10-27-2024 03:03 PM
Hey guys,
I have always wanted a telephoto lens with a big range such as the RF 100-500, RF 100-400, or even RF 200-800 to shoot subjects far away like birds, towers, tree nests, and perhaps the moon. I live in an urban area but sometimes have a chance to travel to places like the sea.
My question is: will the RF 100-500 be suitable for street photography for me? I am interested in some night walks—will the lens image still be sharp at night? Any advice for a hobbyist like me would be appreciated.
Thank you.
10-27-2024 04:56 PM - edited 10-28-2024 12:09 AM
Hi and welcome to the forum:
The performance of a lens also depends on the camera to which it is attached, so what camera and lenses are you currently using?
Furthermore, street photography usually poses different demands to wildlife. For street, one wants to be reasonably circumspect and hefting a large, white lens is not subtle. You may also want much wider focal ranges than those for wildlife. Most street photographers go for compact cameras with very wide-angle, fast lenses such as a 24 or 35mm f/2.8.
So, to give you some flexibility in that respect from 24mm f/4 wide to moderate 240mm f/6.3 tele, I would suggest the RF 24-240 IS USM, that will give you a choice of focal ranges and some telephoto range, is black and has great optical performance.
Alternatively, you could use the RF 24-70 or 24-105 of which there are multiple versions. I don't normally shoot street but there are some sample images with this camera and the RF 24-240:
For animal and moon photography, the longer the focal range the better, and in that respect I would say that an absolute minimum of 400mm is required. I have both the RF 100-500 and 200-800 and shoot with the latter more these days because of the reach. They both have great optical performance, although, being an L lens, the former has better weather sealing and also uniquely has dual nano-USM motors to make it exceptionally fast focusing. I also have taken shots of the moon with the RF 200-800, so some sample images check out the links from the photo gallery on this site: Search - Canon Community
Finally, a shot of the moon with the RF 200-800 I may not have posted:
10-27-2024 07:54 PM - edited 10-27-2024 07:54 PM
A friend of mine photographs a lot of urban/street with the RF100-500, she say's it allows her to capture people from a distance without being noticed. To Trevor's point though she uses a skin to hide big white as much as possible. It is a big lens!
Personally I enjoy the RF24-240mm that Trevor suggested, it's subtle and easy to carry all day but can be challenged by low light or heavy shadows.
R3 ~ R5 ~ R6 Mk II ~ R50
Lenses: RF Trinity and others
Adobe and Topaz Suite for post processing
Personal Gallery
10-27-2024 09:14 PM
Greetings,
I've having a hard time associating the term street photography with the RF 100-500. For street, I'm more of a RF 35mm type. The 24-240 is a great compromise with a broad FL, but may have issues at night.
*24-240mm
f4 up to 27mm
f4.5 until 44mm
f5 up to 70mm
f5.6 up to 109mm
f6.3 between 109 and 240mm
~Rick
Bay Area - CA
~R5 C (1.0.7.1) ~RF Trinity, ~RF 100 Macro, ~RF 100~400, ~RF 100~500, ~RF 200-800 +RF 1.4x TC, BG-R10, 430EX III-RT ~DxO PhotoLab Elite ~DaVinci Resolve Studio ~ImageClass MF644Cdw/MF656Cdw ~Pixel 8 ~CarePaks Are Worth It
10-27-2024 10:44 PM - edited 10-29-2024 02:34 PM
Ha Rick, I was expecting someone to say that! LOL
Yes, convention tends to go with the wider angle gear, as I mentioned, but I recognize some folks don't like to get close and personal when shooting people in the public arena, so they snipe with long lenses.
As always, and I'm getting worn out saying this for every inquiry on gear, we need more data for existing gear list and budget... 🙄
09/26/2024: New firmware updates are available.
EOS R5 Mark II - Version 1.0.1
EOS R6 Mark II - Version 1.5.0
07/01/2024: New firmware updates are available.
04/16/2024: New firmware updates are available.
RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM - Version 1.0.6
RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM - Version 1.0.6
RF600mm F4 L IS USM - Version 1.0.6
RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM - Version 1.0.4
RF1200mm F8 L IS USM - Version 1.0.4
Canon U.S.A Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.