Lenses are getting more compact while able to cover more, and a good example of that is the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS presented here at ProVideo Coalition recently. A compact and lightweight solution, with 197.2mm and 1135g, the lens offers, at $949, an affordable solution for users of for L-Mount and Sony E-mount cameras.
This is were Canon enters. Previous rumors pointed to a RF 100-400mm f/7.1-11 IS STM, which is very much in tune with Sigma’s offer, but the list of lenses announced by Canon does not show it, and only includes a zoom, the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM, which is a L-series lens and will come with price accordingly: $2,699. It costs slightly more than the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, which has been the company’s reference zoom for a long time, for DSLRs, costed at launch.
The RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is not comparable to Sigma’s offer, but it’s an interesting lens because it represents a departure from the usual 100-400mm used by Canon, and opens the door for a new series of lenses, where slow apertures are the rule. Yes, this new lens has 100mm more than the 100-400, but it also goes from F5.6 to F7.1, a clear indication that Canon believes high ISO and modern technology will allow for a bolder lens design.
The RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is designed for the same type of users: enthusiasts and professionals capturing sport, wildlife and aviation, who require a reliable, durable and compact lens. As a long time owner and user of Canon’s 100-400mm, which I use to photograph flowers with near macro results, I would love to try the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM, for its 100mm extra, plus the 6- stop IS it offers when paired with the EOS R5 and R6.
Remember that the Sigma offers 800mm with a 2x converter? Well Canon also designed two converters that are compatible with the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM. The EXTENDER RF 1.4x and EXTENDER RF 2x transform the lens into a 140-720mm and a 200-1000mm, respectively. There is a compromise, though: zoom range is limited to 300 to 500mm when the extender is connected to prevent the lens’s rear elements from hitting those of the extender. This means you’ll loose close to 150mm and 100mm respectively, but the bonus is you get extra reach, what’s the idea when using a converter.
Apparently, autofocus will keep working with the converters attached, which is good news, although Canon will have to explain how they did it. Those old enough to have used SLRs will know everything about using duct tape to fool Canon’s long zooms and primes to focus – more or less – with converters, when the aperture was beyond what the system could – officially – manage. Not a good solution for moving subjects, but a trick that bird photographers used to help focusing on static birds.
With the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Canon enters the realm of the long zooms, which, one must say, are not a direct result of mirrorless cameras. Anyone familiar with Sigma’s catalog knows the company has built a range of lenses for DSLRs going beyond what’s common: the 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM, a 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S – which the company calls “the absolute all-rounder” -, and in the 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM in Sports and Contemporary versions. And don’t forget the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 APO EX DG, which transforms into a 400-1000mm F5.6 and costs… $25,999.00.
One other lens that can be added to this list is the new Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD, for APS-C DSLRs from Canon and Nikon, and mirrorless models, with an adapter. The lens, presented as the world’s first 22.2x ultra-telephoto all-in-one zoom, offers, in fact, a 620mm telephoto equivalent to 35mm, due to the crop sensor. The Tamron 18-400mm is also a good “macro” lens, offering a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.9. Compact, with 123.9mm, and lightweight, at 710 g (Canon version), the lens is another example of what technology allows… and not only for mirrorless cameras.
Catadioptric designs were the way to go if you wanted to travel light and still have a long reach, but things are changing now, as Canon introduces its new lenses: the RF 600mm F11 IS STM and RF 800mm F11 IS STM, which are said to autofocus well at the fixed aperture. What’s more, both lenses accept the new RF extenders, meaning the lenses can reach an incredible 1200mm (RF 600mm F11 IS STM) and an extreme 1600mm (RF 800mm F11 IS STM) optical focal length. And still autofocus, says Canon. The 600mm will cost “only” $699, while the 800mm is priced at $899.
AF systems in the past would not work beyond F5.6, with top cameras, like Canon’s EOS 1, being able to use F8, although some limitations may apply, depending on model. An aperture of F8 continues to be the reference (mirrorless seem to not abide completely by the rule), but it’s apparently going to be shattered as the new designs from Canon suggest… and we’ve seen already with the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS, which uses AF when paired with a 2X converter that turns the aperture into a dark F12.6!
There is a price to pay, though: minimum focusing distance of 4.5m (RF 600mm F11 IS STM) and 6m (RF 800mm F11 IS STM) clearly shows Canon had to compromise to reach long focal lenghts in an affordable and lightweight package. Still, the fact that these lenses can work with extenders and still retain AF is an important point to consider. From where I see it, there might be a public for these lenses, although no one should expect the versatility of the classic 100-400mm in terms of background separation and close focusing distance at 400mm.
According to Canon, “both lenses are equipped with an optical Image Stabilizer and also support Dual Pixel CMOS AF when paired with a Canon EOS R System mirrorless camera. This combination of features allows these super-telephoto lenses to deliver pin-sharp images – even when shooting without a tripod or monopod – as motion blur caused by camera shake is drastically reduced.”
STM technology offers extremely quiet and perfectly smooth focusing – excellent for video recording, as the lens operation noise is kept at a minimum. If the whole system works as suggested, these can be added to any videographers toolkit for capturing wildlife images… in good light conditions. Everything else seems to be present: the Lens Control Ring on both the RF 600mm F11 IS STM and RF 800mm F11 IS STM gives direct and speedy control over Tv/exposure compensation/ISO/AF operation settings.
High ISO will be a must at F11
The lens’ fixed aperture also provides, says Canon, a perfectly circular bokeh and their large focal length enables photographers to blur the background sufficiently when photographing subjects in the distance – an excellent charcteristic for animal portraits as subjects stand out more. Only a field test will show the results that can be achieved, but these two lenses, also because of their fixed aperture, sound very much like offering a modern day solution to what Minolta’s catadioptric lenses offered in the past: a lightweight solution with AF capability.
Canon
I am not sure fast moving aircraft will be the best subject to capture with these 600 and 800mm F11 telephotos, and from my experience shooting aerobatics and festivals I would not leave at home my trusty Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, which has been my go to lens for, let me say this again, wildlife, aviation, landscape and… flowers. The new RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM… yes, I believe it will work, but only with very good light conditions the F11 in these two fixed focals will be enough, if you want to keep your files as much free of noise as possible. Being old school, I love to keep to 100 ISO as much as possible, so these are hardly my first choice as traveling lenses or for much of the photography I do. But I am willing to be proven wrong if Canon lets me test the new 600 and 800mm with a mirrorless EOS R5 or EOS R6 body…