A telephoto lens is one of the most important lenses you can own if you’re interested in photographing distant subjects. Whether it’s for wildlife, sporting events or even candid shots of people, a telephoto lens will get you closer to the action and help you capture that special moment.
The best telephoto lenses cater to a wide range of needs and budgets, with relatively small, compact zoom right up to powerful super-telephoto models that offer the longest focal lengths in a single lens. Choosing the perfect telephoto lens is all about how close you want to get to your subject and what you’re looking for in terms of picture quality.
Canon’s RF 100-400mm F/5.6-8 IS USM is designed for EOS R-series full-frame bodies and makes a great choice if you’re after a slimline, easily manageable overall package. It has a fixed, fast and accurate autofocus motor that helps you focus on the action and avoid blurring when you’re shooting at telephoto settings.
It features a new, more sophisticated optical design that improves image quality thanks to more refined lens coatings and glass elements in a different configuration than the previous model, preventing ghosting and flaring. It also uses fluorine coatings on the front and rear glass elements to repel moisture and make cleaning easier.
Using simulation technology that mimics the way a camera works, Canon is able to optimize the placement of ASC (Air Sphere Coating) lens elements and Super UD and UD lens elements that prevent chromatic aberrations prone to occurring at telephoto focal lengths. The results are impressive, with a vastly improved image quality across the entire zoom range.
Aside from the aforementioned advantages, the new Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is an all-round good-looking lens that has been built to be as light and compact as possible. It’s around 200g lighter than the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM, despite its longer zoom.
It’s also fitted with Canon’s Nano USM autofocus system that’s incredibly fast and effective at tracking subjects as they move through the frame. It’s also fitted with an advanced optical stabilization mechanism that delivers 3-stops of shake correction, making it an excellent choice if you’re shooting action in low-light conditions.
In addition to these benefits, the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is equipped with a number of other features that will impress any photography fan. The first is the new design of the focusing mechanism, which has been optimized for submicron-level precision control of both the central and peripheral lenses.
This is made possible by a combination of core technologies developed for Canon’s flat panel display (FPD) lithographic equipment, which is also used in the focusing mechanisms of Canon’s EOS R-series mirrorless cameras. The algorithm for controlling these large focusing lens groups independently is based on the same core technology that’s used in a TV or smartphone screen.
In addition, the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L USM also comes with a new stepping motor that allows you to change the speed of the AF system without causing it to overheat. This feature helps you capture faster, more detailed images that will stand out in the crowd.