A New EF 800 f/5.6L IS II? [CR2]

[neuroanatomist]

I see no real need for the continued existence of the current 800/5.6.

The 800 with the 2x TC gets you to 1600mm, can you stack TCs on the 600?  I don't own a 600, 800, or a TC, so please enlighten.  I think stacked TCs is not a desired option.

the 800 f5.6 + 2x TC give you F11 (2 stop higher).. at F11, you'll lose AF

Exactly.  Also, the current 800/5.6 + 2xIII combo is optically pretty weak.  But a new 800/5.6 that delivers optical performance with a 1.4xIII that's equivalent to the other MkII's with the 1.4x, that would beat the 600 II + 2x and likely have a market. 

Stacking TC's isn't possible (physically) with the MkIII versions, although a 2xII can be stacked with any 1.4x or 2x behind it, AFAIK.  But the optical results are usually not good.

[tron]

True...but what if it was lighter than the 600 II?  600/4 = 150mm front element, 800/5.6 = 143mm front element...so lighter is possible.

Also, I think they need to update the 800/5.6 for optical performance.  Those who do their research (which I would hope is almost anyone spending $13K on a lens) pretty easliy learn that the bare 600 II is optically better than the 800/5.6, enough better that you can add a TC and it's still better.  The 600 II + 1.4xIII is better than the bare 800/5.6, plus it's 40mm longer, lighter and cheaper, and offers f/4 when you use it without the TC.  The 600 II + 2xIII is optically better than the 800/5.6 + 1.4xIII, too, and likewise it's longer, lighter, and cheaper.  So, with the 600 II performance, I see no real need for the continued existence of the current 800/5.6.

How about the current 800mm vs the 400/2.8 + 2xTC?

Any new 800mm would have to beat both the 400x2 and 600x1.4 combos
...
unless
...
maybe we could be in for an 800mm f/5.0, or even an 800mm f/4.5 or f/4.0? I know canon has some serious superstition about non-whole-stop lenses (except in 50/85mm and vari-aperture zooms), but they could use even a 1/3rd-stop advantage as marketing fodder if the new lens isn't much better than a 600x1.4 (although i've no reason to think it wouldn't be).

A faster than f/5.6 would be monstrous. Plus a f/4.5 wouldn't benefit more with the teleconverters. It still would work in AF only with EF1.4X. And I cannot imagine an 800mm f/4. Unless it is sold with someone to carry it!

[dolina]

800mm f/2.8 would have the same front element of the Leica but the physical length would be a good 1 foot shorter. Would weight about 60kg



800mm f/4.0 would have a slightly smaller front element as the 1200mm f/5.6 but the physical length would be a good 6 inch shoter. Would weigh about 16.5kg.



Now the succeeding article is now CR1. Hmmmm...

[Daniel Flather]

I see no real need for the continued existence of the current 800/5.6.

The 800 with the 2x TC gets you to 1600mm, can you stack TCs on the 600?  I don't own a 600, 800, or a TC, so please enlighten.  I think stacked TCs is not a desired option.

the 800 f5.6 + 2x TC give you F11 (2 stop higher).. at F11, you'll lose AF

Exactly.  Also, the current 800/5.6 + 2xIII combo is optically pretty weak.  But a new 800/5.6 that delivers optical performance with a 1.4xIII that's equivalent to the other MkII's with the 1.4x, that would beat the 600 II + 2x and likely have a market. 

Stacking TC's isn't possible (physically) with the MkIII versions, although a 2xII can be stacked with any 1.4x or 2x behind it, AFAIK.  But the optical results are usually not good.

Yes, but the only way to 1600mm is the 800 with 2TC.  I'm not sure who needs 1600mm, but it's the only way to achieve it with Canon gear, or if you have access to the the EF1200mm with a 1.4TC you're set.
 

[Greatland]

These 800 rumors almost make me laugh,,,,,,or cry.....where are all of the 600's??  Plus it will probably be $20K  Yikes!

[sagittariansrock]

And I cannot imagine an 800mm f/4. Unless it is sold with someone to carry it!

 

[tron]

800mm f/4.0 would have a slightly smaller front element as the 1200mm f/5.6 but the physical length would be a good 6 inch shoter. Would weigh about 16.5kg.



Now the succeeding article is now CR1. Hmmmm...

The lens looks heavier than the girl behind it 

[dr croubie]

800mm f/2.8 would have the same front element of the Leica but the physical length would be a good 1 foot shorter. Would weight about 60kg



800mm f/4.0 would have a slightly smaller front element as the 1200mm f/5.6 but the physical length would be a good 6 inch shoter. Would weigh about 16.5kg.



Now the succeeding article is now CR1. Hmmmm...

I can see the leica, it's huge.
But where's the lens in the second photo? I can't see it...

[dolina]

Quit staring at the girl and you'll see the lens. 

I could use a 1600mm lens considering how difficult and small birds are but I'd hate to carry one around.

I expect the Series II 200 and 800 to come out as early as 2013 before the World Cup in Brazil. Lenses such as these normally debut 12 months before the Summer/Winter Olympics or the World Cup.

800mm f/2.8 would have the same front element of the Leica but the physical length would be a good 1 foot shorter. Would weight about 60kg



800mm f/4.0 would have a slightly smaller front element as the 1200mm f/5.6 but the physical length would be a good 6 inch shoter. Would weigh about 16.5kg.



Now the succeeding article is now CR1. Hmmmm...

I can see the leica, it's huge.
But where's the lens in the second photo? I can't see it...

[hsmoscout]

Maybe it'll be a DO lens???

[dolina]

Maybe it'll be a DO lens???

Don't say bad words!