Totally agree with your review, it’s a fantastic lens if you can get around its quirks! I bought mine day 1 and love mine, I get sharp results that wouldn’t be possible in the DSLR days. UNFORTUNATELY, this lens is one of the most over-hated products I have ever seen online, look at Tony Northrup’s recent review, he gets scolded in the comments for simply liking this lens. I think that people should go out more and take more pictures instead of fighting about cameras and glass…
Very true. Thats why I talked about all these new glass releases are very good. Just find the focal range/aperture for your needs in shooting and get after it. The complainer videos are big clicks and there is more and more of the ' I read' crowd around. Plus to get clicks a lot of folks do the rumor or I read or superficial reviews etc. It seems to be getting pretty bad. But I just get out into the field and try to forget all that mess :)
Wow Scott, awesome video! I LOVE those Otters and I'm so glad I bought the RF200-800 8 months ago. I've always loved your music selection in your videos, but since you started using vocal tracks I'm really loving it!!! Keep on keepin' on, man!
Thanks. It's a fun lens for sure. Problem with the vocal tracks is they get stuck in my head for hearing them so many times in a row when I'm editing lol.
Another great review. Your reviews are a good combination of long term experience of equipment use in the field with both video and stills. The music is awesome too. 👌 Paul/UK
@@WILDALASKAthanks for watching! I enjoy watching your perspective with cameras and lenses. It’s amazing how everyone has such a unique view and eye on how they shoot. Keep up the excellent work!
Hello Scott, thank you for sharing! Like you, I have been using this RF200-800 for a year and whether with my R7 or my recent R5 Mark II, I am fully satisfied with this lens. Best, Ludo
Thanks for this long term review Scott. I love the beautiful light this was shot in. I’ve been waiting to hear your overall thoughts on this lens and it definitely has put it in the ‘purchase’ column for me. All the best for continued healing, growth and success in 2025 💕
Saving up for this lens and can’t wait to get it (hoping to have it by March.) Will be an excellent companion to the 100-400 on my R7 as there are times I just need more distance.
I have the exact same set up, R7 + 100-400mm, and I got my 200-800mm this past November and has not picked up my 100-400mm since! It sure has its limitations but I'm loving the reach it gives me and I think it opens up a whole new world for me! Hope it does the same for you too!
I went similar way. First got R7 and still used it with my older Tamron EF 100-400. After updating to 200-800 I do not see reason to put the old lens on. I thought to keep both and used them in different situations mostly when flying with only carry on. But I also do not want to because the images I get with bigger one are so much better. One think that surprised me was the colours, they are much nicer with canon lens. I edit raws but it has different starting point and balance of colors and it just leads me different way.
@@MaruiAkinaSo the camera gods smiled upon me and I got an email about 48 months/0% interest on Canon purchases $2k+ 😃. I figured why not grab the 200-800 now so I can have it for winter, and still pay it off in April. Took it out this weekend in the snow and the extra reach was amazing. Like you mentioned, I’m already just not feeling a reason to bring the 100-400 now. I’m almost always at 300mm+.
Thank you for the videos. They are truly very helpful. I was shooting with an R10 +RF100-400, and bought the RF200-800 about 7 weeks ago, a large part of that decision is seeing you making so much videos with it and getting great results too, also with the R7. I got some great photos with the lens of an escaped Scarlet Ibis, shot almost straight into the morning sun, and the images came out great. Then december hit the Netherlands and we only got 17 hours of sunlight (normal average is 48 hours). So I really needed to push the shutter speed down, shoot loads of images and hope for the best, for the circumstances I still got good results. The stabilisation is great, backgrounds are mega, the lens is sharp, I have no problems walking around with it. It is my first big lens and it does catch a lot of wind on windy days, but I gues that is normal. Among the photography RUclipsrs the lens gets a lot of love and hate, one or the other. But I think you explain it well when it comes to subjects just being to far away.
The stabilization on this lens is really good. It does seem to blur images at high shutter speed, however, so I shut it off when I have the speed. But I have gotten TACK sharp images at 1/60 of a second, 800mm, handheld with it on!
Hate videos get the clicks. The lens is what it is really. Good and sharp but you have to work a little harder in low light and learn how to shoot at 800mm
@20:08 > truer words have never been spoken 👍 To go along with what your saying here, I've taken thousands of sharp shots with this lens, @800 mm, even on the R7, and even in lower light. I've gotten to where I just don't even want to argue with folks. I just show them a bunch of sharp shots I've taken with this lens. Actual sharp photos are not a matter of opinion. Also, I hate to fiddle with Topaz or Lightroom, for sharpening. If I did my job, it's just not going to need it. Every once in a while I'll get only a single shot that I really need, maybe a lifer or something, but of which just slightly missed focus, so I just have to use Topaz. For those few, I totally consider it a personal fail 😀 lol Fantastic video 🙂👍 Your killing me with that Hawk Owl and the Rosy Finch 🙂
I recommend trying out the free trial DxO PureRAW 4 if you’re skeptical of the denoising programs. I was until I tried it out and put the sharpness slider to minimum and saw how amazingly clean the images came out.
Happy New Year! This will be a good one. I've had the lens since June 1st. I haven't used it that much but so far, I like it. I want to try it out with my 1.4x. Thanks, Scott!
It handles the TC well. Just remember that distance and IQ or it will bite you. I took some sparrow shots in late spring and the images came out amazing with the TC (at f/13 ouch lol)
Hi Scott. I have this lens (although not for a year yet) and agree completely with your review. I had a few doubts before I bought it because of some of the comments I'd seen on line. Now I have it I just don't know what they are on about! It's a great lens (at pretty well any price) and for it's actual price it's a brilliant lens, I've plenty of results I'm really pleased with that I wouldn't have got without this lens. Thanks again and congratulations on getting past 20K subscribers.
Great overview of the lens. Based on your experience, it strikes me that the likes far outweigh the dislikes. You touched on some very important topics about knowing distance, atmospherics and the like,. Loved the otter footage and images at the beginning. You captured some great expressions on those fury critters.
Happy New Year Scott, another great in-depth video as always, I watched all your vlogs with this lens, also watched others as well and have come to the conclusion that I’m more than happy with my r7 and 100-500mm lens at 800 at f7.1, with each firmware upgrade my camera seems to have got better and my r5 has sat unused since I got it, for me and my circumstances that extra reach is more important and keeping the weight and size down, look forward to another year of your vlogs, take care Terry 👍📷🦅
If weight is your main concern the yes the 100-500. Everything else I'm not a fan of really. But remember you are not really @ 7.1 on your aperture. And light gathering is less on a crop sensor (same loss would be on both lenses also as its the body issue- R7). If it works for you don't change it. Get comfortable with your gear and learn how to use it. Happy New Year Terry!
I really enjoy your reviews and the otters, of course. I also enjoy the fact that I don't have to shoot in all that cold weather. I'm hoping you have a great 2025 and I look forward to your review on the Canon R7 Mk2.
Scott- awesome video and review. Totally agree with every point you made. Last session I was out with my copy of this lens and I got some of my best shots of a Kingfisher - sharp as can be with nice blown out background. Shooting at 800mm your technique needs to be solid for good results. Atmospherics and distance to subject play a huge part as you mention. I really enjoy using this lens.
Wowowow Scott, you keep on providing each time yet more impressive Otter Shows ! I'm almost starting to wonder whether this is a real harbor, or some part of the Anchorage Zoo. But knowing your integrity this can't be fake 💪 We both seem to be among the few not complaining about the length of the zooming throw, because a much shorter throw would ditch any accuracy when needing some subtle zoom increments. Most of the time when I go birding, I take both the 100-500 and the 200-800 with me (one on duty, the other in the backpack) and I let circumstances dictate what I'll use. The 200-800 excels more when wanting best bokeh and indeed getting the bird as large as possible in the frame, where the 100-500 is more handy for faster birds in flight. Like puffins. Anyway, as you correctly point out (and many other reviewers overlook), the 800mm helps to bring the subject larger in the frame .. but it shall not be abused to avoid getting closer (without disturbing the animal) for optimal IQ ! For tripod usage, I would warmly recommend the Flexshooter (which you may recall from videos of Duade and Jan) because it allows me to easier balance external zooms, and it's much lighter than a "real" gimbal.
Thanks. Sea Otters are pretty prevalent in SE Alaska. And in winter even more so with less foot traffic around. I tried the flex shooter and it's not really a good replacement for what a gimbal does well especially with very heavy rigs.
@@WILDALASKA I don't have a white prime, and an R5 without grip is a lot lighter than a Z9 .. Maybe a gimbal remains better for the primes and the flexshooter is better for the white external zooms ?
I’ve had that lens since the day 1, and I totally agree with your review. At the places I shoot, I often find myself shooting at or very close to the minimum focus distance. I think a lot of people try to get too close and then get disappointed with the results. I’ve had my lens hood pop off a few times, and I think I probably didn’t put it on as well as I should have. Chromatic aberration can be really bad, especially when the light is bright. One of the first pictures I took was of a Trumpeter Swan on a sunny day at about 12 feet. The back of the bird near the lower right corner of the picture had really bad chromatic aberration. I’ve learned how to avoid that now. As for f9, it’s not a big deal for me since I usually shoot subjects at 20 feet or closer. Sometimes I even go to f11 just to make sure more of the bird is in focus. The depth of field at 20 feet on an 800mm lens is not very deep, even at f9.
Happy New Year from Thailand.. I own 200-800 and I absolutely love it. It's versatile and could produce very sharp images. Very satisfied with the quality compared with its price.. very hard to beat! Thank you for your review, great photos and video clips.
Great long term review. I’ve had mine for about 6 months and got some great images. It’s not perfect but every lens has its pros and cons no matter what it is. I tend to use the camera body to throw the zoom rather than the lens itself which works for me. Keep up the good work 👏
They may not have all the colors on Amazon for a particular lens. The pattern I have is the snow camo. Why? Just initial one I chose really. For me it's more protection vs camo. Birds and animals bust you if you are in camo or not really ;) Check Lenscoat website as they will have all the colors and other really cool products.
Happy New Year Scott, wishing you good health & a prosperous year. Have you ever tried the Canon 200- 800 on the Canon R6 Mark ii at all. Curious to know how that combo would be for wildlife photo’s. Awesome video’s of otter’s and birds always. Take care & have fun. Brian
@ Thanks Scott, I really appreciate your prompt reply. I’ll check that out right away. The R6ii has great focus for wildlife that I like. It’ll be a lot better than my 90D Canon for sure. Take care and have fun ! Brian
I've had mine a year now and love it! Unfortunately it's at Canon now for repair. The lens collar kept getting stuck when rotating it, and a week ago, it somehow got unstuck...and a bunch of screws and nuts fell out of the circular cover at the base of the foot. There are eight screw/nut pairs that are screwed into the collar, and the nuts act like ball bearings. It's impossible to screw them back in, apparently. In the meantime, I've been using the 100-500 mostly with the 1.4TC. I've found that this combo is a bit quicker to focus on birds in flight, and the first few shots are in focus. With the 200-800, it usually takes one or two shots to get the subject tack sharp, on the R5 or R5MKII. However, not being able to zoom all the way out with the 100-500 and TC has caused me to miss some takeoff shots. Hopefully I'll have the 200-800 back soon. It has consistently been my go-to lens since the day I got it, so I am really looking forward to getting it back!! I've taken some of my best shots ever with this lens. It's really helped with warblers at a close distance (20ft or less), to them much bigger in frame with more feather detail vs. 500mm. It will be very interesting if Canon does come out with an L lens from their recent patent, which has internal zooming and a max aperture of 6.3 or 7.1 at 600 or 700mm....which would address the shortcomings of the 200-800, but at a premium price.
I have had no difference in focus speed or pickup on BIF with either lens. BIF is a skill with each lens though, figuring out how to get it inline for the bird to hit it quick. Pretty close to skeet shooting etc. Hopefully you get the lens back soon.
Excellent video as always! I'm curious.. what do you find your lowest shutter speed you can handhold at 800mm?? Say afternoon good light.. .and low light? Static subjects... and obviously not as low if in flight birds.
I try not to go below 1/250th just for animal movement. But I have shot 1/125th with the lens and got good shots. You will toss some from the animals motion blur of they move too fast. SO be ready for that but shooting that slow my personal movement doesn't affect the shot.
I have this lens since June/24. I have shot grizzly bears, moose, mountain goats.... I have also shot small birds in the juggle. It is a fantastic sharp lens, especially in the centre where you need it. I have the EF100-400v1, 200-400f4, and ef600f4v2 which all work well on my R5 (r5ii now but the wildlife is hibernating or migrated) and between the newer sensor dynamic range (vs my 5dsr), better IS, huge long zoom, lighter weight and smaller than my big whites, and noise enhancement software - it is almost the perfect lens. And at 800mm, f9 means you have less challenging getting one eye in focus and the other oof. Technology has made f9 usable. And no fiddling with adapters!! Yes in very low light 1/2 hour before or after sun, its challenging but you can shoot it out your car window because of size on the fly, you can bring it on an airplane for size/weight, it zooms!, and the price means you don't worry as much about it in terms of damage or theft. If you are getting into wildlife, this is the lens.
Happy new year! Good health to you too! I have Sigma’s EF 150-600 and the 1.4 TC. How does the RF 200-600 stack up against the Sigma +TC (plus EF -RF adapter)? I’d have to sell some stuff but this lens looks amazing!
Happy New Year Scott. I really like your videos. English is not my native tongue and sometimes you speak so fast that I get lost. If it somehow slows down.....
Subscribed! I live in Fairbanks and I just got this lens, but with the darkness this time of year there isn't much time in the day with good light. As I'm fairly new to photography, I'm wondering how your gear holds up when shooting out in the cold weather. Do you put your camera in a ziplock bag before bringing inside after it gets cold? Would you do this for lenses as well? I'm concerned with the moisture going from cold to warm on my canon r6ii and my lenses. This is a concern as I photograph aurora as well. Also I'm hoping to get to Katmai this summer and photograph the bears. Wondering if you think my 100-400 + 200-800 would be a good set to bring out there! Thanks
VERY NICE VID!! Beautiful. I just bought 200-800 coming from a Tamron 150-600...we will see? I have not shot videos with my Canon R5 and r7 . what camera did you use for your video? Do you have a video that walks through the settings for video? Also what are your thoughts on a Tele convert? 1.4 2? thanks so much. Make this an amazing year
Lot to answer here 😂 All the video and still in this one were with he r5mkii except the snow shots at the end and they were with the r7. Your AF hit rate will be far better with this lens vs the Tamron. The TC works great with the 200-800 also. I have setup videos on stills and video settings on the channel for the R5, R7, and the R5 MKII.
As always with your reviews, it's another terrific video. As a 200-800 owner, your comments and insights regarding IQ with this lens are much appreciated . Can you tell me what model Vello lens hood you are using? I agree with you in the somewhat flimsy quality of the OEM hood that came with the lens.
Question? You said this lens it’s sharper around 600/700 range so if I use a 1.4Tc and keep around 700 I should get better sharpness then without a Tc at 800mm
Well done Scott l agree on all your points just my copy creeps like crazy 2 steps with lens pointed down and it dropped out to 800mm drives me mad suppose l could send it in get it tightened.
Thanks Scott, one of the reasons I bought mine was the early reviews you had on this lens…. I love mine for all the same reasons you like yours, the dislikes for me are minor. And for the price is… $$$ money…. Thanks Scott for all your videos, I always learn something new… like right now….. I gotta go check out Zemlin, I too need a better lens hood for this 200-800.
Thanks for the video. Did you get a chance to pair this lens with the R7? If yes, how does the combo perform specially in low light / overcast conditions?
Yes there are several videos with the r7 and the 200-800 on the Channel. I even had some displayed during the likes section. Couple of my fav photos pf the year were with the r7 and this lens.
Thanks for the review! Do you own the RF100-500mm? which one do you see yourself using more (if you have it!)? I am tempted to by the 200-800 but I worry about 1. lack of weather sealing (you mentioned you used it in the rain! Is it not a risk?) and the portability for traveling (would only travel with lens 2-3 x a year, but still). Cheers!
Ive owned the 100-500 twice. It's good lens but doesn't fit my shooting needs at that 500 7.1 and the price. Now that the 200-800 is out, it's definitely not needed in my lineup. I have shot that lens a lot over the years also. I have a review last year comparing the 2 lenses. If you haven't, go back and watch it to see my full thoughts on the 2.
Scott, what is your longer distance for this lens at 800 where you feel comfortable that you are getting high quality images in average atmospheric conditions? 30-40 yards/meters? Thanks for your informative and pragmatic long-term review.
Thank you for an excellent video. I have a question. Have you had any problems with the highlights? I use this lens on a R7 and find that I have to underexpose more than with my 100-400 to maintain details in white colors. I saw that Jan Wegener complained about that as well. Another question. Is the sharpness of this lens much better with the R5 ii compared with the R7, and have you noticed any difference between the R5 and the R5 ii?
Sharpness is the same on both bodies. Getting a better image on the 2 cameras is different (IQ) but not much. The highlights aren't an issue compared to any other lens. We shoot a lot of white and white headed birds and its not really an issue.
Thanks for the video. Two questions: - How do you know the focus distance in yards in the photos? Do you get the data from the EXIF? - Why should I buy this lens instead of the 800/11 I use with my R7? I cannot justify the higher price and weight for the zoom flexibility (and maybe better IQ?) It's my understanding that the R7 33 Mpixel sensor is quite demanding for the 800/11 lens, but I cannot justify yet a full frame R body (maybe an R6 mk2 in the future, as the R5 is quite pricey)
Go rent the lens and check it for yourself as only you can answer those questions. For the Distance, watch this video from a couple weeks ago. ruclips.net/video/9U-vsSP8l1Q/видео.html
@@WILDALASKA thanks for the quick answer. As I don't use Lightroom (I hate monthly subscriptions), I will try to see if Canon DPP shows this information. Lens rentals in Greece are not exactly plentiful, so I am going to ask others for their experience (like you 🙂 ) I haven't been able to use the R7 and 800/11 combination in the local air show in the previous September, I may manage it this year.
The way Canon launched new bodies and lenses in 2023 -2024 resulting in me buying an R6mkII and RF100-500mm then add the 800mm f/11 to replace the 50D and 70-200mm w. 2x extender I had been using. Had the RF200-800m been announced before the two RF lenses I spent $4k on I probably would have gone with it using my EF 70-200mm on the second R6mkII body I decided to buy when Canon dropped the price to $1999 ahead of announcing the specs for the R5mkII. I really like the RF100-500mm as my ‘walking around’ wildlife lens and if I only carried one body I’d prefer it over the RF200-800mm because I like to shoot ‘cinematically’ with RUclips slideshows with wide establishing shots, med. subject in context and then close-up action sequences. The 200-800 is too long on the short end for that style of PJ storytelling. Often I’ll shoot with my EF24-70mm with VND EF-RF adapter on one R6mkII body to shoot Clog3 30 fps video or still establishing shots with the RF100-500mm on the other body for close-up stills, combining video and stills using DaVinci Studio and royal free music to share my joy of photography on my channel without any desire to make any money doing it. If I was buying today? It would be an RF24-105mm and the RF 200-800mm on a pair of R6mkII bodies 😊
I've used this lens here in Montana on almost a daily basis and love it! I have not had any problems with the lens hood....$18 on Amazon for a JJC lens hood...I bought 2 and painted one white for winter, the other camo for non-snow times of the year.
I have had mine pop off (before I had the cover) just by bumping my leg. Had to backtrack half a mile to find it lol. Could just be my lens copy issue also. But it dies flex a LOT lol. Glad you ere enjoying the lens.
I shoot Sony, and use the 200-600 quite often. Adding the 1.4 teleconverter er to that lens brings it to F9, but also slows down focus and degrades sharpness more than one might think unless you are not shooting with the very latest bodies. I am curious if you see a difference between 600mm and 800mm in focus speed with the Canon 200-800.
I've recently been out shooting a Tawny owl with a friend who has this lens, it sadly was quite far away, so the images sadly didn't turn out perfectly for either of us. I honestly was pretty shocked by how soft the image looked on his R5 compared to mine shot on the Z8 with the 800 PF. If you can get close enough, sharpness is less important, since you'll get plenty of detail anyway, but in less optimal condition, when you have to crop, it shows. But of course, it costs 3000€ less than my lens, and it's much more flexible. My friend is very happy with it, and got some seriously incredible shots with it already, I was just expecting more, since I've been hearing a lot about how sharp it's supposed to be.
I'm gonna guess we have some focus or technique issues. You are also comparing a S glass/full stop plus aperture difference. So your exposures and sharpness ability due to those factors are going to come into play along with the focus hits of the 2 cameras. I have had folks say that ('softness') who shoot with me with different lenses and we compare what I'm shooting vs who they have 'heard' or saw such comparisons and that misconception goes away. That Tawny is super small also.
I find it really tiresome that photographers complain about cameras or lenses not having Arca Swiss mounts. Arca Swiss is a proprietary mount - not a standard. Users with Manfrotto, Ulanzi, and others would be unhappy with other than the standard 1/4 inch screw STANDARD.
Because as wildlife photographers and this is a wildlife lens we use gimbals which are...wait for it....arca Swiss . AND all those brands use arch Swiss also. unless you are using a video head its mainly area Swiss
Hi good morning. I have to ask is it possible to set up the control ring to Manuel focus in camera while still having auto focus engaged on the RF 200-800 mm lens.
Totally agree with your review, it’s a fantastic lens if you can get around its quirks! I bought mine day 1 and love mine, I get sharp results that wouldn’t be possible in the DSLR days.
UNFORTUNATELY, this lens is one of the most over-hated products I have ever seen online, look at Tony Northrup’s recent review, he gets scolded in the comments for simply liking this lens.
I think that people should go out more and take more pictures instead of fighting about cameras and glass…
Very true. Thats why I talked about all these new glass releases are very good. Just find the focal range/aperture for your needs in shooting and get after it. The complainer videos are big clicks and there is more and more of the ' I read' crowd around. Plus to get clicks a lot of folks do the rumor or I read or superficial reviews etc. It seems to be getting pretty bad. But I just get out into the field and try to forget all that mess :)
Wow Scott, awesome video! I LOVE those Otters and I'm so glad I bought the RF200-800 8 months ago. I've always loved your music selection in your videos, but since you started using vocal tracks I'm really loving it!!! Keep on keepin' on, man!
Thanks. It's a fun lens for sure. Problem with the vocal tracks is they get stuck in my head for hearing them so many times in a row when I'm editing lol.
@@WILDALASKA Lol!
Another great review. Your reviews are a good combination of long term experience of equipment use in the field with both video and stills. The music is awesome too. 👌 Paul/UK
Thank you very much!
Fantastic video sir! I don't even use Canon lol and I watched this just for the amazing images
Glad you enjoyed the images.
Great review. Loved the look and feel of the owl in the spruce, with the seed cones and prey -- a real winner. I enjoyed seeing it. Kind regards
The owl was a great subject!
Happy New Year! You will hit 20k in the next day. Congrats on starting out the new year strong. Great review!
Thanks Jared. Think we'll hit it today lol. Been enjoying your videos lately also.
@@WILDALASKAthanks for watching! I enjoy watching your perspective with cameras and lenses. It’s amazing how everyone has such a unique view and eye on how they shoot. Keep up the excellent work!
Great job! Congratulations!
Thank you!
Hello Scott, thank you for sharing! Like you, I have been using this RF200-800 for a year and whether with my R7 or my recent R5 Mark II, I am fully satisfied with this lens. Best, Ludo
Great to hear!
Thanks for this long term review Scott. I love the beautiful light this was shot in. I’ve been waiting to hear your overall thoughts on this lens and it definitely has put it in the ‘purchase’ column for me. All the best for continued healing, growth and success in 2025 💕
Thanks. Do rent the lens if you can to see how it fits your shooting also.
@@WILDALASKA You read my mind 😆
Saving up for this lens and can’t wait to get it (hoping to have it by March.) Will be an excellent companion to the 100-400 on my R7 as there are times I just need more distance.
It will be a big jump up for you for sure.
I have the exact same set up, R7 + 100-400mm, and I got my 200-800mm this past November and has not picked up my 100-400mm since! It sure has its limitations but I'm loving the reach it gives me and I think it opens up a whole new world for me! Hope it does the same for you too!
I went similar way. First got R7 and still used it with my older Tamron EF 100-400. After updating to 200-800 I do not see reason to put the old lens on. I thought to keep both and used them in different situations mostly when flying with only carry on. But I also do not want to because the images I get with bigger one are so much better. One think that surprised me was the colours, they are much nicer with canon lens. I edit raws but it has different starting point and balance of colors and it just leads me different way.
@@MaruiAkinaSo the camera gods smiled upon me and I got an email about 48 months/0% interest on Canon purchases $2k+ 😃. I figured why not grab the 200-800 now so I can have it for winter, and still pay it off in April. Took it out this weekend in the snow and the extra reach was amazing. Like you mentioned, I’m already just not feeling a reason to bring the 100-400 now. I’m almost always at 300mm+.
Nice review, I just picked up this lens over the holidays. I'm looking forward to using it in this upcoming year. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year and enjoy your new lens!
Thank you for the videos. They are truly very helpful. I was shooting with an R10 +RF100-400, and bought the RF200-800 about 7 weeks ago, a large part of that decision is seeing you making so much videos with it and getting great results too, also with the R7. I got some great photos with the lens of an escaped Scarlet Ibis, shot almost straight into the morning sun, and the images came out great. Then december hit the Netherlands and we only got 17 hours of sunlight (normal average is 48 hours). So I really needed to push the shutter speed down, shoot loads of images and hope for the best, for the circumstances I still got good results. The stabilisation is great, backgrounds are mega, the lens is sharp, I have no problems walking around with it. It is my first big lens and it does catch a lot of wind on windy days, but I gues that is normal. Among the photography RUclipsrs the lens gets a lot of love and hate, one or the other. But I think you explain it well when it comes to subjects just being to far away.
The stabilization on this lens is really good. It does seem to blur images at high shutter speed, however, so I shut it off when I have the speed. But I have gotten TACK sharp images at 1/60 of a second, 800mm, handheld with it on!
Hate videos get the clicks. The lens is what it is really. Good and sharp but you have to work a little harder in low light and learn how to shoot at 800mm
Never had a blurred image at high speed due to IS myself. And we have shot terns and swallows quite a bit.
@20:08 > truer words have never been spoken 👍 To go along with what your saying here, I've taken thousands of sharp shots with this lens, @800 mm, even on the R7, and even in lower light. I've gotten to where I just don't even want to argue with folks. I just show them a bunch of sharp shots I've taken with this lens. Actual sharp photos are not a matter of opinion.
Also, I hate to fiddle with Topaz or Lightroom, for sharpening. If I did my job, it's just not going to need it. Every once in a while I'll get only a single shot that I really need, maybe a lifer or something, but of which just slightly missed focus, so I just have to use Topaz. For those few, I totally consider it a personal fail 😀 lol
Fantastic video 🙂👍 Your killing me with that Hawk Owl and the Rosy Finch 🙂
Good stuff
I recommend trying out the free trial DxO PureRAW 4 if you’re skeptical of the denoising programs. I was until I tried it out and put the sharpness slider to minimum and saw how amazingly clean the images came out.
Great video. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year! / Per Christensen, Denmark
Happy new year!
Happy New Year! This will be a good one. I've had the lens since June 1st. I haven't used it that much but so far, I like it. I want to try it out with my 1.4x. Thanks, Scott!
It handles the TC well. Just remember that distance and IQ or it will bite you. I took some sparrow shots in late spring and the images came out amazing with the TC (at f/13 ouch lol)
Hi Scott. I have this lens (although not for a year yet) and agree completely with your review. I had a few doubts before I bought it because of some of the comments I'd seen on line. Now I have it I just don't know what they are on about! It's a great lens (at pretty well any price) and for it's actual price it's a brilliant lens, I've plenty of results I'm really pleased with that I wouldn't have got without this lens. Thanks again and congratulations on getting past 20K subscribers.
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Great overview of the lens. Based on your experience, it strikes me that the likes far outweigh the dislikes. You touched on some very important topics about knowing distance, atmospherics and the like,. Loved the otter footage and images at the beginning. You captured some great expressions on those fury critters.
Thanks. I could spend all day just watching the otters. So much fun.
Happy New Year Scott, another great in-depth video as always, I watched all your vlogs with this lens, also watched others as well and have come to the conclusion that I’m more than happy with my r7 and 100-500mm lens at 800 at f7.1, with each firmware upgrade my camera seems to have got better and my r5 has sat unused since I got it, for me and my circumstances that extra reach is more important and keeping the weight and size down, look forward to another year of your vlogs, take care Terry 👍📷🦅
If weight is your main concern the yes the 100-500. Everything else I'm not a fan of really. But remember you are not really @ 7.1 on your aperture. And light gathering is less on a crop sensor (same loss would be on both lenses also as its the body issue- R7). If it works for you don't change it. Get comfortable with your gear and learn how to use it. Happy New Year Terry!
I really enjoy your reviews and the otters, of course. I also enjoy the fact that I don't have to shoot in all that cold weather. I'm hoping you have a great 2025 and I look forward to your review on the Canon R7 Mk2.
Glad you enjoy the videos. 🦦
Awesome job as usual!
Thanks!
Great review Scott. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
Best wishes Scott for 2025 and congrats for the 20k suscribers !
Thanks so much!
Scott- awesome video and review. Totally agree with every point you made. Last session I was out with my copy of this lens and I got some of my best shots of a Kingfisher - sharp as can be with nice blown out background. Shooting at 800mm your technique needs to be solid for good results. Atmospherics and distance to subject play a huge part as you mention. I really enjoy using this lens.
Glad you're getting good results with it.
Love this lens. Always on my R6ii ready in case I notice something outside, and some great birding trips over the last year.
Very nice.
there was more sunshine in this video than we've had the last 40 days 😭
Also, Loved the 200-800 when I tried it. Great for video IMO
Very much so. I had one day of sun which is rare for sure, rest of the time it was cloudy and rain.
I’m in the market for a long zoom right now and this review gives me so much to consider in this lens. Thanks.
See if you can rent the lens to test it out yourself.
Wowowow Scott, you keep on providing each time yet more impressive Otter Shows ! I'm almost starting to wonder whether this is a real harbor, or some part of the Anchorage Zoo. But knowing your integrity this can't be fake 💪
We both seem to be among the few not complaining about the length of the zooming throw, because a much shorter throw would ditch any accuracy when needing some subtle zoom increments.
Most of the time when I go birding, I take both the 100-500 and the 200-800 with me (one on duty, the other in the backpack) and I let circumstances dictate what I'll use. The 200-800 excels more when wanting best bokeh and indeed getting the bird as large as possible in the frame, where the 100-500 is more handy for faster birds in flight. Like puffins.
Anyway, as you correctly point out (and many other reviewers overlook), the 800mm helps to bring the subject larger in the frame .. but it shall not be abused to avoid getting closer (without disturbing the animal) for optimal IQ !
For tripod usage, I would warmly recommend the Flexshooter (which you may recall from videos of Duade and Jan) because it allows me to easier balance external zooms, and it's much lighter than a "real" gimbal.
Thanks. Sea Otters are pretty prevalent in SE Alaska. And in winter even more so with less foot traffic around. I tried the flex shooter and it's not really a good replacement for what a gimbal does well especially with very heavy rigs.
@@WILDALASKA I don't have a white prime, and an R5 without grip is a lot lighter than a Z9 .. Maybe a gimbal remains better for the primes and the flexshooter is better for the white external zooms ?
@@WernerBirdNature Yes the issue is heavier rigs are more stable on traditional gimbal set ups
I’ve had that lens since the day 1, and I totally agree with your review.
At the places I shoot, I often find myself shooting at or very close to the minimum focus distance. I think a lot of people try to get too close and then get disappointed with the results.
I’ve had my lens hood pop off a few times, and I think I probably didn’t put it on as well as I should have. Chromatic aberration can be really bad, especially when the light is bright. One of the first pictures I took was of a Trumpeter Swan on a sunny day at about 12 feet. The back of the bird near the lower right corner of the picture had really bad chromatic aberration. I’ve learned how to avoid that now.
As for f9, it’s not a big deal for me since I usually shoot subjects at 20 feet or closer. Sometimes I even go to f11 just to make sure more of the bird is in focus. The depth of field at 20 feet on an 800mm lens is not very deep, even at f9.
Glad you're enjoying the lens and finding your way around its quirks!
great review. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Happy New Year from Thailand.. I own 200-800 and I absolutely love it. It's versatile and could produce very sharp images. Very satisfied with the quality compared with its price.. very hard to beat! Thank you for your review, great photos and video clips.
Happy new year to you too!
Great long term review. I’ve had mine for about 6 months and got some great images. It’s not perfect but every lens has its pros and cons no matter what it is. I tend to use the camera body to throw the zoom rather than the lens itself which works for me.
Keep up the good work 👏
👍 Greta to hear
Great video! I really like that lens cover. I followed your link to the Lenscoat cover, but I can’t seem to find that particular color?
They may not have all the colors on Amazon for a particular lens. The pattern I have is the snow camo. Why? Just initial one I chose really. For me it's more protection vs camo. Birds and animals bust you if you are in camo or not really ;)
Check Lenscoat website as they will have all the colors and other really cool products.
Happy New Year Scott, wishing you good health & a prosperous year. Have you ever tried the Canon 200- 800 on the Canon R6 Mark ii at all. Curious to know how that combo would be for wildlife photo’s. Awesome video’s of otter’s and birds always.
Take care & have fun.
Brian
Yes. I have a review from last year with the r8 and r6MKii with it.
@ Thanks Scott, I really appreciate your prompt reply. I’ll check that out right away. The R6ii has great focus for wildlife that I like. It’ll be a lot better than my 90D Canon for sure.
Take care and have fun ! Brian
I really enjoy your videos. I just got this lens and anxious to get some images with it.
You'll love it, have fun!
Happy new year from Yorkshire the uk
Happy New Year 🥳
I've had mine a year now and love it! Unfortunately it's at Canon now for repair. The lens collar kept getting stuck when rotating it, and a week ago, it somehow got unstuck...and a bunch of screws and nuts fell out of the circular cover at the base of the foot. There are eight screw/nut pairs that are screwed into the collar, and the nuts act like ball bearings. It's impossible to screw them back in, apparently. In the meantime, I've been using the 100-500 mostly with the 1.4TC. I've found that this combo is a bit quicker to focus on birds in flight, and the first few shots are in focus. With the 200-800, it usually takes one or two shots to get the subject tack sharp, on the R5 or R5MKII. However, not being able to zoom all the way out with the 100-500 and TC has caused me to miss some takeoff shots. Hopefully I'll have the 200-800 back soon. It has consistently been my go-to lens since the day I got it, so I am really looking forward to getting it back!! I've taken some of my best shots ever with this lens. It's really helped with warblers at a close distance (20ft or less), to them much bigger in frame with more feather detail vs. 500mm.
It will be very interesting if Canon does come out with an L lens from their recent patent, which has internal zooming and a max aperture of 6.3 or 7.1 at 600 or 700mm....which would address the shortcomings of the 200-800, but at a premium price.
I have had no difference in focus speed or pickup on BIF with either lens. BIF is a skill with each lens though, figuring out how to get it inline for the bird to hit it quick. Pretty close to skeet shooting etc.
Hopefully you get the lens back soon.
Excellent video as always! I'm curious.. what do you find your lowest shutter speed you can handhold at 800mm?? Say afternoon good light.. .and low light? Static subjects... and obviously not as low if in flight birds.
I try not to go below 1/250th just for animal movement. But I have shot 1/125th with the lens and got good shots. You will toss some from the animals motion blur of they move too fast. SO be ready for that but shooting that slow my personal movement doesn't affect the shot.
I have this lens since June/24. I have shot grizzly bears, moose, mountain goats.... I have also shot small birds in the juggle. It is a fantastic sharp lens, especially in the centre where you need it. I have the EF100-400v1, 200-400f4, and ef600f4v2 which all work well on my R5 (r5ii now but the wildlife is hibernating or migrated) and between the newer sensor dynamic range (vs my 5dsr), better IS, huge long zoom, lighter weight and smaller than my big whites, and noise enhancement software - it is almost the perfect lens. And at 800mm, f9 means you have less challenging getting one eye in focus and the other oof. Technology has made f9 usable. And no fiddling with adapters!! Yes in very low light 1/2 hour before or after sun, its challenging but you can shoot it out your car window because of size on the fly, you can bring it on an airplane for size/weight, it zooms!, and the price means you don't worry as much about it in terms of damage or theft. If you are getting into wildlife, this is the lens.
Good info. Thanks for watching!
Happy new year! Good health to you too!
I have Sigma’s EF 150-600 and the 1.4 TC. How does the RF 200-600 stack up against the Sigma +TC (plus EF -RF adapter)? I’d have to sell some stuff but this lens looks amazing!
Much better as the sigma AF gets lost
Happy New Year Scott.
I really like your videos. English is not my native tongue and sometimes you speak so fast that I get lost. If it somehow slows down.....
You can set the speed of the video to 1/4 or 1/4 to help
I'd like to buy it to use with my R7, for nature and airplane pictures. Thank you for the video
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Subscribed! I live in Fairbanks and I just got this lens, but with the darkness this time of year there isn't much time in the day with good light. As I'm fairly new to photography, I'm wondering how your gear holds up when shooting out in the cold weather. Do you put your camera in a ziplock bag before bringing inside after it gets cold? Would you do this for lenses as well? I'm concerned with the moisture going from cold to warm on my canon r6ii and my lenses. This is a concern as I photograph aurora as well. Also I'm hoping to get to Katmai this summer and photograph the bears. Wondering if you think my 100-400 + 200-800 would be a good set to bring out there! Thanks
Not as much of a concern as it is with shooting aurora. With aurora the cameras are out for a long time with not as well either sealed lenses.
VERY NICE VID!! Beautiful. I just bought 200-800 coming from a Tamron 150-600...we will see? I have not shot videos with my Canon R5 and r7 . what camera did you use for your video? Do you have a video that walks through the settings for video? Also what are your thoughts on a Tele convert? 1.4 2? thanks so much. Make this an amazing year
Lot to answer here 😂 All the video and still in this one were with he r5mkii except the snow shots at the end and they were with the r7. Your AF hit rate will be far better with this lens vs the Tamron. The TC works great with the 200-800 also.
I have setup videos on stills and video settings on the channel for the R5, R7, and the R5 MKII.
@@WILDALASKA THANK YOU!!!
Great lens. Use it all the time usually with 1x4 teleconverter. Mainly used for birds and wildlife.
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As always with your reviews, it's another terrific video. As a 200-800 owner, your comments and insights regarding IQ with this lens are much appreciated . Can you tell me what model Vello lens hood you are using? I agree with you in the somewhat flimsy quality of the OEM hood that came with the lens.
The lens hood is the Canon one currently. I will be replacing it with a Zemlin hood very soon. www.zemlinphoto.com
@WILDALASKA Thanks!
Question? You said this lens it’s sharper around 600/700 range so if I use a 1.4Tc and keep around 700 I should get better sharpness then without a Tc at 800mm
No
Well done Scott l agree on all your points just my copy creeps like crazy 2 steps with lens pointed down and it dropped out to 800mm drives me mad suppose l could send it in get it tightened.
Ya I would send it in as I haven't seen a copy do that yet.
@@Dobbs65 when set to tight it obviously slows the creep but will still end up out @800mm.😥
Thanks Scott, one of the reasons I bought mine was the early reviews you had on this lens…. I love mine for all the same reasons you like yours, the dislikes for me are minor. And for the price is… $$$ money…. Thanks Scott for all your videos, I always learn something new… like right now….. I gotta go check out Zemlin, I too need a better lens hood for this 200-800.
They make an amazing product. www.zemlinphoto.com
Thanks for the video. Did you get a chance to pair this lens with the R7? If yes, how does the combo perform specially in low light / overcast conditions?
Yes there are several videos with the r7 and the 200-800 on the Channel. I even had some displayed during the likes section. Couple of my fav photos pf the year were with the r7 and this lens.
Thanks for the review! Do you own the RF100-500mm? which one do you see yourself using more (if you have it!)? I am tempted to by the 200-800 but I worry about 1. lack of weather sealing (you mentioned you used it in the rain! Is it not a risk?) and the portability for traveling (would only travel with lens 2-3 x a year, but still). Cheers!
Ive owned the 100-500 twice. It's good lens but doesn't fit my shooting needs at that 500 7.1 and the price. Now that the 200-800 is out, it's definitely not needed in my lineup. I have shot that lens a lot over the years also. I have a review last year comparing the 2 lenses. If you haven't, go back and watch it to see my full thoughts on the 2.
Scott, what is your longer distance for this lens at 800 where you feel comfortable that you are getting high quality images in average atmospheric conditions? 30-40 yards/meters? Thanks for your informative and pragmatic long-term review.
Depends on the subject really. Smaller they are the closer I have to get.
Don’t understand how you get right down level to the waterline from being above on a dock?
IM about a foot and a half or so above the water. They you use distance form subject to get more foreground water blur.
Thank you for an excellent video. I have a question. Have you had any problems with the highlights? I use this lens on a R7 and find that I have to underexpose more than with my 100-400 to maintain details in white colors. I saw that Jan Wegener complained about that as well. Another question. Is the sharpness of this lens much better with the R5 ii compared with the R7, and have you noticed any difference between the R5 and the R5 ii?
Sharpness is the same on both bodies. Getting a better image on the 2 cameras is different (IQ) but not much. The highlights aren't an issue compared to any other lens. We shoot a lot of white and white headed birds and its not really an issue.
Thanks for the video. Two questions:
- How do you know the focus distance in yards in the photos? Do you get the data from the EXIF?
- Why should I buy this lens instead of the 800/11 I use with my R7? I cannot justify the higher price and weight for the zoom flexibility (and maybe better IQ?)
It's my understanding that the R7 33 Mpixel sensor is quite demanding for the 800/11 lens, but I cannot justify yet a full frame R body (maybe an R6 mk2 in the future, as the R5 is quite pricey)
Go rent the lens and check it for yourself as only you can answer those questions. For the Distance, watch this video from a couple weeks ago. ruclips.net/video/9U-vsSP8l1Q/видео.html
@@WILDALASKA thanks for the quick answer. As I don't use Lightroom (I hate monthly subscriptions), I will try to see if Canon DPP shows this information.
Lens rentals in Greece are not exactly plentiful, so I am going to ask others for their experience (like you 🙂 )
I haven't been able to use the R7 and 800/11 combination in the local air show in the previous September, I may manage it this year.
Is the video also shot with the same lens all the way through?
Yes all the wildlife video and still was shot with the 200-800
Thank you. Really liked the quality of the video.
Hey Scott, who makes that lens skin? Does that have a stretchy fabric for the extending barrel to protect from dust?
lenscoat amzn.to/4h3tAzz
Hi, what is that camo cloth you have to cover the exposed white when the lens extends to expose it. Thanks
Its just a part of the lens coat neoprene cover.
The way Canon launched new bodies and lenses in 2023 -2024 resulting in me buying an R6mkII and RF100-500mm then add the 800mm f/11 to replace the 50D and 70-200mm w. 2x extender I had been using. Had the RF200-800m been announced before the two RF lenses I spent $4k on I probably would have gone with it using my EF 70-200mm on the second R6mkII body I decided to buy when Canon dropped the price to $1999 ahead of announcing the specs for the R5mkII.
I really like the RF100-500mm as my ‘walking around’ wildlife lens and if I only carried one body I’d prefer it over the RF200-800mm because I like to shoot ‘cinematically’ with RUclips slideshows with wide establishing shots, med. subject in context and then close-up action sequences. The 200-800 is too long on the short end for that style of PJ storytelling. Often I’ll shoot with my EF24-70mm with VND EF-RF adapter on one R6mkII body to shoot Clog3 30 fps video or still establishing shots with the RF100-500mm on the other body for close-up stills, combining video and stills using DaVinci Studio and royal free music to share my joy of photography on my channel without any desire to make any money doing it.
If I was buying today? It would be an RF24-105mm and the RF 200-800mm on a pair of R6mkII bodies 😊
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What is the lens cover you like. I didn't get it in your video
the neoprene cover and raincoat is from Lenscoat. There are links to them in the video description.
What lens bags do you have?
there is a video a couple before this where I talk about bags I use.
Is sharpness at 800 mm better stopped to f11?
Not really
I've used this lens here in Montana on almost a daily basis and love it! I have not had any problems with the lens hood....$18 on Amazon for a JJC lens hood...I bought 2 and painted one white for winter, the other camo for non-snow times of the year.
I have had mine pop off (before I had the cover) just by bumping my leg. Had to backtrack half a mile to find it lol. Could just be my lens copy issue also. But it dies flex a LOT lol.
Glad you ere enjoying the lens.
I shoot Sony, and use the 200-600 quite often. Adding the 1.4 teleconverter er to that lens brings it to F9, but also slows down focus and degrades sharpness more than one might think unless you are not shooting with the very latest bodies. I am curious if you see a difference between 600mm and 800mm in focus speed with the Canon 200-800.
Not at all
None. it acts the same throughout the focal range. A better focusing body does help with the autofocus speeds for sure.
I've recently been out shooting a Tawny owl with a friend who has this lens, it sadly was quite far away, so the images sadly didn't turn out perfectly for either of us. I honestly was pretty shocked by how soft the image looked on his R5 compared to mine shot on the Z8 with the 800 PF. If you can get close enough, sharpness is less important, since you'll get plenty of detail anyway, but in less optimal condition, when you have to crop, it shows.
But of course, it costs 3000€ less than my lens, and it's much more flexible. My friend is very happy with it, and got some seriously incredible shots with it already, I was just expecting more, since I've been hearing a lot about how sharp it's supposed to be.
I'm gonna guess we have some focus or technique issues. You are also comparing a S glass/full stop plus aperture difference. So your exposures and sharpness ability due to those factors are going to come into play along with the focus hits of the 2 cameras. I have had folks say that ('softness') who shoot with me with different lenses and we compare what I'm shooting vs who they have 'heard' or saw such comparisons and that misconception goes away. That Tawny is super small also.
@WILDALASKA we were both on tripods, low ISO, the owl not moving one bit, I think it was pretty much the best real world comparison you can get.
I find it really tiresome that photographers complain about cameras or lenses not having Arca Swiss mounts. Arca Swiss is a proprietary mount - not a standard. Users with Manfrotto, Ulanzi, and others would be unhappy with other than the standard 1/4 inch screw STANDARD.
Because as wildlife photographers and this is a wildlife lens we use gimbals which are...wait for it....arca Swiss . AND all those brands use arch Swiss also. unless you are using a video head its mainly area Swiss
You won't get a better lens for the same money.
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Hi good morning. I have to ask is it possible to set up the control ring to Manuel focus in camera while still having auto focus engaged on the RF 200-800 mm lens.
Yes you can
You are one of a handful that answers my comments. Thank you for valuing what we say. And really good job as always on your video.
@@johnbrotherton4382 Thanks