4 ACCEPTED SOLUTIONS
The 100-500 is Canon's longest RF zoom.
Canon will be releasing a 600mm f/4 prime, but that is a $9000 lens in EF mount and it seems that RF mount lens are costing more for equivalent lens.
You can download a trial version of Topaz Sharpen AI and see how that handles your higher ISOs. I have been pleased with what it does with my 1D X III files.
@NancyMac wrote:"Thanks for explaining that to me. Causes a bit of a problem in low light situations. I did have a 2.8 - 70-200 and the 100-300 so I’m bummed out about this? What’s the work around? Just bump up my ISO? Dang! Wish there was another lens option. Any suggestions? Appreciate your help. Nancy"
Hello, Nancy.
I've been using this combo for several months now to shoot birds and wildflowers. The R5 handles higher ISO's amazingly, in fact, I don't notice any noise when shooting in low light. Now, what I consider low light is early morning, late evening, forest canopy, and underbrush. I really like f/7.1 as a starting pont because it allows DOF to be a little better. However, by bumping up my ISO, I can get the lens in its "sweet spot". Since I shoot birds, they generally flit around or are constantly moving their body parts even when perched, so I like to keep my SS in the 1/500th to 1/1000th range. Even then, I can usually keep my ISO below 4000, which isn't a problem at all with the R5, or R6 for that matter. I can also keep my aperture where I want it by adjusting ISO. This is considered unconventional, but it works for me. We were all trained that low ISO is the goal, but the R5, IMHO, is an exception to that rule. I've been using high ISO settings since the 5D mark IV, so I'm used to taking advantage of it and frankly, don't see it as a "workaround" in low light. I've seen some shots on this forum from the people that are using the 1D X mark III with some really outrageous ISO settings, even with their f/2ish primes for sports, and they look really good. I'm sure they denoise to some extent, but the point is, high ISO shouldn't be feared with these newer camers, IMHO. I think if you bump up that ISO you will be happy with the results. This lens is fairly sharp at at f/7 but if you bump up the ISO and get it into the f/8 to f/16 range, it's hard to beat.
This Tufted Titmouse was shot at dusk. EOS R5, RF 100-500, f/7, 1/500th, ISO 4000. No post NR and NR in camer is at its default setting. Edited in DPP 4 and cropped for forum. I was approximately 35 feet away.
Same bird and settings cropped in closer.
Yellow-throated Warbler shot under the same conditions. EOS R5, RF 100-500mm, F/8, 1/500th, ISO 6400 (Note that I raised my ISO to get to f/8). Smaller bird (3"), but same distance. Same post settings (no NR).
Newton
