Started out with the R6mkII, then to the R3, and just recently to the R1 (got a great deal on a 3 month old one). I had the old EF 800mm f/5.6 but was getting too much for me so I sold that just recently (I've got arthritis in one of my wrists). I've got the RF 100-500, and RF 200-800, but would love Canon to come out with an 'L' lens in the 600m range that's a bit more affordable than the current RF 600 f/4 (someone here in Perth has the RF 800 f/5.6, lucky bugger).
Nice! Dream great white. The 500 f/4 was my dream Great White (I only buy lenses once I can justify with meaningful use, so waiting on a trip), but tbh the zooms have become effectively prime like aside from light gathering anyhow.
Had an accident with the RF 200-800 the other week and will need repaired, but if the RF 300-600mm came out sometime in 2026 I'd be happy to wait for that and put the money towards that.
That sucks. Sorry to hear of it. Did it break due to an appropriate circumstance, like a bear smacked it? Or something surprising, like you put it in a backpack and then it spontaneously cleaved in two? I ask because one scenario is entertaining and the otehr is actually informative to people considering the lens.
I was considering that lens, but I read it fogs in persistent humidity (I'm in the Pacific Northwest) and on a personal trial at the local store I found the focus ring is too small for my taste (my thumb skids on the barrel). As awesome as Canon's AF capabilities are, dim light and moving grass still thwart on occasion for my R6. Otherwise seems like a great lens and I could probably get over the focus ring in real world use.
I'm just an amateur retired old guy who enjoys being out in the outdoors seeing all the beauty that nature gives us.
I'm mostly a hobbyist myself, albeit very fortunate. I'm a tech guy, but I also live on a hobby farm acreage and live amongst farmers and ranchers. Lots of domesticated and semi-domesticated life and visual obstacles that make up parts of the cool shots. I also travel as work requires or opportunity permits.
I don't worry about pixel peeping so doesn't need to be thee sharpest lens out, but a zoom lens does give more options for use than a straight prime (appreciate primes will still give the best image quality).
I find that I like primes overall for their zen (just frame, tweak, and shoot) but zooms are more practical in many situations or travel. No doubt the 100-300 and 300-600 would make killer safari lenses (or any dustbin / spattering-wet situation).
Yes, wishful thinking on my part hoping the 300-600 will come out soon, but if it's by the end of the year that would be fantastic. I don't expect it to be priced like the 200-800, but in between that and the long primes would be a nice bonus (up to USD$5k would be great, but realistically will be more likely from $7k upwards).
I miss the earlier EF ethos of the 300mm f/4 and 400mm f/5.6. I still have my 300mm f/4 IS, which is fantastic for what it is, especially on modern systems. Would love to see those or equivalents come to the RF line within a $4.5k CAD limit. Perhaps a VCM-inspired tele range, like a 300 f/4, 400 f/5.6, and 500 f/8 and TC compatibility (apertures allowing for cost control in the context of modern ISO capability). But in nice barrels, like the 300mm f/4 with solid focus rings and controls — mini Great Whites (dog sharks) for the fortunate hobbyists. I think that the 600 f/11 and 800 f/11 are innovative for what they are, but I think that the allowance for full aperture control and weather protected are killer features. The original EFs weren't full sealed, but it wouldn't have taken much to finish the job since the 300 is fully internally sealed (no fogging).
), this time I took out the battery, blown in the space and left the camera alone for the next day. Luckily, I hope, the R1 seems to be working just fine now and the same battery is ok, I'll still send it off to be looked at but here in Perth not much choice for Canon camera repairs so will need to go to Sydney. I don't think I bumped the R1 (was more worried about the lens and camera than my head) and think it just got some water in the battery compartment.
which Canon has not deemed to release yet, in their infinite wisdom 
