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

BH #CA100500LRF • MFR #4112C002
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens
Key Features
  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4.5-7.1 to f/32-54
  • One Super UD Element, Six UD Elements
  • Dual Nano USM AF System
Covering a variety of telephoto focal lengths, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM spans a short- to super-telephoto range within a sleek and portable form factor. The modest maximum aperture enables a relatively portable design that is well-suited to handheld, walkaround use and optical image stabilization also helps to steady photos and videos by up to five stops when working in difficult lighting conditions. This lens is also characterized by its advanced optical design, which includes a series of Super UD and UD elements to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing throughout the zoom range for a degree of clarity and color accuracy.
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Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Overview

By B&H Photo's
Covering a variety of telephoto focal lengths, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM spans a short- to super-telephoto range within a sleek and portable form factor. The modest maximum aperture enables a relatively portable design that is well-suited to handheld, walkaround use and optical image stabilization also helps to steady photos and videos by up to five stops when working in difficult lighting conditions. This lens is also characterized by its advanced optical design, which includes a series of Super UD and UD elements to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing throughout the zoom range for a degree of clarity and color accuracy.

Balancing the distinguished optical assets is the Dual Nano USM focus system, which delivers fast, nearly silent autofocus performance with full-time manual focus override. A unique Control Ring is also integrated into the lens design for intuitive control over exposure settings from the lens itself and the rotating zoom ring also feature torque adjustment for fine-tuning the feel of the lens. Additionally, this 100-500mm is weather-sealed and has a fluorine coating to protect the front and rear elements.
Versatile telephoto zoom lens is designed for use with full-frame Canon RF-mount mirrorless cameras.
Six UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion) elements and one Super UD element help to minimize chromatic aberrations and color fringing in order to provide greater clarity and color accuracy.
An Optical Image Stabilizer helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake by five stops to better enable working in low-light conditions and with slower shutter speeds. Three distinct IS modes are available: standard single-shot mode, a panning-optimized mode, and a mode that only activates the Image Stabilizer during the exposure.
Dual Nano USM system utilizes both a ring type USM and an STM mechanism to realize quick and accurate focusing that is also smooth and nearly silent to suit both photography and video applications. This focusing system also affords full-time manual focus control when working in the one-shot AF mode.
Configurable Control Ring can be used to adjust a variety of exposure settings, including aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation.
Protective fluorine coating has been applied to the front and rear element to resist fingerprints and smudges and to make cleaning these elements significantly easier.
As a member of the esteemed L-series, this lens has a weather-resistant design that protects against dust and moisture to enable its use in inclement conditions.
Rotation-type zoom ring features torque adjustment capabilities to fine-tune the handling of the lens or to prevent the lens from accidentally extending.
Included lens hood features a side window to allow for easier adjustment of specialized rotating filters, such as polarizers, while the lens hood is attached.
Compatible with optional Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x teleconverters, when used within the 300-500mm range of the lens, to further extend the effective focal length range.

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

Key Specs
Focal Length
100 to 500mm
Maximum Aperture
f/4.5 to 7.1
Lens Mount
Canon RF
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Yes
Filter Size
77 mm (Front)
Maximum Aperture
f/4.5 to 7.1
Minimum Aperture
f/32 to 54
Lens Mount
Canon RF
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
24° to 5°
Minimum Focus Distance
2.95' / 90 cm
Maximum Magnification
0.33x
Optical Design
20 Elements in 14 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
9, Rounded
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Yes
Tripod Collar
Removable and Rotating
Filter Size
77 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
3.7 x 8.2" / 93.8 x 207.6 mm
Length at Maximum Extension
11.7" / 297.6 mm
Weight
3 lb / 1365 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
5.07 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
12.7 x 8 x 6.9"

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

Good lens

By Michael
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-08-17

The cost is up there and you have a few compromises. It's f7.1 You don't buy this lens for 100mm. I would have liked something closer to f4-f5.6. You lose 60% of the lens when you use an extender.

Optically great ergonmically bad

By D Robert
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-28

I've been using the lens now for over a year and I'm really trying to like the lens but just can't. The lens is fairly light and easy to pack retracted. Optically it's extremely sharp. Focuses very fast. The slow F7.1 aperture is dismal and gets trounced by the competition. Should be an F5.6 or 6.3 at least. The twist zoom ring is horrific. The zoom through makes it' impossible to zoom on fast moving subjects without losing your subject. Internal zoom lenses are so much better in this regard it's no contest at all. Wake up Canon look at the Sony 200-600 or the new Nikon 180-600. Pricing is also outrageous for what you get. The lack of Canon competing in this segment really has me considering switching systems after 31 years of using Canon products.

Much better than I thought it would be

By David Marsh
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-27

Mostly a portrait photographer, long lenses have until now not been in my camera bag. But after starting on a wildlife project, I decided to the 100-500 a whirl. I'm blown away by the images.

Bought this to go with the R7 to achieve the extra range

By Steven
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-26

Since I moved out of the DSLR, I no longer have EF100-400 L lens, and I miss it very much. But back in my mind I wanted to buy the RF100-500 to get the extra 100mm range and lighter. After using it for couple days, I noticed it not able to focus as fast as EF100-400, and not much lighter as it claims of 3 lb. it is almost the same weight as EF100-400, except you will have to add the adopter weight. If I had known these facts, I probably won't upgrade it.

Autofocus function

By RTC
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-16

I use this with an R5 primarily for birds, including birds in flight. The autofocus function is very spotty. I can take ten photos of a hawk, two will be tack sharp and 8 will be fuzzy. Same with swallows.

Super Sharp Lens

By Alexander
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-16

Upgraded from a 100-400mm when I switched to mirrorless body. Love that I get the extra 100mm reach with this in a lighter body. Lens is sharp and focuses incredibly fast.

Great walking around wildlife lens

By Chuck
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-08-14

I purchased this as my first RF lens when buying my R6mkII. Back in 2004 it was reviews the EF 70-200 f/2.8 which convinced me to make the switch to Canon for DSLR and reviews of this lens convinced me it was time to upgrade to mirrorless. Also recommend the Kirk foot and QD connector for carrying on a sling strap.

Excellent and love it

By Angel
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-30

This is a very good quality that I use for wild life photography and the results exceeded the expectation of quality. I feel compromise to use outdoor due its sealed for all weather condition and even its heavy I can walk trails with the camera with the lens attached without any issue.

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This lens unfortunately does not fit your EOS 5D SR camera. Your 5D uses the EF moniker lenses, while this lens here is a RF lens designed for Canon Full Frame Mirrorless cameras only.
Answered by: Stephen
Date published: 2021-09-12

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Does the Tripod Collar fit the Peak Design Dual ...

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Yes, the tripod collar on the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens BH #CA100500LRF will fit Peak Design Dual Plate v2 for Capture Camera Clip BH #PEPLD2.
Answered by: samikg
Date published: 2022-09-15

Does the kit include a lens hood?

Does the kit include a lens hood?
Asked by: Cameron
Yes
Answered by: Shalom
Date published: 2020-09-14

what is Filter size?

what is Filter size?
Asked by: Ski
The filter size of the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens is 77 mm (Front).
Answered by: samikg
Date published: 2023-03-13

Hello, I am interested in the weight difference ...

Hello, I am interested in the weight difference between 100-400 L IS II and 100-500 RF. Normally, "larger" lenses are heavier than shorter ones?
Asked by: Marek
The 100-400 is an EF lens. The 100-500 is a RF lens made for Canons mirrorless cameras like the R5 just released. There is not an adaptor to fit the new RF lenses to Canons DSLRs, 5D, 1D etc. They are generally smaller and lighter and more expensive! There is an adaptor to fit EF lenses on the some of the mirrorless cameras. Do your research and read carefully or ask your friendly B&H service person.
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Date published: 2023-03-03

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At what focal length does the max aperture change? (ie. when can you go faster than the 7.1?)
Asked by: Rachel
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Answered by: Boyd
Date published: 2022-07-18

What is the configurable control ring? Does this ...

What is the configurable control ring? Does this mean you can manually adjust the iris? For a long time Canon did not have lenses with manual aperture controls.
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Date published: 2022-08-17
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