@@schaerfentiefe1967 Here in the UK, we're weirdos: we're half metric (we like centimetres, meters, buying petrol in litres) but we still like our miles and feet and pints, too. It's really weird
I really appreciate Chris's presence in the videos, especially for one of these special reviews of gear most of us will never probably buy, but that we just watch to appreciate the marvels of high end lens design. So nobody better to see this than from Chris himself.
I saved money for a whole year to get it, and have zero regrets about buying it. It's an insane upgrade over my Tamron 150-600mm G2. Less zoom, sure, but the difference in image quality fully compensates for it.
Rignt, it's nice seing you! No worries Christopher, everyone love your British accent ☺ nevertheless, the main reason for watching your videos is we always get clear relevant information in a bite size format (No clickbait nor useless bells and whistles). Thanks! 👍🏻☺👍🏻📸🔭
I've found that even with the 2x on my older 500 f/4 II, images are simply spectacular on the R5. The only thing I own that's more expensive is my car, but I have zero regrets about buying it.
I know 99% of us would have to sell our kidneys to afford one of these (and probably a few other peoples' too), but I still love seeing reviews for them!
@@sultansofzoology Yea, I'll keep using the more budget friendly and versatile 70-300 mm F/4-5.6 IS USM for wildlife/sports/general telephoto. It might not be anywhere near as good as the 400 mm f/2.8, but I can afford it and it does its job pretty well. Besides, very few people view images in resolutions larger than 8,3 MP.
@@christopherfrost I think a little b-roll of you using the lens to break up the shots would be nice as framing elements. Maybe. I love your videos as is, but after all these years it might be fun to mix things up.
@@christopherfrost I think you have it perfect in this video. Just a minute or two of you introducing the camera in person, then switch to the usual format. Please don't turn into a vlogging channel, there are enough of those!
For me, perfect review. Because you adding both extenders, thank you! That is very important information for birders (especially AF speed and sharpness with 2x tc).
Well, the 'physical appearance' gives a new, much more personal touch to your already stellar reviews. Really like it! Looking forward to many more of your excellent reviews, they are always a great help when it's time to decide what to buy. Greetings from Austria! :D
This seems amazing. Decisions must be made soon. Murky weather rugby matches in iffy lighting will be my main subject, so I need that F2.8. It's all between the 300mm and this 400mm. for me.
Thanks Christopher. I already have the 100-500mm RF lens, but worried about its performance in low light. I'm heading to Africa for 8 weeks and you may have signed the deal for me buying this lens. Much appreciated!
Superb review Chris. Your early point on the weight being less than 3kg is the really important feature of this and the latest EF version. That's a massive benefit in a full day's shooting. We wait to see if Nikon can catch up with their Z 400/2.8, but that has a built-in TC so will probably weigh more. Traditionally the cost of these superteles was linked to the expensive large ED glass that this version doesn't have, so you could say they're fleesing people a bit now there's only one large element, but 'adding lightness' has always had a cost.
At this point, I’ve been watching your videos so long that I find it difficult to associate your iconic voice to your face! It easier to believe that you did a voice over a random man haha. Love the vids
If you think this is good, you've got to get your hands on the 300mm f/2.8L IS II which is this but simply a smidge better all-round, the TS-E 135mm f/4L which is hands-down the single highest-performing optic on the market, or the 200-400mm f/4L which... well, the optics aren't quite as great, but it's a zoom lens with a built-in 1.4x converter mode, so for the sheer functionality alone it is mightily impressive. RE how these lenses hold their value, ironically enough the EF version has now dropped in value considerably even though this lens is just the same thing with an adapter permanently fixed. The 300mm f/2.8 IS II has also dropped in value since this came out. You can sometimes find either EF lens in top condition for under £5000 now, which for this performance is a bargain.
I don't know if Chris is British accent has colonized my computer, but it definitely has taken over my RUclips feed with recommendations of his other reviews lol!
Cristopher why you mentioned that Canon made from plastic? It’s magnesium alloy but not plastic. Maybe you have to explore deeper Cabon technology. I faced with same mistake with headphones review of Meze Lyric. It also made from magnesium alloy, but very often it was confused with plastic.
Hi Chris!! I have a “middle class big glass hack” for you!! The Canon EF 400mm f 2.8 II NON-IS lens is fantastic!! It adapts beautifully to the new R cameras and focus is so fast and it’s very very sharp. And I am one of the pickiest people ever haha. WELL worth the $1700 USD on eBay last I checked.
Before telling you, that your reviews are really excellent, give me a second to dream of owning this lens ... I really like this format outside. 👍🏻 For this kind of lenses it fits really well! And for I love English (I'm actually a german), I've no problem getting colonized. 😂👍🏻👍🏻
This glass seems sooooo great - almost brings a tear to my eye 🥺, lol 😂. Thanks for the review! I can't afford/justify this for myself, but super interesting to see this info about it!
Have you considered reviewing any telescopes? At longer focal lengths they can be much cheaper and still deliver very good image quality, although I'm not sure how well they perform with "normal" photography.
Christopher, I would love to see Nikon send you a Z9 and their 400mm f2.8 as a comparison. It's also great to see you in front of the camera. Keep up the great work.
Christopher, isn't that the control wring at the widest part of the body of the lens, the black knurled ring with the custom programmable buttons every 90°? The knurled ring style on every RF lens is very distinctive in it's grip style pattern.
Haha thanks for the laugh and happy to see you making more a personal appearance in the reviews! This lens is awesome! Now if only I was a money printer! Brrrrrrrrr
I owned for few years 300mm 2.8 IS II and 400mm 2.8 IS. I really miss my 400mm, can't get used to darker aperture telephoto zooms now and can't afford a new 400mm 2.8 either :/
That's an amazing performance! What a dream this would be to use outdoors during sunset... But I'm content with my Tamron 150-600, even though it's a bit dark.
Well done on making the transition between being behind the camera and being in front. Anyways good to have a face to the name....but don't slack on your alternative close up shots of the product and images with the voice over 👌
Your usual impeccable review of a stunning lens, thanks! Also it's great again to see the distinguished gentleman behind the distinguished voice :). Your reviews are so good, it would be very interesting to see your take on reviews of more vintage and classic lenses to see how they perform compared to more recent offerings. For example, I have the Nikon AI-S 800mm f5.6 (I use it with the TC-301 to get amazing moon and planetary shots), 400mm f2.8, the legendary 105mm f2.5, Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm f3.5, along with the Nikon 15mm f5.6 AI (no distortion). They all work incredibly well on my Nikon D850.
Why not just go for the EF version with an EF > RF adapter? That way you can use it on both EF mount camera's and RF mount camera's and if you ever want to sell it it's an advantage to because you can sell it too both RF and EF mount users. Or am i missing something here?
So what’s your thoughts on cropping the image instead of getting a teleconverter ? If you have an R5 with 45megapixels , wouldn’t it give you the same results if you crop instead of buying a TC ?
You'll lose about half the pixels to crop equivalent to 1.4x teleconverter or three-quarters of the pixels for a x2 teleconverter. 22 mp is probably plenty most of the time but 11 mp is really starting to restrict what you can do with the image. But in real life you may have to do both to achieve the results you want. I have a Canon crop body with a 400mm lens (560mm equivalent FF) and I still usually need to crop if photographing birds in flight.
@@JoelRiveraMD Correct. You'll also lose sharpness, though it seems like the loss is minimal with this fine lens. But with a lesser lens, you will lose some sharpness with a x1.4 and quite a lot with a x2. If you can get away with just cropping, that's the best solution. But it depends on what you're going to do with the image and what resolution you need for the final image. If you're going to print a 10"x8" at 300 dpi, you want a 3000x2400 image. If you have that many pixels after cropping, great. No problem. Otherwise, your options are a teleconverter and loss of optical quality or resizing your image using software, which brings its own loss of quality (which might be more or less than the TC).
@@jrd33 Pixels do not help if the lens is not sharp enough. People seem to think the pixel count is some more fundamental limit on the print size than the sharpness.
LMAO “accent so British, it could colonize your computer” 🤣🤣
As an Indian, I can confirm. 💀
It's quite British, although at work I got Britisher guys ;).
@@Grimmjeaux Sorry man haha
Do you have a flag?
@@christopherfrost Your vocals are perfect as is this lens.
You are easy to understand and easy to listen to, unlike so many other native speakers.
0:17 "an accent so British, it could colonize your computer".
The best line I've heard all year 😅
My German computer just converted to the imperial system... 🤣🤣
@@schaerfentiefe1967 Here in the UK, we're weirdos: we're half metric (we like centimetres, meters, buying petrol in litres) but we still like our miles and feet and pints, too. It's really weird
@@christopherfrost you have best pints all over the world 😆
@@duchu1987 Amen!
0:17 haha 😂 that's one of the funniest lines I've heard from you this far
Absolutely love your reviews. Someday I’d also love to see you review the RF 600mm f4, 800mm f5.6, and 1200mm f8.
Thanks!
I really appreciate Chris's presence in the videos, especially for one of these special reviews of gear most of us will never probably buy, but that we just watch to appreciate the marvels of high end lens design. So nobody better to see this than from Chris himself.
I see Christopher has not lost his sense of humour.
You can't lose a sense of humor
@@tesha199 are you speaking on behalf of the world's population?
@@BruceLeroyUK representative of the Common Sense Union
@@tesha199 haha very good, Tesha. Have yourself a nice day.
I saved money for a whole year to get it, and have zero regrets about buying it. It's an insane upgrade over my Tamron 150-600mm G2. Less zoom, sure, but the difference in image quality fully compensates for it.
Rignt, it's nice seing you! No worries Christopher, everyone love your British accent ☺ nevertheless, the main reason for watching your videos is we always get clear relevant information in a bite size format (No clickbait nor useless bells and whistles). Thanks! 👍🏻☺👍🏻📸🔭
I've found that even with the 2x on my older 500 f/4 II, images are simply spectacular on the R5. The only thing I own that's more expensive is my car, but I have zero regrets about buying it.
Really cool to see you in person once more. Good review as always
I love that you are in front of the camera instead of just behind it! Keep up the great work Christopher!!
Wow. It's been a while since I've seen a lens be perfect, corner to corner, at it's maximum aperture.
Perfection comes at a price but sadly many expensive lenses have chromatic aberrations
I know 99% of us would have to sell our kidneys to afford one of these (and probably a few other peoples' too), but I still love seeing reviews for them!
Right. Plus these kinda lenses have less usability
I agree. I enjoy seeing these high end reviews. Thanks!
If you can pay for a car, you can pay for this lens. It's really the business case or justification that most of us are lacking.
It's just an EF 400 2.8 MK3 with an adaptor stuck onto it...
@@sultansofzoology Yea, I'll keep using the more budget friendly and versatile 70-300 mm F/4-5.6 IS USM for wildlife/sports/general telephoto.
It might not be anywhere near as good as the 400 mm f/2.8, but I can afford it and it does its job pretty well.
Besides, very few people view images in resolutions larger than 8,3 MP.
This video, just perfect production as always
I was having a really bad day then I saw you had a new review out. Feeling more content now Christopher thanks :)
Yes Chris as much as we love your reviews we would really like to see you in front of the camera more often …
I'm trying to think of the best way to implement that, without messing up the format and workflow of my current videos
@@christopherfrost I think a little b-roll of you using the lens to break up the shots would be nice as framing elements. Maybe. I love your videos as is, but after all these years it might be fun to mix things up.
@@christopherfrost I think you have it perfect in this video. Just a minute or two of you introducing the camera in person, then switch to the usual format. Please don't turn into a vlogging channel, there are enough of those!
I own the EF version 3 and it is the best lens I’ve ever owned!! Would love to see you review the RF 600mm f/4.
For me, perfect review. Because you adding both extenders, thank you! That is very important information for birders (especially AF speed and sharpness with 2x tc).
Well, the 'physical appearance' gives a new, much more personal touch to your already stellar reviews. Really like it! Looking forward to many more of your excellent reviews, they are always a great help when it's time to decide what to buy. Greetings from Austria! :D
Thanks Chris, finally we are able to see the man behind the camera. I love your reviews
After watching your videos for over 7 years, I finally see you in a video. Hope to see you more in future videos.
Love to see you in person, love your style.
I can listen to this man for hours, keep the good work Sir!
Love the advice of using the 2 times converter at f8 better than cropping the image of the 1.4 times converter.
It's so nice to see you! Thanks for what you do. You're both informative and calming.
This seems amazing.
Decisions must be made soon. Murky weather rugby matches in iffy lighting will be my main subject, so I need that F2.8. It's all between the 300mm and this 400mm. for me.
come on you Chiefs🙂
Thanks Christopher. I already have the 100-500mm RF lens, but worried about its performance in low light. I'm heading to Africa for 8 weeks and you may have signed the deal for me buying this lens. Much appreciated!
As a Former British Colony in the Caribbean 🇹🇹, @0:15 was super Hilarious LMAO . Good Work M8
Superb review Chris. Your early point on the weight being less than 3kg is the really important feature of this and the latest EF version. That's a massive benefit in a full day's shooting. We wait to see if Nikon can catch up with their Z 400/2.8, but that has a built-in TC so will probably weigh more. Traditionally the cost of these superteles was linked to the expensive large ED glass that this version doesn't have, so you could say they're fleesing people a bit now there's only one large element, but 'adding lightness' has always had a cost.
Correct, and I think the light-weight magnesium bodies (if this has one) are much more costly to machine, etc..
At this point, I’ve been watching your videos so long that I find it difficult to associate your iconic voice to your face! It easier to believe that you did a voice over a random man haha. Love the vids
"Extreme Portrait Photography" is a genre I'd never heard of before. That is hilarious. Thanks for that.
Loving the appearancce in the video! Would be great to see you more often. Cheers for another nice review!
I pre set my focus on 1st base while shooting baseball. Very handy to grab those shots.
Good to see the face behind the voice. I always enjoy your reviews.
Great review. Would you also review the RF 600 mm f4? I am very interested in that lens for bird/wildlife photography.
Great video! Nice to see you in front of the camera!
If you think this is good, you've got to get your hands on the 300mm f/2.8L IS II which is this but simply a smidge better all-round, the TS-E 135mm f/4L which is hands-down the single highest-performing optic on the market, or the 200-400mm f/4L which... well, the optics aren't quite as great, but it's a zoom lens with a built-in 1.4x converter mode, so for the sheer functionality alone it is mightily impressive.
RE how these lenses hold their value, ironically enough the EF version has now dropped in value considerably even though this lens is just the same thing with an adapter permanently fixed. The 300mm f/2.8 IS II has also dropped in value since this came out. You can sometimes find either EF lens in top condition for under £5000 now, which for this performance is a bargain.
My absolute dream lens in the entire world.
You totally colonized my PC! It now leaves thumbs up under each of your videos without even asking me!
Thanks. This 8s exactly what I needed for shooting pics of birds in the dark!
I don't know if Chris is British accent has colonized my computer, but it definitely has taken over my RUclips feed with recommendations of his other reviews lol!
Bingo! perfect vlogging setup!
Nice to see you, finally! :)
Hi Chris, would you be giving one of those a way any time soon?
Very educational. Thank you
Love the in-person review. LOVE IT
Thank you for the review. I would love to hear your opinion about the Sigma 500mm f4 Sports with the TC-1401 and 2001 converters.
I recently bought the R5 & love it.. I can't wait to really test it.
Cristopher why you mentioned that Canon made from plastic? It’s magnesium alloy but not plastic. Maybe you have to explore deeper Cabon technology. I faced with same mistake with headphones review of Meze Lyric. It also made from magnesium alloy, but very often it was confused with plastic.
Hi Chris!! I have a “middle class big glass hack” for you!! The Canon EF 400mm f 2.8 II NON-IS lens is fantastic!! It adapts beautifully to the new R cameras and focus is so fast and it’s very very sharp. And I am one of the pickiest people ever haha. WELL worth the $1700 USD on eBay last I checked.
Great Review Christopher! Great lens Canon!
Best reviewer on RUclips. Hope to see you review the RF600 soon.
Before telling you, that your reviews are really excellent, give me a second to dream of owning this lens ...
I really like this format outside. 👍🏻 For this kind of lenses it fits really well! And for I love English (I'm actually a german), I've no problem getting colonized. 😂👍🏻👍🏻
nice to finally meet you
I have owned Canon 400mm f2.8 L IS mark 1 and 300mm f2.8 L IS mark 1. Enjoyable experience. 400mm was heavy as hell.
What a fantastic lens!! Thank you for the review!!
but can we use EF teleconverters with the ef to rf adaptor?
This glass seems sooooo great - almost brings a tear to my eye 🥺, lol 😂. Thanks for the review! I can't afford/justify this for myself, but super interesting to see this info about it!
I enjoy your reviews as they are and would be interested to see some stuff on composition and framing...maybe share some tips etc
Wow first time seeing christopher frost in person
Have you considered reviewing any telescopes? At longer focal lengths they can be much cheaper and still deliver very good image quality, although I'm not sure how well they perform with "normal" photography.
Good to see you in front of the camera! I can put a face to the name! Love your videos
Christopher, I would love to see Nikon send you a Z9 and their 400mm f2.8 as a comparison. It's also great to see you in front of the camera. Keep up the great work.
Hi lovely Chris, wondering if you could do camera test for the new sony ZV-E10. 😍🙏
I would be interested how to preset the focus on this lens... any future video in detail? Many Tks!
Christopher, isn't that the control wring at the widest part of the body of the lens, the black knurled ring with the custom programmable buttons every 90°? The knurled ring style on every RF lens is very distinctive in it's grip style pattern.
No, it's not a control ring I'm afraid
great review...wish you stacked the converters for astro, or moon images.
"an accent so British, it could colonize your computer" I nearly spit out my coffee 🤣
I know you did a RF 600mm f4 review. I wanted to watch it again. I can't find it??? Did you remove it??
Thanks a lot Chris, you are my all time favourite. One day if I get this big boy I’ll definitely let you know. Cheers
Haha thanks for the laugh and happy to see you making more a personal appearance in the reviews! This lens is awesome! Now if only I was a money printer! Brrrrrrrrr
The 2x extenders when used with f/2.8 tele lenses do not degrade the images significantly. In fact, common viewers won't be able to notice it.
just got mine...and found this very interesting and useful. i would never use a 2x. it is c.10,000pounds in hong kong. thanks
Niceee. All the best from Poland friend! I love ur videos. It helps me to buy some lenses!
I owned for few years 300mm 2.8 IS II and 400mm 2.8 IS. I really miss my 400mm, can't get used to darker aperture telephoto zooms now and can't afford a new 400mm 2.8 either :/
Chris, would you ever be interested in a "behind-the-scenes" video that walks viewers through your process and shows the work involved?
I'm thinking of doing one for my Patreon supporters :-)
That's an amazing performance! What a dream this would be to use outdoors during sunset... But I'm content with my Tamron 150-600, even though it's a bit dark.
That's a nice rear lens cap you have over there. It can capture images as well
Chris you sir are the gold standard.
Curious as to how come you have not expanded into camera reviews?
Can you test the Sony 400 2.8 as well. That would be very helpful. Best regards
Fwiw I could probably just fall asleep to a playlist of your videos. Actually… maybe I should…
Ive rented the ef 300 2.8l and that was a dream to use. The extra 100mm reach though is a bit pricey per extra mm
I'd love to see more lunar and astrophotography when you review the super tele lenses.
For lunar, a telescope is a much better and cheaper way to go.
Is it possible we can retest RF lenses with APSC sensors now that the R7 and the R10 is out? Love your work!
One day Canon....one day I will have this lens! Thanks for another great review.
I wish you could review Canon EF 600mm iii or RF 600mm F4
Holy moly that is some lens.
Well done on making the transition between being behind the camera and being in front. Anyways good to have a face to the name....but don't slack on your alternative close up shots of the product and images with the voice over 👌
A lens pretty much for hire only. Great review as always.
Love to get one in future
Can you do more test on fuji lens like the 90 vs 50-140? 😁 I love how you review each lens, way more realistic and detail than other youtuber
"Could colonise your computer" 🤣
Was the vignetting on the corners with or without the lens hood for the base lens / teleconverters?
My dream lens!!
Your usual impeccable review of a stunning lens, thanks! Also it's great again to see the distinguished gentleman behind the distinguished voice :). Your reviews are so good, it would be very interesting to see your take on reviews of more vintage and classic lenses to see how they perform compared to more recent offerings. For example, I have the Nikon AI-S 800mm f5.6 (I use it with the TC-301 to get amazing moon and planetary shots), 400mm f2.8, the legendary 105mm f2.5, Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm f3.5, along with the Nikon 15mm f5.6 AI (no distortion). They all work incredibly well on my Nikon D850.
Why not just go for the EF version with an EF > RF adapter?
That way you can use it on both EF mount camera's and RF mount camera's and if you ever want to sell it it's an advantage to because you can sell it too both RF and EF mount users.
Or am i missing something here?
You could do that, but ultimately, mirrorless really is the future so you won't miss out on resale value with the RF lens
So what’s your thoughts on cropping the image instead of getting a teleconverter ? If you have an R5 with 45megapixels , wouldn’t it give you the same results if you crop instead of buying a TC ?
Not if you plan on printing as large as you possibly can, however unlikely.
You'll lose about half the pixels to crop equivalent to 1.4x teleconverter or three-quarters of the pixels for a x2 teleconverter. 22 mp is probably plenty most of the time but 11 mp is really starting to restrict what you can do with the image. But in real life you may have to do both to achieve the results you want. I have a Canon crop body with a 400mm lens (560mm equivalent FF) and I still usually need to crop if photographing birds in flight.
@@jrd33 so by using a TC I won’t loose the pixels but will loose light , correct ?
@@JoelRiveraMD Correct. You'll also lose sharpness, though it seems like the loss is minimal with this fine lens. But with a lesser lens, you will lose some sharpness with a x1.4 and quite a lot with a x2.
If you can get away with just cropping, that's the best solution. But it depends on what you're going to do with the image and what resolution you need for the final image. If you're going to print a 10"x8" at 300 dpi, you want a 3000x2400 image. If you have that many pixels after cropping, great. No problem. Otherwise, your options are a teleconverter and loss of optical quality or resizing your image using software, which brings its own loss of quality (which might be more or less than the TC).
@@jrd33 Pixels do not help if the lens is not sharp enough. People seem to think the pixel count is some more fundamental limit on the print size than the sharpness.
Superb information
OMG you sound exactly like Gordon Lang! Before I saw you I thought I was watching one of his videos.
Preordered my RF600 F4 during April launched . Waste of time , until now still no instock!