Great review 🙂 I own both the RF 600 and the RF 800 F11, of which the 800 stays glued to my Canon R7 almost exclusively. For me reach is everything. Not necessarily for shooting subjects a long way away, but rather shooting small subjects from 25 or 30 ft. I also owned the Sigma 150-600, and I felt like the optics were fine. However that lens suffered a lot from the dreaded focus pulsing issues. Not to mention I stayed glued at 600 mm most of the time and that still wasn't long enough. So I sold it, bought RF 800, and never looked back 🙂 I'm sure the RF 800 F5.6 would be a better lens. But for 16 X's the price, and 4 X's the weight, my RF 800 f11 is by far the best choice on the market 👍
I use the RF 100-400 F5.6 - 8 and crop the images which gives better results at low light than the 800mm. Using Canon R8 body. No IBIS means slightly more care needed but I would prefer this to the 800mm or 600mm.
I’ve been shooting wildlife with the 800mm f/11 lens on a R6 for a while now. I can’t say enough how impressed I am. Birds in flight with animal detect, extremely good. Closer targets, with eye detect, takes your breath away. For me, wildlife like Bald Eagles are always far away. The 800mm is a good first step. But I push it even farther using a 1.4x Extender. And the results are still, very good. But for closeups of Bald Eagles in tree or diving for fish far away, I push the 800mm even more by setting the R6 in crop mode. Do the math 800mm x 1.4 Extender x 1.6 crop = 1,792 mm. Even with concerns about pixel count or image quality, again you have to try it to believe it. I’m getting some outstanding results at 1,792mm especially when using eye detect. A monopod also helps when dropping the shutter to 1/400 to keep the ISO low. I’ve been shooting wildlife for a number of years. The 400mm F5.6 prime was great. The Canon 100-400 II with 1.4x Extender III at 896mm on a 1.6 crop body even better. This combination doubles your reach again. You will be amazed. You have to try it for yourself…
Thanks you so very much for a very good Demo and Info. Still waiting for Canon R 7, with the 600 mm f11.0. It's for weight and measurement. I mean travel with my backpack. Now working with Sony and Canon. 200-600 mm and 100-400 mm M2. I am very excited for the new Combi in the end of 2022. Best regards from me in Thailand.
Excellent review Sabine. I own the EF600mm f/4III, the RF100-500mm and recently added the RF800mm f/11 to my gear bag. Nothing will replace the EF600mm f/4 in my view esp the 3rd version which is relatively lighter weight compared to prior versions of the EF600mm lens. I can hand hold the R5+adapter+1xTCIII+ EF600mmf/4III comfortably which gives me freedom for BIF. However, you make a great point which is that for a walking lense the EF600mmIII is still a BEAST. I purchased the RF800mm f/11 for long hikes when I need reach. I agree with the limits you point out of the lens. I have found it's a good companion lens for long hikes along with the RF100-500mm. I take BOTH lenses each on a separate body so I am not limited when/if the animals/birds come closer. They are a manageable combo for me. If I can only take ONE lens I'll take the RF500mm NOT the RF800mm. My best to you and the Pangolin family - a dear friend of mine is currently there right now!
Hi Vicky. So great to hear your thoughts on that. I am sure you must enjoy that combo a lot. And thanks for sending your friends to us. Regards from the whole Pangolin family ;) -Sabine
Hi Sabine, thanks for the comparison. Regarding 21:20, the best budget lens available is most probably the Sony FE 200-600mm 5.6-6.3 G, internal zoom, super fast and silent AF motor, razor sharp images, only a quarter turn from 200 to 600, fully weather sealed, 2115 grams light. As proud R3 shooter, I always envy the Sony guys for that lens.
Great review of these lenses. I agree that under low light conditions f11 is not ideal, but they are incredible lenses for the money. Not everyone can afford a +200k lens, but the RF800 and 600 give just about anyone the ability to go out and capture incredible images without the eye-watering prices of professional glass. Here is what i mean. Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM Lens is R13,395.00 The Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM Lens is R269 000 And the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens is R269 000 And i don't think you would be settling for anything, these lenses deliver great quality images. Keep it up Sabine and the Pangolin team! Q
Just watched this review AFTER buying the RF600/11. I rented both from Lens Rentals here in the states and took them to a local airport and the pond I shoot birds at. When shooting planes the 800 seemed to show the air currents more than the 600. Both were acceptably sharp. My main reason for the 600 is that I found the 800 really tough to get birds or even planes in the FOV, while the 600 could be a challenge I could manage to get in the FOV more often. Also in your review you mention the small focus area, I am using the new R7 and the focus area on the 600mm on the R7 is almost the size of the chip! I highly recommend the RF600/11 for anyone with a R7
I was just going to ask how the lenses perform with an APS-C body and you pretty much answered my question. I'm leaning a bit towards the R10 though, because of a tight budget. Any thoughts there?
Hmm, after watching this I'm considering getting the 600mm to pair with my R7. I'm based in South Africa so I not only shoot birds but am often in Kruger shooting other animals as well. And I shoot aviation as well
This is lovely and very kind that you spend your time to give loads of information to us, This is meaning of humanity. Thank you very much Love from the UK
Hi, Sabine. As usual, you’ve presented another outstanding video. I am considering getting the RF800mm lens with a Canon R6II combination. So; seeing your Review with very similar setups was very helpful for me making a decision. Thank you very much!!
I was not at all surprised at the "Final Verdict"! It's about the same recommendation as Jan Wegener did (though he could test those lenses with the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters!) 😍 IMHO this speaks for this great review. 😇
I was looking at reviews of 800mm for a few days now and I must say : WOW! what a great review! Exactly something that I was looking for! You are amazing, so professional and helpful. I wish other RUclips "experts" were just like you! Keep up great work! ;)
I laughed when I first saw these were coming but they are much better than I thought they would be. I won’t be replacing my EF 600/4 IS II but these are great for the casual wildlife photographer and will probably help get people into the RF system and that’s what Canon wants.
Sabine, Your ability to present a professional lecture is noted. Plus, your attention to details with your stills and videos, involving the R5 and R6 with the 600mm f/11 and 800mm f/11, are exceptional. The clear and concise remarks of "pros and cons" of the lenses are appreciated. Best of good health to you and Pangolin.
Excellent Sabrina, thank you for this review, I have the RF800 f11, also the 100-400mk ii the difference in weight is noticeable, today I used the zoom with a 1.4 mk iii extender waiting for a bird and yes even that was heavy after 3 minutes 🤷🏼♂️ I remember wishing I had the 800 attached
Hey Roger. That is so true, weight does make a huge difference and that is where these lenses really excel. One quickly gets used to the lighter weight ;) -Sabine
I just purchased the 800mm and Sabine's considerations were very important and interesting. I have been following Pangolin for several years. Thank you so much. I have learned a lot from you. I'm passionate about everything related to the world of photography in general and wildlife in particular. Thanks a lot. 👌🥰
Great review! I’ve owned both the sigma and 800mm. I found once there was enough light I was always switching to the 800mm. With enough background separation it sure was an advantage for small birds.
Great video and nice comparison. I have R7 and Sigma 150 600 in addition to RF 800, RF600 and RF 100-400. My favorite is RF 800 mm. It's super sharp, eye AF is spot on, very light weight and produces great results if you can find the bird in a non zoomable narrow field of view. Min focus distance is never an issue as most birds are at least 20 feet away. I can walk with it for hours. Then my next favorite Sigma 150-600C. It works but the combo is very HEAVY and I can't walk with it for more than 30 mins. Sigma 150 600 also works great with R7 when used with Sigma 1.4X Teleconverter. The F8 naturally gives sharper shots but again the combo is very difficult to handhold. RF 100 400 is a great lens but not for birding. 400mm is too short. I would use it butterflies or macro. 600 is compromise but I like RF 800 mm a lot better than the RF 600mm.
I'm using the RF600 mm now for a while on the R6 and also on the R7 and I was able to make shots which I would never have made without this lens. I own also a Sigma 150-600 mm but this is not the lens to take with on hiking. I regret not have bought the RF800 instead of the RF600 because there are - on my taken shots - options which would have given me benefits having the longer lens. Me is a hobby photographer and I'm fascinated from taking long shots. I might buy the RF800 in addition to have longer shots, using a converter would reduce my light more and is not much cheaper if looking for a "special price" when its the case.
Great review - Thanks !! -One addition: R5+600mm F/11, can be easily extended without a lot of compromise, by assigning a custom button to crop mode (45MP turns 27MP photos, from the center of the sensor), which would be comparable to the R6+800mm F/11, only retaining the option of switching back to 600mm when needed, the minimal focus length. I DO make the assumption that R5 FF-2-CROP switch is offered by the software, and can be programmed into a custom button (I am a Sony A1 shooter, so I use this technique, but have not tried the R5 yet)
According to Canon, the R5 in crop mode is approximately 17.2 megapixels, but yes, roughly equivalent to the R6. Or more like a 7d mark ii which is APS-C and 20 megapixels.
Great job on this review Sabine! I have had my R5 for about 3 months now and added the RF 800 about 5 weeks ago. I absolutely love it. I live in Wyoming USA and go into Yellowstone National Park often along with other close by areas with a lot of wildlife. Shooting grizzly bears at the proper distance is very important. I love to shoot Rocky Mountain goats as well close by. The 800 mm helps me to keep my distance. I can hand hold a shot at the moon and climb into the craters with sharp results. I just now ordered the RF 600 mm as well. I will share this video with lots of friends who are on the fence with this camera. I know it will convince others of the potential excellence at a great price. Thanks again Sabine!
Thank you so much for this nice feedback and sharing your experience with the 800mm. It is always nice for other people to read too. And also thanks so much for sharing the video. Much appreciated ;)
What an informative and we'll produced review this is. Complete with images. This is without doubt best review on net. highlighting pros and cons with examples too. Keep it up.subd
Absolutely brilliant opinion ant the detail that you share is incredible. Millions of thanks for putting us virtually behind the lens to give us as clear an insight as we will ever get
Ultimate review with honest opinion!!!!. Am your big fan of your photography. I have learnt lot of tips from your photography skills!!! Thanks a lot Teacher!!!!!! :)
I own the RF 800mm and tested it with (and without) the canon 1.4x teleconverter. The images with the TC weren't bad, but when digitally cropped in post to the closest good zoom, there was really very little in it (and if anything, even there I preferred it without the TC). And of course the teleconverter comes with its own price tag, size/weight, and in particular reduces the aparture (negatively affecting the ISO and, and already limited autofocus). And makes the fixed long focal length even more unweildy for regular use (finding and tracking your target). So I didn't keep the teleconverter and don't see any advantage for it with this lens. Speaking about the RF 800mm in general, I'm glad I have it, as it delivers the closest zoom available for a non-pro user. And I definately rate its IQ above the sigma (which I have also tested but didn't keep). But the minimum focal distance being quite long, narrow aparture (= higher ISO), the fixed focal length, and the autofocus being quite slow (making e.g. birds in flight very hit-and-miss at best, and usually not possible), mean that I don't 100% love it in the same way that I do my 100-400mm APS-C.
Thanks Sabine for another great review, I have found it very useful and have been waiting for it for a while. I just wish that I could visit you again in the Chobe
Great review. I had the Sigma 150-600mm and sent it back. I hated it on my D750 😩 the IQ was horrible. Those Primes are amazing but out of most people's price range. Wow Looks lovely there btw. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for your input. Yeah in the end there is nothing like a prime. Def prefer the IQ of those two over the Sigma. BTW it is lovely here, you should come and visit us at Pangolin ;) -Sabine
Very nice thank you; esp. for sharing the raw files. I use the Canon 100-400 and 300 f/2.8 with 1.4x and 2x on an R5 (depending on available light and if I need zoom) and I'm pretty happy with the results - so no real need for these two RF f/11 lenses. I thought about it but it seems pointless. I think with my set up I get better IQ. I would love a 500 or 600 f/4 their markII versions and above but luggage restrictions when travel make them utopic. For the record I'm happy I spent the extra money and went for the R5 instead of the R6 cropability can save money from longer glass and make it possible to travel. Excellent treatment as well and top-rated photography.
Hello Dimitris. I agree that you'd probably not need either lens. I don't either but think if I had an abundance of cash, I'd grab the 800mm just for fun...hiking around and shooting whatever comes in front of my lens :) Glad to hear you like the R5. Do you shoot in RAW or CRAW? - Sabine
@@PangolinWildlife interesting question regarding C-Raw, I do now it is very very good, 100-400 mk ii + 1.4 mkiii extender work really well with the R 6 as does the Rf800
Thanks Sabine for a very thorough and practical review. On my R5 I really like the flexibility of the Canon 100-500 which I use as a one lens setup for nature and wildlife for everything from dragonflies, with it’s respectable close focussing, to birds in flight and larger animals too of course. And when I know I’m going to have to crop heavily in post anyway I’ll sometimes use the 1.6x crop mode on the R5 to give me 800mm of effective reach with the benefit of having the subject larger in the frame whilst saving a bit of disk space with the resulting 17.25MP file size. Yes, there are compromises, but overall I’m really enjoying it and with the weight saving my back’s not complying either! Thanks again.
Outstanding video. I agree with your assessment of the lenses. I am now shooting with the RF 800 on my Canon R3 and am getting some excellent handheld shots of hummingbirds. But I am not working in low light due to ISO concerns. Your explanations and comments were eye opening and greatly appreciated.
Thank you for the review! As with any lens purchase decision, there are always numerous factors that are evaluated depending upon your needs and intended usage. I see these lenses as competitors not only to the big heavy prime L series that you mentioned (and other similar focal lengths), but also to other supper-telephoto zoom lenses beyond the one you mentioned. This competition will always be come down to the factors you feel are most paramount and where you are willing to compromise or find acceptable trade-offs. For some the price of the big L primes (and I’m pretty certain the price of any rumored equivalent RF primes) will be the first trade-off as finances dictate their elimination. The other compromises that will be weighed may be aperture, optical qualities, weight and one that I found to be my deciding factor, versatility. These new Canon lenses are admittedly compromises, but the compromise they make in versatility, not just in terms of focal length, but also in aperture speed and adjustability is too much for me. Being limited to a single f stop is just as limiting as being one focal length, particularly when it is preventing my usage at my choice of ISO or shutter speed for a possible shooting condition. My own opinion, for what it’s worth, is that a quality tele-photo zoom provides the sweet spot amongst the options most consider. Between price, performance, size and weight, and versatility of both focal length and aperture, they contribute to a winning combination that led me to the Sigma 60-600 4.5-6.3 Sport IS lens.
Hey Thomas. Thank you so much for the thorough input. All very valid points and as you said it is all about needs and affordability. The Sigma 60-600 certainly gives a lot of flexibility ;) -Sabine
Great reviews and reasons to own or not to own. I have owned all the big whites from Canon and still with 2 x EF800mm and a EF200-400mm. Unfortunately with air travel, getting these as hand carry is always a bother. Your test shots are convincing but also the caveat of low light and my shots of birds under heavy canopy is the one that holds me back. Still I may have to test these out from my Canon dealer and go from there. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Another awesome video Sabine with heaps of valuable info from Professionals who know. We do appreciate your advise as you are able to compare cameras and lenses side by side, which is something we can't do. Thank you once again.
Thanks for the great review! It helped me a lot. At the end you said that there are some photos on the comments section, but I couldn't find any. I would like to look closely at some photos, to sea whether they are reasonable to me. Thanks! 🙂
So, I was thinking about investing in one of these to carry around hiking, primarily because of the light weight and reach. As an experiment I put a doubler on my 100-400 which, at 400 5.6 became an 800 f11. Usable in very limited situations. You need quite a bit of light and a subject willing to cooperate. It's very easy to find yourself in ISO ridiculous territory pretty fast. I decided against the lens. Intriguing as it is, I think I'll continue to carry the 100-400, and carry along the 2x for those rare occasions I might be able to use it, even though it weighs a bit more. Just wish the 2x was a bit more compact.
Thank you for this in depth review. I am upgrading to the R5 this month and was curious about these two lenses for shooting in Yellowstone park. I currently use a 5DSR and a 100-400mm mark II. I might spring for the 100-500mm RF instead. This was so informative for me and very well produced.
Hi Geoffrey. Thanks for the positive feedback! You will not go wrong with the 100-500mm and I am sure you'll love being flexible having the zoom option ;) -Sabine
I love that you wonderful people at Pangolin give such balanced yet personal reviews 😊 The predictable structure and build up to your conclusions and opinions is also soo very useful. Thank you very much. For me, 800 vis-à-vis the 600, the advantage of an additional 1.5 m as MFD sort of compensated at the shorter end for that deficit in additional reach. You win some..... you lose some! Find it so much an easier size to carry along too....😊
Wow!!! Absolutely FANTASTIC review!!! I’m considering buying the R6 and the RF 600mm lens and you’ve definitely helped with my decision. I’m only wondering if I should get the 800 mm vs the 600mm. I have a Tamron 150-600mm EF lens that I hate! Question: at 7:11 you mentioned that AF is a problem when you move closer to the subject. So do you just take a step back? Thank you so much for the wonderful review!!
Great review. Compliments. I was on a Pangolin Safari hosted by you and Jeanine at Chobe national park in August 2021 and it was really great. I am planning to come again to take pictures with you, but this time probably on a migration safari. In the mentine, can I please take adavantage of your expertise and patience? I have a Canon EOS R6 and a Canon EM 100-400 1:4.5-5.6 L IS II USM. I would like to have a longer reach and, being a beginner, my budget is somehow Limited. The question for me is: shall I buy an RF 600mm f/11 (at about CHF 600.-) or shall I rather purchase a Rf extender 1x to be used on the 100-400 (at about CHF 530.-)? The zoom with the extender will give me much more flexibility in reach, but my doubt is related to the image quality. My 100-400 is probably of higher quality than the RF 600 f/11, but it is a zoom and I have no idea of how an extender will impact the image quality. You certainly have made lots of experiences and testing with the extenders on this type of lenses. I thank you in advance for your advise and your precious time. With kindest regards. Gastone from Switzerland
I have a RF 800 with a R6 (also use sometimes with the 1.4 extender) for bird photography,is a lot better system than the other system that I have a EOS90D with a 100-400 II zoom with a 1.4 extender.
One of the best lens reviews on RUclips. A standard setter. No histrionics, just clear narration and fantastic examples. Well done!
Wow, that is great to hear! Thank you so much for the feedback ;)
Agreed!
You could also watch Jan Wegener's review on those two lenses (even with both teleconverters) ... 😇
Great review 🙂
I own both the RF 600 and the RF 800 F11, of which the 800 stays glued to my Canon R7 almost exclusively. For me reach is everything. Not necessarily for shooting subjects a long way away, but rather shooting small subjects from 25 or 30 ft.
I also owned the Sigma 150-600, and I felt like the optics were fine. However that lens suffered a lot from the dreaded focus pulsing issues. Not to mention I stayed glued at 600 mm most of the time and that still wasn't long enough. So I sold it, bought RF 800, and never looked back 🙂
I'm sure the RF 800 F5.6 would be a better lens. But for 16 X's the price, and 4 X's the weight, my RF 800 f11 is by far the best choice on the market 👍
I use the RF 100-400 F5.6 - 8 and crop the images which gives better results at low light than the 800mm. Using Canon R8 body. No IBIS means slightly more care needed but I would prefer this to the 800mm or 600mm.
I’ve been shooting wildlife with the 800mm f/11 lens on a R6 for a while now.
I can’t say enough how impressed I am. Birds in flight with animal detect, extremely good.
Closer targets, with eye detect, takes your breath away.
For me, wildlife like Bald Eagles are always far away. The 800mm is a good first step.
But I push it even farther using a 1.4x Extender. And the results are still, very good.
But for closeups of Bald Eagles in tree or diving for fish far away, I push the 800mm even more by setting the R6 in crop mode.
Do the math 800mm x 1.4 Extender x 1.6 crop = 1,792 mm. Even with concerns about pixel count or image quality, again you have to try it to believe it. I’m getting some outstanding results at 1,792mm especially when using eye detect. A monopod also helps when dropping the shutter to 1/400 to keep the ISO low. I’ve been shooting wildlife for a number of years. The 400mm F5.6 prime was great. The Canon 100-400 II with 1.4x Extender III at 896mm on a 1.6 crop body even better. This combination doubles your reach again.
You will be amazed. You have to try it for yourself…
Thank you so much for the thorough input and your experience with this lens. I am sure many readers will appreciate this ;) -Sabine
would you rate the 800 rf prime over the rf 100-400 ?
This is a superb video on these two lenses. Hands down the best one I have seen. Thank you for crafting this video.
Hey David. Such a great feedback from you. I really appreciate it as it is quite a bit of work put into that ;) - Sabine
Thanks you so very much for a very good Demo and Info.
Still waiting for Canon R 7, with the 600 mm f11.0.
It's for weight and measurement.
I mean travel with my backpack.
Now working with Sony and Canon. 200-600 mm and 100-400 mm M2.
I am very excited for the new Combi in the end of 2022.
Best regards from me in Thailand.
Excellent review Sabine. I own the EF600mm f/4III, the RF100-500mm and recently added the RF800mm f/11 to my gear bag. Nothing will replace the EF600mm f/4 in my view esp the 3rd version which is relatively lighter weight compared to prior versions of the EF600mm lens. I can hand hold the R5+adapter+1xTCIII+ EF600mmf/4III comfortably which gives me freedom for BIF. However, you make a great point which is that for a walking lense the EF600mmIII is still a BEAST. I purchased the RF800mm f/11 for long hikes when I need reach. I agree with the limits you point out of the lens. I have found it's a good companion lens for long hikes along with the RF100-500mm. I take BOTH lenses each on a separate body so I am not limited when/if the animals/birds come closer. They are a manageable combo for me. If I can only take ONE lens I'll take the RF500mm NOT the RF800mm. My best to you and the Pangolin family - a dear friend of mine is currently there right now!
Hi Vicky. So great to hear your thoughts on that. I am sure you must enjoy that combo a lot. And thanks for sending your friends to us. Regards from the whole Pangolin family ;) -Sabine
Hi Sabine, thanks for the comparison. Regarding 21:20, the best budget lens available is most probably the Sony FE 200-600mm 5.6-6.3 G, internal zoom, super fast and silent AF motor, razor sharp images, only a quarter turn from 200 to 600, fully weather sealed, 2115 grams light. As proud R3 shooter, I always envy the Sony guys for that lens.
Great review of these lenses. I agree that under low light conditions f11 is not ideal, but they are incredible lenses for the money.
Not everyone can afford a +200k lens, but the RF800 and 600 give just about anyone the ability to go out and capture incredible images without the eye-watering prices of professional glass.
Here is what i mean.
Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM Lens is R13,395.00
The Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM Lens is R269 000
And the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens is R269 000
And i don't think you would be settling for anything, these lenses deliver great quality images.
Keep it up Sabine and the Pangolin team!
Q
Thanks Quintin. Very true! You just forgot a few zeros on the Canon RF 600mm f/4 ;) -Sabine
@@PangolinWildlife 🤣
Just watched this review AFTER buying the RF600/11. I rented both from Lens Rentals here in the states and took them to a local airport and the pond I shoot birds at. When shooting planes the 800 seemed to show the air currents more than the 600. Both were acceptably sharp. My main reason for the 600 is that I found the 800 really tough to get birds or even planes in the FOV, while the 600 could be a challenge I could manage to get in the FOV more often. Also in your review you mention the small focus area, I am using the new R7 and the focus area on the 600mm on the R7 is almost the size of the chip! I highly recommend the RF600/11 for anyone with a R7
I was just going to ask how the lenses perform with an APS-C body and you pretty much answered my question. I'm leaning a bit towards the R10 though, because of a tight budget. Any thoughts there?
@@garage662 I don't know anything about the R10 as I never considered it. Sorry.
Hmm, after watching this I'm considering getting the 600mm to pair with my R7. I'm based in South Africa so I not only shoot birds but am often in Kruger shooting other animals as well. And I shoot aviation as well
This is lovely and very kind that you spend your time to give loads of information to us, This is meaning of humanity.
Thank you very much
Love from the UK
You did a great job on this review. I'm enjoying my 800 f/11.
That is great to hear Phil. I think too many people are bashing them so it is nice to hear good feedback ;) -Sabine
Getting on great with mine Phil.
Hi, Sabine. As usual, you’ve presented another outstanding video. I am considering getting the RF800mm lens with a Canon R6II combination. So; seeing your Review with very similar setups was very helpful for me making a decision. Thank you very much!!
I was not at all surprised at the "Final Verdict"! It's about the same recommendation as Jan Wegener did (though he could test those lenses with the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters!) 😍
IMHO this speaks for this great review. 😇
I was looking at reviews of 800mm for a few days now and I must say : WOW! what a great review! Exactly something that I was looking for! You are amazing, so professional and helpful. I wish other RUclips "experts" were just like you! Keep up great work! ;)
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.
Just bought the 800 for my R6ll! And love your video, watched it twice!
I got the perfect review about these lenses. Best review on RUclips and to-the-point. 😀
Sabine, you are wonderfully to the point and very clear.. thank you so much for all the effort you put into your feedback.
Thank you Rose. It is nice to hear a feedback like this and makes worth all the effort ;)
I laughed when I first saw these were coming but they are much better than I thought they would be. I won’t be replacing my EF 600/4 IS II but these are great for the casual wildlife photographer and will probably help get people into the RF system and that’s what Canon wants.
Exactly what I thought as well...very skeptical at first but definitely seeing a market for those. Thanks for the comment ;) -Sabine
Might be the very best lens review you can make!
Full of information !
Thanks Sabine. Hope to see you at Chobe - I miss that part of the world
good news! the new R6mk2 does not suffer from reduced focus area any more when used with these lenses! Progress!
Excellente Présentation.Bravo !
Always brilliant and informative for people thinking of switching from dslr to mirrorless
Thanks Nik ;) -Sabine
@@PangolinWildlife more than welcome
Sabine, Your ability to present a professional lecture is noted. Plus, your attention to details with your stills and videos, involving the R5 and R6 with the 600mm f/11 and 800mm f/11, are exceptional. The clear and concise remarks of "pros and cons" of the lenses are appreciated. Best of good health to you and Pangolin.
Excellent Sabrina, thank you for this review, I have the RF800 f11, also the 100-400mk ii the difference in weight is noticeable, today I used the zoom with a 1.4 mk iii extender waiting for a bird and yes even that was heavy after 3 minutes 🤷🏼♂️ I remember wishing I had the 800 attached
Hey Roger. That is so true, weight does make a huge difference and that is where these lenses really excel. One quickly gets used to the lighter weight ;) -Sabine
I just purchased the 800mm and Sabine's considerations were very important and interesting.
I have been following Pangolin for several years.
Thank you so much.
I have learned a lot from you.
I'm passionate about everything related to the world of photography in general and wildlife in particular.
Thanks a lot. 👌🥰
Great review! I’ve owned both the sigma and 800mm. I found once there was enough light I was always switching to the 800mm. With enough background separation it sure was an advantage for small birds.
Thanks for confirming and your input here ;) -Sabine
Das hast du toll gemacht, Sabine! 👍
Ganz lieben Dank ;)
Great video and nice comparison. I have R7 and Sigma 150 600 in addition to RF 800, RF600 and RF 100-400. My favorite is RF 800 mm. It's super sharp, eye AF is spot on, very light weight and produces great results if you can find the bird in a non zoomable narrow field of view. Min focus distance is never an issue as most birds are at least 20 feet away. I can walk with it for hours.
Then my next favorite Sigma 150-600C. It works but the combo is very HEAVY and I can't walk with it for more than 30 mins. Sigma 150 600 also works great with R7 when used with Sigma 1.4X Teleconverter. The F8 naturally gives sharper shots but again the combo is very difficult to handhold.
RF 100 400 is a great lens but not for birding. 400mm is too short. I would use it butterflies or macro. 600 is compromise but I like RF 800 mm a lot better than the RF 600mm.
Ganz perfekt und fachlich gründlich! Danke!
I'm using the RF600 mm now for a while on the R6 and also on the R7 and I was able to make shots which I would never have made without this lens. I own also a Sigma 150-600 mm but this is not the lens to take with on hiking. I regret not have bought the RF800 instead of the RF600 because there are - on my taken shots - options which would have given me benefits having the longer lens. Me is a hobby photographer and I'm fascinated from taking long shots. I might buy the RF800 in addition to have longer shots, using a converter would reduce my light more and is not much cheaper if looking for a "special price" when its the case.
Thank you Sabine. Very clever use of the tools in Lightroom. Learned a but in this video. Top shelf as always!
really nice organized review, greeting from North Africa "Libya" and Ramadan Mubarak
Great review and it will help me to make my choice between the 600 mm and the 800 mm. Thank you / Merci !
Great review - Thanks !! -One addition: R5+600mm F/11, can be easily extended without a lot of compromise, by assigning a custom button to crop mode (45MP turns 27MP photos, from the center of the sensor), which would be comparable to the R6+800mm F/11, only retaining the option of switching back to 600mm when needed, the minimal focus length. I DO make the assumption that R5 FF-2-CROP switch is offered by the software, and can be programmed into a custom button (I am a Sony A1 shooter, so I use this technique, but have not tried the R5 yet)
According to Canon, the R5 in crop mode is approximately 17.2 megapixels, but yes, roughly equivalent to the R6. Or more like a 7d mark ii which is APS-C and 20 megapixels.
This review was excellent, thank you
Excellent look at these two lenses, Sabine!
Hi Timothy, thank you so much! -Sabine
Great job on this review Sabine! I have had my R5 for about 3 months now and added the RF 800 about 5 weeks ago. I absolutely love it. I live in Wyoming USA and go into Yellowstone National Park often along with other close by areas with a lot of wildlife. Shooting grizzly bears at the proper distance is very important. I love to shoot Rocky Mountain goats as well close by. The 800 mm helps me to keep my distance. I can hand hold a shot at the moon and climb into the craters with sharp results. I just now ordered the RF 600 mm as well. I will share this video with lots of friends who are on the fence with this camera. I know it will convince others of the potential excellence at a great price. Thanks again Sabine!
Thank you so much for this nice feedback and sharing your experience with the 800mm. It is always nice for other people to read too. And also thanks so much for sharing the video. Much appreciated ;)
Gorgeous video and one of the best reviews of these two lenses 👍
Thank you and much appreciated ;) -Sabine
What an informative and we'll produced review this is. Complete with images. This is without doubt best review on net. highlighting pros and cons with examples too. Keep it up.subd
Excellent review of these two lenses, Sabine! Very thorough with lots of examples. Thank you for this video.
Awesome! Glad you liked it Mary ;) -Sabine
Excellent Review Video Danielle!! Thank you!!
Thank you very much! -Sabine
Ohhh i was waiting for your review of these lenses. Thank you.
Great! I hope it helped and gave you an idea ;) -Sabine
Great review. These are excellent lens for people who want to get into bird or wildlife photography.
Hi Kenneth. Thanks so much for watching and leaving a comment. Totally agree on that ;) -Sabine
Test them on the r7 please thanks 🙏
superb review - so thorough and helpful - thank you
Nice to hear it was Phil ;) -Sabine
This was a good review just bought R6 and RF 800 now i have a fair idea how to use them
Extremely well-done video on several long lens!
Absolutely brilliant opinion ant the detail that you share is incredible. Millions of thanks for putting us virtually behind the lens to give us as clear an insight as we will ever get
Ultimate review with honest opinion!!!!. Am your big fan of your photography. I have learnt lot of tips from your photography skills!!! Thanks a lot Teacher!!!!!! :)
I own the RF 800mm and tested it with (and without) the canon 1.4x teleconverter. The images with the TC weren't bad, but when digitally cropped in post to the closest good zoom, there was really very little in it (and if anything, even there I preferred it without the TC). And of course the teleconverter comes with its own price tag, size/weight, and in particular reduces the aparture (negatively affecting the ISO and, and already limited autofocus). And makes the fixed long focal length even more unweildy for regular use (finding and tracking your target). So I didn't keep the teleconverter and don't see any advantage for it with this lens.
Speaking about the RF 800mm in general, I'm glad I have it, as it delivers the closest zoom available for a non-pro user. And I definately rate its IQ above the sigma (which I have also tested but didn't keep). But the minimum focal distance being quite long, narrow aparture (= higher ISO), the fixed focal length, and the autofocus being quite slow (making e.g. birds in flight very hit-and-miss at best, and usually not possible), mean that I don't 100% love it in the same way that I do my 100-400mm APS-C.
Thank you for that. Very helpful input which I am sure lots of viewers will appreciate. -Sabine
Hi, I would like to see a test with these two lenses and the new Canon R7. Do you think it will be possible?
Thanks Sabine for another great review, I have found it very useful and have been waiting for it for a while. I just wish that I could visit you again in the Chobe
Hey Ray, thank you and it would be lovely to see you back here in the near future ;) Keep well! -Sabine
Great review. I had the Sigma 150-600mm and sent it back. I hated it on my D750 😩 the IQ was horrible. Those Primes are amazing but out of most people's price range. Wow Looks lovely there btw. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for your input. Yeah in the end there is nothing like a prime. Def prefer the IQ of those two over the Sigma. BTW it is lovely here, you should come and visit us at Pangolin ;) -Sabine
Very nice thank you; esp. for sharing the raw files. I use the Canon 100-400 and 300 f/2.8 with 1.4x and 2x on an R5 (depending on available light and if I need zoom) and I'm pretty happy with the results - so no real need for these two RF f/11 lenses. I thought about it but it seems pointless. I think with my set up I get better IQ. I would love a 500 or 600 f/4 their markII versions and above but luggage restrictions when travel make them utopic. For the record I'm happy I spent the extra money and went for the R5 instead of the R6 cropability can save money from longer glass and make it possible to travel. Excellent treatment as well and top-rated photography.
Hello Dimitris. I agree that you'd probably not need either lens. I don't either but think if I had an abundance of cash, I'd grab the 800mm just for fun...hiking around and shooting whatever comes in front of my lens :) Glad to hear you like the R5. Do you shoot in RAW or CRAW? - Sabine
@@PangolinWildlife interesting question regarding C-Raw, I do now it is very very good,
100-400 mk ii + 1.4 mkiii extender work really well with the R 6 as does the Rf800
Thanks Sabine for a very thorough and practical review. On my R5 I really like the flexibility of the Canon 100-500 which I use as a one lens setup for nature and wildlife for everything from dragonflies, with it’s respectable close focussing, to birds in flight and larger animals too of course. And when I know I’m going to have to crop heavily in post anyway I’ll sometimes use the 1.6x crop mode on the R5 to give me 800mm of effective reach with the benefit of having the subject larger in the frame whilst saving a bit of disk space with the resulting 17.25MP file size. Yes, there are compromises, but overall I’m really enjoying it and with the weight saving my back’s not complying either! Thanks again.
Hi Alan. Great feedback and I can see that the 100-500mm will work great as an all rounder. We have it here now too and test it very soon ;) -Sabine
Thanks Sabine. I’ll be interested to see your review of the 100-500 and to get your take on it.
Excellent review. most practical and fair. Thank you
Excellent review and take. Thank you, Sabine.
Your videos are fantastic. You really understand photography and what photographers want.
Fantastic video! Lots of very good info. Thank you so much.
Its our pleasure.
Spectacular review... Thank you.
Definitely niche lenses & have their limitations, but SERIOUSLY tempted for their size & price.
Thanks for watching!
Fantastic review.
Thank you for putting this together 😊
Your reviews are awesome; thanks for the great work.
Having just picked up an R5, I suspect I'll add these to my kit.
Great video, these lenses can be a great option for many uses. Great photos.
Thanks a lot for commenting Graham ;) -Sabine
Excellent review. Good presentation. However, could you tell me the model and make of the gimbal you're using?
Thank you very much! it is a Gimpro gimbal made in South Africa ;) -Sabine
This is not a sponsored video......
Thanks to canon for letting me have these two
😀
Outstanding video. I agree with your assessment of the lenses. I am now shooting with the RF 800 on my Canon R3 and am getting some excellent handheld shots of hummingbirds. But I am not working in low light due to ISO concerns. Your explanations and comments were eye opening and greatly appreciated.
No theatre, just facts. Thank you!
Thank you for the review! As with any lens purchase decision, there are always numerous factors that are evaluated depending upon your needs and intended usage. I see these lenses as competitors not only to the big heavy prime L series that you mentioned (and other similar focal lengths), but also to other supper-telephoto zoom lenses beyond the one you mentioned. This competition will always be come down to the factors you feel are most paramount and where you are willing to compromise or find acceptable trade-offs. For some the price of the big L primes (and I’m pretty certain the price of any rumored equivalent RF primes) will be the first trade-off as finances dictate their elimination. The other compromises that will be weighed may be aperture, optical qualities, weight and one that I found to be my deciding factor, versatility. These new Canon lenses are admittedly compromises, but the compromise they make in versatility, not just in terms of focal length, but also in aperture speed and adjustability is too much for me. Being limited to a single f stop is just as limiting as being one focal length, particularly when it is preventing my usage at my choice of ISO or shutter speed for a possible shooting condition. My own opinion, for what it’s worth, is that a quality tele-photo zoom provides the sweet spot amongst the options most consider. Between price, performance, size and weight, and versatility of both focal length and aperture, they contribute to a winning combination that led me to the Sigma 60-600 4.5-6.3 Sport IS lens.
Hey Thomas. Thank you so much for the thorough input. All very valid points and as you said it is all about needs and affordability. The Sigma 60-600 certainly gives a lot of flexibility ;) -Sabine
Another great and effective video. Thank you
Exceptionally well done! Very informative, fair-minded and intelligent analyses! Great photographs!! I hope to visit Chobe, soon!
Hi there and thanks a lot for that. We hope to see you in Chobe very soon...beautiful place ;) -Sabine
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
You are most welcome! Hope it helped ;) -Sabine
Excellent video. So concise with so much good information. Thank you so much! Subscribed
Amazing review.
Wow amazing lens mam..I am huge fan of telephoto lens..Beautiful clicks too
Thanks so much ;) -Sabine
@@PangolinWildlife You are welcome mam
Very well explained. Thank you so much.
Great reviews and reasons to own or not to own. I have owned all the big whites from Canon and still with 2 x EF800mm and a EF200-400mm. Unfortunately with air travel, getting these as hand carry is always a bother. Your test shots are convincing but also the caveat of low light and my shots of birds under heavy canopy is the one that holds me back. Still I may have to test these out from my Canon dealer and go from there. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Another awesome video Sabine with heaps of valuable info from Professionals who know. We do appreciate your advise as you are able to compare cameras and lenses side by side, which is something we can't do. Thank you once again.
Agreed, well done!
Thanks for the great review! It helped me a lot. At the end you said that there are some photos on the comments section, but I couldn't find any. I would like to look closely at some photos, to sea whether they are reasonable to me. Thanks! 🙂
Great review, really helped me to decide.
Great video. Excellent analysis.
Thanks a lot! -Sabine
Thank you.
I was impressed.
Good Morning from New Zealand, Thank you for your Marvelous RF Lenses Video, Thanks for sharing, Have a great rest of your week
Hello to you from Botswana and have a great week yourself ;) -Sabine
Sehr realistisches und objektives Review !!
Vielen lieben Dank und Gruesse in die Heimat ;) -Sabine
So, I was thinking about investing in one of these to carry around hiking, primarily because of the light weight and reach. As an experiment I put a doubler on my 100-400 which, at 400 5.6 became an 800 f11. Usable in very limited situations. You need quite a bit of light and a subject willing to cooperate. It's very easy to find yourself in ISO ridiculous territory pretty fast. I decided against the lens. Intriguing as it is, I think I'll continue to carry the 100-400, and carry along the 2x for those rare occasions I might be able to use it, even though it weighs a bit more. Just wish the 2x was a bit more compact.
Hey Alan. Good to know and hear your opinion. Much appreciated! -Sabine
Great review! Thanks for sharing…that 800mm is looking like a real nice option!
Very thorough with excellent production quality.. Thank you!
Great review Sabine. I need to rent it and do some test as well - in the ZOO 🙂
Thank you for this in depth review. I am upgrading to the R5 this month and was curious about these two lenses for shooting in Yellowstone park. I currently use a 5DSR and a 100-400mm mark II. I might spring for the 100-500mm RF instead. This was so informative for me and very well produced.
Hi Geoffrey. Thanks for the positive feedback! You will not go wrong with the 100-500mm and I am sure you'll love being flexible having the zoom option ;) -Sabine
I live close to Yellowstone. Animals are mostly active in the early morning and evening when light is low.
Excellent presentation. .
I love the efforts you put into your videos, very much appreciated as the result is always great and very informative….
Thank you and we do appreciate that you take the time to leave a comment too ;) -Sabine
Great comments
I love that you wonderful people at Pangolin give such balanced yet personal reviews 😊
The predictable structure and build up to your conclusions and opinions is also soo very useful. Thank you very much.
For me, 800 vis-à-vis the 600, the advantage of an additional 1.5 m as MFD sort of compensated at the shorter end for that deficit in additional reach.
You win some..... you lose some!
Find it so much an easier size to carry along too....😊
Wow!!! Absolutely FANTASTIC review!!! I’m considering buying the R6 and the RF 600mm lens and you’ve definitely helped with my decision. I’m only wondering if I should get the 800 mm vs the 600mm. I have a Tamron 150-600mm EF lens that I hate! Question: at 7:11 you mentioned that AF is a problem when you move closer to the subject. So do you just take a step back? Thank you so much for the wonderful review!!
Great review. Compliments. I was on a Pangolin Safari hosted by you and Jeanine at Chobe national park in August 2021 and it was really great. I am planning to come again to take pictures with you, but this time probably on a migration safari. In the mentine, can I please take adavantage of your expertise and patience? I have a Canon EOS R6 and a Canon EM 100-400 1:4.5-5.6 L IS II USM. I would like to have a longer reach and, being a beginner, my budget is somehow Limited. The question for me is: shall I buy an RF 600mm f/11 (at about CHF 600.-) or shall I rather purchase a Rf extender 1x to be used on the 100-400 (at about CHF 530.-)? The zoom with the extender will give me much more flexibility in reach, but my doubt is related to the image quality. My 100-400 is probably of higher quality than the RF 600 f/11, but it is a zoom and I have no idea of how an extender will impact the image quality. You certainly have made lots of experiences and testing with the extenders on this type of lenses. I thank you in advance for your advise and your precious time. With kindest regards. Gastone from Switzerland
Very very informative and practical review ! Thanks You !!
I have a RF 800 with a R6 (also use sometimes with the 1.4 extender) for bird photography,is a lot better system than the other system that I have a EOS90D with a 100-400 II zoom with a 1.4 extender.
Great video