Photo: Henry Söderlund / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · source
Canon · Budget
A very small RF-S telephoto zoom for Canon APS-C mirrorless bodies, giving a field of view equivalent to 88-336mm on full frame.
Expert pick · Digital Camera World, May 2023
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
For the railfan who shoots from the platform and wants a light kit, this lens adds reach to an EOS R10, R50 or R7 without a big weight penalty: 270 g, a 55mm filter thread, and a body Digital Camera World says fits in the palm of your hand. It covers the range from a train arriving at the platform to one standing at the far end of the station, and its short close-focus distance, 0.73 m at 210mm, also suits details such as couplers, number boards and signal heads.
Mount is the first thing to check: this is an RF-S lens, made for APS-C EOS R bodies, and Digital Camera World lists it as not full-frame. It does not fit EF or EF-S DSLRs. On the APS-C bodies it was built for, the reviewer found autofocus snappy for stills and able to keep pace with movement, teaming up with the subject tracking of the EOS R7 and R10. Stabilization is rated at 4.5 stops, rising to 7 stops with the in-body stabilization of the EOS R7, which helps on dull days. The aperture closes to f/7.1 at the long end, so freezing fast trains at 210mm needs a quick shutter speed and a higher ISO, which the review says Canon's R-series bodies cope with well. The lens has no barrel switches for AF/MF or stabilization, so those changes go through the camera menu, and the review warns this raises the risk of missing a moment. Lab tests found good, consistent centre sharpness, with edges and corners falling off at longer settings.
Expert pick · Digital Camera World: Digital Camera World found a very compact, light APS-C telephoto zoom with fast autofocus and effective stabilization, held back by a slow aperture and basic handling. Read the review
Strengths
Weaknesses
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Mount | Canon RF-S (APS-C) |
| Weight | Approx. 270 g |
| Dimensions | Approx. 69.0 x 92.9 mm (diameter x length) |
| Focal length | 55-210mm |
| Filter diameter | 55 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/5-7.1 |
| Image stabilization | 4.5 stops (up to 7.0 with in-body stabilization) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.28x at 210mm |
| Minimum focus distance | 1.0 m at 55mm, 0.73 m at 210mm |
It suits owners of a Canon APS-C RF-S body such as the EOS R7, R10 or R50 who want a light second lens for trains and platforms. It is not meant for full-frame bodies, and it is a poor fit for anyone who photographs in the rain, needs a bright aperture at dusk, or wants the longest reach available.
The Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is a full-frame RF lens with more reach, which also mounts on APS-C bodies, at the cost of more weight. The Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is the heavier, L-series step beyond that.
Photo: TheFredST / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Canon · Mid-range
A compact RF-mount 100-400mm telephoto zoom for trains photographed from a platform end or a public lineside vantage point.
Expert pick · Digital Camera World, Nov 2021
Canon · Premium
A full-frame RF-mount L-series 100-500mm telephoto zoom for railfans who want maximum reach and a premium build on an EOS R camera.
Expert pick · Digital Camera World, Sep 2020
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we pick our gear
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