REVIEW – CANON RF 200-800 LENS

I have a confession right at the start of this review , the Canon RF 200-800 F6.3-9 IS USM lens has been on my radar for about a year now . Having replaced my trusted 100-400 lens with the 100-500 IS USM i finally purchased the 200-800 a couple of weeks ago to replace the Canon RF 800 which has been my go to long lens. The upgrade has already made a huge difference with its variable zoom when compared with the old fixed 800mm lens. Another welcome benefit is what seems a very short minimum focal distance , a massive welcome benefit that makes this lens truly versatile and a joy to use. This does come at a small price , the lens is both heavier coming in at 2050g and slightly longer at 314mm compared to the RF800 , so unless you workout or are super fit you will probably need some sort of support if you intend using this lens for an extended period of time.

I’m pairing the lens with an Canon R5 body , most of my images are taken at the Meadow hide so i also use a Kenro gimbal head and i have to say the combination is almost perfect for wildlife photography. The auto focus is super fast and the build quality is pretty good. The included lens hood does feel a little cheap , one small niggle with the lens but at least one is included in the box. The lens also comes with a proper foot which is rock solid and the now standard control ring.

Key features

7.5 -Ѕtор Іmаgе Ѕtаbіlіѕаtіоn

Nаnо UЅМ mоtоrѕ fоr fаѕt, ѕmооth & nеаr-ѕіlеnt АF

Min focal distance 800mm

Lеnѕ Соntrоl Rіng аllоwѕ quісk соntrоl оf ѕеttіngѕ

Image taken with the Canon RF 200-800

The Canon RF 200-800mm f6.3-9 USM Lens is an incredibly flexible super-telephoto zoom designed to bring out the best of full-frame Canon EOS R mirrorless bodies. Photographers can pair this lens with the likes of the flagship R5 or Canon R6 Mark II and benefit from up to 7.5 stops of IBIS, pin-sharp autofocussing, and a more streamlined user experience with dedicated controls for popular settings such as aperture, ISO, shutter speeds and exposure compensation.

Image taken with the Canon RF 200-800

The Canon RF 200-800mm f6.3-9 USM Lens benefits from an advanced optical structure to support photographers in achieving unparalleled results. This 200-800mm lens boasts 17 elements arranged into 11 groups, including 3 UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion) elements designed to reduce aberrations. Paired with Canon’s Super Spectra coating for reducing ghosting and flare, this lens is well-equipped with a high-end optical build to ensure edge-to-edge sharpness at any focal length.

Image taken with the Canon RF 200-800

With an incredibly versatile 200-800mm focal range and fast Nano USM, the Canon RF 200-800mm f6.3-9 cements itself as a prime contender for nature, wildlife, and sports photography. Whether you’re tackling birds in flight, planes or the height of the action in the middle of a race, the Nano USM (Ultrasonic Motor) offers fast, precise, and near-silent autofocusing without deterring subjects with mechanical noise.

Image taken with the Canon RF 200-800

Built with practicality in mind, the Canon RF 200-800mm f6.3-9 USM Lens calls for outdoor exploration. Thanks to its dust resistance and weather sealing, this lens allows users to shoot confidently, whatever their environment. The tactile and intuitive controls also enable quick adjustments on the fly – a crucial feature for capturing fleeting moments. For added stability out in the field, users can attach the rotating tripod collar.

What’s in the Box

1 x Canon RF 200-800 f6.3-9 IS USM lens
1 x Lens Cap E-95
1 x Lens Hood ET-101
1 x Lens Dust Cap RF

Specification

Fіltеr Тhrеаd [mm] 95

Fосаl Lеngth ~ Теlе [mm] 800

Fосаl Lеngth ~ Wіdе [mm] 200

Lеnѕ Еlеmеntѕ 17

Lеnѕ Grоuрѕ 11

Lеnѕ Моunt Саnоn RF-Моunt

Мах Ареrturе ~ Теlе 9

Мах Ареrturе ~ Wіdе 6.3

Міnіmum Fосuѕ Dіѕtаnсе [m] 0.80

Ѕіzе 102.3 x 314.1 mm

Wеіght [g] 2050

So as ever the question is would I recommend the lens. Unequivocally it’s a yes . Ok it’s heavier than my previous lens and it’s not cheap . However in my opinion Canon have produced another fantastic lens offering a stunning combination a reach , min focal distance and image quality. It’s user friendly and in my opinion definitely worth the investment if you can.

Images taken with the Canon RF 200-800