Canon RF 800 & 600mm F11 IS STM - Just A Gimmick Or Can You Take GREAT Images At F11 Wide Open!?

When I first heard about the Canon RF 800 & 600mm IS STM lenses, I thought there's no way these could work in the field. But when I held them in my hands for the first time, I started to see the appeal of these lenses. They were just so lightweight and offered an amazing focal length at an attractive price point. These were all traits all other big prime lenses don't offer!
That's all good and well, but can you still take great bird images with the lenses, or is it impossible to use F11 in the field? What about smooth backgrounds? Will it be impossible to get a big prime lens look like on an F4 600 mm lens for instance! How about rainforest photography?
That's what I set out to explore and I am sharing my results of several weeks of bird photography with the RF 800 and Rf 600mm lenses in this video with you!
Do you own the Rf 800 or Rf 600mm lens? What are your thoughts about the lenses in the field? Do you share my experiences?
Are you planning to pick up one of these lenses, soon? Let me know in the comments.
R5 Review
• EOS R5 - The BEST Bird...
R6 Review
• EOS R6 - Are 20 Megapi...
R5 Settings you NEED to Know
• EOS R5 - The SETTINGS ...
Duade's Channel - Make sure to give him a sub!
/ dpatonphotography
Let me help you to take YOUR IMAGES to the NEXT LEVEL!
Limited 1:1 Mentoring
👉 aviscapes.com/mentoring/
_____________________________________________
MASTERCLASS - Editing Your Bird Images To Perfection
👉 aviscapes.com/masterclass-edi...
_____________________________________________
How to Attract Amazing Birds Ebook & Video Perched
👉 aviscapes.com/video-and-ebook/
_____________________________________________
Free Ebook - 5 Common Mistakes Almost Every Bird Photographer Makes And How To Avoid Them-
👉 aviscapes.com/free-ebook
_____________________________________________
Instagram
👉 / jan_wegener_
_____________________________________________
This is the equipment I use:
Canon EOS R5
amzn.to/2FV1Fpq
Canon EOS R6
amzn.to/3qOtEbQ
Canon RF 100-500 L IS
amzn.to/3liEIx0
RF Extender 1.4x
amzn.to/3bMD5nO
RF Extender 2x
amzn.to/3cuMdwD
RF 800 F11
amzn.to/3ldq6Pr
RF600 F11
amzn.to/3bIBrDJ
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
amzn.to/2ToffWf
Canon 600 L IS III (I have v. II)
amzn.to/3dZM7wn
Canon EF 5.6/400 L
amzn.to/2AJwbQk
Canon 1.4x TC III
amzn.to/2T7vAhz
Canon 2x TC III
amzn.to/3fPnYdr
Canon 600 EX - RT
amzn.to/3czhDRf
Wimberley Head II
amzn.to/3dOuqzI
Gitzo 5543LS (new version of my tripod)
amzn.to/3dRfxg3
Wimberley Flash Bracket
amzn.to/2LweMg5
Wimberley M-6 Extension Post
amzn.to/2LxCvfQ
Better Beamer (check for compatibility)
amzn.to/2AxbbfF
Flash Battery (Godox & Flashpoint is the same)
amzn.to/3fNDWVD
Power Cord
amzn.to/3cBJGzt
Y connector
amzn.to/2X22zoT
Novoflex STA-SET
amzn.to/2y5s1Bt
LensCoat LensHide
amzn.to/3bAkoAo
LensCoat Lens Hoodie
amzn.to/3fStHiI
Canon 2.8/70-200 II
amzn.to/3cArBSB
Canon 4/24-70
amzn.to/2AwjeJE
Canon 4/16-35 L IS
amzn.to/3fPqPDb
JBL Clip3 Speaker
amzn.to/36225D5
Sandisk Extreme Pro CFexpress Card type B 512GB
amzn.to/38FPKHg
Sandisk Extreme Pro
amzn.to/2WXKt7n
Panasonic Eneloop Pro
amzn.to/2X2SQ1q
Minox 8x43
amzn.to/2Z7YxxQ
Canon LP-E6N
amzn.to/3byTSYg
Manfrotto Mini Ballhead
amzn.to/3dR2pYm
FStop Gear Sukha Backpack
amzn.to/2Q3e4fZ
Time Stamps
0:00 Intro
1:14 First Impressions
2:16 Zoom Prime Lens!?
2:55 11/800 & 600 vs 4/600
3:19 Made for handholding only?
4:00 No Lens Hood?
4:25 FIXED F11
5:23 AF Limitations
6:54 Minimum Focusing Distances
7:33 IS and IBIS
7:57 IMAGE REVIEW
10:01 11/600 vs 4/600 Image Quality
10:27 Depth of Field
10:47 Amount of Out of Focus Images
11:25 F11s in the Rainforest!
13:17 F11 vs F4 lens backgrounds
14:10 Handheld in the Forest?
14:40 Struggles
15:41 What does the edited image look like?
16:25 More Impressive Images!
17:10 Edited Image
18:46 Where the lenses did great! (More Images)
20:26 2x Extender - F22 - 1600mm!!
22:30 Extra Cost
22:44 Birds in Flight Images
25:44 How did the lenses perform in the Field?
26:45 Can you take Great Images at F11?
28:14 Who are these lenses made for?
29:17 800 vs 1600mm example
29:40 Great for Beginners?
30:25 WIll I buy one of these lenses?
31:44 600 or 800mm??
33:44 What are your thoughts??

[@Duade]

Thanks again mate for a wonderful few days, such a wonderful review of these lenses with so much valuable information. I am sure it will be extremely helpful for people considering purchasing these lenses. Cheers, Duade

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks mate. Really appreciated your help as well. Much easier not having to use all these lenses by myself! We got some nice comparisons side by side

[@pintolace]

Thanks Jan for another great comparison video. I really appreciate your style, allowing us to watch a real professional usage that can resonate with non-professionals to expand our skills and improve photos. Your previous video helped me decide on buying a R6 and I paired it with the 600mm just for fun and was amazed with the results. Even birds in flight turned out great, but as you say, there are some AF issues. Despite that, I had a lot of fun for $700, which I would never have if the tag was $10K for a prime. Thanks and keep publishing because your videos are worth more views...

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, for 700$ you basically cannot go wrong with these and will have a lot of fun! Make sure to hit the like button that helps to spread the video around :)

[@bunkermagnus]

Another quality review from you. Full of bottomline recommendations and approaching the questions from different angles!

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear you liked it

[@sergedaleiden5597]

Absolutely happy with my RF800. I use it primarily for plane spotting around airports, but I tried some birds in flight as well. Didn't realize how quick birds can fly, have to learn a lot yet. Enjoyed your video Jan. Keep 'em comin'.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing. Birds are very fast!

[@rob4664]

Thank you so much for an unbiased review. And I truly enjoy your R5 settings they really help me with my new R5

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear! Thank you!

[@dereksalway3336]

Your in-depth review of gear is so appreciated. Thank you.

[@jan_wegener]

My pleasure!

[@AlexKoro_CinematicTravel]

Thank you! I waited for this this review from you!

[@jan_wegener]

Awesome, took a bit longer than expected, cause I had so much footage to go through and a 5 day lockdown!

[@MikePearcePhoto]

Nice clear-headed, logical and pretty comprehensive test / video. Thank you.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you liked it!

[@MiguelGomes2023]

Thanks Jan! Great review as usual!

[@jan_wegener]

My pleasure!

[@kellerfoto]

Really helpful video, thanks Jan! Masterclass ist awesome too!

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear and happy to help, Thanks :)

[@THEWILDMARTIN]

Hi Jan! It took me some time, but I finally got your MasterClass! Love your videos, your explanations! My R5 is also setup as you recommended and i absolutely love it. Surely the MClass will be great ! Cannot wait to see it ! Cheers🙏

[@jan_wegener]

Awesome, I hope it will help you a lot!

[@beatchristen4981]

Great review of the two lenses Jan. Thanks. You said it correctly, sometimes the 600/4 is just too heavy for me for long distances. Don't get any younger either. Or the risk of polluting the 600/4 on the beach or close to the water from a low point of view is high. You just made the decision easier for me to put the 800mm F11 in the photo backpack. :-) For this price it is worth to buying. Sorry for my bad english!! Greetings from Switzerland!

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing! Yes, I think for certain situations the 800 can be a fun lens to have.

[@jamesseward9263]

Excellent review! I always learn a lot from your videos. Thank you!😊

[@jan_wegener]

Awesome, thank you!

[@juliangreaves4727]

Thanks Jan. Another great video. I watched Duade’s also and they were great too. I’ve been on the fence for a while about these lenses but I think this has persuaded me to grab the 800. I shoot an R5 with the EF 100-400 and it’s always a bit too short!

[@jan_wegener]

It's a great piece of lens at a great price point. The 100-400 is great, but as you say, can be a bit short and extenders don't work as well on zooms

[@iaincathro5744]

I find your videos so helpful - as well as an expert photographer you are a great teacher - I very much appreciate you sharing your expertise - it is helping me to improve my photography.

[@jan_wegener]

You're very welcome! Great to hear you are enjoying my work

[@insanecuckooman8342]

i was waiting for a review like this before i decided. thanks!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad I could help!

[@gijsschubert7901]

A very nice story Jan, I really enjoyed the gentle & friendly manner you presented your review.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TheGlowingforest]

Probably the best review on this lens. I like that you focused on filed tests. Most reviewers spend too much time on lab tests. I think that most users who are buying this lens will shoot outdoors and not in the studio. Great explanation and comparison on why you might prefer the more expensive lenses. I was very curious to see some results with the teleconverter, which this video provided as well. Thanks for this video!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@ericfreutel8240]

Always the best reviews. Wonderful birds, too. Thank you very much.

[@jan_wegener]

Many thanks!

[@paullanoue5228]

Curiosity got the best of me so I got the 600mm f/11 lens. I’ve been involved with photography for fifty years, but never used a lens longer than 200mm. I was surprised at the sharpness of the lens. I think catching birds in flight with the 600mm is a bit easier than than 800. For the money and the practicality I have no complaints. Also I learned to appreciate the skills of bird photographers very quickly.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing your experience! They are fantastic lenses for the price for sure

[@chrisipad4425]

Great review and comparisons! I used to have a EF 400mm F5.6 but sold it last year to get the RF 800mm F11 and I love carrying it around for bird photography.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, the weight of it is amazing

[@RS_]

are u still happy with your RF800 f11? Im still torn between a EF400 F5.6 ( possibly with teleconverter) and RF600 f11 ..

[@rvboondocker2559]

I agree with Dominic. I love the light weight and fabulous quality of the images. I have the lens hood for the 800mm. Terrific analysis regarding the more expensive lens. Thanks

[@jan_wegener]

Awesome! Thanks :)

[@russell1234]

I have been using the 800mm exclusively for 6 months...your review nailed it wrt my experience. I am a run and gun hiking bird photographer and consider it an essential piece of kit now...

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, it's ideal for those sort of use cases!

[@francescopierre-nina9515]

Great Review and much appreciated.👍🏽..

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for watching!

[@fernandafernandex]

Thank you for this so detailed video

[@jan_wegener]

You are so welcome!

[@julaca8690]

Excellent review! Thank you.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zero_second_thoughts8766]

Great video, thank you for your work. I thought those lenses were a weird joke as well. You changed my view on this completly. Might consider one of these once I get myself the R6.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, they are surprising. I enjoyed using them

[@choddo]

Great video, very thorough and some superb shots for such good value lenses. Very likely to pick up a 600 for use a few times a year.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kevins8575]

Great insights! Thanks. I have been having a great time with my 800mm on a R5 and am anxiously awaiting delivery of the RF100-500 to get my complete birding package .

[@jan_wegener]

awesome. I am just making a video about the 100-500

[@barthofman3805]

Great video Jan, you convinced me to buy this lens.

[@jan_wegener]

I hope you will enjoy it!

[@tgscott00]

What a great video. I've been considering getting one of these for a while and thanks to your video I'm gonna go for the 600. I feel it provides a bit more flexibility and the focus distance is more convenient. Thanks

[@jan_wegener]

Glad I could help!

[@metallicrock5946]

Very good review. Thanks

[@BrentHall]

Great video man! I've been pretty happy with the 800 overall, and I probably would have picked up the 600 too, if I didn't already have the 100-500. I get a fair bit of ugly or just naïve/ignorant comments about the 800 on my videos. Seems like a lot of people just like to be negative towards these lenses out of spite, or just to be negative in general, but I think they're great for what they are. Your images with them were really great! (But then, you also know what you're doing, and most importantly, how to edit) :P

[@jan_wegener]

Haters gonna hate! It's a pretty fun lens to have around with you for sure. Most people just read F11 and draw their own conclusions without ever looking into the let, let alone using one. Overall these lenses have quite surprised me! For sub 1k, the quality is nuts. I got the 100-500 as well now for a video. That's one sharp lens

[@Will_B_Photos_MTL]

Same here, ever since posting up my video of getting the RF 800 I've had such polarizing comments. So many people hate on this lens with never even using it while others like myself are excited that there's an affordable native RF glass for us wildlife shooters. Great video!

[@KayakCampingOffGrid]

Really fantastic review of the RF 600/800mm Lenses! I liked hoe you compared the massive and expensive 600mm F4 lens. It's just so impressive how well you describe the various use cases for those like me trying to navigate the super telephoto options. For me, and my application, the 800mm F11 is going to work really well, and be easily more enjoyable, given my bushwalking ventures where the "big bertha" would be just too damned bulky. Thanks for the excellent review!

[@kumargaurav4093]

Goosebumps when i get ur notification

[@jan_wegener]

:)

[@cycle642]

Hi Jan I enjoyed your Blog on these lenses I have the 800mm and also was frustrated by the inconsistency you made me feel much better when you also stated that you also had those inconsistency's I use it with a R6 and a R7 most of my problem's occur with the R7 Thanks For The Great Video

[@jan_wegener]

That’s to be expected, since the AF of the R7 tends to be a little bit inconsistent itself, so it may increase the issue

[@robertblanke2878]

I have the RF 800 and have found it to be a great lens for plane spotting. And while you have to always be aware of its limitations, if you keep those in mind you can get some great shots.

[@jan_wegener]

Totally agree!

[@ThreeCeeProductions]

I have both lenses. Great buy. The 600 when I’ll be close. 800 for shorebirds or longer shots. I have shot with almost all the lenses from 400 prime to 150-600. These provide very good quality especially if you have a good noise reduction plugin. Stabilized lens and body makes lower shutter speeds OK for stationary birds.

[@bogdantoma2315]

That's what I call a proper review video

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks :)

[@lynfaulks4377]

Thanks Jan for the time and effort you put in to producing these informative videos. I have the R6 and initially bought the 800mm f11 as there was no way I could ever afford an expensive prime- it has it’s limitations of course but I have been more than happy with the results and applaud canon for giving us a cheaper, good quality alternative. The 100-500 is next on the bucket list.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, I think it's a fantastic opportunity to get an affordable prime lens look 100-500 will be one of my next videos. It's a great lens

[@DavidKabra]

We w me up for week so we do need that and still need 🕸️ for a few w natand ital I have to get

[@somebody3414]

Great review! Thx!

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for watching!

[@howzchannel9843]

Thanks Jan, the 600mm is very tempting to couple with my new R7... 😀

[@alidafaallah]

Great review Jan, i have Canon R6 and recently got the 800mm which i am very happy with.

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear!

[@kilohotel6750]

Like you I laughed when they announced them but they seem pretty good. They are a great way to get new people into the RF mount. I can see lots of people who are just interested in photographing birds visiting their back yard feeders buying one of these.

[@jan_wegener]

I had a lot of fun with the lens. They're so light that you sometimes just grab them to walk around. I would never do that with my bigger lenses. I agree, that many people will be quite happy with them. Especially when usability is the key factor

[@jan_wegener]

@M Tech What aperture would you typically shoot a 24-105?

[@jan_wegener]

@M Tech It can be, but it depends what you use it for. I hardly shoot any of my lenses wider than F8

[@jamesconnelly393]

Good analytic commentary and illustrative photos. On the basis of the video, I got the 800mm. Nice choice; nice piece of gear.

[@jan_wegener]

Hope you will enjoy it! It's a fun lens

[@ab-cx6bd]

Lovely video. I have the 800 - its so fabulous when there is sufficient light. It’s literally tiny for an 800 thats the charm. When i used to own a big white lens i hardly took it out because of the size and attention it draws. This one i don’t have to think twice to take with me. Also like you mentioned i don’t worry if it gets scratched 😁

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing

[@GaryParnellPhotography]

Thanks Jan, I live on Phillip island, and am looking at purchasing the R5 & 800mm , so it was very informative to get your review. cheers Gary.

[@jan_wegener]

Awesome! Ioved going there

[@lkaufman719]

I just got the 600 and really enjoy it. I too was surprised at the sharpness. I also will get the 800, but it's currently not in stock in the USA. Great video comapison. Thsnks.

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear!

[@cjoe6908]

Thanks for this vid Jan. I have got my 600mm recently and yes it's my dream lens as a new birder. For the past few days I have shot thousands of pics of birds around my house and at the beach and I am thrilled at the results. although many of which are not usable. I can well live with that, otherwise I wouldn't have have gotten to have any of those surprisingly good ones either. I may consider to upgrade to more expensive ones like the 100-500mm. Big super-teles are out of the question for me at my age and for my handholding style.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you are enjoying the lens! I will make a video about 100-500 very soon

[@cjoe6908]

@@jan_wegener Please do. Thanks.

[@deanhohn777]

I have the RF800 f/11 lens and the more I use it the more I like it. It as you've said can be a bit of hit and miss, but lately, I've been getting some really good results with flight shots as well as shots of birds perched or on the ground. I use my RF1.4X extender with my RF800 and I've been amazed at the quality of shots I've been able to capture. I can't afford the 600 f/4 lens, but I'm extremely happy with the results I'm getting from both the RF 100-500MM and RF800 lenses. I use the RF1.4X extender most of the time on the RF 100-500mm lens to give me the equivalent of 700mm with the flexibility to go down to 420mm. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the RF800mm lens for a walk-around lens. I've mounted an old L-bracket on the lens and I use it on my monopod with the Wimberley MH-100 Monogimbal head. It's great for added stability and taking the weight off your arms when waiting for a bird to fly from a perch. Having gone through your Master Class on editing images and having your Presets has made a dramatic difference to the quality of my images.

[@jan_wegener]

Hi Dean, yes it's an excellent combo and so lightweight! Glad my class and Prosets helped you a lot!

[@nebdoc1234]

Just got the 800mm and am really anxious to try it out. Have taken a few basic shots and have been happy with the results so far.

[@jan_wegener]

awesome

[@mmpllc77]

I have the 800mm Rf and love it. I use it to shoot Eagles in the wild and have gotten some incredible shots that rival my 100-400ii l lens. The more I use it, the better I get.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, it's quite the fun lens!

[@almirhukic8755]

Hi Dominic, could you please share some of the photos?

[@mmpllc77]

@@almirhukic8755 Check out my instagram page called The eaglewhisperer

[@dychui]

@@mmpllc77 loved seeing your work ! Followed ya

[@mmpllc77]

@@dychui 👍

[@lawnchairman]

Great informative video Jan! I´ve really been looking for this kind of information as I have ordered the R5 and the rf 800 f11. Some image examples on the internet have made me daught my choice, but you vent through all different scenarios important for a bird photographer to know. What about IBIS and IS on the lens, do you ever turn these off, when for example shooting birds in flight?

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks! I have yet to find a reason to turn off IS/IBIS other than long exposures on a tripod. You have to have good technique and exposures to get the most out of these lenses

[@greenlinephoto5714]

Definitely awesome lenses, I now tested it since three months, and I will keep it with me - it´s worth it! For easy walk-arounds, definitly worth carrying it in a light backback, e.g. into high mountain hikes! For more equipment, and preparation, I can still use the 600mm f/4 lens :-) I only was a little bit struggling due to lighting conditions, getting ISO above 8000 to keep shutter speed above 1/800s.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. That's my sentiment about the lenses as well. They certain have a place in a light weight kit

[@lovemycity420]

Great review

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks!

[@ikoknyphausen198]

Thanks for another excellent review. I have both the RF600 and the RF100-500. I got the RF600 almost a year before the 100-500 was available. That said, I still use both. RF600 weight is excellent. I also use it with the extenders - they don't affect the minimum focus distance. Downside is one stop to F16. Many times LightRoom takes care of the bokeh, if it gets too busy. For birds in flight, I will sometimes use crop mode, that creates a larger autofocus/tracking area in the view finder. I know it's not really larger, but it seems easier to keep the target inside the "box".

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing

[@copperwoof]

Great info, Jan! If you ever do a video about shooting BIF with R5/6 and RF100-500 mm could you also touch on what memory cards you use for stills. Thank you!

[@jan_wegener]

I will make a video about the 100-500 very soon. I have been using Sandisk CFexpress Extreme Pro 512 GB and some Sandisk Extreme Pro and Prograde SD cards

[@ThreeCeeProductions]

I have had many Birding lenses. I have these 2 and was amazed at their performance. The 800 is harder to use close In because of the narrow field of view. Like you the keeper rate wasn’t as good as my 400 f5.5 or 100-400. That ok because I always shoot burst. For the price it is a no brainer. I love the 800 for shorebirds because of the reach. For the money if you aren’t getting paid for images these will look good after editing.

[@torbenleth1961]

Great video 👌

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed

[@Squeezesify]

Fine and detailed review! 👍I have to admit, that I am surprised by their performance, especially their sharpness, and I agree on the problems with the bokeeh on f11. But you're right, taking the price into account, they perform absolutely well. Well done again, Jan! Best Regards, Jan, DK

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for watching! I was just as surprised as you. And as you say, for that price point they're essentially hard to fault!

[@jewelypix]

Thank You Jan! Great Review! 👍🏻 Lately I’ve been out in the field, literally for one, shooting Snowy Owls & the other one was across the water from me on a dock. I’m using my R6 & 100-500 & I was very displeased with the one on the dock especially. Photos were very soft, not as detailed as I would’ve wanted ☹️ Sounds like this 800 would’ve been ideal for that one. It was a bright sunny day also. The one I got good shots of was up on top of a roof but the next time I went it was pretty far out in a farmers field. 👎🏼 I did get good video of the one on the Dock, waddling a short distance across the pier 😊 I just checked Best Buy & they can order the 800 for me. Fingers Crossed it works out for me.. Thanks Again Jan!

[@jan_wegener]

There can also be quite bad occurrences of heat haze near water, even in winter causing bad image distortion

[@MissionOffRoad]

Picked up the 800mm for wildlife. As you said, there are different ways to get to 600mm with my existing lenses. It's lightweight which makes the activity more enjoyable.

[@iteatrantidiscarlino]

Ottimo video, grazie

[@domc9922]

Got the 600mm f/11 and very happy. As long as you know the limitations, it’s a great lens. FYI - the further the background is from the subject you’re focusing on, the better the bokeh :)

[@jan_wegener]

That's correct

[@AmmarHabjouqa]

I keep considering them and then change my mind. The reason is that with the ability to focus at F11 with the R5, my 100-400ii with the 2x converter gives me the zoom reach from 200 to 800. Any of these RF lenses would not be able to zoom out of course. Moreover, the MFD of the zoom lens is amazing. Finally, all the focus points are active and I am not restricted to that box in the middle. I however keep thinking how amazing would a 1600mm reach be even at F22. The problem, as you indicated in your video, is that the high cost of the RF 2x extender. Thank you for your fair and extensive review of these two lenses. I keep considering them like I said but most likely I will wait for Canon to release an RF 600 F4 in order to pick up a used EF 600 F4. If you are selling yours let me know hahahah :-)

[@jan_wegener]

Hehe, I will sell it at some point. The 800/11 is better overall than the 100-400 and 2x. Always a toss up between flexibility and quality / size

[@felixrast8576]

I am owning a R7 and a R3 and just bought the 800 F11 Lense. On the other hand i am still using my EF 100-400 mm and therefore I am quite happy with the setting. As I am taking pictures of birds (small ones and bigger ones) :-) my setup is the R3 with 800 mm and the R7 with the 100-400 with the crop factor of 1.6 fo me perfect.

[@user-ov8dh7ou5b]

I'm really happy with the 800 mm Super light and white a R7 is just fantastisk..

[@dglatz01]

Excellent video, Jan. Love your channel - always informative and in depth and very high production value. My initial thoughts about this lens mirrored yours: “whaaaaaa? Are they kidding??” But I took a flyer on it after reading some more. Took it with me to test it on a trip - I also had the 600mm f/4. Agree 100% with your analysis. In good light, often when you would not be shooting 600 f/4 because light was too harsh, this lens rocks. I was shocked by the background rendering in most conditions (as you pointed out, BR must be relatively far from the subject) - quite good. Also agree that burst shooting is much more hit or miss with the 800 - but I expected that at this price point. The only thing that surprised me the most was the FUN factor of shooting this lens. Hand holding it was a dream. Light weight, with R5 I could shoot it for hours. And as you noted getting low was no problem. Overall I’m happy with the lens and as long as people understand the limitations and the use case, I would recommend it. Next is shooting video with it. Packing size is a plus as we need to go light and our video gear is already heavy. Will try both hand held and on tripod (not shooting vertical video - we’re not cool enough for that IG trend LOL). Thanks for sharing your insights on this.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, that's how I described my experience as well, fun! Video will be interesting. Will need filters for sure with the fixed F11

[@dglatz01]

@@jan_wegener Indeed, Jan. Especially re filters - luckily I have a 95mm variable ND! Cheers!

[@jan_wegener]

@@dglatz01 ah, that's great!

[@brentj7564]

Video on RF 100-500mm vs prime lens on the horizon? Great review!

[@jan_wegener]

working on 100-500 at the moment

[@adriangoodman]

Hi, thanks for a great video. I’m from Melbourne too (and a new subscriber to your channel) and I’m wondering if there are some good birding spots you can recommend around town, especially in the inner south area?

[@peterhirzel]

Have the 800mm for about 6 weeks and would buy it again. Have same experience with focusing as u describe. Besides walked hours and felt comfortable with it.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, for walking around it's really good

[@kenjanson3428]

I purchased the 600mm for a bit of fun during restrictions here in Sydney. I was one of the lucky ones in that being restricted to my LGA for recreation was no real bother. I live in the Sutherland Shire and as such have beaches and The Royal National Park to shoot in. Paired to my R6 I entered into two new forms of photography, Birds and Surfing. I have to say the 600mm was worth every cent I paid and will continue to have it in my bag whether I'm heading out to specifically use it or not. For the price it is a winner.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, it's a great little lens

[@andyobrien6263]

I’ve purchased the 600 & 800 to use on the newly released Canon C70 cine camera - just got to be careful with the backgrounds, but from a video point of view I think they may be a great addition - great content as usual Jan 👏👏

[@jan_wegener]

How has the fixed F11 been working for you? I suppose with filters it's not a problem. It was problematic for me in the field when I wanted to do stills and photos

[@andyobrien6263]

@@jan_wegener The native iso for the C70 is 800 so even at f11 I’m using the built in ND’s. Up to now I’ve been doing both photography & video with the same mirrorless body which is great apart from having to use ND’s for the video - on that system I use a variable but have a magnetic step ring on the lens for quick changes. I think when you use one body for both disciplines you have to be so switched on to achieve the results at your level, it’s not like we work with inanimate objects! Really enjoy your’s & Duades work! 👍

[@jan_wegener]

@@andyobrien6263 Thanks for the insight. I have set up my R5 in a way that I can start filming with the correct settings with the click of one button. So that has been working quite well. I'm usually out on cloudy days, so I can just stop down a little and still get low SS. On brighter days it becomes tricky without filters. I suppose if I used one of these just for filming I wouldn't;t actually need to switch to photo fast

[@andyobrien6263]

@@jan_wegener Wouldn’t it be amazing to have an R5 with built in ND’s? Problem solved for the Hybrid shooter! Something for Canons R & D to work on! 😀

[@jan_wegener]

@@andyobrien6263 I wouldn't mind that at all. But that's likely cinema line only

[@angleseyisle]

I have the RF 100-400 and am considering the RF 600 F11 for the extra reach. Love videoing wildlife.

[@erkkisiekkinen286]

I have had these lenses for some years beside my heavy gear. Two yers ago I tested 800m f11 against EF 400mm DO ll +2xext lll and I was amazed because 800mm stm was sharper. I repeated the test with similar results. After that I have read many rewiews of it and they confirm that 800mm f11 is really sharp and I have same experience with 600mm f11. Wih my R8 AF area box in the image is much larger making BIF photos easier. The same applies R6 markll

[@Falkenroth1]

Im a Nikon shooter and I almost want to get the 800mm setup for a on the move kit. I’m a birder and it would work perfect for IDing birds. I have a 600mm f4 prime but I use it about half the time. I find myself grabbing my 200mm-500mm zoom because it’s light and if I’m walking long distances it so much easier to pack around. Great video

[@jan_wegener]

This lens is literally build for your purpose! 600/4 is no fun carrying around. This one goes everywhere

[@gossedejong9248]

thank you!!

[@jan_wegener]

You're welcome!

[@Lelandphotography]

Thank you for the review. Ive been considering it but it's not always sunny where I live. I have the RF 100-500 and more reach is always better but I'd almost rather put that money towards the RF 85mm 1.2.

[@jan_wegener]

The 100-500 is an overall better lens in terms of IQ, AF speed and built

[@JohnStremble]

Having never used a lens longer than 500mm or a nearly useless 800mm combo of a 100-400 version 1 with a 2x extender, I've been thrilled with my RF 800mm F11 on an R6! Autofocus is incredibly fast on this lens compared to any of my EF lenses adapted and I can deal with the smaller AF area coming from using single point AF most of the time on my DSLRs. For the price and weight, it's really hard to beat!

[@jan_wegener]

It is, thanks for sharing!

[@wellingtoncrescent2480]

Thanks for a great review and for sharing your lovely photos. I also enjoyed Duade's review from your trip, and I'm getting close to making the leap. I'd be very curious to know what you thought of the 800 mm prime on a crop sensor, though I don't think the R7 was available when you shot this. Though the RF 100-500 is my primary lens for birds and wildlife, I'm seriously debating the 800 mm F11 prime for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Yellowstone in the fall. For staying away from the grizzlies :)

[@jan_wegener]

I made a recent video with the 800 and the R7. You could also consider a 1.4x TC for the 100-500

[@wellingtoncrescent2480]

@@jan_wegener Thanks for your reply. I am liking the idea of the 1.4x teleconverter, given how well the the RF 100-500 performs natively. Add the flexibility of carrying only 225g in my pocket! Much appreciated.

[@ianwaldren116]

Back injury precludes large primes for me so I use 7D mark 2's with Sii 100-400 and 400 5.6 prime (still my go to lens for BIF). Impressed with your results with both rf f11's but will wait to see results on the rumoured R7 if and when its released.

[@jan_wegener]

In terms of weight these lenses are just amazing. With an R7 it would be a great long focal range

[@danielthomas7747]

Hi, Thank you for the review. What I like with your reviews is that you proof what you say with astonishing pictures. Due to the lack of budget I recently bought the EOS R, waiting the opportunity to have in priority the R5 instead the R6 because you explained so well in a previous review that the R5 delivers bigger image compare to the R6 at the same focal length. Now comes my question, what's about the RF800 on the EOS R? My worries concern the ISO. Thank you again...

[@jan_wegener]

I am sure it would work, but likely a lot more limited due to ISO and Af performance of the R

[@sarahmayhew7067]

Thanks so much! I had already decided to get the 800 lens, and this has confirmed my choice. Unfortunately I have been waiting months now for them to be available. 😕 Your videos are always so helpful, thanks again!

[@jan_wegener]

Ah, that's annoying., I hope you'll get it soon

[@roninrtist560]

Great review. I am getting the R5 and RF 800 f/11 this week. I have the EF Tamron 150-600mm and it did a stellar job on safari in 2017, but i find it too cumbersome on the move. A lot of the birds I photograph tend to not sit still very long so my positioning is always changing to get them into frame, etc. I was always looking for more reach in many instances. The larger f/2.8 - f/5.6 primes are great, but I also know I lose a lot of shots by how unwieldy they are. A big point for me is that the 600 f/4 & 800 f/5.6 is just not financially tenable for a vast majority of photographers at over $10K. These may be a good compromise, though Nikon do offer their Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 prime at a reasonable $3500 price. Hoping Canon and Sony will follow suite and target that more attainable price range for their line up.

[@jan_wegener]

I think you will have a good time with the lens. There is a learning curve when it comes to finding the right settings and how to use it, but overall a nice lens at an unbeatable price

[@klasreimers9940]

Excellent presentation Jan, thanks! Have you compared the sharpness you will get when using the 800/11 on it's own compared to using the lens with the 1.4X? As well differences in sharpness using the 800/11 lens with the 1.4X as compared to using it with the 2.0X?

[@jan_wegener]

I have, but I only got my hands on a 1.4 pretty late, so i couldn't use it as much. It worked quite ok with both extenders in terms of AF and Image quality, but the hit rate of sharp images went down.

[@glennsmith2985]

Thanks Jan, I’ve had the 800mm f11 now for 7 months, the R5 for 8 months, It was only three weeks ago that the Lens hood finally showed up thou I had ordered it with the lens so a bit of a back log on the lens hoods at present, I use if for Birding so same used case as you've shown. Loving the lens so far coming from a 7dmkII and Sigma 150-600mm sports lens. I found pretty much the same thing you have mentioned there, certainly had to back up a few times to get a bird in shot and also to get the minimum focus distance. That was a fast-learning curve. I've mangled some really creamy backgrounds with this now once you manage to get a decent ratio of camera to subject and subject to background, so looking good. Low light and handheld with the stabilisation works well thou a few misses at times as you mentioned. I have found birds in flight when the contract is low i.e. light bird on a light background a bit hit and miss but if I drop the exposure the camera acquires the bird and tracks it and I can then adjust the exposure back and it keeps tracking it. So a few tricks to learn. But overall happy with it, I've printed a fair few images from it now and all come up great sharpness wise in print. I original bought this because of the price as a step gap measure while saving for the 100-500mm but so far I really haven't found it wanting on to many occasions so will probably hold off on the 100-500 and see what the native RF 600 f4 looks like later in the year. But all up I've had it now for seven month and no regrets it’s not as weather sealed, but a micro fibre cloth over it in light rain and not an issue so far. Certainly, loving the reduced weight and hand held image stabilisation of the set up. The extra reach of the 800mm is great compared to the 150-600mm. All up really happy I got this one, when I did there were a lot of comments about you could only shoot in on a sunny day etc and no chance of getting a decent background etc, but I've shoot in dark rainforest environments and got clean backgrounds, so Im happy. Of cause a 600 f4 would always be welcome but the price difference well a little more saving to do and the learning for the 800mm won't go astray when changing to a 600mm f4 later. the 800mm being so light and so compact will make a great travel lens as well for anyone that flies (When we can again) and don’t want to travel with the larger lenses. So a family holiday with some added birding seams a lot more possible with this set up. Thanks again.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like it has served you well. The 100-500 is a pretty good lens, too. Will be making a video about it soon. And I cannot wait for a 600/4 RF. That should be one sweet lens.

[@lucakhari4512]

i know Im asking the wrong place but does anyone know a way to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly forgot my account password. I love any help you can offer me.

[@adrielpablo53]

@Luca Khari instablaster =)

[@lucakhari4512]

@Adriel Pablo I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@lucakhari4512]

@Adriel Pablo HOLY **** IT REALLY WORKED :O Just got access to my ig password within ~ 40 minutes of using the site. I had to pay 15 bucks but definitely worth it =) Thank you so much, you saved my account !

[@erikkessler8396]

Hey Jan I curious for a comparison of the rf 800 to the rf 100-500 with the 1.4x tc.

[@Parroting_Australia234]

Great video, very informative and concise. I am currently planning on purchasing the R7 and RF100-400mm lens as a budget/starter kit for mirrorless bird photography. The F11 600mm is actually starting to draw me in a bit, as it has more focal length and is the same price as the 100-400 second hand. The 1.6 crop factor of the R7 knocks the max focal lengths to 640 and 960 mm (I think?), but 960mm is quite intimidating, stacked on top of the 4.5m min focusing distance and aperture as well. Which lens would you recommend for someone new to photography who wants to get good images? Any help is really appreciated, love all your content.

[@chimpy9823]

Jan, a brilliant video that was very informative. Just out of interest did you try using the lenses with the electronic shutter ? I personally think the electronic shutter delivers sharper shots with my R6 and 800 mm f11 also the AF seems to acquire the subject a bit quicker than the mechanical shutter. I find my 800mm gives a better quality result than my 100 - 400 mm ISL MK II and my 1.4 TC and I reach for the 800 mm more. I use the R6 and 800 mm for bird in flight shots and get vey good results, the only thing I changed was the tracking sensitivity to -2 and the Accel./decel tracking to -1 this seems to make the AF more "sticky" on the bird. Keep up the good work Jan and thank you 👍👏😊

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you! Yes, The electronic shutter delivers more consistent results on all lenses that I have tested. it has it's own drawbacks, but it's definitely the most consistent.

[@kenwilson3610]

I have the RF 600mm. It has surpassed my expectations. For the price point you can't do better. The weight of a R6 and this lenses is amazingly light. Good light required. Perfect for shorebirds & raptors. A helpful video.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing, it sure is a great little lens

[@mikegrundy6405]

I own the RF 600mm F11 which I use with the R5. I'm a long time Canon user and recently sold off most of my EF based kit which included 5D3, 5D4, EF 70-200 F2.8 II, EF 16-35 F4 L IS, EF 50mmm F1.8, leaving me with an R5, an EF 100-400mm L IS II an EF 24-105mm F4 L IS, a Sigma 105 F2.8 Macro and a EOS-R control ring adapter. My plan was to migrate completely to Mirrorless but lack of availability of RF lenses caused a pause in the plan. To fill the void I decided to experiment with the RF 600mm lens as it was priced so favourably compared to other lenses and reviews said it produced good results. So far I've been pleased with the results but with a few caveats. I take a lot of bird photos and also commercial aviation photos and have found that it's so easy to hand hold given it's light weight, however you can't just throw a 600mm lens around and hope that image stabilisation will deal with impact of the extreme magnification. With a rapidly moving target I was getting too many misses. For my Aviation photos there were two issues to overcome. My own stability when trying to track a moving object at 600mm and the fact that the lens is noticeably slower to focus than my EF L series lenses. I fixed both of these by mounting the camera/lens on a tripod/gimbal mount and limited my photos to either slow moving/static images or for faster moving aircraft only taking shots where I was panning from side to side so I didn't require the lens to focus/refocus very quickly. Anything coming towards or away from me at speed frequently overwhelmed the ability of the lens to stay focused on the subject, increasing the failure rate. I subsequently found that the same characteristics were true of bird photography. Image quality is very very good for such an inexpensive lens, although lighting is now a major consideration due to the fixed aperture. During the winter (UK) months when light levels struggle a bit I've been pushing the ISO quite high at times but have been saved by the R5 which is very tolerant to higher ISO settings. All things considered, I'm pleased with the 600mm. Would the 800mm have been a better choice ? Well for the moment probably not for my circumstances but when RF lens availability improves and I swap my EF 100-400mm II for an RF 100-500 which I almost certainly will do at some point then perhaps I'll sell the 600 and buy the 800. For now I'm happy.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing. Yes, the STM motor in it is definitely slower than the USM ones from the L lenses

[@nsbhagwat]

Thanks for the review. Can you please share the AF settings that you configured in both the camera's when making these images?

[@jan_wegener]

I talked about them here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5_Rg6Sdjdpqh6s Electronic shutter gives the most sharp images the most reliably

[@johnmitchell2094]

Thanks Jan, A great comparison of both lenses. Both a good but not really fantastic. I'm considering the 600 mm but I'd really like to see how it compares to the Tamron f5.6 - 6.3 150-600 g2 zoom. Have you done a review of this lens?

[@jan_wegener]

I haven't, but I believe my mate Duade will get his hands on one very soon. Might be able to get a few picks as well. I would expect image quality to be similar

[@EternallyWild]

Thanks for another great video Jan. Two things are the most striking about these lenses, portability and price. However, it would be a dream come true for a bird photographer if Canon can produce a 600mm f4 prime that is 'almost' as portable :) Cheers.

[@jan_wegener]

It would be nice, but I think physics won't ever allow that

[@MaherIbrahim]

I end up going with the Canon rf 100-500 and I’m in love! It’s the best combo with the R5

[@jan_wegener]

I am just making a video on that lens. It's VERY good, but also a lot more expensive than these

[@EPXPhotography]

Glad to hear that. I'm considering the 100-500.

[@steveslack4750]

But it's not exactly budget though, so maybe you're missing the point to this video?

[@MaherIbrahim]

@@steveslack4750 they’re both a budget lenses obviously! The higher end means a Prime f4 or so

[@steveslack4750]

@@MaherIbrahim the 100-500 is hardly budget! Not were i'm from anyway. The point to this great vid is buying a long tele on a budget, the 600mm/800mm f11 and are they worth buying. The RF 100-500 is much higher end.

[@TomeRodrigo]

7:21 Or you can use short extension tube to shorten the focusing distance.

[@jan_wegener]

true, but they take some light away

[@patanjali307]

I've watched many comparisons on the two lenses. I think it depends on where you live and what you can photograph. I'm in Sctsdl AZ. No shore birds but lots of desert animals that aren't so small. Lots of birds such as hawks, owls and migrating ducks at times so I went with the 600. We'll see what I can find soon. Hopefully some deer in the woods up north.

[@SuomiFinland78]

A 600 f8 RF and 800 f11 RF would have been a better choice by Canon. Great video, Jan!

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for watching! Interesting thought. The F11 is what makes it so small, tho.

[@jan_wegener]

@Spearfast it would be way bigger and would cost at least 5-10 times as much if you are using the Nikon 5.6 as reference.

[@Rascallucci]

I have seen many reviews on the RF 600mm and 800mm f/11, this has to be the best and by far the most thorough to date. Great job, Jan! I have been told the RF 800mm f/11 is pretty sharp for what it is. I wasn't really sure at first, but you have proven it. I think other than rain forest shots, as long as you have enough light on bright days it is surprisingly sharp. If I were to get this lens, what I have in mind is to put it on a tripod and shoot BIF (mainly overhead eagles type shots). While you did mention BIF will be challenging, my thinking is to shoot it with the coming R5S in APS-C crop mode. Don't even think about the 2x teleconverter, f/22 is really pushing it. Just use the 1.4x. So, basically shooting at 1792mm wide open. Given the AF area is significantly reduced at f/11 and above, do you think it might help with the aiming by using a dot sight?

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks, glad to hear that! I think a tripod with these lenses is more hinderance than help. I wouldn't do any BIF with a converter on these. I would expect the R5s , if it comes out indeed, to be pretty slow. Overall the quality of the lenses was good considering it costs around 1k. BIF at such long focal lengths will always be a challenge. Not sure what's the best way to find the bird fast. Good hand - eye - coordination helps for sure.

[@Rascallucci]

@@jan_wegener Using a 800mm prime hand-held for BIF is insane in my opinion. The bird could get out of frame very easily. If the frame rate of the R5S is going to be slow in your estimation, then may be the R7 could work. At the end of the day is all about reach when it comes to overhead circling raptors. The good news is they are relatively slow and the tripod helps so much. I do that everyday. I think may be I can do it without the need of using a dot sight. I am using an APS-C body now with the Signa 150-600mm which makes it 960mm wide open. I think if I can manage 960mm, may be I can just about handle 1280mm (RF 800mm + the 1.6x crop factor of the R7 if you say TC is totally out of the question even for the 1.4x). But, the tripod is an absolute must.

[@jan_wegener]

@@Rascallucci I felt like it was much harder to follow on a tripod with that much length. Many tripod heads won't really let you turn fully overhead. What head are you using? Yes, you might not need a super high frame rate.

[@Rascallucci]

@@jan_wegener I am really surprised to hear that. I thought that's what most folks do, well over here they do, doesn't matter whether it is a 600mm f/4 with a 1.4x or 2x TC or a 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 or a 150-600mm f/5.6-6.3 or the RF 800mm f/11. The current head that I am using is a small fluid head (Leofoto BV-10). I much prefer it over my gimbal head (Leofoto PG-1). I find that with my 90D, the mirror slap produces too much vibrations and gives me motion blur on the gimbal head. But, on the fluid head, the block itself is much more solid and it damps the vibrations quite well and gives me much sharper shots. But, I think once I upgrade to a mirrorless body and shoot with the electronic shutter, that should resolve the vibrations issue. Another fluid head I might upgrade to is the Sachtler Ace XL. Another option is the Flex Shooter (which is kind of like a ball head in a ball head design) which is gaining traction. I find that you don't need to shoot 90 degrees directly overhead, but the tracking provided by the fluid head offers such a steady and stable platform. It beats hand-holding hands down. Is not like I haven't tried hand-holding shooting eagles which is much more chaotic plus is bad for my spine since I have injured my back before. The good thing about the fluid head is the resistance it offers which keeps your tracking so much smoother and well under control. And some people will add on a dot sight to help with the aiming.

[@v5745]

@@Rascallucci try flexshooter head. it’s awesome

[@joycefreitas8468]

Great video. I have the RF800mm. Love how it’s so light and I’m quite surprised with the results. Wondering your opinion of using the crop feature on the camera body with the 800mm (or any lens) instead of the extender. Or would you choose to just crop while editing. Thank You

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, the weight is amazing. Personally I don't see a point of the in camera crop, because the camera simply crops for you. There's no gain, other than the bird being bigger in the EVF

[@joycefreitas8468]

@@jan_wegener - failed to mention there is a lens hood available that I purchased through B&H

[@jan_wegener]

@@joycefreitas8468 ah cool. Canon said they are available. i just never seen it anywhere