Canon RF 1200mm f/8 'L' IS USM lens review

[@christopherfrost]

For everyone asking, I've done some calculations, and I think my test chart was about 40m / 131 feet from the camera for these tests :-) it was a real challenge to test!

[@Francisfphoto_]

That’s just so damn far away hahahah

[@josecolon8143]

Yikes! You did amazing

[@excentrisitet7922]

Hm-m... Considering the fact that full-frame sized sensor at this focal length has the field of view of a = 2* atan (d/2f) = 2 * atan (36/2400) = 1.72 degrees or 0.03 radian, the chart size at this distance should be almost 1.2 x 0.8 meters... Is it really that huge? If this chart is somewhat around A4-A3 standard (297*210 mm for A4 and double of that for A3) than the distance should be around 10-20 meters. 40 meters seems a bit too far for me.🤷‍♂

[@Stasiek_Zabojca]

I always wondered, how does your test chart look like in real life? Is there any video where we could see it?

[@Stasiek_Zabojca]

@@excentrisitet7922 Wow, you know formula for that? Nice! I just used PhotoPills app 🙈 But yeah, you results is the same with what I've got.

[@yesthisisdonut]

the fact that you actually managed to fit the entire test chart in the frame is an insane achievement, your studio must be gigantic :)

[@smith507]

Or asked the neighbor town to place the chart on top of someone else's house.

[@tjl2836]

and the lighting is somehow consistant between every video

[@RealRaynedance]

I seem to remember a video about a _supremely_ wide lens that showed that the test chart is attached to a window (attached _outside_ ) and the shots are taken outside. Can't for the life of me remember which one it is, though.

[@YannickKhong]

I was gonna say!

[@tony86082]

he said at the end of the video he had to find somewhere else to shoot it and that was the hardest part of this lens for him, ha!

[@Twobarpsi]

One of your best reviews!! The 24mm vs 1200mm comparison shots were pure genius!

[@sparkyjshaw]

I was thinking a 50mm might have been the better option but still, a great video! Fantastic photos - excellent composition.

[@TheArtofKAS]

HE GOT IT!!!! That man actually got it! THE MAD LAD😂😂😂👏🏾👏🏾

[@josecolon8143]

💯💯💯

[@robertcudlipp3426]

Chris was always going to, it was just when...

[@TheArtofKAS]

@@robertcudlipp3426 lies *not detected

[@lesliefranklin1870]

Well, he borrowed it for a short time. But still, excellent!

[@TheArtofKAS]

@@lesliefranklin1870 right right. I had a feeling he had it on loan even before I clicked on it

[@todanrg3]

Would love to see a comparision between this lens and the RF 600mm with the 2x teleconverter. If it's close then the 600mm combo is a much better deal.

[@SikConVicTioN]

​@YME this 1200mm is nothing more than a 600mm with a built in 2x teleconverter

[@alansach8437]

Well, I (and most other photographers I know) have rarely been able to get a sharp image with a 2x attached to........pretty much anything. I sincerely doubt that this is merely "a 600 f4 with a 2x glued to it"! This lens has 26 elements in 18 groups, compared to 17 elements in 13 groups in the 600 f4. This is a much more sophisticated lens!

[@todanrg3]

@@alansach8437 The 600 F4 III has 17 elemens in 13 groups, the 2x extender has 9 elements in 5 groups. In total 26 elements in 18 groups, exactly like this 1200mm lens. Even the lens diagram is pretty much the same. I think this lens is just an EF 600 F4 + added extender elements with an RF mount. Maybe slightly optimised but certaily not a new design.

[@alansach8437]

@@todanrg3 You are entitled to your opinion, but I think you are stretching it a bit in order to make your theory match reality. Even if there is some truth to your theory "optimized a little bit" can make a huge difference in performance. It's a lot more sophisticated than "gluing a two x to a 600mm lens"! Quote from the video: "The sharpness you are getting here is still way sharper than you would get putting a two time converter on even the sharpest 600mm lens!"

[@OhhhhhhhBugger]

@@alansach8437 Meh, the older EF 600mm mk II with a 2x was MUCH sharper than this overpriced junk. This is the most shameless cash grab on Canon's part ever.

[@zenscape]

The eagle and tiger shots are absolutely stunning! The lens is a technological marvel. Thanks for the review.

[@ritrattoaziendale]

Great review! I've to say I did (and still do!) a focal-length-monster with my EF 70-200 f2.8 (the original non-IS from 1995) where I stack two 2X Canon extenders, for a very great 800mm f11 focal, and I can still autofocus it(it's super precise and even pretty fast) both on R6 and R10. Then, I stuck a third 2x extender, a relatively old Kenko MC7, for a super optical focal length of 1600mm f22! R10 cannot autofocus this time, it hunts back and forward, probably the Kenko screws it all being with very old algorithms (but with manual focus the indicator works and gets green when focussed, so camera focus sensors still works, so I think if I can retrive a third original Canon extender I can probably still autofocus it with all three extenders on at f22 on a R10, not really a pro camera!), and I always forget to test it on my R6; but I prefer to use that thing on the R10 where, thanks to the crop, I can reach the equivalent FOV of 2560mm...hand holding it it's funny 😀

[@patjepeeyayo]

Anyone else wondering how far away the card was when testing the lens for sharpness, distortions, etcetera? 😄

[@firpofutbol]

🤣

[@Stasiek_Zabojca]

Chris pinned comment where he wrote that he had to be ~40 meters/131 feet from test chart 🐵 Which suggests, that it's size is around 1,2m x 0,8m.

[@dr.seltsam1975]

I guess the camera+tripod was placed in an area with a different zip code 😂

[@AmmarHabjouqa]

I loved the reference to the Bob Ross of Photography Videos. It was really fitting, for just as I had enjoyed watching Bob Ross knowing I could never paint that way, I enjoyed watching your video knowing I would never be able to get my hands on one of these lenses. Well done and thanks for taking the ‘extra mile’ or so to fit the test chart in the frame ;-)

[@mxilplict]

I would go into an unceasing mantra of "My Precioussss...." holding that thing. This lens is so far down the list of priorities that I will have to wait until my next lifetime to buy it!

[@j.kimmer1509]

Wow. Great review. I have a 600F4RF and put a 2xExt on R7 crop sensor to take an image of the moon.... the atmospheric distortion was very challenging........

[@pierrevilley6675]

Even with my 500 f/5.6, i have to shoot between wind gusts to get good images of the moon or jupiter, i cannot imagine with 1200 f/8 (or 1800 f/8 in your case)

[@sushi_donut]

I hope someone buys this $20,000 lens with Christopher's affilate link 😁 How cool would that be? I imagine that would be a wonderful suprirse!

[@christopherfrost]

I can but dream :-)

[@kitten-whisperer]

​@Christopher Frost hypothetically, what would your cut be?

[@BenceBokorNBG]

@@kitten-whisperer afaik 4%

[@TheRealLink]

That's a insane lens! Short of birds, not sure what I'd shoot with something so long but you produced some amazing gorgeous AND test results, too!

[@WildHorseProductions]

Finally a lightweight and affordable RF lens I can easily fit into my bag.

[@a3hindawi]

Thanks!

[@christopherfrost]

Thanks for your support!

[@basilbcf]

I'm wondering if this isn't a 600mm f4 with a 2x teleconverter built in?

[@kaywayneflor89]

"The Bobb Ross of photography videos" 😂👍

[@lilnape2604]

You’re the best Chris! The 24mm to 1200mm comparison was really eye opening. Wherever you are located is a beautiful place, what a blessing for a photographer. Can you do a comparison with this lens and some more conventional options? Sony E or Nikon Z 600 + 2xTC, Nikon Z 800 + 1.4xTC, canon RF 600 + 2xTC. I have a feeling these set ups may challenge your statement that there’s no other way to achieve that sharpness above 1000mm.

[@dicekolev5360]

You can buy both z9 and z800PF for less money and still some money left for 1.4 TC and some accessories 🤠

[@TexMex421]

Looks super cool, but how much better is it than a EF 600mm f4/IS II with a 2X Extender III. That combo is known for being sharper than the RF 600 and RF 2X. And can be acquired for about 1/3 of the $20K for this lens. You can even add RF extenders behind it to get to 2400mm.

[@tt-ew7rx]

Are these lenses just existing shorter lens designs with built-in TC's and massive price markups?

[@vadersgoldfish]

Yes! Been looking forward to this review! You rock Christopher. 👍🏻😁

[@grumpyrocker]

How far away did you have to place the test chart?

[@LED682]

I love those special lens reviews!

[@Chrispytravels]

Enjoyed the review even though I'll only own this lens in my dreams :) Agreed with many other comments, the 24mm vs 1200mm really gives people an idea how much 1200mm really is

[@UrbaneHobbit]

Kinda wish Chris was in South Carolina last week to capture some interesting balloon shots! Can anyone explain why a high-megapixel camera is more likely to show the effects of refraction (R5 vs. R3 shooting the test target in the video)? Is it sort of a virtual effect because the higher resolution photos allow more zooming in, to the point where the blurriness becomes visible at 1:1 on-screen viewing?

[@TheMetalButcher]

Yup.

[@raahensalophotography]

Okay, next you got to get the original 1200mm f/5.6 L USM and see how it compares to this 😁

[@hongk0ngfu3y]

be intresting to see the 600 f4 with a 2x tele compared to there dedicated built in tele.

[@taylorhickman84]

My thoughts as well, wish they would have gone the direction that nikon went with the internal switchable 2x.

[@thinkingape7655]

What a beast! My preference is the 600mm f/4…. But I’m still waiting for the R1. Come on Canon! Great review. 🤘

[@PatrickDKing]

I really liked the wildlife photos you took with it.

[@HuFilms]

10:49 quite a sublime shot! 👏 I'd love this lens, can you imagine this on a RED Raptor 8K in 120fps.

[@gerrysmith5597]

Great review of a lens I'll never get my hands on LOL. Would be nice to see the info i.e. speeds you were using handheld with such a massive lens and I take it, it was at the f8 setting too.

[@davidmoor8390]

Hi, fantastic channel and resource. Always in a quest to down size my kit; any chance of you evaluating micro 4/3 stuff such as the OM system. Think your unique method of evaluation would be interesting.

[@trustnugget280]

The humour on this video was spot on

[@helisoma]

@6:51 you shot the moon 🤗 how was it? I have a Nikon 800mm f5.6 AI-S and with 1.4x it's amazing with moon or Jupiter shots...about the diffraction...i'm surprised how much it shows even at f11...I'll be curious to test that on my 800mm

[@cyrilhamel8289]

Fab review !! 🙂 You must have had a ball at doing this ! Even if it must have been a very challenging kind of a test. Good job 👍🏼👍🏼

[@GordonHudson]

I would love you to test the Nikon P950 or P1000 superzoom camera. I bought a P950 as a video camera, but I have been surprised by the still photographs I have taken with it. I guess it's a case of "the camera you have with you is the best camera". It does require manual set up to reduce auto sharpening etc.

[@martinashworth5440]

Looking forward to your review of the Canon RF 135mm f1.8 is usm 😊

[@muttishelfer9122]

Please test the Fuji 150-600 🙂

[@blanked3]

In comparison to the previous (and old) EF model, it makes sense they went the "add a 2x teleconverter to 600mm" route because the previous EF lens was simply unusable without a tripod, that lens weight close to 40lbs! Whereas the RF version is only 7.4lbs 😅 Im sure when making this lens, they specially made the teleconverter optics for this lens, especially since it's prime lens. Other than that, im a little skeptical about this lens use case, might have issues dealing with heatwaves. But I guess if you REALLY want to fill the frame with the best of the best optic quality then this is it.

[@shaneliu4170]

Thank you for sharing the details of the lens, I'm also wondering why canon made a such a lens in the first place, since 600 f4 with x2 is visibly soft.

[@o0L4nc3r0o]

Isn't that a well known fact, that a 2x Range Extender makes your image softer?

[@shaneliu4170]

@@o0L4nc3r0o yes, so a more expensive 1200mm lens is a bit wired in the first place.

[@alansach8437]

He specifically says that this lens is "sharper than what you would get with even the sharpest 600mm lens and 2x converter!" So even if it is technically a 600mm lens with a 2x permanently attached, it's a specially designed 2x that is calibrated specifically for this lens and optimized for maximum sharpness. Which isn't the same as just slapping a stock 2x on a 600mm lens.

[@xkben90]

What a great lens for my son’s soccer games! I’ve been wanting to get closeups of the bacteria growing from his runny nose. Can’t wait!

[@AugmentedGravity]

The thing i heard most people react to when this and the 600, 800 mm lenses came out was that they were all EF lenses with an RF mount welded on

[@alansach8437]

They aren't, but what if they were? They were great lenses.

[@AugmentedGravity]

@@alansach8437 what?

[@rossk7927]

WOW! All your test photos were amazing, or I should say what is amazing is how many amazing photos you got from your tests. I _could_ "afford" one... but... 20k is like this should be for the kids college level of money 💰 BUT maybe in 20 something years when I retire I can get one used.

[@ezradja]

How about a comparison vs Bigma lens?

[@luisa9628]

They should add a nato rail for those super telephotos so you can add a red dot or other spotting scope.

[@notmenotme614]

I was seriously thinking that astronomers fit a wide angle spotting scope onto their more powerful telescopes

[@georgiyonevski3894]

Hey Chris, any chance of reviewing one day 200 / 1.8 , a.k.a. Eye of Sauron ?

[@klklkl427586]

They should have motorized that "dedicated teleconverter". That way you have 600 f4 lens and this 1200 f8 also that would make target acquisition much easier.

[@astrobotnautics5291]

It's this kind of lens iteration I love to see

[@megadjc192]

I would dearly love at some point to see this on an r7. Even if it isn't necessarily needed. I would love to see just how sharp it could be.

[@alansach8437]

My guess? Not very. Except in perfect, still, cool conditions atmospheric interference (known affectionately as "heat waves") would destroy most images with that kind of magnification. It would look like a Sergio Leone "spaghetti western" where the hero is riding into the sunset!

[@megadjc192]

@@alansach8437 Not really the answer for the question I was asking. Heat haze is a non-ideal any camera would have a hard time with. The main idea behind asking was as a litmus test for the lens in question. Just how sharp is it?

[@jaypainespotter]

Nice, Christopher. Hope you had a chance to enjoy it as well as review it!

[@stephanjurgens3766]

I wonder how the Fujifilm 150-600mm with a 1.4x converter compares (1260mm full frame equivalent), at 2500€...

[@OhhhhhhhBugger]

i.e. the 600mm with a built in extender that you can't change out.... I personally think the IQ with the newer 2x extenders is just fine, if not exceptional.

[@vencislav_krumov]

It's interesting for me to compare the sharpness of this camera lens at such FLs and a high quality amateur telescope with similar FL.

[@closeshot7161]

I'd love to see your take on some of the new Nikon Z telephotos - they seem to be going in the right direction.

[@TheLordstrider]

amazing review, the ending was hilarious :D

[@35mm21]

I feel like an old fashioned sports finder would come in handy here for finding your target to start

[@teacherofteachers1239]

The Bob Ross reference made my day.

[@josecolon8143]

You are in another league! You got to test the monster! 💎💎💎💎

[@mytube001]

What was the cause of the severe lagging and jumping in the in-camera shots?

[@boredgrass]

I wouldn't have dared to even lift it from the packaging...Which leads me to a question if not video subject: How does awareness of high value gear, one has to save up or pay down for many years, or one can even never afford, impact the way one takes photos and even perhaps selects subjects?

[@myblujl7503]

I cant even contemplate a lens as expensive as a used car. Good on you though! Thanks for bringing this dream to the masses.

[@andreasbuder4417]

You can buy a new car no problem for that price!

[@myblujl7503]

@@andreasbuder4417 Dunno. 20K is not much of a new car in todays economy.

[@janos6759]

meaby add another extender so 2400mm ?

[@knowledgeispower3212]

Could you use that with a Sony a1 camera ?

[@stefanoboccioli5464]

Isn't 600mmf4 + Canon2x better ? With 600m you have two possibilities?

[@seth094978]

At 1200mm, are there any Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes or something that would provide comparable image quality for less $$$? Telescopes typically have focal lengths and apertures comparable to or better than this.

[@pdp11]

Not even close. Telescopes are only optimized for focusing at infinity. Even an ultra-expensive Takahashi quadruplet apochromat only has a single element group. And forget about reflectors with their central obstruction. The bokeh is horrendous.

[@seth094978]

@@pdp11 Ah. That makes sense.

[@daran0815]

@@pdp11 It can be close. Before I started birding I dabbled in astro-photography. At the time I compared my 700mm triplet with a rented Canon 800mm f5.6. I really can't recommend manual lenses for birds. But the sharpness when focus matched up was rather comparable to the Canon. This comparison was done comparing only the central area on a 40MP FF body and with a perched subject. The triplet was a monster to handle on a tripod. But it also was 10x cheaper, or 5x when including the tripod.

[@mvp_kryptonite]

This video broke KZbin!! Yikes the 1,200mm f8 review. What a monster and great job with it. Moon closeups a piece of cake, Comet 2022 E3 non problem lol

[@joshmartonosi5624]

This video was entertaining for sure! How large would the moon appear with this lens?

[@etnes10]

I'm really curious to see the photo of the moon taken with this lens on an APS-C body 🙂🌘

[@aeroscantsee1665]

oh no, it's gonna be around 1920mm with canon 1.6 crop factor

[@Kretinos2323]

Your wife is 💯 About the price, the moment I saw there was no distortions or vignetting, I understood why the cost.

[@livejames9374]

Canon took a EF 600mm, permanently added a 2x TC and RF adapter and charges $20k for it lol insane. I wonder how Nikons 800PF with the Z 1.4TC compares for 13000 less.

[@chipsrafferty8362]

I can attest comparable or better including the 2X TC…$7,000.00….Nikon all day.

[@jichaelmorgan3796]

It's only insane if they didn't do proper market research.

[@mjmdiver1137]

I think Canon missed the opportunity to do this right by developing a modular approach in the same manner as the old Leica R super telephoto lenses. Basically Canon went 95% of the way there and then turned to their potential customers and told them "screw you, you will bave to buy both complete lenses, hahaha...", when they could have made this a$13K lens for the 600 and what, another $3K or $4K for the 1200 module? That would have been far, far more marketable to people. Look up the Leica 400/560/800 Telyt-r lens head and focus modules. Canon basically went as far as to say the head optics are the same... what a shame.

[@vivalasvegas702]

Z9’s AF is order magnitude inferior vs a R6 in any AF test,…..so cheapness argument is mute because Z9 photos will be blurry, sorry if truth hurts and please 🙏 don’t triggered 😂

[@livejames9374]

@@vivalasvegas702 as a R5 and Z9 owner I know you’re statement is BS and have no reason to be triggered. Comparing R6 to Z9 is laughable. Try again.

[@cadencaptures]

holy cow! you got hooked up with that set up!

[@Amsrrq]

Can i put it on a gimbal?

[@georgiyonevski3894]

I noticed you don’t get the “+” on the hand , which means only the lens stabiler works, perhaps you haven’t updated the lens / camera firmware so you get the ibis + lens stabilisation ?

[@christopherfrost]

Good question. It's my understanding that IBIS doesn't work effectively on very long telephoto lenses, so for that reason the lens's stabilization doesn't cooperate with IBIS

[@slr7075]

You've done it all Christopher. From pancake lenses to this behemoth!

[@paulomateus3083]

By speaking about insurance, is there any insurance company that we can trust for that in UK? I read many awful reviews about the main ones, like photoguard.

[@jacob_90s]

3:25 That actually would be an interesting comparison; get the 600mm with an 2x tele converter and compare it to the 1200mm to get an objective comparison of the image quality against each other.

[@quite1enough]

omg this is amazing, thank you for review!

[@jhoang861]

you are the bob ross of camera testing 😂 love it!

[@MrWiseinheart]

You got some amazing shots, 👍.

[@kifley19]

Great vlogging lens.

[@pavelxbushmakin7252]

Hahaha 🤣

[@jessedelice]

First off your wife is gorgeous. I hope to one day be that lucky. Secondly, thanks for the review on not just this lens but the RF 400mm lens you did before. Because the market on super telephotos is so small, I feel like there just aren't enough reviews on them, but unfortunately only when it comes to Canon. Sony and Nikon have a good amount of videos up on their super telephoto lenses but Canon doesn't seem to have as much. Therefore, whenever a video comes up from an amazing reviewer like yourself, it is very much appreciated!

[@kathrynfrost4466]

Thanks Jesse!

[@108u9]

Great review but disappointed there was no vlogging test with this 😂

[@oliverjamesspicer]

Great review

[@RajeshKumar-zd7ru]

"My precious" "So bright... so beautiful... ah, Precious" "We wants it, we needs it"

[@Shinson_music]

Canon have also a EF 1200mm f5.6 in there lineup. try to get this one ;)

[@ashmsh629]

Is this a good beginner camera?

[@yani1343]

Never expected a 1200

[@metritavara]

Waiting for the F/2.8 version.

[@pierrevilley6675]

I agree, if they make a 1200mm F/2.8 with a weight under 500g, a size under 20cm, and a price under 1500€, i would definitely switch to canon.

[@coutopraze]

COOL STUFF CHRIS

[@andreasbuder4417]

There is actually one point of disappointment: It has a special custom 2x extender in it. Why is it not removable? Or offered as a standalone item for the 600mm f4? Now you have to buy two lenses with a ridiculous price tag on it, or you have to accept an image quality hit with the standard 2x extender.

[@jeroenvdw]

Maybe you can add another 2x tc on it and get 2400mm F16?

[@traffbros]

Canon cripple hammer mate!

[@MattTrevett]

Did you point it at the moon?

[@MomentphotographyCoUk]

So effectively that built in 2 x converter costs about £8,000?!!!

[@videojeroki]

how far did you have to set up your target?

[@hector5851]

Did you have to rent an airfield to test this lens 😆? Excellent review as usual, thank you.

[@grahamfloyd3451]

I won't watch a review on this lens until it's directly compared to the RF600mm with 2x TC attached. Someone let me know if he has done this.

[@gilpatmore4312]

I'm in LOVE!

[@TheLordCyberex]

brilliant lens! thanks for review!

[@avocado5499]

Hey, thank you for all your videos, they have been very helpful. I would be thankful if you give a look at new meyer optik görlitz lenses. They seems to be very interesting and I didn't see much reviews on them yet. Thank you ^^

[@samtaylor4592]

I know this is a very niche lens that will sell in very small numbers and they need to recoup R&D costs. But even if i was a pro wildlife photographer etc, I would find it hard to accept that they're charging £9000 for a modified 2x extender on the back

[@SuperLisandro86]

It is about making money. If some 600mm f4 user wants to get 1.200mm, he will have to spend 20k on this lens instead of 2-3k which would be the normal cost of that teleconverter.

[@samtaylor4592]

@@SuperLisandro86 canon RF 2x entender is about £700... I dunno, who knows what the R&D costs were or what canon's business strategies are, but to me personally it doesn't feel like good value, but this is niche and you always pay more for that I guess

[@Amphibax]

@@SuperLisandro86 Even for that price its unlikely canon makes any substantial amount of money. Lenses like that are mostly for just to show what they are capable of

[@inuit2winit]

I guess if you're working the Olympics or something, getting that one perfect shot that nobody else could get would make that money back in one flick of the shutter... But I can't disagree, it seems like a purely showoff, halo product