Best Bird Photography Lens | In the Field Review of the Canon RF 200-800 f6.3-f9 using the Canon R3

[@alisonmeagor2355]

Really enjoyed it, the Merlin is such a beautiful bird. The information you give is so thorough and honest too.x❤️

[@RichardBirchett]

Glad you enjoyed it Mum, they really are something else and to see a full adult male was a real treat. Thanks, just nice to help others who might be looking at this lens. x

[@Alexander_Kushnarev-117]

I am the owner of R7 and bought this lens a month ago. Before that I used 600 mm F11, Rf 100-400. Now 200-800 is my favorite lens, it has bright colors. Not as heavy as Sigma 60-600, 150-600 - I tried them too. Of course, it is not easy to quickly turn the ring, from 200 to 800 you need to make 4 turns. It is also not easy with it in the dark. It can be difficult to photograph fast birds, I saw that it is recommended to unscrew the matrix stabilizer.

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much for leaving a comment and for your views on the 2-8 it's really appreciated. I forgot to mention the turn on the zoom ring which for fast action is a bit limiting but I find it quite useable. Interesting on the stabilizer. It's a great lens and I'll likely buy one at some point. Thanks again Rich 👍

[@Rob.1340]

The magnificent Merlin, fantastic. Lens looks good. Thank you. All the best. 👍📷😎

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Rob, such fantastic birds and what a beautiful male bird he was. I was pretty impressed with it and will likely get one if the wife agrees, lol.. Cheers R👍

[@martynhall1752]

Rich that was absolutely amazing you certainly get fantastic wildlife out there,the Merlin was fantastic really pleased you done this video it’s helping me make my mind up which way to go between 200-800 and 100-500,I think if your using tripod in one place then the 200-800 would be ideal, but we do a lot of walking around countryside and the coast, and I’m using the rf 100-400 which is very lightweight lens I’ve also got rf 1.4 for extra reach , stunning video footage really enjoyed watching it thank you for sharing it with us. Martyn

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Martyn, Glad you found it useful and helps you decide. If money was no object I'd have one like a shot so I will see how it goes. Costa Rica is coming so not much time left, lol.. I love the 1-5 and find it my go-to lens for most of my work, unless low light and reach with primes and extenders are required, even the 2x on my 500mm. Thanks again Rich 👍

[@balgavieslochospreys6836]

Good stuff yet again m8, keep up the good work ;-)

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks again my friend, can't beat a Prime but its good for the money. Cheers R👍

[@nickclaytonphotography]

Hi Rich, I bought this lens last week, not tried it out yet but have fitted it on the R6ii & it’s way lighter than my 400F4 DO IS & Sigma 60-600 Sports F4.5-6.3; I reckon I could hand hold this all day long tbf not that I will as I have a tripod & the Coton Carrier G3 harness too. I’ve fitted the lens with the Brown reed covers from outdoor photography gear & it’s good to go. I bought it brand new in the UK for £1599 - an absolute bargain for a lens of this focal length & quality in my opinion. No it’s not an L lens, but it doesn’t feel a whole lot different to the RF 100-500L (except bigger & heavier); it’s smooth & I’m looking forward to some winter birds & owl photography with it. It will be my go to lens this winter, so it’ll get a good testing! Some great images & footage as always mate, love them Merlins! Keep on keeping on bud! Best, Nick

[@RichardBirchett]

Hey Nick, Thanks for watching and great to hear your thoughts, yeah with a monopod, tripod and the G3 harness all help with the weight. That's a bit of a steal mate, nice one! I'm guessing right place at the right time there. Yeah for birds at distance and in flight Owls and Birds of Prey it would be an awesome addition and the optics are lovely. Thanks again for stopping by, all the best with your photography mate. Cheers Rich 👍

[@Rockymtnchick]

The Merlin Man strikes again’ 😂 Found my first Bohemian waxwing flock of the season today. Yay! Just waiting for them to find my neighbour’s berry bushes. The chickadees, jays and squirrels will likely tell you where the owls are in the winter. They are so helpful! Snowies should be back here in a few weeks! Hoping it’s a bumper year for them 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Dee, it seems as if I am fast becoming the Merlin Man, lol... The Waxwings seem to be a bit slow and the American Robins seem to be getting there first, lol... Yeah that alarm call if an Owls close is what I am listening for... Wow, Snowies will be awesome and I really hope its a good year for them here too, last year not so. Cheers R👍

[@cerealkiller4248]

Richard, I’m beginning to think you’ve got a pet Merlin. I’ve never known someone so lucky to pick them out, either in the UK or Canada 😂😂😂

[@RichardBirchett]

Lol, Cheers and I'm sure you're not the first to think that! One of my favourites and I'm so lucky to keep picking them out, I'll never tire of photographing them that's for sure, nice to have you commenting again, miss my regulars. All the best to you. 👍

[@Morgan_In_Motion]

Great video as always Richard! I know it may be too soon to ask, however, what do you think of the 2-8 compared to the 1-5 with an extender? I have the 100-500 with a 1.4x and 2x however also being an r3 user i do periodically daydream about that reach without needing to fumble around with extenders.

[@RichardBirchett]

Hey there Morgan, Thanks very much for watching and I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Sadly I've yet to test that combination and to be fair I'm not keen on using extenders on zooms as for me they do appear soft on occasions, but I've heard people have great results in good light, but for me I tend to avoid that. Saying that I do use the built in tele on my EF 200-400 zoom, but that tele is calibrated and meant for use with that lens rather than a bolt on tele, so to speak. Don't like bolting them on in the field even with my primes.. Cheers Rich

[@Morgan_In_Motion]

@@RichardBirchett thanks for the reply. That's totally fair wanting to avoid the extenders in general. I look forward to your next video!

[@RichardBirchett]

@Morgan_In_Motion no worries Morgan, thanks again. R 👍

[@PeterLariviere]

Great video yet again. Yes the weight is an issue. The body I prefer using is the R with a battery grip. That combo becomes painful fast. So it is married to a monopod that makes the combo so much easier to handle. And yes yes yes...the American Robin should be called an Orange Breasted Thrush.

[@colintraveller]

I bought a grip and ditched using it after a days use .... adds extra weight to the bag ...

[@PeterLariviere]

@colintraveller yes it is a heavy option. But I do like the benefit of vertical shooting without contorting your wrist in an unnatural position ( I did that lying on a beach in Cuba photographing Snowy Plovers for 20 minutes and could barely use my right hand for two days!!)

[@RichardBirchett]

😬👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Peter, and for the loan on the lens it really was so kind of you! I should have mentioned the use of a Monopod as that would make it much easier for the arms, lol... Glad you agree on the Thrush. 😂! Enjoy your trip and thanks for watching from over the other side mate. R🙏👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Nice, and cheers for the feedback on the Grip, I for one would buy one. Cheers R

[@KGsPhotography]

Great video, Rich, and it looks like an amazing lens for the money. Certainly returned some good-quality images and videos of the Merlin. The weight is a big consideration, and for me, I think the 100-500 with the flexibility of 1.4x is still the way to go. Cheers Keith

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks mate, glad you watched it and commented regarding the use of the 1.4 Extender, you use the RF version don't you? Yeah the performance was great even at full reach at f9, still the weight is a bit of a limiting factor but the optics are lovely. Cheers R👍

[@deegreen3351]

Interesting video thanks for sharing. I have the 200-800 and have used it with R6 and R7 and have had some great results. Probably not another walk around zoom lens on Canon that offers that range without using TCs, it’s not perfect but in reasonable lighting it performs very well. There’s a guy here on youtube ‘Stormcabbirds’ that seems to use it exclusively on the R7 and gets good shots. Cheers

[@RichardBirchett]

Hi Dee, Thanks very much for watching the video and for sharing your thoughts on it's use. Yeah, it's a weight and it's quite awkward lugging it around but the reach is amazing and for the money it's a lovely lens with great sharp optics! I'll be sure to check it out and see how he gets on with the R7 combo. All the best Rich 👍

[@jpmcginity4356]

Great video, would love to hear what you think about this lens with the r7 as a long reach smaller budget combo that I think a lot of people are interested in!

[@Alexander_Kushnarev-117]

Buy this lens. I use it with R7. I take photos and videos. I am very happy. The best lens for me.

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks for that, great to hear and I will be trying it soon. R

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much for watching, I will aim on getting out with it on the R7 in the next week or o and will feedback how I got on, may even do a video on it. Thanks for saying it's really appreciated. R👍

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

hahaha lol I had to laugh just a minute in, and the action kicks off when your talking to the camera, I have lost count the number of times that has happened, great video as always and good to get some info and hands on review of this lens. 👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Lol, always the way mate! You should have seen the next bit that I didn't show, kept that for the Bloopers video in the NY, lol.. Thanks for watching mate, it was good to give it a go and it's a cracking lens and lovely optics. Cheers R👍

[@deerohdeer8000]

Again Richard great Saturday viewing! You seem to attract Merlin’s where ever you go lol !! Mate great post as always my friend 👍👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Glad you enjoyed it Craig, I know it always seems to be the way with me, at home in the UK they are always tricky but for me here in Canada it's all good. Thanks again Rich👍

[@wildphil]

Lovely footage matey! 👍. You'll get used to the weight after a while. If I'm running and gunning, the 100-500 is my goto lens. But for those places where you just need pure reach, I'm really happy with mine - I just wish it wasn't so expensive in the UK compared to North America !

[@RichardBirchett]

Cheers mate, much appreciated. Should have mentioned your in depth review on it, sorry my bad! Yeah the reach is pretty handy and the extra 300mm was a nice to have. Cheap here mate, maybe I will get one after all. R👍

[@wildphil]

​@RichardBirchett no worries, mate. I often wonder if a 500 F4 with a 2x might be better? I should probably save up an invest in a decent prime too.

[@RichardBirchett]

@wildphil think that’s a wise thought process mate, primes are always much better overall even though they are weighty! 👍

[@waynearchibald3920]

Nice video Richard! 👌

[@RichardBirchett]

Glad you enjoyed it Wayne, all the best R👍

[@martingibbons8021]

Be very interested to see what you think of the lens in low light ? Compared with the 100-500 and a crop

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Martin, I aim on testing it next week to see how it performs in LL with the R7 & R3 👍

[@martingibbons8021]

@ looking forward to it how long you been in Canada missing the barn owl videos !

[@RichardBirchett]

@martingibbons8021 thanks Martin, been here for 16 months now. Missing the Barn Owls, very rare in Canada! But I’ll be home to capture them on camera early next year:-) 👍

[@martingibbons8021]

@ keep up the great work Mate I did try to buy the coffee but didn’t see a link ?

[@RichardBirchett]

@ thanks Martin, really appreciate it. And a coffee or tea is very welcomed. It’s there in the blog description. Cheers Rich 🙏👍

[@ajc1482]

It works really well with the FF bodies but the R7 is rather hit and miss, once you hit the 950mm mark hear haze etc can really impact the images

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks for watching and for your experience using it with the R7, I hope to get out with it on the R7 this week coming and may do av video on it. Yeah I'd imagine at full reach it might get some drop off in quality, looking forward to trying it out. Cheers R

[@garylancelles6666]

Need to get in the gym for a workout Richard 🤣,great to see the merlin

[@RichardBirchett]

Lol, I was waiting for this type of comment😂🙏😀! I'll get those dumb bells out and start cranking up the guns.. Cheers R👍

[@sarahbirchett3331]

I was enjoying this video until you mentioned buying a new lens 😂 the Merlin is an awesome little bird🥰dx

[@RichardBirchett]

Sorry Wifey, but it's a great lens and takes nice pics and video! Best wife ever....😆😍

[@DeMoNiC36]

👍👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks 👍

[@blisteringbooks2428]

I do use a 100-400Lii with a 2x, I bought the 200-800 hoping it would be faster focusing on the R5, and it good light it is brilliant, less so in flat light. If you watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6fKZaCMbM-SmJo you can see what I mean, not quite BIF, but they were flying quite a bit.

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much for your comment and for your views on the 2-8 in LL, I thought this to be the case but will try it for myself this coming week to see how I get on. I'll check out the link. Cheers for watching. All the best Rich 👍