Canon RF 800mm f/11 Early Struggles & the Solution! 4K

[@maniacalgrinakalefty5748]

Thank you so much for this video! That lens ring placement has totally messed me up and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. Tested over and over again on tripod and timer, perfect. Handheld in field, repeated intermittent fails. Now I know why. You are AWESOME, Phil!! Thanks again!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@DocBoA]

Rented this combination for his week. That focus ring tip is golden

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@coastalbay4k]

Great review Phil. Got the RF 600mm f/11 a few days ago and absolutely love it. I was surprised how sharp the lens is for video👍

[@PhilThach]

That is awesome! And thank you. I’ve made a few video clips of wildlife and I think that’s gonna be a really big strength for this series of lenses. Thanks for watching!

[@dennishurley6045]

Hi Phil great vlog, like you I bought the RF 800 and as you say the manual override ring is a proper pain,I've just bought a neoprene camo wrap and hey presto no problem, it fits so snug it completely prevents any movement, love the lens but it'll be interesting to see how it performs here in the UK October onwards into winter, keep up the great work.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Dennis! I hope you enjoy your 800!

[@donh4907]

Super head-on shots of the GB Heron and the Osprey! I have a 3 inch Arca Swiss tripod plate from Kirk Photo on my 800, so I never touch the focus ring unless it is intentional. The plate rest in my left hand. Thus have never had the problem you experienced. The plate lets me put the lens on a gimble or attach a Kirk Photo quick release from the lens to a Black Rapid shoulder strap for walking around. Love the 800 and often use the RF 1.4 Extender (at f16!!).

[@PhilThach]

I have attached an Arca Swiss plate to mine now, it’s not 3 inch but it eliminated my problem much like yours did. Thanks for watching the video, Don!

[@Eli4Bill]

Great images Phil! You are really figuring out how to best use the lens, and still only a couple of days in. This will help save many of us time if we purchase this combination. Thanks!

[@PhilThach]

Thanks, Bill!

[@p_adam19]

There is a setting in the AF menu called Lens Electronic AF, so it can be disengaged (sometimes it is useful to override without using the AF/MF switch, so it is also possible to use two custom modes with different settings).

[@cannello7719]

Thanks Padam I wondered why I didn't have manual focus on my 800mm f11

[@danham3344]

Just got mine today! Great info, great video! Thanks.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@InfectedChris]

Some great shots of those herons! But, I really liked that lone black vulture the best.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Chris I think that might’ve been my favorite one in this video as well.

[@BillF49]

Received my RF600 today and squeezed off a few rounds. I'm used to using Canon's 200-400 w/ built in 1.4 extender which is an outstanding lens, so I was surprised that I liked the image sharpness that came from this (relatively) cheap glass. Still playing, but definitely impressed. Let me add that using the RF600 with my Canon R5, when I am pushing the AF-ON button, the lens' manual focus ring is disabled. Only when not depressing the AF-ON button did the manual focus ring work. I was unable to duplicate the problem that you experienced.

[@PhilThach]

I believe mine works the same way. I tend to throttle the AF button if a camera is failing to find focus and during that process is when I think I had troubles. Interesting that you picked the 600. I can't quite get my head around that but I'm seeing many respected photographers chose it so there must be a good reason.

[@BillF49]

@@PhilThach No good reason other than my 100-500 order is still on backorder (B&H). That and the 800mm is out of stock everywhere. The only thing available was the 600. I purchased it thinking it a toy and that's why I'm surprised that it is as sharp as it is.

[@PhilThach]

@@BillF49 Understood.

[@PhilThach]

@@BillF49 I've been spreading my buying dollars around. My canon gear has come from B&H, Allen's, Canon's Website, Amazon and more. I buy from whereever I can find a lens in stock. I even picked up my 70-200 from a place called Murphy's camera. It and Allen's don't charge sales tax which is nice.

[@BillF49]

@@PhilThach Thanks. I'll expand my search.

[@dannydanquah3681]

I picked up one today and can't wait to test it tomorrow.

[@PhilThach]

That's awesome! I hope you enjoy your as much as I do mine!

[@Chris_Wolfgram]

Nice :) .... and yes, that minimum focus distance is my biggest concern, but I'll see for myself in a few days when my rented one gets here. BTW, WITH that GBH, that is its tongue. It has had some sort of an injury which will not allow it to keep it in its mouth. There was a local GBH that had the same issue. I'm not sure if this will ever heal on its own, or how it will affect the survivability of the bird ? BTW, your examples starting at 2:45 are eye bleeding sharp ! WoW ! Has me stoked to be getting the RF 800 F11 in the next day or two :)

[@PhilThach]

Agreed. A friend of mine photographed a GBH locally for well over a year that had a galvanized nail sticking out of its throat in every shot.

[@Chris_Wolfgram]

@@PhilThach hey Phil, you might find this interesting... I had just rented the RF 100-500 + both TC's, and yes, it is a very nice lens, but no faster (with the TC's) that the RF 800 F11. After I sent it back, I actually went on and ordered the RF 800 F11 :) Of course it had a little to do with the huge price difference, but honestly, on my field testing with the RF 800 F11, I think I did slightly better ? Also, I have found one guy who is using the Photodiox RF extender tubes, and say it reduced his minimum focus distance quite a bit, with almost no PQ loss. Think I'm going to have to try that too. PS, @ 10:41 > "I may use it more for birding than I do my 100-500" ! That says it all right there ! Bottom line for me is, I just don't really need a zoom lens, 98% of the time. If I had the 100-500, it would stay pegged at 500mm, probably with TC's, as well.

[@ses4vols]

Thanks for the review. Looks like a great lens in bright light.

[@PhilThach]

So far so good. On Thursday I found myself shooting in really dark areas and my ISO was well into the five digit realm. Fortunately the R6 is pretty good in low light and Topaz DeNoise took care of the rest.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Got some nice shots Phil. Yeah thatabummer about where you can hold it comfortably and that’s the manual focus. How are you finding the colors compared to Nikons? Thanks for sharing the video 👍🙏

[@PhilThach]

Colors are fine. I don’t notice them being worse or better. Both systems are fine and can be fixed in Lightroom. The things I miss from Nikon are more like the 20 second timer and I love the video/still switch on my Z6 & z50.

[@MCCRITTERS]

Thanks for sharing your experience and tip with the focus ring. I have one on order, can't wait to try it out here in Ohio.

[@PhilThach]

You’re very welcome and thanks for watching! I have learned that moving the focus ring only is a problem when you’re not pressing the autofocus button. Sometimes I will release from auto focus if the camera is having trouble focusing because the bird is in thick brush. This is when having your hand on the manual focus ring causes the trouble.

[@fylphotography9269]

One struggle I've found is that the stabilization is too aggressive and tries to fight my panning movements. The manual suggests there is panning detection (not mentioned on the spec sheet) but maybe I need to move a certain speed and the IBIS of the R5/R6 may also be fighting it. Something like a fast swimming duck is a struggle to get keepers (turning off IS helps with sharper shots but I risk blurring the horizontal axis too). I have a gripe with the "suppress low frame rate" feature. After I do a "quick take" video, it unchecks the suppress option, causing my live view feed to drop to 30fps. Canon says there may be worse autofocus and input lag if I have suppression turned on, but I've found it easier to follow my subjects. I also find that for flying birds in low light or backlit conditions, the fac/eye tracking AF mode(with eye AF on or off) is not as good as using the zone AF modes, though those AF modes further reduce the AF area (I'm not sure why it couldn't use the full square area of face/eye tracking AF).

[@PhilThach]

This is a very interesting and thought-provoking comment. Thank you.

[@melindawheeler4213]

I rented this lens and I think I did what you did. This is the first time I’ve heard it mentioned. Thinking of giving it another chance.

[@PhilThach]

I have grown to really enjoy shooting with this Lens. It’s a little more difficult to get great results than many of the other RF lenses but I love the super long focal length and the extra light weight of it. I have six lenses now for my R6, and I have used this one more than any of them. Admittedly I have been in a bird photography mood. Thanks for watching, Melinda!

[@melindawheeler4213]

The 100-500 would be my first choice. Just for Fstop and focus distance etc. But it doesn’t fit my budget. I actually rented the 600 not 800. And it was amazing to be able to carry it for a long ways and hand hold. A tripod just isn’t feasible for most birds and wildlife in my opinion.

[@horolographer1]

Thanks for sharing about the method to avoid the AF freezing up. Most appreciated!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@Dappshots]

I was out yesterday using the 800mm F/11 and came home with a bunch of out of focus shots, and they were great BIF action. I was about ready to send it back to Amazon today but I think I was/am doing the same thing you pointed out about grabbing the MF ring all day long! Can't wait to go out and try it again. Thanks for the tip!!!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, good luck!

[@Chris_Wolfgram]

Yea, I'm glad I read about this, as when my rented one gets here in a couple days, I wanna give it a fair shake, by doing the most with it as possible. Fortunately, we have a really cool, very birdy spot litterally 3 miles,, and 8 minutes from the house ! Plan to take many thousands of shots, with all different settings, and I don't care if it's of super common birds either ! 👍

[@richardwhite1034]

Excellent observation! I was having the same issues. Thank you! Such a simple thing. :)

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I've mounted an arca-swiss plate on mine and now I hold the lens by that plate and find that I bump into the focus ring less often.

[@patriciablyler6484]

I have been intently watching your videos with the Canon R5 because I’m thinking of changing to either a Sony or Canon for wildlife which is mostly what I like to shoot. I was thinking of purchasing the Nikon Z7 ii in hopes they would be able to get the AF better with the firmware updates but now I’m thinking of changing to another system instead. Thanks for sharing your experiences with the Canon!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Patricia! Keep watching, I have many videos coming and I have been having more and more success with the camera and this lens specifically.

[@harshvardhanrane198]

Sir, If you use back button focus, you can hold the lens anywhere(focus ring).

[@PhilThach]

Agreed, however, if you throttle the focus and try to let it reacquire after an initial miss having your hand on the focus ring can cause problems.

[@gnphoto21]

Maybe Canon will redesign that lens and move focusing ring. We have 2 places close to Chicago known for Great Blue Herons, Skokie Lagoons to the north and Lake Katherine to the south. If you ever visit Chicago...

[@PhilThach]

I put an arca Swiss plate on it yesterday so I could put it on the tripod to make some video clips and when I took the camera off of the tripod I found myself holding it by that plate which was better. Thanks for the tip, I may get back to Chicago one day.

[@fasuego]

Great review Phil !which method do you prefer to use with the canon r7 and the 800 lens /. manual or automatic ?

[@PhilThach]

I use either full manual or manual aperture and shutter speed with Automattic ISO depending on the situation.

[@josephkarpinski9586]

Noticed for stationary subjects you’re still shooting at shutter 1/2000s. If your R camera has custom settings like the Canon R5/R6, try assigning a single AF point with shutter speeds like 800, 500, 320 etc to lower the ISO. Can give some great shots. Give it a try and see what works for you.

[@markrigg6623]

The world is full of soft, noise free wildlife photos. Make sure to get sharp shots with a high shutter speed first. Then, if its appropriate, try a lower iso. But remember, you're shooting moving targets, even though they appear stationary so there's a high probability of getting motion blur. All a birds got to do is move its head and the photo will be soft. So you're doing the right thing with the shutter speed.

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

HI Phil is there any way to set that to off or do nothing? 'm sure you might have check already, but just offering anything up that might help.

[@PhilThach]

It doesn’t seem to be giving me problems anymore and I haven’t changed any settings. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

@@PhilThach That’s fantastic bud you and Heather need to have a Nikon vs Cannon duel officially and then create a community poll for us to vote. Views/engagement/ and some good old fun.

[@PhilThach]

@@christopherrodriguez7223 can’t do that she will totally kick my butt. 😤

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

@@PhilThach no editing allowed just jpegs 😁

[@martinbreslow1401]

Dave Kelly has videos on Topaz Sharpen AI where he takes his slightly out-of-focus pictures and sharpens them. You might be able to do something with Denoise AI to improve them.

[@hstein27]

Sharpen AI has helped me out immensely. They have a bundle with Gigapixel and Denoise, which is worth getting. If I do super-tight crop I use Gigapixel and it adds so much more detail! The only downside to these AI programs is if the light isn't right, there can be some fringing and bleeding around the bird's head and beak. Check it out Phil!

[@Photogal]

Thank you for this. I struggle with clear photos. May I ask what AF MENU settings you have set to? So what af point style (spot/ one point, smiley face+tracking), eye detect on, one shot auto focus, animal detect, auto iso, those sorts of settings. My photos look blotchy and am really confused as to why. Do you have a video for best focus settings for wildlife and birds as well?

[@PhilThach]

For birds, I use Animal Eyedetect on my main back button focus, on the second button I use single point. I always use servo focus and never one-shot focus.

[@Photogal]

@@PhilThach thank you so much for the prompt reply! I will keep trying.

[@PhilThach]

@@Photogal You’re welcome, good luck!

[@ponderingnugget]

Have you tried using extension tubes on the lens to reduce the minimum focus distance? I'm curious how well that would work.

[@PhilThach]

I haven’t yet but I plan to at some point. The minimum focus distance doesn’t cause me problems often but when it does it’s pretty annoying.

[@ponderingnugget]

@@PhilThach I'm thinking a 35mm extension tube should bring the minimum focusing distance down to about 2 meters. that would be pretty useful. With a quality tube that has good autofocus contacts it might not affect the lens performance negatively. that could increase the versatility of the lens quite a bit.

[@PhilThach]

@@ponderingnugget I agree, in fact I need to go right now and order some.

[@ponderingnugget]

@@PhilThach LOL, post back here if you do and let us all know how it goes.

[@ashishkacholia1013]

Hi Phil, my pics with the R6 and 800 mm combo are just not as sharp as the 100-500. Any tips for getting images as sharp as yours? I would die to get images as sharp as yours

[@PhilThach]

Honestly, my pictures with the 800 are not as sharp as the 100 to 500 either. I do have good luck using Topaz de noise AI as both my D noise program and my sharpening program, it produces amazing results. You need to start with a relatively sharp photo. I recommend taking lots and lots of photos and sharing only a few, just the best ones.

[@smkunder1]

Some great results, especially at some higher ISO’s.

[@axelgordes3051]

Hey, nice lense. Isn’t there a possibility for some grip or handle? Like a gun?

[@PhilThach]

There is a quarter 20 mount on the bottom and I have a arca Swiss plate on it now that I use to hold the lens.

[@koloasurf2012]

Phil first thanks for making this video, i am struggling with his lens. The focus is always soft. Base on your setting I compare to my setting and I don’t get this kind of resolutions. How much editing do you have to do to get it this sharp.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! Are use a program called Topez DeNoise AI. It is advertised as a noise reduction program but it does a really great job of sharpening photographs. Give it a try, I highly recommend it!

[@donh4907]

My lens and buddy's lens make consistently sharp pics. I puzzled. I do use bean bags, other supports, breathing in, etc. - all tricks I got in the habit of using in the Old School days. Still at least half the shots are standing and relying on Image Stabilization.

[@drtnrao57]

Good video thanks 👍

[@PhilThach]

@@drtnrao57 Thank you!

[@renesch438]

I just got the 600 version and it’s been really fun my hand doesn’t rest on the focus ring but it’s not an 800 either

[@PhilThach]

I’ve been wondering about the 600, I’m glad you are enjoying yours.

[@uncletater1097]

Phil, I was curious as to if you have tried the Z5 at all? I have and LOVE the z50 but am looking for a sister camera to my z50 for me and my wife to switch and use for single portraits, couples portraits, landscape, nature and animal photography. Is it worth picking the z5 up? Or should I go for a z6? Or would Canon be something I should look into? Any kind of advice would be greatly appreciated!

[@PhilThach]

I’ve never used the Z5 but I believe it to be a good camera. I think you’ll enjoy it or the Z6 especially because they operate very similarly to the Z 50 which you already own and enjoy. I like my Z6 quite a bit.

[@uncletater1097]

@@PhilThach I appreciate it Phil!

[@uncletater1097]

@@PhilThach also, do you have a blog or another website showcasing your work? Or anything else related?

[@PhilThach]

I post some of my work on my Facebook photography page “Phil Thach photography“

[@maxiguppy]

very cool video! Can R6 autofocus in 120fps mode?

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I believe it can.

[@mskreddy591]

Hi, is it worth buying?

[@PhilThach]

Yes.

[@augusto_alves]

Well done!

[@forkintherode8236]

Kudos to Canon for making a lens that backyard birders can afford. I’m sure there will be refinements but nice work for initial practice with that lens.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@davidlee7094]

On my R6 I can turn manual focus override off. Would it help with your problem?

[@PhilThach]

I think it probably would, thank you.

[@phillawrence5576]

Tell us how?

[@davidlee7094]

@@phillawrence5576 AF menu tab 4 and tab 5 have options to enable or disable manual focus override. Sorry I no longer have 600 or 800mm lenses to check this again. I will try it on RF 100-500 later today.

[@BillF49]

Does the AF eyeball tracking work with that lens?

[@PhilThach]

It does, not as well as on the 100-500 or 70-200 but it does work.

[@jameslove1092]

19 feet thats one big step. Best regards from james in scotland.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@BrianKushner]

Nikon allows you to shut off manual autofocus ring.

[@PhilThach]

Indeed, so does canon I have learned. Since this time I've gotten much better at using this lens. I still leave the focus over ride active in case I need it. I've just learned not to hold the lens by the focus ring. Thanks for watching, Brian!

[@bfs5113]

Yeah, I have my 50 f/1.2 S focusing and control rings disabled because both are too sensitive, that may lead to unintentional error at the wrong time.

[@RVNmedic]

You probably figured this out by now but I put a lens foot on it and support it there.

[@curtsuneson6161]

It says you sent a message

[@PhilThach]

I don't recall doing that.

[@letsfindout6587]

The audio seems really low

[@PhilThach]

Perhaps. Thank you.

[@jophoto934]

Crap. I have to pay attention to see if I’m doing that.