Canon R5 Mk. II and RF 200-800mm - A Review for Birds and Birds in Flight

[@jeffolson4731]

I have been using this combination a lot. I hardly ever use my RF 100-500 anymore. I am very happy with the results I get.

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Great to hear you're having good results with the combo. Thank you for sharing your results. Ron

[@SteveSSBB]

I have several wildlife lenses, but they haven't gotten mounted much since I received the 200-800. It is not the IQ and speed of many L series lenses, but for this zoom range in an all day handholdable package I'm more than happy with the tradeoff. Great vid, Ron. Thanks!

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

I hear you on the tradeoff, thanks for watching! Ron

[@picklebird1261]

I had a chance to shoot this lens at Bosque for a couple of days with my R5MII and really liked it. Hard to go back to 100-500 after using it! The reach is great and it was really snappy. Only struggled in the low light.

[@amandaluker9268]

I bought this lens recently for travelling and I love it

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Great to hear. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@davidmag479]

Terrific photos Ron. Another open and honest assessment. Well done.👍

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thank you kindly and thanks sfor continuing to visit my channel. Much appreciated.

[@picklebird1261]

Great pictures. Thanks for the review.

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Ron

[@Picklenator23]

Trying to get my 100-500 sold is proving more difficult than I thought. I do want the 200-800 for Hummingbirds. I need all the reach to make them tiny birds big.

[@DanielSymphonies]

while this may not be the most professionally produced video out there, it was very pleasant to have on in the background, listening to it while editing photos. nice music choices, pleasant voice, interesting topic

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thanks for the feedback, I do what I can to make the production quality of my videos decent. However, I put more emphasis on providing information that may help a few people with their photography over a perfectly polished video production. I do all the work on my videos myself on a very tight monetary and time budget. So, it is unlikely the production quality of my videos will improve much in the near future. I am hoping it is good enough to convey the information I am trying to get across. Cheers, Ron

[@scottlehtola]

You mention a king fisher opportunity through Feb. can you send me information on that?

[@ashfield001]

Love your work. Keep up the passion.

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thanks so much!

[@HenryFoulon]

Hi Ron, I very much admire your pictures, I had a look at your website (the link you provided). However, I cannot find one that shows in its info that it is made with the Canon RF 200-800mm lens, only find images made with the 100-400mm with either extension 1,4x or 2x or images you've made with the Canon RF 600mm f4 (with extender 1,4x or 2x). Did I miss something?

[@gavinrowley960]

morning Ron Great video your photography is amazing I own the 200 800 with the R5 very pleased with the results I am getting can't wait for theR1 with this lens and see how it performs hopefully when you get the R1 you will share your thoughts thanks

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Great to hear! I hope to have the R1 as soon as it is available and I will def be reviewing the camera. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Ron

[@adrianz5272]

What a great lens for the money, love all the examples you share. Also do you have any tips for wrapping the tripod collar in the mossy oak vinyl? A lot of curves and dips that make it hard for me to wrap

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thanks so much for watching. The trick to wrapping curves and dips is to use a hair dryer to warm up the vinyl. This allows the material to stretch around the curves and into the dips and also makes the adhesive adhere better. Hope this helps. Ron

[@chuckmorton8823]

Quality images ... high impact shots. Thanks for the review on this setup as it one I am about to start using.

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thanks so much for watching! I am glad you found the video helpful! Thanks for the kind words about my images. Ron

[@adude394]

This is really excellent stuff! I finally got my 200-800 the other day after months and months of waiting. It's currently on my R6 Mk II, but I expect to add an R5 Mk II to my kit within the next week or so. As BIF is a great interest of mine, this is really helpful. I also like the Speed-shooter harness, and may well give that a look also. Will it work with Vanguard mounting plates? Thanks for posting!

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thanks so much for watching. I hope the video proves helpful as you start to use the lens with your R6II and soon to be R5II. The Speed-shooter Harness works with most monopods and gimbal heads as long as they are short enough. The plate attached to the lens foot can be whatever type works with the gimbal head you are using. That being stated, most people use, and the Speed-shooter was designed to work with, a lightweight monopod with a Wimberley monogimbal head and an Arca Swiss compatible plate attached to the lens foot. Any other questions please feel free to email me at [e-mail]. Cheers, Ron

[@bernhardforster5867]

How did you camo it looks realy nice

[@jefferyrobbins3468]

Helpful review, thanks! LOVE the zoom range of this lens and handling. Very hand holdable and comfortable in my hands. It would be nice if Canon produced both this current version of the 200-800 for those that want a cheaper lens, and also a more expensive L version for those that want all the lens coatings, weather proofing, dual AF motors, sharpness (especially when adding a 1.4x), IS modes, etc....

[@chuckmorton8823]

agreed

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thanks, I agree, I'd like to see them come out with an L version, as you suggested. I did not mention the coating on the front element, but I do miss as the lack of it makes keeping the lens clean more difficult and also it seems to fog up easier. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. Ron

[@alansach8437]

I find this lens extremely sharp, though with 800mm available, I have not been tempted to put a teleconverter on it. F9 is marginal as it is without slowing it further with a converter. As for the front element, I debated and finally decided to put a high end clear glass protective filter on mine. I have not seen any reduction in image quality. Also, this lens does have some weatherproofing, though evidently not to the degree of an L lens (not sure if I've seen where Canon has said that, or just reviewers on the internet). It is important to note that NO lens is completely waterproof, and that it is wise to protect any lens in inclement weather. The biggest advantage of an L Series version would be a faster lens, but such a lens would come at a cost, both monetary and in size and weight.

[@hstein27]

For me, as with others here, I have hardly used my 100-500 anymore since getting this lens. Most places I go, the birds are just too far away to get decent shots at 500mm without doing too much cropping. I have the EF 600 MKII and it's just too heavy and bulky to bring along a rocky shore to photograph sea ducks as I did this past weekend. With the R5MKII this lens works even better than with the original R5 I think, especially IBIS for video. Do you have any specific tips for panning with this lens aside from turning off IBIS in certain cases?

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I agree that the added reach is a huge plus. That is why I sold my 100-500. For me, getting good results while panning with this combo has a lot to do with concentration and having good technique. I know that sounds a bit cliche, but for example, I could be pretty lax on technique when shooting the R3 at 24mp but with the 45mp of the R5II and poorer IS/IBIS panning behavior of the 200-800, I really need to concentrate when panning making sure I am as steady on the bird as possible. When I do this, I have a high hit rate even with slower shutter speeds. With high shutter speeds, say over 1/4000s, my hit rate reaches almost 100% with this combo. Cheers, Ron

[@michaelpoole8410]

Some great images. I had a look on Smugmug and they look even better, but the photo info shows: Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM + 2x or Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM + RF1.4x + 2x or Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM + RF2x + 2x. I can't find a mention of the 200-800. Am I looking in the wrong place?

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Not sure why it says that. That is incorrect. It seems Smugmug's system does not read the meta data correctly. All the latest images are with the 200-800mm. I do not even have a 100-400 any more. Ron

[@michaelpoole8410]

@@whistlingwingsphotography Thanks Ron. I use Smugmug and will see what it does to my metadata!

[@garymeredith2441]

Ron , so now you've done the 200 - 800 video was this only been done with the R5 Mk II or did you also try it with the R3 I would love to see some images of how well the 200 - 800 works with the R3 , and thank you for this great video .

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thanks so much for watching and your kind words, I have used the 200-800 extensively with the R3 and it is a great combination. Here is a link to the video I did on the R3 and R5 with the 200-800: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rauqfXZjjtuZhZo

[@Robert-jd6gq]

I received my R5 Mk II 3 days after it was released. I am still waiting for my RF 200-800. 1 year on the list.

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Sorry to hear about the 200-800mm. That is the way of the world now it seems. A lot of stuff is in very short supply. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@martinpettinger]

Cheers Ron ... very help

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Thanks so much. Take care. Ron

[@dennisharris144]

I was really hoping to see if you wrapped the barrel of the lens. Not sure I have worked up enough courage to try it.

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Yep, works fine for me. Cheers, Ron

[@mikechapman1280]

Thanks Ron , good info, will you do a vid on R5 ii video , set up can be confusing cheers

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Hey, thanks for watching. Yes, I plan on doing a video on R5II video set up for birds and birds in flight. I have been accumulating video footage for this video and hope to have it out in the next month or so. Also busy with tours and harness making, so time is at a premium. Cheers, Ron

[@mikechapman1280]

@@whistlingwingsphotography That's great, thanks

[@vtsl08]

What are your views with 200-800 with R6 mk ii?

[@chrissylvester5652]

Amazing pictures! I can’t believe how sharp they are. I’d love to know how you do it.

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Hey, thanks so much for the kind words. I offer instruction via ZOOM and in person if you are interested in discussing setup and technique in more depth. Cheers, Ron

[@mikeandjoannie]

I love my harness!

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Hey, thanks so much. I am happy to hear you like your Speed-shooter. Thanks for watching. Ron

[@pimdiesel860]

Thanks Ron! I see this on the settings Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM + 2x or Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM + RF1.4x + 2x or Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM + RF2x + 2x?

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Sorry, I am a bit confused regarding your question. Not sure what you are asking. Ron

[@pimdiesel860]

@@whistlingwingsphotography I see this on the smugmug pagina on the info button by the photo.s

[@royd63uk]

were any of the water shots emerging from etc pre-shutter?

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

No. I pan with the bird during dives both down to the water and from the water to the perch, so there is no need to use pre-capture. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Ron

[@mobelue]

Did you run through noise reduction software? My bokeh not as smooth as yours.

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Some of the images have NR and other not, it all depends on the ISO setting that was needed for a particular shot. I use a similar workflow for every image I process, but adapt various aspects of it on an image by image basis. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@alphaandomega2709]

How’s the battery life?!

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

I have found the battery life is actually quite good. I use a battery grip and with two batteries I have not had to change batteries during a shoot very often and my shoots last about 4-5 hours doing video and stills. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@colintraveller]

No mention about the weight ... Is it a combo that you could carry in your hand all day not just a couple of hours !! . How does your images fair in muggeryfee conditions ?? ( Misty rain and gloomy skies )

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Hey, thanks for watching. I do mention that it is a relatively light and agile combo. I shoot all day with this combo hand held, but of course what I consider light and what others consider light can be different. If you look at the images in the video, many of the oystercatcher and small shorebirds images where taken in poor light. Like I mentioned in the video, the combo can work in low light, but it is demanding on your skills to make good images at 800mm in low light. Cheers, Ron

[@iriscohen-s1v]

How do you think this lens will work with R7?

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

I did a review of this combination. Here is the video link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oavcgKaKrr9kftE. In general, it is a very demanding combination given the 1.6x crop on the R7. You need good technique and fast shutter speeds to get tack sharp images on a consistent basis, but the combo can produce some great images. Cheers, Ron

[@mobelue]

Did you go to Huntington State Park?

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

No, not on this visit. I have been to the Park in the past. We cruised the intracoastal waterway and found the birds using various oyster banks.

[@mobelue]

@ Some amazing shots. I noticed the wings slightly out of focus from motion blur but the eye and body pretty darn sharp. That’s cutting the shutter dealing with light from lens limits. Really good stuff. Lotta birders struggle with sharpness on that lens with still shots. You got a good copy. Plus good skill.

[@mvp_kryptonite]

Brilliant lens really, it’s cost affective, light and with great focal length. Just another tool for anyone to use

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

Totally agree! Thanks for watching. Ron

[@VW1132-m2l]

If this is a f5.6 to f6.3, it will be a great choice to replace my 100-500. Don't mind paying extra money for that

[@whistlingwingsphotography]

When you think about it, the 200-800 is about the same speed and the 100-500 and provides extra reach without the need to put on a TC. I swapped out my 100-500 for the 200-800 and never looked back.

[@pedzsan]

Yes. But instead at 800mm it is f/9. Why not just get the 800 f/11 to 1/10th the cost and much lighter too.

[@afriquelesud]

​@@pedzsanSome of us shoot in wild places with dangerous predators where a long reach zoom is the only option.