RF 200-800 f/6.3-9 IS Nov 2, 2023 ??

View_Finder wrote in post #19576002
I'm not bothered by the IS mode issue.

It's not an exaggeration to say that all my lenses have been set to Mode 1 and have rarely (some never) been changed. True I don't shoot motorsports, but plenty of BIF and some airshows.

I forget to change mine too and I do fine. Biggest pain to remember and do it. You can't centre it the first try especially when you are in a hurry. You would have think Canon offered a programming option by now and how hard would be it be to add that info to their own proprietary software. Jeez Canon. Voice control would be cool. In 10 years I'll control that with that chip they put in my brain . Musk is starting human trials but based on some early Tesla tests I think I'd pass.

I just like to know everything about the gear I'm going to buy. If it doesn't have an Auto mode 2 I doubt it would be a deal breaker.

Jeff USN Photog 72-76 wrote in post #19575974
You nailed it. I was thinking exactly the same, sell the 150-600C, 400/5.6 and the 600/11 (to my eye the RF100-400 with 1.4 at 560mm is virtually the same IQ as the 600/11 and same f stop but has the zoomability especially when I am shooting birds out my den window.

Right now I am shooting birds out of my den window with the 100-400 & 1.4 (140-560) and the MFD on the zoom gets the birdfeeder without me having to backup with the 600 as it is barely 10 feet away (MFD on the 100-400 with 1.4 seems to be about 4-5 feet)

I like light lenses, but this lens sounds so interesting that I will carry it in a camera bag and put it on my walker to get to the side of the ponds!

Right now I think I am back on the yes brigade. I have had it on preorder wince the 2nd.

If you are used to carrying around the EF100-400ii around, perhaps the 200-800 won't be too much of a difference. The latter weighs not even a pound more than the former. Perhaps you can carry it in just a lens case and sling it on your back when not using it?

I hope to get my hands on one before the spring warbler migration season. Having a zoom to quickly acquire and then zoom in tight is so critical when shooting tiny birds that move constantly in heavy brush in often not-so-good lighting. It's the worst-case scenario for anyone shooting a super-telephoto prime so this lens should be - wait for it - a game-changer

I agree the zoom is huge, getting BIF in FOV with the 600/11 can be tough and really hard to do with the 800/11 when I rented it,

with the sigma I will get them at 300 or 400 and then zoom in

My original intent when I got my RF600 STM was to use that as a birding/warbler lens. But that never happened because 1) when I'm going out specifically for birding, I'll take my 500mm or EF100-400ii, and 2) the f/11 is just too small and slow for the typical conditions especially for warblers. Yes, the 200-800 isn't that much faster at f/9 at 800mm but it is significantly faster at 600mm and below if/when I don't need full 800mm. And, again, it is a zoom.

But I plan on keeping my RF600 STM because I got it for a steal and it's a great lens to throw in the car "just in case".

My EF300mm f/4L IS has been in that same category (just-in-case, backup) since I got my EF100-400ii. The 300mm was once my most used, most versatile lens. It was always on my camera and I always carried around my 1.4x and extension tubes in my jacket pockets. Now these lenses are simply for family vacation trips where there might be some photo ops and hiking. The 300mm and 600mm are extremely light weight. But I wouldn't consider them as my first choices if there is going to be some potentially exceptional photo ops.

In the video link I posted earlier, I think it is telling that Janine passes the R3 and 200-800 combo from one hand to the other as she is talking.

One could never do that with any of the white f/2.8 or f/4 super telephotos (at least version 1s). Let alone by holding the camera one-handed.

Just like I expected. We knew the 100-500 IQ edged out the 200-800 but are neck in neck when you put the 1.4 on the 100-500.

https://www.canonrumor​s.com …800mm-f-6-3-9-is-usm-mtf/

I was shooting the RF600 and my RF100-400 w 1.4x out my window today, very overcast shooting the R6 at 1/400 f/11 ISO 3200 (both lenses)

bird feeder is 12 feet away, I can't figure out how to do a 100% crop but tried to crop both the same size and both run through Topaz Denoise med noise low sharpness.
I actually like the RF100-400 w 1.4x better in this case! Since I have heard from several previewers that the 200-800 is sharper at 800 than the RF800/11 and I had tested both the 600/11 and 800/11 and found the 600/11 a tad sharper than the 800 I have high hopes for the 200-800, if it is as good as my RF100-400 w 1.4x I will be very happy

full frames

straight shots

more

digital paradise wrote in post #19576029
Just like I expected. We knew the 100-500 IQ edged out the 200-800 but are neck in neck when you put the 1.4 on the 100-500.

https://www.canonrumor​s.com …800mm-f-6-3-9-is-usm-mtf/

These charts are super encouraging indeed!

This one quote stood out to me: "The Canon 200-800mm has slightly higher contrast and resolution than the Canon RF 100-500 F4.5-7.1L IS USM with the RF1.4x extender. This is with the cost being nearly $1000 lower if you include the price of the extender."

View_Finder wrote in post #19576047
These charts are super encouraging indeed!

This one quote stood out to me: "The Canon 200-800mm has slightly higher contrast and resolution than the Canon RF 100-500 F4.5-7.1L IS USM with the RF1.4x extender. This is with the cost being nearly $1000 lower if you include the price of the extender."

I'm not sure the human eye would be able to tell that amount of difference. If you did not own an RF lens and RF TC then yes those are savings.

We’re abouts are keh gunna be?

[QUOTE=View_Finder;195​76006]If you are used to carrying around the EF100-400ii around, perhaps the 200-800 won't be too much of a difference. The latter weighs not even a pound more than the former. Perhaps you can carry it in just a lens case and sling it on your back when not using it?

I used to carry it, in fact carried it for 10 hours around Disney World but I was a lot younger then. Now over 70 and waiting for a spring total knee replacement that would kill me. Luckily of the 4 ponds I shoot at, 3 I can use a walker to get where I set up, the other is up a hill and a real challenge and one of them near Brockton MA is great as many people feed the birds but it is also a very high crime area and I stand out in the area especially with a camera.

Clough wrote in post #19576055
We’re abouts are keh gunna be?

Photo Central on Portage. Dec 1 and 2. Starts at 10:00 and ends about 3:00 or 3:30. I cant find the original email but I did mark the dates and starts times right away.