DREAM LENS OR BUST? F9? No Problem!? | What About IMAGE QUALITY? | CANON RF 200-800 REVIEW

[@radoslawgwozdz8154]

Thanks Jan. I'm waiting for a comparison of R5+100-500+1.4x with R5+200-800 :)

[@BinaryBrainbow]

Yasss!!!! I vote both the 1.4x and 2.0x! Didn’t buy a 2600 lens for nothing! Haha

[@jimtipton8888]

Yessss!!!!!

[@rainforestspirit]

Yes, Same!

[@jan_wegener]

Coming soon!

[@BinaryBrainbow]

@@jan_wegener wooohooo! Can’t wait!

[@AnshumanSahasrabhojanee]

Thanks for all your efforts to bring a detailed honest review. Like always your content is the most professional and undoubtedly the best available on the web as regards bird photography. Keep it up👍 The lens surely looks promising but since I have the 100-500, I still am in two minds about getting the 200-800.

[@jan_wegener]

My pleasure!

[@AnshumanSahasrabhojanee]

Thanks Mark, but the reach is exactly where I am left longing for while shooting birds.

[@picklebird1261]

Your reviews are just stellar, Jan. Just the facts with pictures and examples to back them up; forget the fluff!. What a great resource! Thanks so much. Catherine

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you like them!

[@Duade]

Wonderful video mate and covers the lens perfectly, it was great to catch up and I had a lot of fun. Cheers, Duade

[@jan_wegener]

Totally 😀 hopefully again soon

[@LaytonParham]

Jan, as always, your reviews are the best!! l love the fact that you honestly show the pro's and the con's!

[@WernerBirdNature]

Hi Jan, thanks for providing this key verdict I've been waiting for 👍 Sounds like this lens finally allows to combine APS-C level reach with FF level of quality, and it suddenly makes the R6, R6ii and R3 sensor resolution much more suitable for reach-hungry birding. I intended to wait until the reviews from you and Duade were in, but Duade's smile and body language on his review (which was the second video were I did see you using the 200-800's together) already triggered me to order it 😛 The 200-800 is clearly no replacement for the mighty 100-500, but I strongly consider using the 200-800 from the point were I'd put the extender on the 100-500, and reserve the RF1.4x usage only for those cases I'd want even more than 800mm ..

[@mrsttttttt]

Jan , nice review. I was one of the lucky ones that got one. I was thrilled how well you can blow out the backgrounds, yeah it's a keeper.

[@jan_wegener]

Awesome!

[@jeffolson4731]

Great review. I believe you covered the pluses and minuses very well. This is my 6th day with the lens and I have really enjoyed it. Since it is nearly winter here in the Puget Sound area of Washington State, USA, I have had plenty of opportunity to test low light operation. We barely have 8 hours of sunlight, if it isn’t raining 😅. When we finally get bright days I will keep an eye out for the bleed you mentioned.

[@ww3688]

Thanks Jan... great practical observations on the brightness and throw stiffness... having the 100-500 + 1.4x on both of my R5 and R7, i was particularly pleased to hear this lens did well with the 1.4x. Yeah, this lens + 1.4x on the R7 would give me an insane reach for small bird head shots! I wholly agree, the combination of IQ, sharpness, reach and price makes this lens 2nd to none! Love Canon for giving us so many "2nd to none" lenses lately!

[@jan_wegener]

yes, I love how they push the boundaries a bit, making the 100-500 500mm instead of 400and this 800 instead of 600

[@SteveSSBB]

Mine arrived this morning and I just went through my photos from today. Had a lot of fun. Got some nice shots. No complaints!!

[@KrynexYT]

You make the best gear reviews, and as always, this one is no exception. Great work and thanks for the review, Jan.

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you!

[@matthewbell1968]

Top drawer video thank you Jan, you and Duade are pumping out great videos and helpful information. The pink robin is just beautiful.

[@iliaskapatos]

Great review 👍thank you. Will stay with the 100-500mm and a TC 1.4. But I'm waiting for your next video, with the comparison of both lenses 😀

[@marktaylor9579]

Same here 🙂

[@nerrelloader4226]

Thank you so much for your efforts for all of us and providing this wonderful evaluation of this lens. Much appreciated Jan.

[@JosdeHorde-py3rz]

Thank you so much Jan for your verdict on this lens. Knowing how critical you can be, this verdict is as positive as it comes. After seeing yours and Duads video I immediately pro-orderd one copy.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Xirpzy]

For 1899 I would get it. I feel like the 100-500mm can be limiting sometimes. But here it costs 3100... Almost as much as the 100-500mm. Also close to the incredible normal range primes, 85mm, 135mm and 28-70 f2. Its crazy to have this one in the same price range as these.

[@GlennBartley]

Been looking forward to watching this!

[@Twobarpsi]

Excellent pictures and review, Jan!! I thoroughly enjoyed watching this!

[@jan_wegener]

Awesome!

[@deanhelmeci5003]

Just ordered one of these after watching your video, it helped me make up my mind. I already have the RF 100-500 but this will complement it well using it on my R5 MKII and R1 should be fun.

[@martinhommel9967]

Thanks, Jan. I have found that even ISO 25600 is usable with the R7 if needed. Modern APSc cameras are very capable. In respect of the R7 AF I have found it helps if you reduce the burst speed and disable the IBIS if using fast shutter speeds using 1st curtain electronic shutter. The lens looks great for the price. I’ll start saving up, now

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Many thanks for the excellent review Jan and all the best!

[@trishitdutta8823]

Please compare the 3 lenses sony 200-600, Nikon 180-600 and Canon 200-800 or any of these lenses with canon 200-800

[@jan_wegener]

I will

[@j4kke046]

We've been waiting for this one Jan! :)

[@jan_wegener]

Me too 😂

[@j4kke046]

Thanks for your thorough review! I'm still amazed with the shots that you take (and the editing skills)@@jan_wegener

[@peterebel7899]

A great review covering a decent lens. (I love Australian birdlife) Thanks Jan!

[@fy7589]

13:50, I discovered a hack while browsing online, If you cover the right side last two pins with a tape when the contact points are on the top side, the autofocus area will cover the entire frame. I'm not sure if that works on every lens and I don't want to leave glue residue on my teleconverter, however I tried it with my rf 100-400 lens and covered it with a paper cut and it did work.

[@Kellysher]

I always learn something new watching your channel. I had an ah ha moment today. Don’t use the TC to try and photograph subjects far away!! Use it to do better close ups of birds closer to you. I’ve been using it to reach ducks in my local wetland that tend to feed on the very far shores with low keeper rates. The TC makes my 100-500 an F10 and I loose the 100 due to the design flaw, so I don’t use it much. I will try it on closer subjects with a monopod. The new 200-800 is close in weight to the 100-500 with the TC. So it’s not on my radar at the moment. I just love the portability and flexibility of the 100-500. I’m holding out for a better crop camera!

[@JH-qv3xv]

As a 100-400 and 800f13 user with a preordered 200-800 about to arrive, dreams do come true. With your balanced review I am pretty comfortable I will not be disappointed. Thanks

[@ajc1482]

I'm with you on the Arca swiss thing!. I always went for the Tamron 150-600 G2 on my Nikon bodies simply because it had the Swiss Arca compatible foot, thankfully it was a decent lens as well. The Sony version of the Sigma 150-600 has a Swiss Arca foot as well so they've taken notice!. Surely it would be easy to make the foot itself removable and replaceable even if they don't want you taking off the collar.

[@KiranPatel-m3z]

Thank you. I pre-ordered on Nov 2nd with local Canon dealer when Canon announced it. It was supposed to arrive on Dec 14th but I was told that there is some supply chain issue and also this lens got more orders than Canon anticipated. It could take weeks or months per dealer. Paid the full price though.

[@robertburnett8686]

Superb video, thanks! ... I look forward to hearing you views when comparing the the 200-800 with the 100-500 + 1.4tc

[@jan_wegener]

Coming soon!

[@august6625]

I've been using mine, and was wondering why it was so shaky... I had accidentally turned off the stabilization. 😂😅. Since then I've been absolutely loving it. Big upgrade coming from the 100-400mm I was using before.

[@louwiedijkstra5078]

Zaterdag ga ik mijn 200-800 ophalen Voor de R7 . Ik fotografeerde met canon ef 100-400 mk ll en de extender 1.4 mk lll . Op de R7. Zal mij benieuwen , de filmpjes hebben enorm geholpen 👍👍 Bedankt Jan

[@Photographerbirder]

Been waiting a while for this lens and I’m glad to know it delivered. Great video as always Jan!

[@XenosKiran]

Finally…Thank you Jan… i was waiting for this more than New Year party..

[@g.e.gaviationphotography419]

Same, my 200-800 has arrived at Narellan NSW

[@jan_wegener]

Better to be thorough than first 😆

[@eskrima1]

The IS on my R 7 shakes at first then seems to settle in. When the eye AF is having issues locking on I switch quickly to single point and it definitely helps

[@paulkavsak1941]

Thanks Jan, I'm sold. Waiting for supplies to restock, hopefully sometime in October, at the latest.

[@renategrupp1675]

I bought one and am super happy with it! I agree with the weak points that you mentioned, but they are not a deal breaker and I would buy this lens any time again. I have also noticed that you can get great shots with even the 2 times extender depending on the situation. I don't use that one regularly, but there are moments where it delivers perfectly with great resolution.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, it's quite a good lens

[@EmmanuelTan-r9l]

I bought the Rf 200-800mm two days ago and works very well with my R3 and R6 mk ii.

[@SuomiFinland78]

Hei Jan, what do you think about 200-800 compared to Sony 200-600 with 1.4? Are the images similar, which of the 2 has sharper raw?

[@MattisProbably]

It reminds me of my Nikkor 200-500. Just as a more modern iteration of it. External zoom, relatively long throw, slightly inconvenient in some regards but with great image quality.

[@planetfun85]

200-500 has constant f5.6.

[@MattisProbably]

​@@planetfun85 Yes but that's not my point. It's the same "kind" of lens, just a more modern variant of it.

[@MarkCavanah]

Thanks Jan, greatly appreciate the detailed review. Im still on the fence about this one. Your review was part of why I was waiting before I could make a decision. I think it make sense to have for just walking around or knowing what your lighting conditions will be.

[@manmohangour368]

Hey Jan please make a review of ef 100-400mm mk2 🙏♥️

[@jimtipton8888]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqqroJeYjteDas0si=Ao71bJbiU6JLOQtt

[@jan_wegener]

I do no pared it to the 100-500 a while ago

[@manmohangour368]

@@jan_wegener i don't want the comparison because in that video you only said the good thing about the 100-500 but can you make a review of 100-400 mk2 only 🙏

[@svendnrgaard4158]

Great test Jan - I have tested it for Canon Denmark unfortunately in bad lightcondition - and I had preordered it before the test and now I have my own - I agree with your test - all over a very good lens compared to the price - thank for yours, as ususal very good video

[@henrikboch1257]

Hi Svend How did you manage to get your own copy i Denmark? Everywhere I look the lens doesn't get shipped until April next year. 😮 ...earliest!

[@svendnrgaard4158]

I preordered in the same moment it was possible as number one both by Click Svendbor and Goecker cph @@henrikboch1257

[@graemewatts1007]

Hi Jan, thanks for the informative Video. I ordered my 200-800 some weeks ago from Teds in Maroochydore and it arrived yesterday. Yahoo!! I spent all day with it today at a few sites on the Sunshine Coast. I am so impressed with it. Images are so sharp. Sadly the weather here will be showers for a few days so I will have to wait until after Xmas to give it a good run. It is a little heavier to use compared to the 100-500 but I guess I'll get used to it. On longer sessions, I put the camera/lens on a monopod and rest the monopod and camera on my shoulder as I walk around. Works for me.

[@jan_wegener]

Congrats and thanks for sharing!

[@ptvfr800]

Thanks Jan, I don’t think I will be changing my RF800 + my EF 100-400mm L series for this Lens, but I do think it is a great option for those looking for longer focal length.

[@Butterfly_Nerd]

The Guru of camera and lens review. A very detailed one . Thank u Jan

[@jan_wegener]

My pleasure!

[@manojsr]

As always a great balanced review. So relieved to hear that it is sharp at 800 wide open. Thanks so much for posting. Waiting to get mine, but the deliveries are quite tight for the moment.

[@Simon-SBL]

Light is often a struggle here, in Scotland, but in good light often find myself stopping down to f8 quite a lot, anyway, I've found both of your reviews on this lens useful and decided to order this lens, but will probably keep the Sigma 150-600, at least for now. I also fancied the 100-500mm, but the extra reach, I think, will be more useful.

[@TheWildlifeGallery388]

While I'm not planning to purchase the lens, mainly because I primarily shoot during blue-golden hour to maybe 2-hrs after sunrise - my other reason is I can put the 1.4 ext on my 600 F/4 and have 840mm at F/5.6 - now I know there's a weight issue - but 99% of the time I'm shooting that with my R5 handheld as well. yes, it's heavy but the IQ is worth the trade-off in my OP.

[@_systemd]

I feel you. my wife uses 400 2.8 w extenders, my son has the 600 f4 and I prefer the 1200 f5.6 cuz my biceps real big. having said that , I also watch a lot of reviews of amateur lenses and tend to summarize in the comment section why they aren't the right choice for me, just to let others know.

[@jan_wegener]

that's the best reason yet I have read why to own the 1200/5.6 :D

[@Geophoto63]

A W E S O M E!!, Thank you for a nice and honest review. Will consider adding it to my shopping cart or shopping list soon! Definitely D.P. and you put the cherry on the martini.

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you!

[@brradv3552]

Just bought mine yesterday via ebay, paid a bit over retail but im no good at waiting lol. Ive been using a conon rp and a 100-400mm and the number one issue ive had was being unable to get close enough to birds. Cant wait to start shooting with this extra zoom 👍

[@view23015]

Arca lens foot design should almost be mandatory imho . My goodness we’ve all been in the field with our tripods trying to mount big lenses straight and easily . Just makes sense . Even EV charge ports on cars is finally standardizing - that took too long to do , but it’s getting there . Watching this on the Betamax and recording HD dvd video on my laserdisc….😂

[@jan_wegener]

😁

[@ballkd1]

Mine is on order and will use it most of the time to replace the use of my 10 lb 500 mm f4 mk I prime.

[@Tomislav1903-ej7th]

Lovely review… and amazing that the little robin allowed you to shoot from so close! Was it sitting on your camera at some point? 😂

[@jan_wegener]

It was!

[@Histogramas]

That AF inconsistency happens A LOT when you have low battery.. Like the examples you showed. Even happens on my a9.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes lower batteries may not help, but it also happens with fresh batteries

[@keltonlynch7666]

I purchased the lens the other day and it's amazing! One huge problem for me though is a lot of filters do not work with the hood at the same time. The Sigma WR filter overhangs by about half a mm and because of this the hood doesn't slide over it.

[@prosunsport1]

Always the best reviews. would it be possible to compare the 100 500 with 1.4 to 200 800 on the R5

[@jan_wegener]

That will be next

[@madbadger85]

I’m seriously considering the 200-800 but here in the UK we have more dull days than sunny!!!! I have a 500 f4 and the R3 which is brilliant but where I shoot I still have high iso shots, they clean up really well but f9 seems to me that my iso will be twice as much. I’ll see if I can borrow one and try it out.

[@mattpacker4372]

I'm using the 200 800 for a first time trip to colombia! I managed to get one on Ebay! wanted a decent 800!

[@aarong2374]

thanks for the review and always enjoy seeing those robin pics!

[@adrianoschinelli2934]

Ciao, interessanti i video e a proposito del Canon RF 200-800 se lo mettiamo sul treppiedi lo stabilizzatore va disinserito ? Grazie

[@stokmanology]

Very excited to hear your feelings, and Duade's. I have experienced the auto-focus issues with the R7 with an EF 100-400mm Mk II. Being down low with a lot of foreground and a small subject in the midground is a very difficult task for the R7's AF unfortunately. And that Tern shot is fantastic!

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, it can drive you mad sometimes! Thank you

[@nancyross2897]

Thanks!

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you!

[@crxbb9506]

Great review of this lens for bird photography! As if a friend gave their thoughts on the lens - just the facts and no bias.

[@oldman4827]

Still waiting for it to be available in the shops here in Denmark. Preorder!!!

[@rayspencer5025]

I was wondering if on the R7 if you were to zoom to 500mm which would give you a similar telephoto effect as 800mm on the R5, does the peformance of the lens & camera improve?

[@tomdearie5165]

The handheld video at 1/50 with and without 2xTC really showcases the power of focal length to overcome a lot of sins. I was skeptical of an F9 lens, but those results are hard to argue with. I’m a Nikon shooter, but the principles of the trade offs when shooting for detail in low light at long distance affect us too. So this is informative in considering the trade offs for low light shooting between my 400mm f/4.5 and my incoming 180-600mm f/6.3. Nice shots!

[@garymeredith2441]

If I was A Nikon photographer I would get the 600 mm F6.3 lens which seems to be their best lens they have for Birding . Just look at the results of that lends it speaks for itself .

[@jan_wegener]

I would too Gary

[@tomdearie5165]

😎How many lenses can I buy without a divorce? 😎 The 400mm 4.5 is great for the low-light shooting I do in the Canadian wilderness, and the 180-600 gets me to 600 f/6.3 with some versatility and a small budget. I’d love to have the 600 6.3 too, but the next jump is the 400 2.8. I shoot a lot of predators and larger birds and I get pretty close to my subjects. Cheers!

[@borisbelchevbspb]

Still waiting for mine, it was pre ordered on the 7th of November 2023, but so far one lucky person got one of those lenses in Lithuania and I still hope I will be the next contender to receive, before my workshop in end of January.

[@wdd910]

Yours, Duade's and Whistling Wing's reviews have helped me a newbie towards the R5 and 200-800 combination, but my dream would be the Z8+600 f/6.3 vr s + 1.4 to keep the weight+length down even further! A lifelong birding hobby is reaching a new watershed: watch flying bird vs gear to capture it (flying bird challenge negates digiscoping or restricts it to non-airborne iPhone+atx85mm!)

[@lohikarhu734]

wow! super video! i think that the need to shake the lens *probably* comes from the IS "thinking" that you might be "panning" and had locked out 1 axis of stabilization, or, if you are hand holding very well, the IS might lick out stabilization to prevent the IS from "hunting", which sometimes shows up as a kind of buzzing in the lens, on older lenses....

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you! Interesting thoughts about the IS

[@richardvernick5493]

Keeping both the 200-800 and the 100-500. Love both of them

[@jamesclaassen8843]

One thing I haven't heard anyone talking about...how does the crop factor effect the f/stop of the 200-800 on the R7? My understanding is that, just like the focal length is multiplied by the 1.6 crop, the aperture must also be multiplied to get the proper f/stop rating. That would make the 800mm f/stop 14.4, not 9. Is that correct?

[@jan_wegener]

No, the DOF will be affected but not the Fstop itself. F9 stays F9

[@jaycstocks]

I purchased mine nearly two months ago from B&H. Still waiting for delivery. Hoping I get it before my Alaska trip in a month!

[@jan_wegener]

Fingers crossed

[@foto-dk]

Excellent, Jan! I have ordered one and Hope getting it in January Merry Christmas. Jan, DK

[@Scottye-yn8zc]

How well does the Canon 95mm Protector Filter work with the lens? Does it effect image quality?

[@MS-yk3yu]

Hi! Jan, I have ef 600 f4, rf 200-800 and ef 100-400 ii I am getting a used 100-500 and contemplating selling the 200-800 and 100-400 and keep the 600 f4 and 100-500. Wanted your opinion on this. Will be helpful if I kept a reply asap as I have to decide soon. Thanks. Looking for more such valuable videos. I am enjoying your prosets😊

[@lucasagazio4600]

Hi Jan I ordered it and it will arrive soon. will replace my sigma sport 150-600

[@fprice9053]

I have that shaking problem with my R5 with all my lens. MY 100-500RF AND70-200EF and it is when just taking picture with it.

[@jan_wegener]

Maybe a little whack helps then, too

[@johnmusgrave4105]

Hi Jan, Thanks so much for your down to earth reviews etc. The 200-800 throws up the dilemma about choosing this or the 100-500 plus converter ....and for many others also. Looking forward to your comparison video.

[@jan_wegener]

coming soon!

[@adityakallur1116]

Hi , it’s a great review I liked it. I use Sigma 150-600 with my R7 and I am really itching for an upgrade and I am from India, we have mostly tropical forest here and I like to photograph all kinds of wildlife, so do you recommend the RF200-800

[@johnhynd8037]

G'day I also have a Sigma 150-600 zoom with my R7 and I purchased the Canon 200-800 zoom and am very pleased with the results,I'm a bird photographer and the results are amazing even with birds in flight 😊😊

[@silvavaughan-jones7121]

Thanks heaps Jan, I really liked your review on this lens, I have the 100-500 but depending what I'm shooting the 200-800 just looked better for small birds so your feedback most welcome. Really love your videos!

[@jan_wegener]

I made a video about the two side by side

[@jeffgaboury3157]

Thank you so much! I've watched your video and Duade's as well as others. Mine arrived today! So excited to take it out and see how it works with my R8!!!

[@jan_wegener]

Have fun!

[@Moadh85]

I was waiting for this review! Thanks for putting this together, much appreciated!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brucemichelotti4887]

Great review Jan, just what I was hoping to hear. I am patiently waiting for mine to arrive. I ordered it on day one, so it should get here soon!

[@ShotInTheDark]

I have one on order, cant wait to get it in the field

[@craigwebb2066]

I have the RF 100-400 and have been drooling over the RF 100-500, but it's been out of my budget. Now with $500 off, the 100-500 is only $400 more than the 200-800. Is it worth the extra $400 and giving up that extra reach? I mostly do birding and wildlife photography. I'll be waiting for your comparison between these two lens and then decide which to save up for. Thanks for another great review!

[@rolandmueller5011]

Thanks for the review. I preordered the lens and got it today. Looking forward to testing it tomorrow in the local zoo.

[@jan_wegener]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@johngalea2285]

Great video, I was confused when you said the tripod mount can't be removed when there are photos with it removed? I find it unfortunate Canon confused life by painting this white when it's NOT an L lens. should have been black ... IMHO. Very helpful info!

[@chmueller]

Many thanks for your review Jan, I can hardly wait for it to arrive.🤩

[@jeremyedwards8320]

Been waiting for this lens…..and review. Thanks, Jan.

[@jan_wegener]

My pleasure!

[@mediasportsphotography]

Thanks Jan i have ordered this after watching your your excellent review

[@alanjohnson7950]

Hi Jan. Just subscribed as I love your work and very helpful honest reviews. Had my eye on the 200-800 for a while, you've convinced me to take the plunge......when they become available here in the UK, which could be a while🙄. I'm also envious of where you live and the awesome birds there 'down under'😁👍. Cheers Al🦅

[@jan_wegener]

Welcome aboard 😀

[@LoneWolfimagesCanada]

Jan, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you, same to you!

[@jamesseward9263]

Is there a filter with a coating that can cut down the bright spots or highlights on this lens more or less making up for the coatings that were left out on this lens as opposed to the 100-500 ? 😊

[@jan_wegener]

I doubt it, filters usually make things worse

[@johnmckay428]

lovely. where's the tern colony?

[@jan_wegener]

Philip Island

[@blaizze]

Fantastic review and even better photos and videos. Your talent truly shines in this video

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you!

[@gafurphotography6504]

thanks for the reveiw, can you do a review only with the R7 and rf 100 500 & rf 200-800 i love your content, i always learn more and more with my R7, best regards Gafur from Norway

[@cathco9]

Thank you, Jan, for this review. It's really helped me. You covered all the bases. I'm on the wait list at a local store.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stephenthompson1998]

Lens review excellent Jan, bird photos 👍, afraid I don’t want to lug that weight around on a 8 mile walk and I doubt I could hold it steady

[@xofred]

Great review, Jan! Thanks for dedicating a few minutes on how it performs with the teleconverters.