If you would like to know more about the 10 day Chobe, Delta and Kalahari safari with Janine please click here: www.pangolinphoto.com/safaris/10-day-chobe-delta-and-kalahari-hosted-photo-safari
Did you guys find that the 100-500 was better with autofocus once you did the latest firmware update? I’m debating moving up from my 100-400 II lens but it’s a struggle to justify the new lens at this time. Thanks
After waiting for about six months I now have the 100-500mm lens. The sharpness compared to my previous Sigma 150-600mm is just amazing. So, its not cheap, but the results are absotutly worth it.
The RF100-500 is my go to lens for dragonflies and butterflies, the 1.2m minimum focus distance at 500mm is great for close ups without scaring them away.
One thing to always check is the ‘Full’ vs ‘3m’ setting for quick autofocus. ‘Full’ for close subjects and ‘3m’ for far away shots. Seems to make a big difference in autofocus speed especially in low light. Give it a try…
Another excellent video. I quite agree with your analysis. This is the best zoom lens I have ever owned and as you say it is great for birds in flight.
Just finished a trip with this lens. I was amazed going though the images when I got back, so many usable images. I also tried using it with a 2x extender and found that the crispness of the image is degraded much like the 1.4x did on the EF 100-400. This is more of a teleconverter issue I think then the lens. Over all I am very happy with the 100-500 and with the R5 I can crop later and still have a very usable image.
I loved the images; thanks for sharing. I recently purchased the RF 100-500 to replace my Sigma 150-600 C and Tamron 100-400 Di VC, along with an R7 body. As an amateur/enthusiast, I used and enjoyed the third-party lenses for birds/ wildlife, and I hesitated over whether I should replace them, particularly given the price. But the improvements in image quality, sharpness, and focus speed more than justify the price difference if you can swing it. The photos are breathtaking.
Great video. This lens is exceptionally sharp. The sharpness rivals my old EF 600 IS II, but the big prime of course has better bokeh and produce buttery smooth images. I also used the RF 1.4 with the 100-500 and the sharpness was still quite good. Impressive lens.
Thank you for the comparison & information. My husband & I have invested in the R5‘s with the RF600 & RF800 shared between us. Still struggling at present with light, but will preserve, as we only do wildlife photography incl birds.
Since giving up my 1DX and 500ii primea few years ago, I've been using a 7Dmkii and a 100-400 ii. Its a very versatile combination with great reach (640mm field of view). If you're going to be shooting in decent light you can't really go wrong. If I could justify a new set up I'd go for the R5 and 100-500.
Hi Janine, Great video on the RF 100-500 lens which I am considering buying soon. I noticed the comments below about the quality of using the extenders with this lens, and wondered whether anyone had used this lens and changing the R5 full frame to the 1.6 crop factor internal and what the results were like? John
EXCELLENT images! As an engineer and a photographer, I like gear. However, the image is created by the artist Behind the camera. Better gear helps a lot but, only if you know how to use them and YOU are an excellent artist and know how to utilize the tools in your hands. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing!
I just got my 100-500 yesterday after a long wait. going shooting near my home today with the news lens on the R5. thank you for the review. i hope to join you on a tour one day when the world is a safer place to travel.
I absolutely love my 100-500 on my R5 (coming from a 5D4/7D2 and a 100-400 II) I also find very little to no degradation with the RF 1.4ex. The RF 2.0ex is another story.
Thanks for the great video. I have had both the 100-400 and 100-500 lenses and agree with your coments. Focusing into the light is more difficult though I am not sure if it is the lens or the camera. Anyway I am used to it now and do the best it can. It doesnt have low light proms only into the light. Otherwise amazing lens .
Thanks for this video. I just got an R5 and a 100-500 for a safari trip this Sept. I am curious to hear if you ever resolved the issues with low light focusing.
Great Janine as usual Did your guest try crop mode on his R5 ? Interested to know if the lens performs as well as if cropping in post and if there’s any difference in general use, focusing, burst,… Thanks
Hi - great suggestion. I agree to an extend - however, I do shoot on the single point AF with my 1Xii and have no problems focusing what so ever... also didn't run into this when shooting the 100-400mm with the R6. In general I found that the single AF are way slower on the mirrorless cameras than on the DSLRs which is disappointing considering how fast the eye tracking is. But that is an issue of camera and not lens, so I am getting side tracked here....cheers Janine
@@PangolinWildlife Hi Janine I would first make sure I have the latest firmware update for the lens, then I would play around with the different case modes in the AF menus.
Wow, Janine thanks for the honest, thorough review. I love my R6 and was debating moving up to this lens. I also use the addictive 600mm f4 as my main lens and the 100-400mm. I may keep the 100-400mm now since maybe the extra reach and worse low light performance (so far) is not worth the upgrade. Thank you!! Edit: I have a bad habit of commenting before the video is over LOL. The background quality is way better from the compression of the new lens. Tough decision!!
Great review as always Janine! I got the R6 and just upgraded from Tamron 150-600 G2 to Canon RF 100-500. What a difference! On the 4th of september I will start cycling from Sweden down to Cape town. With my R6 and RF 100-500 in my bag! When I reach Botswana in about 9 months Ill hope I still can afford to go on a safari with you guys! Thanks for the best photo/wildlife channel on RUclips.
Hi Patrick, what an epic journey you are having ahead of you. I wish you all the best and safe travels and really really really hope we get to see you here... cheers Janine
I just upgraded from the 100-400 mk1 to this lens and I’m very happy I did. It was either the lens or the EOS R to R6. I kept the R and went for the lens. I’m still enjoying my R.
@@highwayman1224 the IS in the 100-500 is significantly better than the mk1 100-400 . It’s even a little lighter and you don’t need the EF-RF adapter. I’m sure paired with an R6 or R5 it would be better still but that will have to wait a little longer. I am still enjoying my R! Should I ever be able to make it to a Pangolin Safari I would likely upgrade to a 6 or 5.
@@Joebnx1 thank you for the quick response. I'm on the fence between the R, R6 & R5. I doubt I need everything the R5 & R6 do and was leaning towards the R6 but the R has more pixels & is a grand less.
I love the 100-500, it's the perfect lens to pair with the 600 F4. With the 100-400 that 200mm gap was just to much so that extra 100mm with the RF is nice. Image quality I think is pretty equal but I definitely feel the IS and IBIS with the 100-500 works better than the 100-400 on the R5, I've been able to hand hold at 500mm and shutter 1/50 and still get sharp images with the R5.
I have, today, bought this lens to go on my R5, based on the reviews posted by yourself and others. It will arrive in a week and I am already thinking of opportunities for it. I was looking at the 200-800 but felt some of the reviews showed the quality of the images produced to be not as good. I will also be 'testing' it with the 1.4 and 2.0 extenders - I suspect there will be quite a quality hit with those between it and the body.
I have the RF 100-500 on an R6 and experienced difficulty with eye autofocus in back-light and with birds in water with water plants and reflections all around. BIF was no problem or resting birds in the clear. I love the lens but need to figure out a strategy for dealing with these situations. Will probably need to change focusing points and/or settings for those instances. Thanks for the great vid
Thank you Janine - great video! If there was any hesitancy to get this lens, your report and images dispelled that. New to Canon and just unpacked the R6 (thanks for the configuration guidance too!). The first target when I get this lens will probably racing cars, but a photo safari is at the top of the list.
Hi Janine, I would first make sure I have the latest firmware update for the lens, then I would play around with the different case modes in the AF menus.
This is great, very informative and may convince me to give up my trusted 100-400 ii. Really keen now to see Janine make a direct comparison between the R5 & R6 bodies - I have the EOS R and want to upgrade, but I'm not sure which body is better for wildlife...
I am using Canon RF 100-500mm lens with EOS R5 from past 2 months now and few times in low light conditions. As of now I have not faced any issue with focusing, how ever I feel that in less light the quality of image is not as great as compared to shot in good light condition on higher ISO.
Great stuff Janine. I switched from my 5DmIV to an R5 a few months ago, and I am in the process of trading my EF lenses for a good range of RF lenses. The 100-500 is on my list. This is helpful !
Another thing to look out for is ‘Spot AF’ versus a single AF point. Your video shows you using ‘Spot AF’ which is great for busy backgrounds but the single AF point seems to work better for most shots with accurate autofocus. Test the two settings and see which produces more keepers. One other thing to try is animal detect versus eye detection. Animal detect seems to work better when the subject isn’t close enough for quick eye detection. When eye detection can’t lock on, it seems to hunt over the subject, producing soft focus shots. Animal detect can produce more keepers. Again test the two settings and find out which works best, when. Another great video!
I currently use a Canon R5 in combination with my RF100-500mm for birds in flight. The ability to capture these birds and obtain perfect focus on the eye while shooting with electronic shutter is so far above my previous Canon 7D Mark II with the Tamron 150-600. I have never looked back or regretted this move. I love your posts and look forward to the next one. Thank you for your ongoing reviews. I recently bought a RF24-105mm F4 lens and all I can say is WOW. My camera has on a few occasions rebooted or stalled requiring removal and reinstall of the battery. I hope a firmware update will fix this. I am using all current updated lens and batteries and high speed 256GB Angelbird Cfexpress card.
I had the same problem with my R5 freezing. It is a known problem, it is caused by a short on the main circuit board. The fix is to replace the circuit board. After sending my camera in to Canon for that repair I no longer have the problem.
Hi Bob, Hi Larry - yes, you guys are quite right.... unfortunate but I guess inevitable with brand new technology and equipment. Overall, it is such a great combo -cheers Janine
After a 2-month wait here in the US I finally got my backordered RF 100-500mm lens last week. The percentage of keeper birds-in-flight shots has risen dramatically for me. Yes, I wish I could get more bokeh but the tradeoffs are well worth it!
Hi Janine, Thanks for the informative video! Would like to know what your opinion is on putting this lens on the new Canon R8? Would it be a good combo getting a cheaper body with this lens? Dream setup is obviously the R5 with this lens… Hope to hear from you! Thanks again for the great content
Great video! It's a rarity you hear that a telephoto lens outperformed a prime in some way. I get my 100-500 tomorrow and I can't wait to test it on some bif.
I have encountering some issues with focusing in low light while using RF 100-500 (while using back button focusing) . But I try to refocus using using eye focusing button and most of the time it succeeds.
Hi Janine, this may be of interest for you: I recently made tests with my R6, RF 100-500 and 2x Extender mounted on a tripod. In this setup with focal length of 1.000mm the images were obviously sharper when using the electronic shutter. So the vibrations of the mechanical shutter cannot be ignored in this situation. However, I understand that electronic shutter has other problems when shooting wildlife. But maybe, this information is valuable for you, your business and your clients.
Hi Janine! Thank you for all the work you all do. We have an adventure booked with you in June for 11 days and we can't wait. I have an R5 and the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary, which I have used for a couple of years with a RP. I am seriously considering buying the RF. Is it really worth it, already having the Sigma? I think with the R5, now the lens is the weakest point of the whole. Is there an improvement in quality and sharpness that really justifies its price? An actual comparison between one of the most versatile lenses out there for wildlife, the Sigma, and this RF beast in an R5 body would be very helpful! Many thanks!
Great Review. Mirrorless in general produce sharper images on these lenses as the focus sensors of DSLR is eliminated and some focus variability is eliminated. There are always trade-offs with every lens. Slight trade of on sharpness for reach or more light. But the technology is fantastic.
Very nice review and stunning images of a cat at the top. I love my copy but it is not a replacement for either of my f4 lenses, but another tool in the bag. if light is iffy, out comes the f4. but in great light the 1-500 is a beast for the reasons the older lady mentioned. I can toss around my f4 really well since i am a big guy, but i still find the 1-500 a nice tool to have. And thanks for that comparison with the 1-400, that is the only one I have seen and I am glad I sold mine off to get the 1-500 (I sold off a bunch of stuff to buy the r5+1-500RF). Will be interested to hear your further thoughts on the 1-500. Oh, i have not noticed low-light or backlit focusing issues, but as i said I do try to avoid using a 7.1 under such conditions because that is not its forte. One must match the tool to the task (Same goes for the Rf800F11, don’t ask it to beat physics and then complain when it doesn’t). I think we have some great options available today. Looks forward to your next video.
Hi Anthony, the whole reason the world goes mirrorless is for the improved lenses so you definitely did the right choice. I agree, not a replacement but a great add on and for those who cannot afford an F4 lens (like me 🙂🙃🙂) a great allrounder.... cheers Janine
We'll be joining you on Chobe safari next March. Although my EF 100-400mm II has been my go-to lens for wildlife for years, I'm considering the RF 100-500mm. However, your comment about inconsistent auto focus performance in lowlight situations concerns me. After 2+ years of experience with this lens, have your '1st impression' concerns remained about this lens?
You were using spot AF.. that is only used for a subject deep in brush. Use the AF point to the right of that ( The square with nothing in the center ) and focus on an area with the greatest contrast near the eye.Enlarge the image in the viewfinder with the zoom button to verify focus is where you want..Set tracking to " one shot " and you can focus while zoomed in..:)
I rented the RF 100-500 to try it out, and was very happy with it as long as 500mm was long enough. However, if you need it to be a little longer so try it in combination with a 1.4X or 2.0X teleconverter it has the unfortunate consequence of then severely limiting the lower end of the zoom range (420mm with the 1.4X, and 600mm with the 2.0X). For me that was too much of a limitation, so I'm still using an adapted Sigma 60-600mm which becomes a 84-840mm with a 1.4X teleconverter. Admittedly without the sharpness and image quality of the RF lens.
Hi Paul, it is a limitation but the lens is soooooo much better than the Sigma 60-600mm... the quality is a whole new level and especially if you use an R5 you can crop so far that you make up for the 100mm tenfold. Even on the R6 I would rather crop a bit more than loose that quality to be honest - cheers Janine
Hi Janine… loved your review. Thank you. I’m concerned about using this lens with the 7.1 f-stop at 500mm. With so many low light situations on Safari is it really realistic to expect decent results at reasonable ISO during morning and late afternoon drives? Would appreciate your perspective on this issue.
I am not Janine, obviously ;-) But have experience with the R5/R6 and this specific lens because I did compare it with my Sony system gear. I have to admit, Canon did a great job with this lens, and as long as you are using it with good light, without a TC, it's a fantastic tool. But from my perspective the USP is not sharpness, contrast and so on, it's the focal length with this very compact size for travelling. At the end of the day, my Sony 200-600 F5.6-6.3 gives me more reach, a bit better low light performance and the same IQ - but it's bigger in seize and heavier. So it's always a trade off and you have to decide for yourself, what is more important for you: Travel light and compact or getting the best IQ possible when light is limited? F7.1 is what it is, it's not a super great bokeh you get and the ISO's can go very high at late afternoons. The R5 and R6 are good in high ISO, but it's simple physics and neither Canon, Sony nor Nikon can do anything against that. It's not a f6.3, nor a F4 and definitely not a F2.8, so you should be realistic and not expect any wonders. I had it for 3 days and liked it a lot, but only in situations when 500mm was definitely enough reach and the available light was good enough for F7.1. I had to think a bit more about my perspective and backdrop (too busy?!) when shooing this lens, because I knew I won't have this beautiful shallow depth of field and blurred out backgrounds @500m FL. Does this help you a bit?
@@wilduntamedphotography1260 all I know is that low light is always an issue in Africa. Not sure I could live with 7.1 when I already have the 100-400 Mark II at 5.65 @400 mm. Interested what Janine thinks about this issue since she has been in the field with the 100-500 in Africa.
Great review. I really appreciate Pangolin's contributions. I've borrowed the RF 100-500 while in a blind. The weight difference is what I noticed right away compared to my 100-400 II. But, also, the RF version cuts into the grip area more. Something I could likely get used too. In terms of IQ, I have seen enough of others careful examination including here that yes, the RF is even sharper than the amazingly sharp 100-400 II. I am just not sure that I need that extra sharpness. In my images, a difference in IQ was not apparent. If I did make the switch, it would primarily be for the weight savings. BTW, I do occasionally use the 1.4xTC on the 100-400 II. When you need it, you need it. But it does something to the IQ, especially bokeh, that I try to avoid. On my 500 f/4, the 1.4x TC is amazingly good.
Hi Brant, yes, extenders tend to work better on prime lenses in general - I personally really love the added sharpness and the added focal range even more so .... so if the budget is there I would jump - cheers Janine
Hi. Love your videos and reviews. I was just wondering if you had tried the RF 70-200 lenses? I would probably get one if I upgraded to the mirrorless format. I had the EF 70-200 f2.8 mark 2. I am wondering how the RF 70-200 f4L IS USM goes compared to the equivalent f2.8 lens for wildlife. There are a few comparison reviews on RUclips but they are mostly the technical reviews done in studio, or still landscapes. I would be interested in knowing how they go in fast moving wildlife situations. Keep up the great work. I hope to come and see you all next year. An African safari has been on my bucket list for a very long time.
Nice, practical approach to photography as always! Love my zoom - but still longing for the 300mm to come one day. 600 is too bulky for me. It would see to much dust and too little action.
Hello Janine, first of all great video, I have the 100-500 on back order and can't wait to get it. Can I ask is your 100-400 MKII and 1.4 Extender calibrated for your DX2? I use that combo on my DX3 and the sharpness is amazing even at 100% but all my DSLR gear has been calibrated by Canon. The lady in the video is right, I also have the 600mm and as sharp as modern zooms are you can't beat the image of a big prime, but it comes at an expensive cost :-( not to mention the weight!!
Hi Janine. Excellent video. I have recently transitioned to the r5 from the 5D mk iv and upgraded some lenses (rf70-200 f2.8, rf24-70 f2.8, rf 800mm). I have the ef 100-400 f4.5/5.6 ii and undecided to keep it or sell it. Your review was extremely helpful. But I would like to ask if you noticed when you combine the r5 with the ef 100-400. When the ef 100-400mm was attached to the 5D mkiv incredible results but not as much as with r5. When comparing with the rf 70-200 f2.8, definitely better results with the rf70-200. I found the AF a little slower when using the 100-400( as compared to all the rf lenses I have)to my eyes appeared sharper(rf lenses). Did you observe this many times when combining the r5 with the 100-400?
@@PangolinWildlife I don’t think I can bring both due to weight restrictions on internal flights. I have the R3 and the 100-500 now so I plan to leave the big prime at home.
If you would like to know more about the 10 day Chobe, Delta and Kalahari safari with Janine please click here: www.pangolinphoto.com/safaris/10-day-chobe-delta-and-kalahari-hosted-photo-safari
Did you guys find that the 100-500 was better with autofocus once you did the latest firmware update? I’m debating moving up from my 100-400 II lens but it’s a struggle to justify the new lens at this time. Thanks
You are amazing. I am dreaming of doing such a safari. Can’t wait. Your videos are great. Thanks.
Janine you rock.Always enjoy tour reviews.
After waiting for about six months I now have the 100-500mm lens. The sharpness compared to my previous Sigma 150-600mm is just amazing. So, its not cheap, but the results are absotutly worth it.
The RF100-500 is my go to lens for dragonflies and butterflies, the 1.2m minimum focus distance at 500mm is great for close ups without scaring them away.
Great Video, Great Review, and Great Pictures!!
One thing to always check is the ‘Full’ vs ‘3m’ setting for quick autofocus.
‘Full’ for close subjects and ‘3m’ for far away shots.
Seems to make a big difference in autofocus speed especially in low light.
Give it a try…
Indeed, makes a BIG !!! Difference
I'm new to this, can you tell me where I find this setting?
Great content! Thanks for the efforts!
Another excellent video. I quite agree with your analysis. This is the best zoom lens I have ever owned and as you say it is great for birds in flight.
Always great see a video from you. I know it will be great! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, will do!
Man, beautiful shots. Keep up the good work, I love it! 😍😍😍
Just finished a trip with this lens. I was amazed going though the images when I got back, so many usable images. I also tried using it with a 2x extender and found that the crispness of the image is degraded much like the 1.4x did on the EF 100-400. This is more of a teleconverter issue I think then the lens. Over all I am very happy with the 100-500 and with the R5 I can crop later and still have a very usable image.
I loved the images; thanks for sharing. I recently purchased the RF 100-500 to replace my Sigma 150-600 C and Tamron 100-400 Di VC, along with an R7 body. As an amateur/enthusiast, I used and enjoyed the third-party lenses for birds/ wildlife, and I hesitated over whether I should replace them, particularly given the price. But the improvements in image quality, sharpness, and focus speed more than justify the price difference if you can swing it. The photos are breathtaking.
R5 with 100-500 is an amazing combination. Hoping to try it out on safari with you guys next year
Fantastic lens review Great share
Excellent Review !
lovely images Janine, I own this lens and love it, can't wait to go on safari when this pandemic is over !
great 🤩 i looking for buy one of this len.
Great video. This lens is exceptionally sharp. The sharpness rivals my old EF 600 IS II, but the big prime of course has better bokeh and produce buttery smooth images. I also used the RF 1.4 with the 100-500 and the sharpness was still quite good. Impressive lens.
Thanks again Janine for an excellent review, but I look forward to your future thoughts on its focus abilities.
Thank you for the comparison & information. My husband & I have invested in the R5‘s with the RF600 & RF800 shared between us.
Still struggling at present with light, but will preserve, as we only do wildlife photography incl birds.
!!! Absolutely amazing RF100-500 lens, So it will be on my wish list with the 1.4 Teleconverted !!
Thanks for the in-depth comparison - hope to switch to RF before visiting again.
Great review Janine!
Since giving up my 1DX and 500ii primea few years ago, I've been using a 7Dmkii and a 100-400 ii. Its a very versatile combination with great reach (640mm field of view). If you're going to be shooting in decent light you can't really go wrong. If I could justify a new set up I'd go for the R5 and 100-500.
Greetings from Ballito...Very cool presentation Janine. :-p
I ordered this lens months ago, and am still waiting!! Thanks for the great review!
Hi Janine, Great video on the RF 100-500 lens which I am considering buying soon. I noticed the comments below about the quality of using the extenders with this lens, and wondered whether anyone had used this lens and changing the R5 full frame to the 1.6 crop factor internal and what the results were like? John
Thanks for another great vid Janine; I’m using the 100-400 ii with a converter on an EOS R body, so it’s great to see a direct comparison.
EXCELLENT images! As an engineer and a photographer, I like gear. However, the image is created by the artist Behind the camera. Better gear helps a lot but, only if you know how to use them and YOU are an excellent artist and know how to utilize the tools in your hands. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing!
I just got my 100-500 yesterday after a long wait. going shooting near my home today with the news lens on the R5. thank you for the review.
i hope to join you on a tour one day when the world is a safer place to travel.
I absolutely love my 100-500 on my R5 (coming from a 5D4/7D2 and a 100-400 II) I also find very little to no degradation with the RF 1.4ex. The RF 2.0ex is another story.
The RF 100-500 is a fantastic lens. I had to wait for months to get it in 2022 but boy oh boy what a nice lens !
I haven’t yet made the move to mirrorless… will probably be the R5 when I do. This is a very useful and honest lens review.
thank you Janine
Thanks for the great video. I have had both the 100-400 and 100-500 lenses and agree with your coments. Focusing into the light is more difficult though I am not sure if it is the lens or the camera. Anyway I am used to it now and do the best it can. It doesnt have low light proms only into the light. Otherwise amazing lens .
Thanks for this video. I just got an R5 and a 100-500 for a safari trip this Sept. I am curious to hear if you ever resolved the issues with low light focusing.
I own this lens and have not noticed any low light focus problems. However, I almost always use eye AF. Nice review as always.
Janine is back!! 🤟🏾🤙🏾👍🏾👌🏾
I have a notification set up at B&H for when this lens is again available and plan to get it to go with my R5. Nice video!
I recently purchased the EOS R5, and I am waiting for the 100-500 to be available. This video gives me confidence that it will be worth the wait.
Great video, looks a great lens.
Great Janine as usual
Did your guest try crop mode on his R5 ? Interested to know if the lens performs as well as if cropping in post and if there’s any difference in general use, focusing, burst,…
Thanks
The low light af problems mentioned at 5:48 could be that you're using spot AF instead of single point AF, which is more forgiving.
I just tried spot AF and single point AF. Single Point AF was much easier to focus in low light.
Hi - great suggestion. I agree to an extend - however, I do shoot on the single point AF with my 1Xii and have no problems focusing what so ever... also didn't run into this when shooting the 100-400mm with the R6. In general I found that the single AF are way slower on the mirrorless cameras than on the DSLRs which is disappointing considering how fast the eye tracking is. But that is an issue of camera and not lens, so I am getting side tracked here....cheers Janine
@@PangolinWildlife Hi Janine I would first make sure I have the latest firmware update for the lens, then I would play around with the different case modes in the AF menus.
Wow, Janine thanks for the honest, thorough review. I love my R6 and was debating moving up to this lens. I also use the addictive 600mm f4 as my main lens and the 100-400mm. I may keep the 100-400mm now since maybe the extra reach and worse low light performance (so far) is not worth the upgrade. Thank you!!
Edit: I have a bad habit of commenting before the video is over LOL. The background quality is way better from the compression of the new lens. Tough decision!!
Great review as always Janine! I got the R6 and just upgraded from Tamron 150-600 G2 to Canon RF 100-500. What a difference!
On the 4th of september I will start cycling from Sweden down to Cape town. With my R6 and RF 100-500 in my bag! When I reach Botswana in about 9 months Ill hope I still can afford to go on a safari with you guys! Thanks for the best photo/wildlife channel on RUclips.
That’s a 5star trip! Well done!
Hi Patrick, what an epic journey you are having ahead of you. I wish you all the best and safe travels and really really really hope we get to see you here... cheers Janine
I just upgraded from the 100-400 mk1 to this lens and I’m very happy I did. It was either the lens or the EOS R to R6. I kept the R and went for the lens. I’m still enjoying my R.
Since the R doesn't have IBIS, how is the lens stabilization?
@@highwayman1224 the IS in the 100-500 is significantly better than the mk1 100-400 . It’s even a little lighter and you don’t need the EF-RF adapter. I’m sure paired with an R6 or R5 it would be better still but that will have to wait a little longer. I am still enjoying my R!
Should I ever be able to make it to a Pangolin Safari I would likely upgrade to a 6 or 5.
@@Joebnx1 thank you for the quick response. I'm on the fence between the R, R6 & R5. I doubt I need everything the R5 & R6 do and was leaning towards the R6 but the R has more pixels & is a grand less.
Great video -thanks so much!!!!
Thanks so much for watching David - cheers Janine
great video👍
I love the 100-500, it's the perfect lens to pair with the 600 F4. With the 100-400 that 200mm gap was just to much so that extra 100mm with the RF is nice. Image quality I think is pretty equal but I definitely feel the IS and IBIS with the 100-500 works better than the 100-400 on the R5, I've been able to hand hold at 500mm and shutter 1/50 and still get sharp images with the R5.
im using canon r5 with 100-500mm. its one of the best combos for wildlife i think. Im really happy with it!
Merci (de Paris, France) pour cette video très intéressante :-)
I ordered the 100mm-500mm back in early May and can't wait to get it (it's on backorder here in the USA)!!! Your video was great, thanks.
I have, today, bought this lens to go on my R5, based on the reviews posted by yourself and others. It will arrive in a week and I am already thinking of opportunities for it. I was looking at the 200-800 but felt some of the reviews showed the quality of the images produced to be not as good. I will also be 'testing' it with the 1.4 and 2.0 extenders - I suspect there will be quite a quality hit with those between it and the body.
I have upgraded from a Canon 90D with a Sigma 150-600C to a Canon R7 coupled with the RF 100-500 and I could not be happier.
I have the R5 and 600mm F4 which is a great combo. Just ordered the 100-500 RF and 100 RF Macro. Great video so thanks for sharing.
As a photographer fun shots
I have the RF 100-500 on an R6 and experienced difficulty with eye autofocus in back-light and with birds in water with water plants and reflections all around.
BIF was no problem or resting birds in the clear.
I love the lens but need to figure out a strategy for dealing with these situations. Will probably need to change focusing points and/or settings for those instances.
Thanks for the great vid
Thank you Janine - great video! If there was any hesitancy to get this lens, your report and images dispelled that. New to Canon and just unpacked the R6 (thanks for the configuration guidance too!). The first target when I get this lens will probably racing cars, but a photo safari is at the top of the list.
Hi Janine, I would first make sure I have the latest firmware update for the lens, then I would play around with the different case modes in the AF menus.
This is great, very informative and may convince me to give up my trusted 100-400 ii.
Really keen now to see Janine make a direct comparison between the R5 & R6 bodies - I have the EOS R and want to upgrade, but I'm not sure which body is better for wildlife...
I am using Canon RF 100-500mm lens with EOS R5 from past 2 months now and few times in low light conditions. As of now I have not faced any issue with focusing, how ever I feel that in less light the quality of image is not as great as compared to shot in good light condition on higher ISO.
Great stuff Janine. I switched from my 5DmIV to an R5 a few months ago, and I am in the process of trading my EF lenses for a good range of RF lenses. The 100-500 is on my list. This is helpful !
That is awesome!
Love your work 😊❤️ thank you
Lovely!....Video also😄
Thanks so much
Another thing to look out for is ‘Spot AF’ versus a single AF point.
Your video shows you using ‘Spot AF’ which is great for busy backgrounds but the single AF point seems to work better for most shots with accurate autofocus. Test the two settings and see which produces more keepers.
One other thing to try is animal detect versus eye detection.
Animal detect seems to work better when the subject isn’t close enough for quick eye detection.
When eye detection can’t lock on, it seems to hunt over the subject, producing soft focus shots.
Animal detect can produce more keepers. Again test the two settings and find out which works best, when.
Another great video!
If I understand you correctly do you program a button to toggle off the eye detection??
Thx
Debating between this and the new RF 200-800mm. I am accustomed to the quality of the L lenses and wasn't sure about the 200-800mm. Your thoughts?
Can you put this on a Sony a7iii
I currently use a Canon R5 in combination with my RF100-500mm for birds in flight. The ability to capture these birds and obtain perfect focus on the eye while shooting with electronic shutter is so far above my previous Canon 7D Mark II with the Tamron 150-600. I have never looked back or regretted this move. I love your posts and look forward to the next one. Thank you for your ongoing reviews. I recently bought a RF24-105mm F4 lens and all I can say is WOW. My camera has on a few occasions rebooted or stalled requiring removal and reinstall of the battery. I hope a firmware update will fix this. I am using all current updated lens and batteries and high speed 256GB Angelbird Cfexpress card.
I had the same problem with my R5 freezing. It is a known problem, it is caused by a short on the main circuit board. The fix is to replace the circuit board. After sending my camera in to Canon for that repair I no longer have the problem.
@@bobbramley2879 What Canon service do you use?
@@CarlosHernandez-kg8py It was under warranty so standard Canon service and at no cost.
Hi Bob, Hi Larry - yes, you guys are quite right.... unfortunate but I guess inevitable with brand new technology and equipment. Overall, it is such a great combo -cheers Janine
After a 2-month wait here in the US I finally got my backordered RF 100-500mm lens last week. The percentage of keeper birds-in-flight shots has risen dramatically for me. Yes, I wish I could get more bokeh but the tradeoffs are well worth it!
Hi Janine,
Thanks for the informative video!
Would like to know what your opinion is on putting this lens on the new Canon R8?
Would it be a good combo getting a cheaper body with this lens?
Dream setup is obviously the R5 with this lens…
Hope to hear from you!
Thanks again for the great content
Is compatible with r7?
Great video! It's a rarity you hear that a telephoto lens outperformed a prime in some way. I get my 100-500 tomorrow and I can't wait to test it on some bif.
Plz review 100-300rf
I love your gear reviews but I think you’re secretly trying to get me to come to Botswana! Amazing sightings and great shots guys!
Hi ! Any one used 100-500 lens with R3 ? Any feedback pls
I'm finding the audio on this video a bit low and difficult to hear.
Ok, sounds pretty intriguing. I’ll look forward to your further findings on the back lit and low light focusing abilities. Craig
Thank you for this review. How does this Canon RF 100-500mm lens compare to Sigma 150-600 Sport lens?
The RF is a fantastic lens but it does come with a hefty price tag.
I have encountering some issues with focusing in low light while using RF 100-500 (while using back button focusing) . But I try to refocus using using eye focusing button and most of the time it succeeds.
I'll be trading up my 100-400mm mark II as soon as I can get my hands on the RF 100-500mm!
I shoot with an R5
Hi Janine,
this may be of interest for you: I recently made tests with my R6, RF 100-500 and 2x Extender mounted on a tripod. In this setup with focal length of 1.000mm the images were obviously sharper when using the electronic shutter. So the vibrations of the mechanical shutter cannot be ignored in this situation. However, I understand that electronic shutter has other problems when shooting wildlife. But maybe, this information is valuable for you, your business and your clients.
Hi Janine! Thank you for all the work you all do.
We have an adventure booked with you in June for 11 days and we can't wait.
I have an R5 and the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary, which I have used for a couple of years with a RP.
I am seriously considering buying the RF. Is it really worth it, already having the Sigma?
I think with the R5, now the lens is the weakest point of the whole.
Is there an improvement in quality and sharpness that really justifies its price?
An actual comparison between one of the most versatile lenses out there for wildlife, the Sigma, and this RF beast in an R5 body would be very helpful!
Many thanks!
Great Review. Mirrorless in general produce sharper images on these lenses as the focus sensors of DSLR is eliminated and some focus variability is eliminated. There are always trade-offs with every lens. Slight trade of on sharpness for reach or more light. But the technology is fantastic.
Hi Janine, what is your first and second camera today? Thanks
Very nice review and stunning images of a cat at the top. I love my copy but it is not a replacement for either of my f4 lenses, but another tool in the bag. if light is iffy, out comes the f4. but in great light the 1-500 is a beast for the reasons the older lady mentioned. I can toss around my f4 really well since i am a big guy, but i still find the 1-500 a nice tool to have. And thanks for that comparison with the 1-400, that is the only one I have seen and I am glad I sold mine off to get the 1-500 (I sold off a bunch of stuff to buy the r5+1-500RF). Will be interested to hear your further thoughts on the 1-500. Oh, i have not noticed low-light or backlit focusing issues, but as i said I do try to avoid using a 7.1 under such conditions because that is not its forte. One must match the tool to the task (Same goes for the Rf800F11, don’t ask it to beat physics and then complain when it doesn’t). I think we have some great options available today. Looks forward to your next video.
Hi Anthony, the whole reason the world goes mirrorless is for the improved lenses so you definitely did the right choice. I agree, not a replacement but a great add on and for those who cannot afford an F4 lens (like me 🙂🙃🙂) a great allrounder.... cheers Janine
We'll be joining you on Chobe safari next March. Although my EF 100-400mm II has been my go-to lens for wildlife for years, I'm considering the RF 100-500mm. However, your comment about inconsistent auto focus performance in lowlight situations concerns me. After 2+ years of experience with this lens, have your '1st impression' concerns remained about this lens?
You were using spot AF.. that is only used for a subject deep in brush. Use the AF point to the right of that ( The square with nothing in the center ) and focus on an area with the greatest contrast near the eye.Enlarge the image in the viewfinder with the zoom button to verify focus is where you want..Set tracking to " one shot " and you can focus while zoomed in..:)
I rented the RF 100-500 to try it out, and was very happy with it as long as 500mm was long enough. However, if you need it to be a little longer so try it in combination with a 1.4X or 2.0X teleconverter it has the unfortunate consequence of then severely limiting the lower end of the zoom range (420mm with the 1.4X, and 600mm with the 2.0X). For me that was too much of a limitation, so I'm still using an adapted Sigma 60-600mm which becomes a 84-840mm with a 1.4X teleconverter. Admittedly without the sharpness and image quality of the RF lens.
Hi Paul, it is a limitation but the lens is soooooo much better than the Sigma 60-600mm... the quality is a whole new level and especially if you use an R5 you can crop so far that you make up for the 100mm tenfold. Even on the R6 I would rather crop a bit more than loose that quality to be honest - cheers Janine
How is the weather sealing on the 100-550 RF, especially the dust sealing? Thank you for the review.
Hi Janine… loved your review. Thank you. I’m concerned about using this lens with the 7.1 f-stop at 500mm. With so many low light situations on Safari is it really realistic to expect decent results at reasonable ISO during morning and late afternoon drives? Would appreciate your perspective on this issue.
I am not Janine, obviously ;-) But have experience with the R5/R6 and this specific lens because I did compare it with my Sony system gear. I have to admit, Canon did a great job with this lens, and as long as you are using it with good light, without a TC, it's a fantastic tool. But from my perspective the USP is not sharpness, contrast and so on, it's the focal length with this very compact size for travelling. At the end of the day, my Sony 200-600 F5.6-6.3 gives me more reach, a bit better low light performance and the same IQ - but it's bigger in seize and heavier. So it's always a trade off and you have to decide for yourself, what is more important for you: Travel light and compact or getting the best IQ possible when light is limited? F7.1 is what it is, it's not a super great bokeh you get and the ISO's can go very high at late afternoons. The R5 and R6 are good in high ISO, but it's simple physics and neither Canon, Sony nor Nikon can do anything against that. It's not a f6.3, nor a F4 and definitely not a F2.8, so you should be realistic and not expect any wonders. I had it for 3 days and liked it a lot, but only in situations when 500mm was definitely enough reach and the available light was good enough for F7.1. I had to think a bit more about my perspective and backdrop (too busy?!) when shooing this lens, because I knew I won't have this beautiful shallow depth of field and blurred out backgrounds @500m FL. Does this help you a bit?
@@wilduntamedphotography1260 all I know is that low light is always an issue in Africa. Not sure I could live with 7.1 when I already have the 100-400 Mark II at 5.65 @400 mm. Interested what Janine thinks about this issue since she has been in the field with the 100-500 in Africa.
Great review. I really appreciate Pangolin's contributions. I've borrowed the RF 100-500 while in a blind. The weight difference is what I noticed right away compared to my 100-400 II. But, also, the RF version cuts into the grip area more. Something I could likely get used too. In terms of IQ, I have seen enough of others careful examination including here that yes, the RF is even sharper than the amazingly sharp 100-400 II. I am just not sure that I need that extra sharpness. In my images, a difference in IQ was not apparent. If I did make the switch, it would primarily be for the weight savings. BTW, I do occasionally use the 1.4xTC on the 100-400 II. When you need it, you need it. But it does something to the IQ, especially bokeh, that I try to avoid. On my 500 f/4, the 1.4x TC is amazingly good.
Hi Brant, yes, extenders tend to work better on prime lenses in general - I personally really love the added sharpness and the added focal range even more so .... so if the budget is there I would jump - cheers Janine
Tracking and whole AF is same on R5 and R6
Hi. Love your videos and reviews. I was just wondering if you had tried the RF 70-200 lenses? I would probably get one if I upgraded to the mirrorless format. I had the EF 70-200 f2.8 mark 2. I am wondering how the RF 70-200 f4L IS USM goes compared to the equivalent f2.8 lens for wildlife. There are a few comparison reviews on RUclips but they are mostly the technical reviews done in studio, or still landscapes. I would be interested in knowing how they go in fast moving wildlife situations.
Keep up the great work. I hope to come and see you all next year. An African safari has been on my bucket list for a very long time.
We will find out this July with that exact lens!
Nice, practical approach to photography as always! Love my zoom - but still longing for the 300mm to come one day. 600 is too bulky for me. It would see to much dust and too little action.
Will this lens work with a Canon 7D MK II ?
Unfortunately it had an ef mount, I don’t know of adapter will work.
Hello Janine, first of all great video, I have the 100-500 on back order and can't wait to get it.
Can I ask is your 100-400 MKII and 1.4 Extender calibrated for your DX2? I use that combo on my DX3 and the sharpness is amazing even at 100% but all my DSLR gear has been calibrated by Canon.
The lady in the video is right, I also have the 600mm and as sharp as modern zooms are you can't beat the image of a big prime, but it comes at an expensive cost :-( not to mention the weight!!
5:11 Quite surprising..
yep... it might have to do with my selection of focus points... I will do more tests - cheers Janine
Hi Janine. Excellent video. I have recently transitioned to the r5 from the 5D mk iv and upgraded some lenses (rf70-200 f2.8, rf24-70 f2.8, rf 800mm). I have the ef 100-400 f4.5/5.6 ii and undecided to keep it or sell it. Your review was extremely helpful. But I would like to ask if you noticed when you combine the r5 with the ef 100-400. When the ef 100-400mm was attached to the 5D mkiv incredible results but not as much as with r5. When comparing with the rf 70-200 f2.8, definitely better results with the rf70-200. I found the AF a little slower when using the 100-400( as compared to all the rf lenses I have)to my eyes appeared sharper(rf lenses). Did you observe this many times when combining the r5 with the 100-400?
Hi, I’m hoping to get my R3 before my trip to the Chobe in early May 2022. Should I bring my Canon EF 500 f/4 or pick up the RF 100-500?
uhhhh... that is a good question. Both!!! :) The EF 500mm F4 is unbeatable but you will need a zoom lens alongside it .... cheers Janine
@@PangolinWildlife I don’t think I can bring both due to weight restrictions on internal flights. I have the R3 and the 100-500 now so I plan to leave the big prime at home.
Jannies the best!