Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM: A Review for Nature and Wildlife Photography

The Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is a versatile telephoto zoom lens that is well-suited for nature and wildlife photography, typically tailored for amateur or beginner photographers. It offers a wide focal range, from 100mm to 400mm, which allows you to photograph a variety of subjects, from close-up portraits of birds to distant landscapes. The lens is also relatively lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around in the field.

At an average price point of a $1,000, it is budget-friendly enough for entry wildlife and nature photographers to get their hands dirty with learning the ropes of the craft.

Key Features

• Wide focal range: The 100-400mm focal range is ideal for nature and wildlife photography, as it allows you to photograph a variety of subjects at different distances.

  Also, at a minimum focusing distance of about 0.8 meters, it does come in handy for close up shots of animals like insects and birds

• Lightweight and compact: The RF 100-400mm is one of the lightest and most compact telephoto zoom lenses on the market, making it easy to carry around in the field. At 635 grams, it sure is easy to pack and not weigh you down when on the move.
• Optical image stabilization (OIS): The built-in OIS helps to reduce camera shake, which is essential for sharp images at slow shutter speeds.
• Fast autofocus: The autofocus system is fast and accurate, even in low light conditions.

Sample Photos

See sample photos at the end of the article, all shot with the Canon RP RF 100-400mm lens

Drawbacks

• No Weather sealing: The lens is NOT weather-sealed to protect it from dust and moisture, making it suitable for use in challenging conditions.
• Slow aperture: The lens has a relatively slow aperture of f/5.6-8, which can limit your ability to isolate your subject in low light conditions.
• No lens hood included: The lens does not come with a lens hood included, which is an essential accessory for protecting the lens from flare.

Overall, the Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is a great lens for nature and wildlife photography. It offers a wide focal range, is lightweight and compact, and has fast autofocus. However, the slow aperture can be a limitation in low light conditions, and lack of weather sealing means not tailored for rugged environments. and the lack of a lens hood is a minor drawback

Tips for Using the RF 100-400mm for Nature and Wildlife Photography

• Use the OIS to your advantage. The OIS system on the RF 100-400mm is very effective at reducing camera shake, which allows you to shoot at slower shutter speeds without blurring your images. This is especially helpful in low light conditions or when shooting handheld.
• Use the fast autofocus to track moving subjects. The autofocus system on the RF 100-400mm is very fast and accurate, even in low light conditions. This makes it easy to track moving subjects, such as birds in flight or animals running through the forest.
• Use the long focal length to compress perspective. The 400mm focal length of the RF 100-400mm allows you to compress perspective, which can create a sense of depth in your images. This is especially useful for landscape photography, where you can use the lens to make distant mountains appear closer.
• Use a tripod for maximum stability. When shooting with a telephoto lens, it is important to use a tripod to ensure maximum stability. This is especially important when shooting in low light conditions or at slow shutter speeds.

Conclusion

The Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is a great lens for nature and wildlife photography. It offers a wide focal range, is lightweight and compact, and has fast autofocus and weather sealing. While the slow aperture can be a limitation in low light conditions, the lens is still a great value for the price.