Wildlife Photography on a Budget: A Lens That Punches Above Its Weight! Long Term Review -RF 100-400

[@elaineorzechowski5873]

Just wanted to say how much I like the music in your videos - you've definitely turned me on to Justin LaPoint!

[@WILDALASKA]

Happy to hear that!

[@jereXIX]

I absolute love that lens. I use it with the R7 and it's been a great way to get into wildlife photography. Also, more Justin LaPoint music is always a good thing!

[@WILDALASKA]

Agree. Justin is so good and fits this environment

[@robertbrown6060]

I agree with your comments about this lens. I bought it to take on holiday with me in combination with the R7. I bought a cheap lens hood too, which is a must for this lens in my opinion. I have taken it to Greece and Spain and taken some fabulous photos and with the reach of 640 mm it can be used for small birds too. It’s remarkable light weight in hot weather is a boost too. Add that to the price and this lens is a real win, win in my book. I’m really glad that you have taken the time to highlight the lens, plus it’s a great combo for anyone starting out too.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@Gianni_Martino_Photography]

Awesome lens! I really enjoyed using it. I upgraded to the 100-500 last year, and love that too! However, sometimes I miss the weight of the 100-400

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks for sharing!

[@NatStateWildlifePhotography]

Great video and it just helps reinforce that what I use is still fine, and bat away the FOMO a little longer. I'm using the R8 with the RF 100 to 400, and it has been really great for me. This year was my rookie year stepping into wildlife photography and this lens has been excellent from the start.

[@WILDALASKA]

Keep running that shutter

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Great video! Thanks for showing how to get into wildlife photography on a budget with modern mirrorless cameras instead of purchasing used DSLRs.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnclark9499]

A great review of a great lens Scott, I agree with everything you say about it. I took the same R7 & RF 100-400 combo to Australia for 6 weeks last year and got some great results. Ideal set up if you want to travel light, photographically speaking. Also got the JJC lens hood, absolute bargain (here in the UK) compared to the Canon version. Keep up the good work and thanks again. Best wishes.

[@WILDALASKA]

Good stuff!

[@Terrytheartist]

A super video and some cracking photos Scott, I use the same combo with the 1.4 tc on for aviation photography and even at f11 the quality is superb, and with the equivalent of 896mm it’s made for the job! with just the lens on its own for wildlife it doesn’t disappoint at all, the light weight is unbelievable for an oldie of 71 with shoulder and wrist issues, one of the best combos out there even if bought from new 👍📷✈️🦅 I just wanted to add that the lens control ring is spot on for easy use unlike the 100-500 👍

[@WILDALASKA]

Agree completely

[@mrc2437]

Great video and beautiful shots! This is my first lens paired with an R7 and I am loving it so far.

[@WILDALASKA]

Great to hear!

[@dasaen]

Love these lenses. I am a long time m43 shooter and these are the lenses that make me want to switch. Size and price being prioritized, and making them compatible with the teleconverters. The stop of lights doesn’t bother me as much with canon’s high iso performance. Great pictures too, thanks for sharing.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks! Glad you like the pictures.

[@JonnyPink65]

Beautiful images. I think many underestimate the inexpensive lenses from Canon. I recommend this one all the the time as well when pared with the R7 or even the R50 - not as much control but the AF is better in my use. My favorite focal length is about 800mm but many times I dont want to take the 600 with the 1.4 due to the distance and weight - I actually grab the 800 F11 and just drag the shutter as much as possible using it on my R3 (dont care for the R5II and trying to get rid of it.). The R7, except for those of us that have and use it constantly, is also an underrated beast. Canon has an amazing line up all the way around. still prefer my hummingbirds over the bears - they attack but cant eat me!!! And you are correct - NO set up is perfect - everything has limitations we work with or around. 🤗

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@MrAppoline]

Great review. I bought this a while ago to complement my EF 100-400 II I was using with the R7. Much lighter, fits in a waist bag so I can carry when cycling and not notice it. Image quality is great and also good for video, as you point out. The slower apertures can be an advantage for video; often no need for an ND filter for me. Much is made of the OM-1 and zooms as low weight/cost vs full-frame alternatives, but I am not aware of any similar combination of cost, size, weight and results of the R7 + RF 100-400. When you know the limitations and how to work around them, great results are possible. A friend uses this combination far more often than I and does just this. I wonder if Canon (or Sigma) will release an RF-S version that is weather sealed and either smaller or preferably faster so it takes advantage of the APS-C size differential. I should think that would be very popular with wildlife photographers. Aside from this, the video footage and music are a joy to watch. Producing video is a lot more time consuming than the photos (at least for me). Well done!

[@WILDALASKA]

Grats on the new lens

[@davidsherman3462]

Love those otters!!

[@WILDALASKA]

🦦💕

[@nathanrobinsonphotography410]

Another solid video! Thanks 🙏

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad you liked it!

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

I recently used this lens for details of landscapes. I have used it at least once for birding. Not the longest for that, but good enough if your subject is close up or fairly large. It's much easier to pack and carry than the 100-500. I'm pretty happy with it. Speaking of landscapes: you live in such beautiful country. You should consider some landscape photography occasionally.

[@WILDALASKA]

I do landscape from time to time and used to do it a lot more. It's such a different process of stacking, editing etc. I always take landscapes but I don't get to editing them as much just due to the channel and portfolio wildlife work. Time is such a crippler lol

[@darrendavidsonoutdoors]

Awesome! Glad to hear this cause I'm looking at this setup as a Christmas gift from me to me this year. I was into photography a lot years ago in the 35mm days and then strayed away from it for awhile and then been dabbling into some videography but lately been telling myself; quit fooling around and go back to your roots and love of photography and get another decent camera. But at the same time I'm on a budget so this is the set up I've been falling for the past year.

[@WILDALASKA]

Good choice. It's what I suggested to Don when he was getting back into photography. Its a great combo to get good shots and inexpensive as far as camera gear

[@brucegraner5901]

Really nice review and opening pan of the birds coming to shore. Also, it was great to see your otter images. We have a few otters on the gulf coast, living in brackish waters but they are VERY shy most of the time. I put a high premium on light-weight gear and I'm looking forward to seeing what Canon can do with a R7 Mk2.

[@WILDALASKA]

thanks

[@canadakaren1131]

This is my current rig for wildlife. Here in Canada the lens itself on sale is $800! Still considered ‘cheap’ in the scope of lenses. I would love to get that extra reach with the 200-800mm but here it is $2600, so three times the price of the 100-400 and 4 times the weight. At this point in my photography journey I had to go with weight and price and I’m glad I did. Very happy with my choice.

[@CJC051]

if you can grab a RF2x teleconverter ,it works good with that lens.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@tylahmeunier7563]

I just did exactly what you want!!! I had the 100-400 and just got the 200-800!! Great lens but definitely on the heavy side compared to the 100-400

[@josephnash3015]

I just got one for my R7 as well. I travel abroad occasionally, and I won’t have to worry about bringing my old 100-400 L mk1 anymore.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@drummerg3331]

Nice review and great pics! I wish Canon would come out with a proper RF 100-400 4.5-5.6 L version though, which is why I went with the EF version. There’s no reason Canon shouldn’t have an L version yet.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@Camedia74]

Really love your videos! One question - am deciding between this and the RF 100-500. Obviously many differences but would love to know if you think the IQ is actually better on the 100-500? Some people said not at close focal length but further out the 100-500 is better. But is it noticeable?

[@WILDALASKA]

IQ is about the same. Little more contrast and T value on the 100-500. There's not enough difference to put them side by side for most folks to be able to tell the difference.

[@stephenthompson1998]

R7 with this lens and 1.4 converter great combo

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@miketramble1442]

Thanks for all the videos you do. Great stuff. Im kinda just gettin started and I have an r8. I cant decide whether this 100 to 400 or the 70 to 200 would be best. Where i live its mostly birds and deer in the 50 yard and closer range. Would the f4 be noticeably better than an f5.6?

[@WILDALASKA]

the 400mm will be better for any wildlife vs the 200

[@miketramble1442]

@WILDALASKA awesome. Thank you!

[@johnhudson666]

Hi Scott I use this lens with a Canon R50 and 1.4 converter. This gives me a focal length equivalent from 225 - 895mm at F11 and only weighs 1.3kg. I use the Canon R50 with a bcg grip. The autofocus in the R50 is newer and better than the R7 and R10. You can get the whole set-up for around 1800 dollars and it works really well.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks for the info

[@Don8789]

I started out doing photography since february. I got a R10 and a used RF100-400. Mainly used it for wildlife and motorcycle racing. Absolutely great lens considering the price point. Super light weight, great for hiking, easily packs away for (airplane) travelling. I did find myself struggling sometimes with the aperture and I was cropping a lot for wildlife (mostly small birds). I learned so much with it and I now bought a RF200-800 a couple weeks ago. Did not have a single regret buying the RF100-400, shot atleast 50k photos with it😅.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks for sharing!

[@hakodatebirding]

I use a similarly cheap lens on my R5; the RF 600 f/11. It is a great walkabout lens for the price.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@Nitro5454]

Great video Scott. What is that eye looking thing mounted on the hot shoe? I,ve had the 100-400 lens now for a coiple of years. great hiking lens. I just got the new 200-800 lens to replace my f11 800.

[@WILDALASKA]

Insta 360 go 3s

[@Kellysher]

I must admit I’m getting too old to lay down (and get backup) easily, but I still kneel and sit to get low. You may have mentioned this is other videos. What is the hardware you have attached that brings the viewfinder up when you were shooting the sandpipers?

[@WILDALASKA]

Atomos Ninja amzn.to/4fRdTv3

[@AlanHollowedPhotography]

Incredible shots, you get better images with your setup here than I do with my R5 and RF 100-500mm 🤣 that may be a me issue though 😂

[@WILDALASKA]

We have talked a lot about that this weekend with friends at dinner about getting good shots and the thing we come back to is experimentation and practice practice practice to learn how to get 'that' shot. and thanks for the kind words

[@debrapeasley2606]

I have that lens and need one for wildlife photography that's better in really low light-What lens would you recommend?

[@WILDALASKA]

for really low light the only thing is the 300,400 f/2.8's or the 500,600 f/4's

[@Kellysher]

Boy, I’d like to see more content on using the 100-500 and “find a way” to get more light! I find it difficult to get shutter below 800. Especially for early morning shooting. I shoot mostly birds, the size of sparrows up to cardinal size. I must be really unstable. I tuck elbows and mash viewfinder to my eyebrow. I find the really high iso images just too low quality even with denoise. I shoot electronic shutter and at 7.1 in blue and golden hour.Winters in OH are pretty grey. If there are better camera settings to maximize the situation, let me know. I’m trying to get more adept at using a monopod, but I really don’t like carrying it. Any advice on how to get more keepers is appreciated!

[@WILDALASKA]

You just hav ego find that sweet spot for trade off. I get down to 1/250 at times with finches and sparrows, but im going to get wing blur. 1/1250 is aurally min for not getting wing blur. so you just have to shove that ISO and know that low light is gonna kick you. And I prefer the 200-800 over the 100-500 for shooting personally is why you don't see many 100-500 videos unless its a comparison video really.

[@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker]

Scott I am great beleiver in lens hoods and therefore wondered when shooting video do you use fixed ND filters with this lens.

[@WILDALASKA]

Not with the long lenses.

[@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker]

@@WILDALASKA Do you just control with the ISO and apurture then.

[@WILDALASKA]

Yes. I set my shutter and just adjust iso and aperture to expose the scene. With my wide lenses for talking head stuff I use a black mist variable nd

[@jamesscharnitz7640]

I miss my R7 and 100-400 setup. Not that I don’t love what I use now but I do wish I had both

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@rickwojcik7983]

I have been using this rig for about 6 months mostly for photos. Handheld, when I use the video at max 400mm(640) I get more shake than I like. Do you use the image stabilizer mode for video (red menu tab 6)? Also, I notice this camera lens combo is happiest with lots of good light. I realy improved my experience with the camera with your auto focus settings in your 2 videos....thank you!

[@WILDALASKA]

Same as the settings I have in the setup video. You have to make sure the IS os on.

[@bobjohnson9597]

What's your recommendation for Nikon? Mine is the new Z50ii APSC camera.

[@WILDALASKA]

For starter or budget lens? the 28-400 or for a little more money the 180-600

[@nevmedeiros1822]

Does the 1.4 TC work well with the R7 100-400 set up or is it not worth it?

[@WILDALASKA]

very

[@GinoFoto]

Stunning for hiking, outdoor sports, and travel photography, its autofocus can best be described as instant. However, for wildlife without a tent, it feels rather short-at least for me. On APS-C, it was fine though. The image stabilization is exceptional; I was able to capture super sharp photos of a cat with the R10 at a 640mm equivalent at 1/15 second shutter speed. Overall, while it is not as crisp, contrasty, or special in rendering as the EF 100-400mm II L IS USM (I directly compared these two), it is still a great lens for APS-C and even better for full-frame cameras.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@drmathochist06]

I've even gotten great results with a 2x extender on an R7. Truly the best wildlife lens if you need to pack extra-light.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@GremHopkins]

oh my god, those sea cats are so chilling

[@WILDALASKA]

🦦

[@johnr75]

I started with this lens, and it still lives on my R7 - as to the bokeh - I have a different take on it than most folks I guess, it can look good when it's done right, but personally I actually prefer a deeper depth of field (for most of what I do) - I use this for handheld BIFs mostly.

[@WILDALASKA]

Very much so. Shoot for what you like or what the image may need. Exaple from this week is we had a hawk owl on a post with mountains behind it, sow e were trying to get a larger stop to get the mountains but of course the owl buggered off before we got it dialed in.

[@JeffandLeslie]

I got the EOS R10 and the RF 100-400 for my wife. It is a really good combo. I shoot the R7 and 100-500 and, honestly, if I shot images with the 100-400 and the 100-500 in decent light, I would challenge anyone to tell me which lens capture the image with more than a 50/50 guess probability.

[@WILDALASKA]

Agree and thanks for sharing

[@bigboi36]

Why did I get the feeling that you were so relaxed at the water’s edge that you didn’t want to leave 😅

[@WILDALASKA]

If it wasn't freezing from the wind and the surf spray, I would have stayed for hours

[@terrillcockeram8472]

I would have gotten the RF 100-400mm when I bought my R10. But i already had the Sigma 150-600mm contemporary for my dslr.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@debrapeasley2606]

Can you use the Sigma lens on the Canon R10?

[@terrillcockeram8472]

@debrapeasley2606 yes you can. You just need to buy the EF to RF adapter for it. And get the doc to make shure you have the latest firmware.

[@rawbsworld6604]

🤔 👍

[@WILDALASKA]

👍