Canon RF 100-400 Landscape Photography Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ย. 2021
- This is the first hands-on review of a production RF 100-400 lens in the world! I'll cut to the chase. It's a stellar lens, producing images virtually indistinguishable from my EF 100-400 IS USM II, but at half the weight and cost!
As a landscape photographer, image quality matters enormously. But so does weight, and this lens ticks both boxes and then some. Look out for the close-up images of Lamas and a few flowers, too. It's a brilliant piece of glass at a very affordable price. Buy one.
RF 100-400 Price: geni.us/RF100-400
RF 100-500 Price: geni.us/RF100-50
RF 70-200 F4 Price: geni.us/Canon-RF-70-200-F4
Canon RF 100-500 Video: • Landscape Photos with ...
Canon RF 14-35 Review: • Canon RF 14-35 Landsca...
Canon RF 70-200 F4 Review: • Canon RF 70-200 f4 Lan...
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Gear used at the time of recording:
Canon RF 50 1.8: geni.us/Canon-RF-50mm
Canon RF 14-35: geni.us/Canon-RF14-35
Canon EOS R5: geni.us/canon-r5-body
Insta360 GO 2: geni.us/insta360-GO2
DJI Mavic 3 Pro: geni.us/mavic-3-pro
Peak Design Travel Tripod: geni.us/PD-tripod-carbon
iFootage TC9 Carbon Tripod: geni.us/iFootageTC9
PGYTECH Mantispod Pro: geni.us/Mantispod
Lowepro BP 550 AW II Bag: geni.us/Low-Pro-BP550AW
DJI Wireless Field Mic: geni.us/DJI-Mi
Rode Procaster Studio Mic: geni.us/rode-procast
Zoom H1N Field Recorder: geni.us/Zoom-H1n-Rec
RODE NTG2 Microphone: geni.us/Rode-NTG2-Shotgun-Mic
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I want to extend to you a most sincere thanks for the effort you put in on your reviews. I got out of photography many years ago due to my brutal work schedule. Just recently I went a dug out my Nikon FG and discovered it had completely frozen up. Couldn't even get the film door open or advance the film reel. I decided a serious upgrade was in order. I wasn't sure about making the switch over to Cannon products. This review really helped.
Thank you. 🙂
Hello - I just read your comment again. Did you get yourself a new camera? Are you back into photography again? Would love to know. 😉👍
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO don't know about him but i was in a similar situation myself, my old d3200 was eaten by termites. Was using a borrowed canon600d. Finally decided on the eos rp and I'm very happy. Bought the 35, 50 and this lens.
so far you're the only youtuber in the whole wide world that has reviewed this lens in real life...amazing that you managed to get it so early before youtubers that have 1000x more subscribers got their chance to actually use it (apart from the short canon demo a month ago)
I’m just as surprised as you. Maybe that’s why I fell off the roof of my 4wd after filming the last segment. The universe was telling me I was undeserving! 😄
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO The universe loves you, u are still alive. And u are funny too so i subscribed mostly because of it.
@@CZOV LOL! Thanks, Chris!
I've had this lens for a month , mostly using for bird photography at small distances ,and I am very pleased with it ,its sharp and autofocus is fast and its so much lighter and smaller vs. my EF 100-400 ll.So I can keep it all the time in my car with my second body and no more missing birds that I see occasionally.
Glad you’re happy, Erkki. That’s the big appeal for me, too. This lens is in my bag every day, now, whereas the EF was usually left in the car because of the weight.
Love your video. Very well put together. Thank You
Thanks, Kim. 🙂👍
A dream camera + lens setup 😍
Thanks for the great review, appreciate how you put it to use in the field. This helped address many of the same concerns I had with this lens. It’s in the cart, will be ordering soon! Thanks
Thanks, mate. It’s a fabulous lens, and I’m using it on almost every outing. I’ve yet to hear a bad thing about it. 👍
I tried this lens at the photography show and was very pleased as well with it. Glad i pre-ordered it straight away when it was announced.
Amazing
Been waiting on this one buddy!! Looks like a really good lens. The images and video clip look great. Should be getting mine the middle of next month, so can't wait to give it a go.
It’s better than I expected. 👍
Great review Pete. I loved the amazing detail in that first llama phot. The other shot I really loved is the photo of the drone. I was impressed at how sharp the writing is and seeing the texture of the paint on the arms. I'm sure you're going to have plenty of fun with your new toy!
Thanks a lot, Warrick. I’m really surprised just how good it is, and like you, immediately noticed the paint texture on the drone. It’s a winner.
Amazing review, I just like the test in real life, I was thinking about one and seeing your review now this is on my wish list!!!
Thanks, Ricardo. Get it, mate - you won't regret it.
Thanks for review. The lens looks sharper than I expected.
It surprised me, too. I’m very pleased with it!
Thanks Peter. I got this lens a couple of months ago, but I truly enjoyed your video/review. Take care, Stefano
Thank you, Stefano. What do you think of the lens?
Great review. I pre-ordered this lens. Now I'm pretty sure I've made a good decision. I'll use it with the RP...
Thanks, Ryan - and I sincerely apologise for the late response. I just discovered about 30 comments on my recent videos were hidden.
Thanks for the great video 😎
Thanks - that’s very nice of you. 😄🦘🇦🇺
I reckon it would be awesome for that. It's light, sharp, and has awesome reach. And it doesn't stand out like the EF 100-400 or RF 100-500.
Thanks for the presentation. I also have the EF 100-400mm and I haven’t been using it as much as I would like because of it’s weight.
I think this RF version would solve that for you. I barely feel the extra weight in my bag with it, yet the quality is outstanding. 👍
Nice review! Love the image of your drone in flight.
Thanks, Michael. I actually fell off the roof after I shot that, and my leg blew up like a balloon. Still hurts!
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO Oh my! Well, I wish you a quick recovery!
Great review buddy! Great bang for buck I’m sure! The pic of that llama or alpaca is LOL. I look like that atm 🤯🤯🤣🤣🤣. Have a great evening Pete!
Lol. Me too! After lockdown is over, we should go out shooting together, and you can tell us all if this lens is usable on bird life. 👍😉
Thank you so much for your review. It helps me a lot. Greetings from Germany. :)
You’re most welcome. My dad’s from Germany (Kernen, near Stuttgart). 😄👍🦘🇦🇺
So pleased to see a review on this as the 100-500 costs to much. I was going to buy the EF 100-400 ii but that's to heavy, so might look at buying this. I have the 70-200 f4 I love that one.
Angela, it's pretty hard to fault this RF 100-400. I'm genuinely impressed with it, and I don't feel like it's a step down in image quality over the EF 100-400. If you don't need that extra stop of light or the weather sealing, this is the one to buy. Thanks for watching. 😃
Love your video Peter. I am in Hong Kong, Still waiting for the Pre-order. The lens looks amazing, I have been thinkin which one I should go for, RF 100-500 or this. You helped me made the decisdion. Cant wait to see your work on this lens! Cheers mate.
Thank you, Cheung. Yes, it’s a brilliant lens. Our lockdowns finally end this Friday, so I can’t wait to get out and use it a LOT more! I love Hong Kong, and have visited a few times over the years. 👍🦘🇦🇺
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO Keep us posted on your great landscape photos!
@@cheungching9430 I will! 😃
Thanks Pete, very timely review. I ordered the EF 100-400mm L series lens in June (Australia) and now I hear it won't be available until 2022 due to world shortage. RF 100-400mm available today and ordered (refund on the EF). Can't wait. Cheers.
Oh wow - really? I guess it’s no surprise at the moment. You won’t regret the RF purchase. Sure, it looks a bit dainty and not as prestigious as the L, but it punches well above its weight. I have no regrets selling my EF L version.
Made my day getting off work and seeing the video was already up! I'm not sure if it was me who you were referring too when you said someone needed the review to help them decide whether they should go for this or the 100-500, but if it was I can disclosure that the first llama shot pretty much sealed the deal for me.
Thanks for the review mate, it was definitely worth wait (a wait, that was very short to begin with). Time to sell my old ef 400 f5.6 I guess.
Yes, mate, it was you I was referring to. And yep, this lens is very bloody good. 😃
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO I'm glad I could act as motivation :p
By the way, how did you get your hands on the lens so fast? It's only just been announced and no-one else have made a review yet.
Nice review thanks. Given the lack of weather sealing, would you use this lens in a trip to Iceland for example?
Thanks, Fabrizio. I would, but I’d bring a shower cap for unexpected showers. I wouldn’t use it in the rain or near salt water spray.
thanks for the great review Pete. been waiting to see a real world one on this lens since it was announced. How does image sharpness compare to the EF100-400, particularly at the long end? I'm tossing up between the two, but something tells me that for the low price (comparably), this simply cant be better that the proven EF L version? am I wrong? #very curious?
No, you’re absolutely right, Adrian - this lens will impress even the most cynical amongst us. As an EF 100-400 fan, this lens impresses with its sharpness, AF speed and colour rendition. Buy it. 👍
Thanks heaps for the quick reply mate. May have to make a purchase tomorrow! I think you've sold me!😎
@@adriandivincenzo4663 No problem, Adrian. You’ll love it! I think this lens, like the RF 50 1.8, will be one of the most impressive RF lenses in terms of the price/value equation. 👍
14:40 wow how did you do the globe effect with the drone? I have the air 2s as well but this i don't know
It's called the Tiny Planet effect - just search it here on TH-cam. 🙂
Good review. Thanks!
How are the corners of the images at 100mm and 400mm, pls?
No worries, Gabriel. I didn’t try it at 100mm (my reviews are very non-technical); but the corners at 400mm are excellent.
Thank you very much for this review. That's it. Now i am very hot to become one. 😂😂 . I must wait. In 3 week's i will get once. And sorry for my rubbish English🇩🇪.. 👍👍👍👍📷📷🙏 I shared your Video on our Facebook group Canon eos R and M. 😉
Thanks, Robert - that’s very kind. And your English is good - succinct and to the point, like all good Germans. 👍
I have this coming in the mail tomorrow so I’m watching up on all the reviews. I’m excited for it to arrive. Thanks for the review. I’m not sure what country you are in but those “llamas” look just like my alpacas here in the US. My llama is much bigger and has different ears. Not sure if that differs in different climates.
Good for you! It’s an outstanding lens - I’m sure you’ll love it. I’m in Australia. 👍🇦🇺🦘
im really leaning towards getting this lens for my R6. maybe with a 1.4 teleconverter. how is it holding up to this day? really enjoyed this video, thank you !
specially it being 499 usd at the moment
It’s an outstanding lens, Arturo. I doubt you’ll be anything but impressed.
Hi Peter, loved your video's about the RF 100-400mm, I know you had the EF 100-400mm II before. I am thinking of adding a 100-400 to my lenses, I am a landscape photographer so the aperture is not very important. Can you tell me if there is any noticible difference between the image quality between the RF and EF that can influence my descision. The weight of the EF is not so much of a problem for me. Love to hear your judgement. Thanks in advance!
Thank you, Coos. I’ve found little to no difference between them for image quality. The RF is a stellar lens.
Hey Peter, thanks so much for the informative and enjoyable review, seems like you were the first on the internet to do a real world test! I will be getting rid of my two old cameras/zooms and going with an RP, 2* teleconverter and this rf 100-400 (sure an R5 would be nicer but i can only go so far down this rabbit warrren!). One question for you anyone else here who may know, how do we get our hands on one (best i can be loosely guaranteed from Teds and camaraclix is "late October! Thanks, gav
Thanks, Gavin. I was REALLY lucky to get mine so soon. From what I hear from another subscriber, we both received ours in error. Lucky us - red-faced seller. He told me they called him up and explained that they shouldn’t have released it so soon. Frankly, I don’t understand why they have to hold them; if they’re in stock, they should be able to ship them. I don’t want to say which retailer I bought mine from because they’re embarrassed enough as it is, I think - but it’s a Melbourne business.
BTW, nothing wrong with the RP. Now you’ll have access to all that lovely RF glass! 👍
One of the videos that finally got me to switch to the EOS R (from M50). I remember the time approx. 3 years ago when I bought the M50 - EOS R was super expensive pro camera with even more expensive L lenses... recently I was just curious and found out not only the R price dropped for almost 2/3 but they also introduced affordable lenses; 50 mm 1.8, 16 mm 2.8 and of course this one. It's possible at last (for a mid-income amateur) to enjoy a FF system. (Canon of course as I don't really want to switch to anything else at this moment)
Good for you, Jakub - and thank you for watching. 👍
I like this video very much. I have a new Canon R7 on order and have been contemplating this new 100-400 as well as the 18-150 that the camera comes with. I'm happy to settle on that after seeing this video along with others. P.S. I know that nobody loves a smart-arse but I think those Llamas are, in fact, Alpacas !
Thank you, William. The 100-400 on the new R7 will be incredible. All that reach & crispness in such a compact design; paired with the R7’s sensor, make them the perfect pair. Alpacas - of course! I always get those two mixed up! Thanks, mate. 👍
Would you recommend it for airplane photography?
And I am considering buying a 70 200 f2.8, so what do you think?
I am actually waiting for tamron or sigma to release a version by the end of 2022 because the canon's version is way too expensive
I’d want more reach than 200mm for airplanes (unless you can get pretty close) - but yes, the RF 100-400 would do just fine shooting aircraft. It focuses nice and fast, the stabilisation is excellent, and the sharpness is really impressive.
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO then I am definitely getting it, but concerning the 70 200 f2.8, I need for everyday stuff as it is very versatile. Therefore, I will wait until third party lenses come out
@@rayyan5547 I own the 70-200 F4, and it’s REALLY good. If you can live without 2.8, the F4 is the one to get. It’s so compact, yet every inch an L lens.
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO it gonna be fpr portraits and indoor shooting so I guess the f2.8 is a deal breaker for me. I guess I will wait for the tamron to introduce an RF 70 200 f2.8 at a $1300 price point. Not to mention that their ef version is already phenomenal
@@rayyan5547 Fair enough - makes sense. 👍
I need help deciding… I previously had the EF 70-200 F4 which I loved dearly until I got the 2.8 jones and upgraded to the EF Mark II, 2.8. I still have that lens, but I do not carry it with me on the street any longer. It’s just too big and bulky, and the rest of my kit are heavy Zeiss primes. I still have a 5D4, but also in the R family due to easy manual focusing with mf primes.
I purchased the 70-200 RF f4, but was unimpressed. Maybe I was being harsh so I ordered myself a RF 100-400 a few days ago thinking that at least I have the excitement of some more range, assuming the IQ is similar and I can live with the loss of nearly one stop. I guess my real question is how those two lenses would compare.
Like the RF 70-200, its 100-400 sibling impresses with its compact form, light weight, and rapid focus - whilst ALSO delivering exceptional IQ. Not Zeiss prime IQ, but bloody impressive in light of its other qualities. It’s easy for us to forget that exceptional images owe their greatness to composition, subject matter, and lighting. Ultimate sharpness and technical IQ barely rate.
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO I shot all 3 side by side. The EF 2.8 is solid, but the RFs tied themselves. I had some very hard times with unresponsive af with the 100-400. I also realized the 70-200 isn’t a great range. It’s either at 70, 135 or 180-200 wishing for more.
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO agree and more. Great lenses add spark. I’m ALL about composition and light, but also big prints for galleries. I regularly print 30x40 or much larger. Some of my best images sort of fall apart due to bad situations that gave a split second of opportunity; hurts me more than anyone else.
It's weight vs quality. The pictures provided looks soft. It would be interesting to compare images side by side this lens vs RF100-500 L lens. I know that EF lenses on R body are not perform well as RF lenses.
I have the RF 100-500L, and it’s no sharper than than this lens - not noticeably so. The images you see in this video are pin sharp, but you’re looking at them in a video on TH-cam with its unavoidable compression.
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO Thanks for your response! I just purchased R6 with RF24-105 f4 L lens and looking for telephoto RF lens for longer range. I may give this lens a try for its weight benefit.
@@lenf3641 It'll be brilliant with the R6 (which I also owned). It's definitely one of the best value lenses in the RF lineup.
Quick question canon ef 300mm f4 is usm or this lens ?
For that, I’d have to be able to read minds. Besides, they’re very different lenses with equally different use cases.
The only thing that makes this lens a non L is the weather sealing and the slower aperture than the 100-500 rf. Image quality is almost identical for 1/4 of the price
I agree - I haven’t tried the RF 100-500, but the IQ of this lens stands tall against the EF 100-400 II.
Should I buy this for street photography?
I don't know, but it's probably on the long side, and might not be fast/bright enough for that.
canon RF 16mm 2.8 please!!!!
I’m tempted… but no. I have enough lenses, now, so I expect my career as a lens reviewer will be short lived!
Looks like a great lens. Thanks for sharing, Peter! Hope your leg is getting better soon. But the filming from the top of your car is impressive. Not sure if it was worth an injured leg though :-)
Thanks, Hans. No - it probably wasn’t. 😄
"Bucket of offcuts at a jewish ritual" Omg haha first time I've heard that one 😂. Does look like very nice sharp lens, perfect for landscape photography and longer walks. Good comparative shots mate, pretty impressed with the macro shots.
At last - someone mentioned foreskins! The macro shots stunned me. This thing is very good. 😂
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO My ears 'pricked' up when I heard you say that (pun intended) haha. Good video mate. I need to get a car like that too where I can perch myself on top of it, would come in handy. Do you rate the Pajero?
@@RauriBarron The Pajero is bulletproof, gutsy, and very capable off (and on) road. I paid $38k for mine, but can now sell it for at least $10k more than that - such is the demand for them on the used car market. I give it a 9 out of 10. 👍
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO Awesome that's impressive - thanks for sharing Peter.
will you be able to show some birds photography with this lense I'm looking to buy one
Hi Ahmed. I'm not an experienced bird or wildlife photographer (I like my subjects to sit still), but I'll give it a go in my backyard over the next few days and see if I can put a video together.
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO thanks a lot looking forward
Ahmed - I went out this afternoon just for you and took a few hundred photos and a few videos of birds with the RF 100-400. Make sure you're subscribed and click the bell so you get notified when I upload the video. 👍
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO im waiting for the video. I was thinking between tamron 150-600mm g2 lense and rf 100-400 if rf lense do thr job better with this reach I would by this amd its half the price compared to tamron 150-600mm g2
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO and plz do mentioned the camera settings. Im having focus issue with my eos r using rf 75-300mm telephoto zoom lense using servo focus mode on birds.
It’s another technical wonder from Canon that I will never ever buy.
There’s something magical about the older L lenses, I tell you.
I can compare, say; the 17-40 F4 L which is an old imperfect design against modern super lenses and find the difference to be astonishing. It’s clearly evident even on the back screen.
The new lenses are clinical and flat. Oh, I’m sure they’re technically far superior but we are not robots or computers. The old imperfect film era L lenses produce far more “alive” images. Their flaws give them character.
There can be no comparison.
You make a very good point, Ian. Perfection isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Good but wish there was some more technical description of the lens.
I don't do technical reviews. I suggest visiting Gordon Lang for those: th-cam.com/video/6bNX9FnRO3g/w-d-xo.html
I shoot birds in flight as often as I can, and jagging killer shots of small fast moving birds, swifts and martins, are my personal challenge. I also compete 20x per year and have done well in comps with bif shots, and dragonflies in flight shots.
As a rule, I stop my 100-400L ii down to F8 - F10 to;
a) achieve the 'look', ie dof I want - I want more of the subject in focus, and,
b) give the af a fighting chance, even on my R5. These small fast moving objects often mean very slightly missed focus, and F10 can make an acceptable competition winning shot even if not exactly focussed on the eye.
Im a stronger than average male, and even I find it hard to hold the 100-400L ii up to my eye for a few mins towards the end of the day. Waiting of a bird to take of has also jagged some killer images. The RF 100-400 is 635g vs the EF 100-400 L II is 1640g, plus control ring adapter of 130g.
I know which lens I would rather be carrying on my weekly 10kms walks in the bush, or holding up for several minutes, dead still.
Lots of people in both camera clubs I belong to are going to want to have this lens, and these are competition based clubs. One club I belong to supplies half the judges in my city, and the standard is very high. And many of the members are not strong enough to swing a ef100-400L ii even for a couple of hours. They will love this lens.
Yes, I shoot small fast moving critters @ 2500 to 5000th sec, and at high iso. Thus, I have learnt to denoise effectively. My very first comp winning bif shot was on a 5d3 @ iso 6400, and yes, I denoised it perfectly.
Everyone should learn how to denoise - their photography options will expand enormously.
Nor - this is one of the most valuable insights on the whole long/fast/heavy lens conundrum I’ve ever read. It’s so good to get the perspective of someone who clearly knows their subject. Thank you for taking the time to offer it. 👍
Canon are silly making people wait -if I could have ordered this lens 2 weeks ago I probably would have, instead I bought some else now I have less need for this lens, and yes I am in the lockdown capital of the world too (which gives us time to browse the internet).
Totally agree, Lisa. I guess they’re trying to ensure reasonable stock levels across the globe before they release them. Or perhaps they’re using scarcity to drive demand. I dunno, but if you’ve ordered one and you know they have them, it sucks.
Rarely sleep and in lockdown, yes l live on youtube LoL. This is what l was hoping and expecting to hear about this lens. As l have the 24/105 f4 l hoping to get away with this lens and not have to get the 70/200 f4. Stats wise the lens is only 90gm heavier than the 14/35 f4 so yes it lighter than 70/200 so it should do me well as a walk around lens, looking forward to it, thanks for early review Peter.
LOL. I’m really impressed with this lens, and I know it’s going to make a lot of R-series buyers very happy. The images and video shot through this lens are hard to fault. The 24-105 and this 100-400 make a brilliant pair.
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO Am glad to hear that for one it was a gutsy move for you to sell the EF before purchasing this lens and it perfect to have a lens go out to 400mm weighing 635gm in fact it ridiculous and with a 1.4 extender you can go further at f11 which is the same as the 600 and 800 primes. Cannot lose unless you need more light of course.
@@isotechimages.9130 A great bit of advice I received 30 years ago: "Don't get hung up on making the 'right decision'. Instead, make a decision, and then 'make it right'." I figured if this lens was crap, I'd go all out and buy the 100-500! I'm glad I don't need to. 😃
@@PETERFRITZPHOTO Fortunately the lens is priced low enough that yes you could easily offload it and not lose too much but l am glad it gets your approval as l was never in the market for the 100/500 so this should meet my needs also as it for Landscapes and a bit of walk around wildlife as l have the big Tamron 150/600 for serious wildlife but it a tripod job due to weight.