Canon RF100-400 f/5.6-8 - Long-term review for wildlife photography 

You can buy the Canon RF 100-400 f/5.6-8 IS here (affiliate link): bhpho.to/474osGx

I have had this lens for 18 months. As you say excellent for dragonflies and butterflies, especially with the R7. I have used it with 1.5 converter with the R6 and it worked well. Both these setups give good magnification even for smaller insects.

The picture at 10:27 is absolutely fantastic 🎉

I have seen incredibles pictures with this lens and I think is so underrated. with R7 is a super combo. greetings from Chile! 🇨🇱

Auf Reisen hab ich das 100-400 immer dabei und bin begeistert (leicht, schnell, scharf, gut korrigiert)

Interesting! The image @ 10:30 is great!

I use this lens for landscape, streetscape and travel photography. I find it perfect for this use, for its aperture it’s quite limiting for wildlife.

Thanks for the review! I've been looking at this lens because I'm just starting out and want to use some lower cost lenses until I figure out what I like and if I really want to pursue this hobby seriously. I'm hoping it'll show up on canons refurbished sales this holiday season!

I purchased the R7 and rf100-400 as an upgrade to my super zoom (1300 mm!) Bridge camera and a used 70D. The super zoom gave me the reach but lacked IQ , while the 70D ( with a 55-250) lacked the reach but showed what a real camera could do. For the wildlife/bird photography I do, my new combo is most satisfying. Learning the little ins and outs of the R7 auto focusing has been chalenging, but I love the size, weight and quality of the 100-400. I will say some of the (auto) ISO settings due to the f8 are surprising, but the camera seems to hanndle them well and I can hand hold it well enough to toy with lower shutterspeeds. My experience is obviously one of a beginner, but when someone with your knowledge and experience feels the lens is a winner, that $2000 total kit hurts a bit less.... Thanks for your reviews!

Another great review. Thank you :)

It,s also very good for real macro together with a raynox lens. You´ll get macro down to 1,75:1 and more with the R7 and R10, AND with excellent sharpness! Its the perfect lightweight combination för walking around or travel ligtweight for all wildlife- from small ants to elephants. Sometimes i use it instead of my RF100-500 + a macro lens when i just feel for not carry around a load of weight.

Nice to have the review there is not much review on these less expensive lens , I just purchase since its much smaller and will be taking to Africa safari with me ... I have long EF tamron and sigma but the weight was a major factor. thank you for your clear and concise honest review's ( I have the R7)

Nice long term review. I think Canon done well with this lens. It had a fast focus motor, it’s lightweight, offers good zoom focal distance and doesn’t break the bank. But they should sell it with the lens hood and protective pouch/case. Not sure why the 200-800 had a hood but hoping Canon are taking onboard this feedback

The R6 also has 3 dials for setting aperture, ISO and shutter speed

Hi, great video. I was thinking it would be more worth it. I have a Canon R10 and I want a telephoto lens for animals. I automatically thought of the RF 100-400mm. Native and with high focusing speed in addition to the low price (in my case 600 euros). On the other hand, there is the option of the sigma 150-600 contemporary, with a higher price (800 euros) + adapter (70-100 euros). What do you think is more worth it, losing those important mm in bird photography or the focusing speed in addition to perhaps other problems you have for not being Native?

Fabian have you tried using this lens to do butterflies I'm going over to Arizona and I think this would be a great length to do butterflies over there please let me know .

You really cant compare this and the 100-500. The 100-500 is a "professional" grade lens built to a much higher standard with weather sealing etc etc Thw 100-400 os a capable lens for the price but the lace of weather sealing makes it worrying to use in adverse conditions.