Canon has just introduced the RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 IS USM, its first super-telephoto lens for the R-series full-frame mirrorless cameras. The new lens is the RF version of the popular EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.
Despite being similar in size to the EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens, the RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 IS USM is 15% lighter and has an additional 100mm reach. It is also dust and drip-resistant. In addition, the heat-shield white paint suppresses heat from building up within the barrel of the lens.
The large diameter of the lens’ RF mount allows for a short lens back focus, and the six UD lenses and one super UD lens are arranged near the focal plane surface. It also has Air Sphere Coating (ASC) on the lens elements which is said to reduce ghosting.
The RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 IS USM features Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer mechanism that achieves image stabilization of up to five shutter speed stops by revising the control algorithm of the optical IS and using Dual Sensing IS.
The lens is also equipped with a stabilizer mode selection switch based on the movements of the subjects namely:
- IS mode 1 is best suited for stationary subjects
- IS mode 2 is used for panning shots
- IS mode 3 is suitable for subjects with irregular movements, such as during basketball where movements of players can be unpredictable
It also has two Nano Ultrasonic Motors (USM) which help autofocus faster.
Photo: Canon
The company has also announced two dedicated 1.4x and 2x extenders – the Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x. Both of these are compatible with the RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 IS USM and the recently announced RF600mm f/11 IS STM and RF800mm f/11 IS STM.
Both extenders can easily perform super-telephoto shooting by extending the focal length by 1.4x or 2x without compromising image quality.
The two extenders inherit the heat-shielding white paint from the telephoto L lenses. Both the Extender RF 1.4x and RF 2x are designed with built-in microprocessors which allow for better communications between the lens and camera. They also have a vibration and impact resistant structure, in addition to being dust and drip-resistant.
The extenders utilize high-refractive-power, low-dispersion glass material, and three cemented lens elements with a special coating. These are said to reduce chromatic aberrations and ghosting.
Ram found his love and appreciation for writing in 2015 having started in the gaming and esports sphere for GG Network. He would then transition to focus more on the world of tech which has also began his journey into learning more about this world. That said though, he still has the mentality of "as long as it works" for his personal gadgets.
