Canon RF 100-400mm: GREAT LENS but is f/5.6-8.0 enough?

Complete review of the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens. A super interesting lens with an obvious downside. But is it right for you?

All photos and even the time-lapses in this video were all taken on this lens using both the Canon R5 and Canon R6. Photos all edited using my Cinematik Preset Pack.

-------------------------

➤ GEAR FOR THIS TRIP

-------------------------

➤Favorite Lenses

-------------------------

➤Main YT Setup

-------------------------

➤ Other essentials:

-------------------------

➤ TOP R5 Accessories

-------------------------

➤Editing Essentials

-------------------------

***NOTE: Clicking these amazon links above and buying helps support my channel as I get a small commission from each order - it does not cost you any extra and helps support my channel :) ***

-------------------------

[alvintelin]

Bought this for my canon r7 for sports and wildlife. This did not disappoint. Super sharp and reliable. Very good quality out of the camera, not much editing needed. Lightweight. My only complaint is again the F8 aperture but nowadays Lightroom AI denoise pretty much covers the noise. So overall, im happy and keeping it on my bag for a while.

[Mr_Glenn]

I got the 100-400 today, I'm really impressed! I also have the 24-105 non-L, so it just kicks in when the 24-105 runs out of room, I love that. The combination of these lenses is just over 1k, and it's so versatile as a pair, it's astounding! The only thing is that you're going to have to switch lenses, but that's not the biggest problem in most situations.

[luschna]

I rarely write comments, but on this vid, I need to acknowledge how short this vid is. I love it! The information are just on the spot! Thanks!

[greadore]

I have this lens and love it. Sharp and really light so I can carry around all day w/o a problem. During the day it is no problem. I also have the Sigma 150-600 mm which is faster and has a longer reach but is A LOT HEAVIER. I think this lens has a definite place as long as you know what you are getting.

[ritchieelder]

Great review.

I also have a budget RF lens (24-105 F4-F7.1) and although it's certainly not fast or great in low light (at least without a tripod), it's more than capable of shooting sharp shots during the day.

As you said, these cheaper RF lenses weigh next to nothing making them perfect for travel. Sure, having that shallow depth of field would be great, but with that comes a hefty price and weight increase.

I hope you do more RF reviews in the future!

[cjoe]

Very good summary of this lens. I own one. It's a joy to carry it around as it's so light weight. Of course on overcast days it's barely usable for birds. For other less sensible animals it's fine as you can get very close. Aperture is its limit as that allows only that amount of light.

[feastythe]

Great little lens, I found that if you want sharp shots don't go below f8 for 100-200mm and f10 for 300-400 then my shots are sharp. Af also does well with sports. I use it as a lightweight through around lens when not carrying my rf 100-500 or my 600mm f4

[cooloox]

Great review and a very accurate one. Your findings were the same as I've experienced. It's a terrific value for money lens if it meets one's needs.

[EliMandarin]

What great photos you took by this lens! I feel that can even sell to canon for their promotion! How stunning! Good job and thank you for sharing!❤

[dm]

I got this lens to test it on the Eos R and have been very impressed by it so far and have used it for some wildlife and landscape shots and had some very good results in decent light. The lens is very light and portable and living with a nerve damage injury it means I can carry the lens and camera combination for longer periods than I can my bigger and older EF lenses and to me it is worth every penny. The lens is not perfect and the price reflects that but it is tack sharp

[MitchLally]

At least you had a 50 for all those 50 shots we came across :') awesome review dude and your photos turned out sick!!!

[DanYosua]

Great shots, great edits, and thanks for sharing! Really hoping to be able to take this on a trip at some point this year for some long landscape shooting. Would also be interested to test this for outdoor sports during the day. It's tough waiting for the RF lineup to fully fill out but it is encouraging that their lenses in the affordable tier are pretty solid in terms of image quality. I was pretty surprised that the two 24-105s were so close when I rented the STM. Canon makes you pay for the build and to get extra light, but the image quality between this and the 100-500 (and the set of 24-105s) seems closer than the price differential might suggest.

[HikingWithMartin]

Best review of this lens on YouTube just watched them all

[DAVE_WHITE]

It works a treat on the R7 a well so does the 600 f11

[TaylorBrownPhotoVideo]

Hey man, great video! Loved the sample images & footage too. Epic!!

[policeluber]

U shoot landscapes so 5.6-f8 is perfect

[smaruzzi]

What would be the alternative? The RF 100-500 is definitely better being an L lens, but not much better in terms of fast aperture. Thanks, Stefano

[redcopperpans]

it's a good lense.. for that price.. it's one of my faves

[mikedyson_]

Looks like a sweet lens! Great shots as always too.

[MrVisde]

Beautiful photographs! The f/8 at the long range is a dealbreaker for me though. I think I’d rather spend 1/3 of the money on an extender for my 70-200 for a bit of extra reach.