Canon RF 200-800mm, Would You Buy?

I am on the waiting list for a Canon test drive. My Sigma 150-600 is f6.3 at max focal length but this is generally fine even if I have to increase the iso given the ability of current noise reduction software. Not sure if this would still be fine with f9.

Turbotoes has posted some very good shots with this lens. Hopefully she replies to your post.

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Dael_Pix said:
Would anyone use the lens in the UK given what light we have?
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I don't tend to do so much photography in the UK.. however when I do, I seem to get by just fine with my F11 800mm. Horses for courses I guess!
 
stickytape said:
I don't tend to do so much photography in the UK.. however when I do, I seem to get by just fine with my F11 800mm. Horses for courses I guess!
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I took just over 2000 photos with that lens and I couldn't get any photos sharp. I returned it for a refund.
 
Dael_Pix said:
Would anyone use the lens in the UK given what light we have?
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In the UK no.
I have tried 200-600mm+1.4x it doesn't work for UK weather and birds good majority of the time. It was nice when it did work and I kept the 1.4x for it but I wouldn't buy a lens that ends on f9
 
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Just to add, I also have the RF 100-500, which is a fantastic lens. The RF 200-800 is my go to for birds though. I even sold my EF 300mm 2.8 IS mii L and converters after I got the 2-8 as I knew I would never haul it about with me. I've shot in pretty low light and used highish ISOs and been happy with the results, even with my R7 which a lot say sucks in low light.... If the light is so bad that this combo can't do an acceptable job then is it even worth trying to get the shot?
In a purrfect world we'd all be carrying 100-1200 f/2.8s that only weigh 3 lbs but seeing as we can't...

I will say that 800mm (or1100 odd with a 1.4tc) does carry a learning curve, even going from 600mm there was a noticeable difference in ease of finding small birds and following in flight and ofc keeping the damn thing still enough for it to do its job ( the IS is very good though) so there was a period of adjustment but I would buy another tomorrow if I had to.

F9 /F13 even with decent technique and modern noise reduction are nothing to be scared of.

with the 1.4tc (not great light, but I had the TC on as I didn't know how close I could get, I ended up much closer than I dreamed...

Dipper 05-A03 by Tara Rerrie, on Flickr

Dipper 05-05 by Tara Rerrie, on Flickr
 
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I am tempted buying it but don't think I can justify the price of it right now.

If you look at my website (I don't use flickr), all wildlife are taken with the 100-400mm IS II lens. I have to zoom in a long way, which I don't enjoy doing. Used the 1.4 exnder on the Bearded tits, squirrel, mink, otter, common seal, red deer, and maybe the wading bird. The rest were without. Damselfly was with the same lens.
 
Dael_Pix said:
I am tempted buying it but don't think I can justify the price of it right now.

If you look at my website (I don't use flickr), all wildlife are taken with the 100-400mm IS II lens. I have to zoom in a long way, which I don't enjoy doing. Used the 1.4 exnder on the Bearded tits, squirrel, mink, otter, common seal, red deer, and maybe the wading bird. The rest were without. Damselfly was with the same lens.
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If you have used 100-400mm with 1.4x you'll have an idea for whether f8 works for you or not.
F9 is only a 1/3rd stop darker than f8.

Most of the examples above are shot at relatively lower shutter speeds or in bright day light. And it's very nice when you can do that. I certainly can't, more often than not I need 1/1000s or higher and don't have good light (i.e. overcast conditions) or I'm shooting little birds in bushes and tree shade.
 
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Dael_Pix said:
Would anyone use the lens in the UK given what light we have?
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I use a Sigma 100-400mm f6.3 on the long end. Just my personal thoughts, (I haven’t used this lens) if you’re shooting fairly static subjects and can get shutter speeds of at 1/320 to freeze motion on a full frame you should be fine even if your iso goes up as NR software is really good. However for birds in flight unless you get lots of sunlight to get shutter speeds above 1/2000th your success rate will drop.
 
I'll be honest, I never use slower shutter speeds than 1000. Maybe I'll try using them and see if I can get sharp shots with the 100-400 first.

I could buy sharpening software, but can't afford anything right now.
 
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