canon R camera (R5, R6, etc.) that has IBIS as well.
- Great for dual pixel autofocus for video.
- It is not a parfocal lens.
- It exhibits breathing.
- Zoom ring’s tightness and smoothness can be adjusted by a special ring provided on the lens.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wildlife filmmaking
- Sports filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Aviation videography
EF vs RF: What’s the difference?
Difference between the RF and EF mount
Both are lens mounts specific to Canon. Let’s take a look at some important distinctions.
Flange focal distance
The RF is a new lens mount, with a smaller flange focal distance.
Here’s how the flange focal distance compares:
| Mount | Flange Focal Distance |
|---|---|
| RF | 20mm |
| EF | 44mm |
EF lenses were designed for DSLRs. Now with the mirror gone, that’s space and weight savings. However, that’s not the only advantage.
Canon (and every one else) maintains the smaller flange focal distance allows for larger apertures (for some focal lengths), better corner to corner sharpness and reduced light fall off.
Ergonomics
RF lenses are supposed to be lighter, making them easier to handle for photography, but slightly problematic for video. Weight gives better stability and smoother movement for most use cases. For gimbal, drone and steadicam use, the lower weight is an advantage because a lighter lens puts less strain on motors, and the human arms that have to hold it up.
The RF mount is equipped with 12 communicator pins compared to 8 pin connection of the EF mount. Canon claims this contributes towards quicker autofocus, better AF tracking and improved image stabilization.
Canon has redesigned the focus actuators for a hassle-free filming. They claim the new Nano USM and Dual Nano USM have been designed for video. Canon claims that the introduction of these actuators in RF lenses will result in a quieter and quicker autofocus.
The last major change is in the optics. Canon have redesigned the optics from the ground up to account for the smaller flange focal distance. This one simple change considerably changes the optical characteristics and challenges.
Naturally the prices of RF lenses match the high quality Canon have put into these series! The assurance is, the quality isn’t compromised, and with proper care Canon RF lenses should last for years. Let’s compare the EF version of the 100-400mm with its newer RF counterpart.
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM vs RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
| Lens | RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L | EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L |
| Filter Thread | 77mm | 77mm |
| Size | Wide : 93.8mm x 207.6mm Tele : 93.8mm x 297.6mm | Wide : 94 x 193mm Tele : 94 x 273mm |
| Weight | 1,365g without tripod mount 1,525g with tripod mount | 1,570g without tripod mount 1,640g with tripod mount |
| Lens Control | Ring control | none |
| Closest Focusing Distance | At 100mm: 2.95 ft. / 0.9m At 300 mm: 3.28 ft. / 1m At 500mm: 3.94 ft. / 1.2m | 0.98m or 3.25ft |
| Image stabilization | 5 Stops | 4 stops |
| Max. Aperture | f/4.5-7.1 | f/4.5-f/5.6 |
| Min. Aperture | f/32-51 | f/32-f/38 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 24º – 5º | 24° – 6°10′ |
- NOTES:
- Canon EF 100-400mm did not give out the dimensions of the lens when at tele i.e. 400mm. I had to find the zoom extension of the lens and guess accordingly. At wide, the length of Ef 100-400mm is 193mm and if we add the zoom extension of 80mm then it comes out to 273mm.
- Different close focus range were mentioned for the RF but not for the EF.
- Apparently there are different increments of stops to increase your aperture with the RF 100-500lens.
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM (Amazon, B&H) is slightly smaller than the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H). The RF version also extends out more.
The obvious difference is that the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L, while having a better focal range still manages to be lighter than the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L.
The RF 100-500mm has different close focusing distances throughout its focal range whereas the EF 100-400mm has a single close focusing distance throughout its focal range. You get closer focus at the 100mm end, which could be useful for some kinds of macro work. For greater focal lengths, the close focus isn’t that big of an issue.
Canon claims that the RF lens has better image stabilization and smoother, quieter autofocus.
RF lenses come with a special customizable control ring this can be customized to change exposure on the go. This is only available on cameras that natively have an RF mount.
Overall, Canon has made a definite improvement – greater reach and stabilization, but still lighter.
Features
Coverage
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Range
The minimum focal length is 100mm. This is considered telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 500mm. This is considered super telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The focal range is specifically designed for people who need to shoot from quite a distance away. Sports videographers and wildlife filmmakers should find this lens useful as part of their kit.
Aperture
The maximum aperture at 100mm is f/4.5 and at 500mm is f/7.1 while the minimum aperture is f/32 at 100mm and f/54 at 500mm. f/54 is somewhat interesting, because you can stop down more for brighter objects.
The aperture range (approximate):
- 100-151mm – max aperture is f/4.5
- 151-254mm – max aperture is f/5
- 256-363mm – max aperture is f/5.6
- 363-472mm – max aperture is f/6.3
- 472-500mm – max aperture is f/7.1
Not having a constant aperture can be problematic for the people this lens was aimed for i.e. sports event videographers, wildlife filmmakers. You cannot move quickly from wide to telephoto without having to worry about compensating for exposure.
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) has 9 rounded diaphragm blades, just like other RF lenses.
Resolution
From Canon’s official MTF charts:
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) does better optically when it is at 100mm. It’s sharper than at 500mm, which means you might have issues matching footage from both ends.
The 100mm falls off faster, as is expected from this focal length. I don’t think this will be a big problem.
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh won’t be as smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet. But why should it?
I think most people looking for an ultra zoom lens in this price range will not be disappointed by the optical quality of the 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L. You get what you pay for.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance is 0.98 meters or 3.25 feet at 100mm, at 300mm it changes to 1 meter or 3.28 feet. At 500mm it changes to 1.2 meters or 3.94 feet.
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) has a close focus switch on the lens so that you can limit the closest focusing distance when you know you are not going to be closer to the subject.
The ranges are Full and 3m to infinity. Full range allows you to use from .98m to infinity whereas 3m to infinity prohibits the autofocus to focus on subjects closer than 3m.
The close focusing distance is great for a telephoto at 100mm. It could be useful for certain types of macro work.
Image Stabilization
Canon claims that the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) has up to 5 stops of Image stabilization (IS).
5 stops? 8 stops? What are these stops?
How do you calculate Image Stabilization? Check this out:
Canon claims pairing the 5-axis IBIS-equipped Canon EOS R5 or Canon EOS R6 with an IS-equipped lens can deliver 6-stops of combined IS. This can be toggled on and off if you choose so.
It’s obvious the best stabilization is realized when an RF lens with IS is combined with an R-body camera with IBIS. E.g., the 24-105mm f/4L will be more stabilized on a Canon EOS R5 over a Red Komodo (which also has an RF mount).
The RF 100-500 mm has 3 stabilization modes (probably not for video). Here’s the official word:
Three image stabilization modes (standard, panning, and during exposure only) provide corrective camera shake functions for outstanding results in a wide range of shooting situations. These include when shooting stationary subjects like portraits (IS Mode 1); helping to correct vertical camera shake when panning horizontally, or horizontal camera shake when panning vertically, depending on the camera’s orientation (IS Mode 2); and when tracking movement during a sporting event, for example (IS Mode 3).
Canon USA
Is it Parfocal?
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is not a parfocal lens. To know what a parfocal lens is, check this out:
Control
Manual focus system
By default the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) is set to ‘fly by wire’.
Even though the Canon RF focus ring is technically a ‘focus by wire’ system, the RF lenses are the first line of lenses in the world which have enabled turning focus by wire off.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
How to change to fly by wire on RF lenses
You can switch to ‘link to rotational degree’ where the focusing distance will be directly proportional to the rotational degree regardless of the rotational speed.
It is a quick two-step affair that requires you going into the Canon menu and switching the RF manual focus ring sensitivity to ‘linked to rotational degree’ instead of ‘varies with rotational speed’.
This feature will be exceptionally useful for anyone who wants absolute control over the focus ring.
This feature makes an RF lens a game changer for many videographers, filmmakers and cinematographers.
Autofocus system
Dual Pixel Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. Canon claims the new AF actuators will help focusing to be smooth and phantom-quiet.
They have made the motors smaller and smoother with the new Nano USM and Dual Nano USM. The practical application of these new motors can only be judged in real time scenarios.
The dual pixel AF system works better (in theory) than original EF lenses on native EF bodies. I don’t think anyone will be disappointed with its performance.
The RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM has a close focus switch on the lens so that you can limit the closest focusing distance when you know you are not going to be closer to the subject.
The ranges are Full and 3m to infinity. Full range allows you to use from .98m to infinity whereas 3m to infinity prohibits the autofocus to focus on subjects closer than 3m.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring allows you to manually change the focal length from 100mm to 500mm and anywhere in between.
Now the interesting thing about this lens is that it has the option to adjust the torque of the zoom ring. Canon has a different rotational type ring to adjust the smoothness or tightness of the zoom ring.
However, a zoom lens with this focal range is severely missing a lens lock.
Zoom extension
The Canon RF 100-500 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) has a zoom extension of about 90mm. That’s not inconsiderable, but is the compromise you have to make for this price and size range.
Control System
Canon RF lenses come with an extra customizable ring. See the photo above. The ring is a third ring, in addition to the zoom and focus rings.
Since there is not enough room on the lens, the control ring is quite away from the rest of the rings on the lens.
This ring is only customizable with cameras that have a native RF mount, such as the Canon EOS R5/6 and Canon EOS C70.
To toggle the Control Ring on and customize it to control one of the exposure determinants, follow these steps:
- Go into Settings
- Go to the Customize dials option
- Select Control Ring and switch it to Enabled.
- Now you can customize it to control aperture, shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation.
Some videographers will find it helpful in riding the aperture due to its favorable placement right on the lens close to the focus and zoom ring.
Although the turn of the ring appears to be smooth, there is a soft clicking sound. Some might find it inconvenient. If you want to remove the sound you can.
The clicking of the control ring on every RF lens is removable through a chargeable service fee of about $79.99 (depending on your country) at your nearest Canon service center.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 77mm. This is the most common “large” filter diameter.
It makes it easier for people with EF lenses to pick up RF lenses and use the same filters. Do you need a UV filter? Technically, no, though. I keep one at all times on my lenses to protect the front element from scratches and dust. If you’re shooting outside (or just somebody popping champagne 50 feet away) you know it’s important to get water off your front element!
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lenses don’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 20 elements in 14 groups, including one super UD element and six UD glass element.
Size and Weight
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 93.8mm and a length of 207.6mm. It is shorter than the EF variant and is quite handy to fit in smaller camera bags
The weight is about 1,365 grams. It’s not feather light, but it’s really light for its zoom range and class. Great for treks in your lightweight Osprey shoulder bag!
Weather resistance
Canon claims that all RF lenses are weather sealed. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
Canon L series lenses have performed well in the past, and I’d be surprised if the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L can’t match established standards.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Lens cap (E-77 II)
- Lens hood ET-83F (WIII)
- Lens case (LZ1328)
The hood has a special window which allows specialty filters to be adjusted without removing the hood.
What I do feel is that Canon should have included the tripod mount in the box.
The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens.
What about Teleconverters or Extenders?
Canon sells two RF extenders:
With both extenders you might not get the entire zoom range. E.g., you only get the range from 300mm to 500mm. This means, you get:
| Extender | Effective Focal Length | Loss of light |
|---|---|---|
| With the RF 1.4x | 420-700mm | 1 stop |
| With the RF 2x | 600-1000mm | 2 stops |
Alternatives to the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens
There isn’t any. The only alternative is the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM (Amazon, B&H). It’s got a smaller focal range and is slightly cheaper. But you need to add a lens adapter. Not worth it, in my opinion.
I hope you found this overview of the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
