CANON RF 100-500MM F4.5-7.1L IS USM

Stealing a lead over Nikon, Canon beats its rival across the line with a native super-tele zoom for its mirrorless full-frame cameras

Picking up the baton from the popular EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, this is the RF equivalent for Canon’s R-series cameras. It stretches 100mm further into super-tele territory, boasting 500mm maximum reach, but at the expense of a two-thirds of an f/stop reduction in aperture rating.

But if 500mm still doesn’t go the distance, the lens is compatible with Canon’s RF-mount 1.4x and 2.0x tele-converters or ‘extenders’, naturally with a further one or two f/stop narrowing of aperture.

The premium optical path includes no less than six UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) elements, plus a Super UD element, along with high-tech ASC (Air Sphere Coating). The combination aims to deliver excellent sharpness and contrast with minimal ghosting and flare. Everything is wrapped up in a sturdy barrel with a white finish, which is favoured by Canon for its big lenses to reduce the build-up of heat when shooting in hot, sunny weather. Typical of most L-series lenses, the build quality is tough and sturdy, and it features extensive weather seals.

Further useful features include a Dual Nano USM autofocus system, which is blazingly fast yet virtually silent, while also enabling smooth focus transitions when shooting video. There’s also a 5-stop optical image stabiliser with three operating modes. In addition to the usual static and panning modes, the third mode only applies stabilisation during actual exposures. This makes it easier to track erratically moving objects in the viewfinder or on the rear screen of the camera.

The performance of both autofocus and stabilisation is enhanced when using Canon’s EOS R5 and R6 cameras, which feature AI-based tracking for people and animals, and in-body stabilisation. Handling finery includes an adjustable friction damper for the zoom ring and a customisable control ring. Image quality is excellent in all respects.

The smallest and lightest lens on test

BARELY MORE THAN HALF THE WEIGHT OF THE SIGMA LENS ON TEST, THE CANON IS EASILY MANAGEABLE YET WELL-BUILT AND FEATURE-RICH