Update on the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM

[koenkooi]

I agree, but will wait to see how the early reviews stack up versus 100-500. If it as sharp and has good MFD like the latter, then prob great value.

Magnification at 800mm is 0.2x with an MFD around 3.5m if I understood Gordon correctly.

 

[AlanF]

Magnification at 800mm is 0.2x with an MFD around 3.5m if I understood Gordon correctly.

It's better at 200mm: mfd = 0.8m, m =0.25x.

 

[AlanF]

Price gouging of 200-800mm in EU = 16% and 22.5% UK vs $. Canon b*st*rds.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

Price gouging of 200-800mm in EU = 16% and 22.5% UK vs $. Canon b*st*rds.

Canon is not in charge of local taxes.

 

[AlP]

This will definitely be on my list for future lenses. Positive for me:

• Focal length range (obviously)
• nano USM
• Weather resistance, and not just a couple of gaskets
• only 2 kg (for a 800 mm lens)
• Much shorter close focus distance than the f/11 lenses, comparable to the 100-500 mm
• Support of extenders over the full zoom range (according to Canon), although I would not have use cases for more than 800 mm very often
• relatively good resolution

These are the MTF charts of this lens compared to the 100-500 mm and the 800 mm f/11

 

[DhlcadR6]

Yes, and not just a rubber gasket at the mount:
View attachment 212622

Red rubber bands will do the job at the mount connecting point and at the front-side. Helping it become a RED L lens

 

[AlP]

Interesting size comparisons (from Asobinet.com):

Comparison to Nikon and Sony -600 mm zooms:

 

[blackcoffee17]

What i like about this lens:

the 200-800 range
nano-USM (although the 100-400 also has a single nano USM and it's a little slow to AF, especially in video)
weather sealing
MFD
Canon saying it's better optically with TC's than 100-500
price

What i don't like:

F8 at 500 and 600mm is a little too slow (F9 at 800mm is fine)

 

[AlanF]

This will definitely be on my list for future lenses. Positive for me:

• Focal length range (obviously)
• nano USM
• Weather resistance, and not just a couple of gaskets
• only 2 kg (for a 800 mm lens)
• Much shorter close focus distance than the f/11 lenses, comparable to the 100-500 mm
• Support of extenders over the full zoom range (according to Canon), although I would not have use cases for more than 800 mm very often
• relatively good resolution

These are the MTF charts of this lens compared to the 100-500 mm and the 800 mm f/11
View attachment 212623
View attachment 212624
View attachment 212625

At 800mm, it's darn closer in the centre to the EF 400mm DO II with a 2xTC.

 

[AlanF]

I'm sorry AlanF, but you are required to buy this lens. I will be making a purchase decision based on your CanonRumors review of it for bird photography.

I have ordered one (I'll send you my bank details for reimbursement). It's not ideal for my style of photography - I prefer very light lenses for general hiking and also small for travel as I can put everything in hand and carry on luggage, and the magnification at mfd of 0.8m at 200mm is only 0.25 and even less at 0.2 at 800mm where the mfd is 3.3m, which limits my dragonfly shots. For BIF, I don't like going above 500mm on FF. But, if it's really good at 800mm I'll have plenty of use for it. (It looks as good and is lighter than my old 400mm DO II at 800mm).

 

[Maximilian]

...the magnification at mfd of 0.8m at 200mm is only 0.25 and even less at 0.2 at 800mm where the mfd is 3.3m, which limits my dragonfly shots. ...

Hi Alan!
Where did you get that data from?
Canon Germany didn't offer anything but the 200mm data.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[AlanF]

Hi Alan!
Where did you get that data from?
Canon Germany didn't offer anything but the 200mm data.
Thanks for sharing.

It's on the canon.jp site. There's a reason I went from Mercedes to Toyota...

 

[neuroanatomist]

Canon is not in charge of local taxes.

Local taxes / VAT are not the reason for the difference in Canon UK versus EU pricing. That’s down to Canon themselves.

This has been covered many times, you were not paying attention.

 

[tron]

It weighs about 2Kg unfortunately. Expected though. And we should compare with 100-500 plus the 1.4X anyway.

 

[DrD]

Magnification at 800mm is 0.2x with an MFD around 3.5m if I understood Gordon correctly.

Yeah, around 11 feet or 3.3 metres. Will be interesting to see photographers like John Knowles (YouTube) who shoot a lot of insects etc., use it on R5/R7.

 

[YuengLinger]

Even with IS, how will this be for hand-holding, for keeping composition steady while shooting? I've never shot with anything over 500mm.

 

[TMT]

As a wildlife/landscape photographer, I'm wondering if the 200-800 fills a need. Along with my R5 and 5D4, my "reach" lenses include the:

• RF 200-500
• RF 800 f/11
• EF 70-200 II
• EF 100-400
• 1.4x (both mounts)

Note: I really don't use the 100-400 and the 70-200 much. I borrowed the 800 a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it (except for MFD), especially with the 1.4x, something my 100-500 doesn't play well with.

Do I need the 200-800, or is there already too much overlap? Maybe skip the 200-800 and buy the less expensive 800mm f/11 -- OR -- sell everything except the 1.4x and buy the 200-800.

 

[Dragon]

As a wildlife/landscape photographer, I'm wondering if the 200-800 fills a need. Along with my R5 and 5D4, my "reach" lenses include the:

• RF 200-500
• RF 800 f/11
• EF 70-200 II
• EF 100-400
• 1.4x (both mounts)

Note: I really don't use the 100-400 and the 70-200 much. I borrowed the 800 a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it (except for MFD), especially with the 1.4x, something my 100-500 doesn't play well with.

Do I need the 200-800, or is there already too much overlap? Maybe skip the 200-800 and buy the less expensive 800mm f/11 -- OR -- sell everything except the 1.4x and buy the 200-800.

I have the 800 f/11 that I often use with the R7 and 1.4x for hummingbirds. I ordered the 200-800 because it focuses substantially closer and the zoom will be liberating. The MTF curves posted above also suggest it will be sharper at 800 and Canon says it is very good with extenders. On the R7 with 1.4x, you are looking at a FL range from 450mm to 1800mm equivalent. Think about that.

 

[Dragon]

This will definitely be on my list for future lenses. Positive for me:

• Focal length range (obviously)
• nano USM
• Weather resistance, and not just a couple of gaskets
• only 2 kg (for a 800 mm lens)
• Much shorter close focus distance than the f/11 lenses, comparable to the 100-500 mm
• Support of extenders over the full zoom range (according to Canon), although I would not have use cases for more than 800 mm very often
• relatively good resolution

These are the MTF charts of this lens compared to the 100-500 mm and the 800 mm f/11
View attachment 212623
View attachment 212624
View attachment 212625

Looks like it will be somewhat better than the 100-500 with 1.4x at 800 and that makes sense with the 95mm objective.

 

[shadowsports]

As a wildlife/landscape photographer, I'm wondering if the 200-800 fills a need. Along with my R5 and 5D4, my "reach" lenses include the:

• RF 200-500
• RF 800 f/11
• EF 70-200 II
• EF 100-400
• 1.4x (both mounts)

Note: I really don't use the 100-400 and the 70-200 much. I borrowed the 800 a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it (except for MFD), especially with the 1.4x, something my 100-500 doesn't play well with.

Do I need the 200-800, or is there already too much overlap? Maybe skip the 200-800 and buy the less expensive 800mm f/11 -- OR -- sell everything except the 1.4x and buy the 200-800.

I can't really tell from your list what you actually own or just want. The 200-500 is still vaporware. Since it will command a $17k price tag, isn't buying a 200-800 pocket change? With the RF 200-800 now being offered, I would not buy the 800mm f11. Its on your own it, want it list? But below you borrowed it?

I'd sell my 5D4 and any EF gear (you are not using regularly) ASAP. It took me a year to sell my 6D2 and a few L lenses. Granted I held out (private sale) mostly because I wasn't going to take pennies from KEH, and the gear was LN- or A+. This will give you plenty of capital to put towards the RF 200-800.

Then when the R5 mkII arrives, sell what's left (or what you don't use) and go all in on the 200-500. you may decide the 100-500 and 200-800 + TC does a good enough job. Depends on if you are OK being without 2 body's. I have one, went to Alaska this year and realize the value of a dedicated super zoom body now. Lens changes were murder. Not sure what its going to be yet. Might be a plain vanilla R5 which will be cheap once the mkII is released. Some stuff for you to consider.