The Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM lens is a game-changer for anyone looking to capture wildlife, sports, or distant subjects without breaking the bank. This great video review takes a look at what you can expect.
Coming to you from Bobby Tonelli, this comprehensive review dives into the features and performance of the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM lens. This lens is notable for its extensive zoom range and price, at approximately $1,900. This price point is remarkable for a lens that covers such a vast focal length, making it accessible to many enthusiasts and professionals alike.
One of the standout features is its optical quality. Despite the slower aperture range of f/6.3 to f/9, the lens delivers sharp and vibrant images. This quality is essential for capturing detailed shots, especially when shooting wildlife or sports. The lens pairs exceptionally well with the Canon EOS R3, but it can also be used with other Canon R system cameras. Tonelli recommends using a battery grip or vertical grip for better handling due to the lens's size and weight, which is around 2 kg.
The lens’ design is straightforward, with minimal controls to simplify the user experience. It features switches for autofocus and image stabilization, which Canon claims can provide up to 7.5 stops of stabilization. This stabilization is adaptive, adjusting based on the movement detected by the camera, which is particularly beneficial when tracking moving subjects.
The autofocus performance is another highlight. It is quick and reliable, although there are occasional instances where it might focus on the background instead of the subject. This issue is not unique to Canon and can occur with other brands as well. The key is to use the zoom to reacquire focus, a common practice with long focal length lenses.
While the lens is relatively large, necessitating a larger camera bag, it offers flexibility with its zoom tension adjustment ring. This feature allows you to control how smoothly or tightly the zoom operates, which can be crucial when quickly adjusting focal lengths to capture erratic movements, such as birds in flight.
In terms of practicality, the lens does allow the use of teleconverters, but this will push the aperture to f/11 and beyond. This means that while teleconverters can extend your reach, they are best used in bright light conditions. Low-light situations will require higher ISO settings, but with modern de-noising software, this is less of an issue than it might have been in the past.
Overall, the Canon RF 200-800mm lens performs admirably, especially considering its price point. It delivers quality images and reliable performance, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore long-range photography. The combination of affordability, quality, and versatility makes this lens a noteworthy addition to Canon's lineup. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Tonelli.
You forgot to mention that the mounting ring isn't removable. I haven't come across this before with Canon and I regard it as a blunder. It'd be great to have the option to change it out to a third party Arca swiss plate shoed ring. Of course Canon could go that way themselves but.....
How does one define "best in class" when the 200-800 is the only lens of this FL on the market? Also, the 200-800 has the longest zoom throw of any longer zoom (compare to Sony 200-600 or the Nikon 180-600) and it's difficult to quickly zoom in/out.
If you're 'only' in class, you're 'best' in class 😁
Thats why it's "Best In Class" because no other telephoto zoom lens in this category has the reach and at price point as this lens.
It’s a great lens - if you can get one. I ordered mine on November 3, 2023, the day after Canon announced it. It arrived on April 4, the day after we left for the eclipse I wanted to use it for.
I finally used it to photograph the USAF Thunderbirds rehearsing for the 2024 AF Academy graduation a couple days ago. I’ll get a chance to see and edit on the big (computer) screen tomorrow.