A Canon RF 300-600mm f/4-5.6L IS USM on the Horizon

[scyrene]

Let's hope Canon satisfies all of our wishes: from those who want a light zoom that is ideal for walking around with; to those who don't mind a slightly heavier one with a long zoom up to 800mm or so; and those who want a wide aperture internal zoom, possibly with a built in TC, and aren't concerned about weight, size and cost. And throw in some very light primes.

An optimist speaks!

 

[AlanF]

An optimist speaks!

I wasn't yesterday when landing in a full 469 seater BA airbus at Logan airport. My pessimism was correct - only a 1/3rd of the immigration booths were manned.

 

[scyrene]

True. I'd like to be 100mm close to all of them. I've got coyotes, skunks, possum, raccoons, etc. I'd want more than 300mm for all.

I think I'd prefer to be at a 1200mm lens distance from a tiger

 

[Ozarker]

I think I'd prefer to be at a 1200mm lens distance from a tiger

For reals.

 

[Ozarker]

I’ve sat in a jeep in Africa and had an elephant walk right past the back of the vehicle. I used every focal length from a EF 200-400 f4L 1.4x to a EF 24-70 f2.8L. Such fun. My point is only that you don’t want massive gaps in your focal length range. That said I’m not sure I want three bodies either.

Mortals in the Arkansas Ozarks ain't goin' on no safari. I've got a 200mm, 135mm, 100mm, etc. Jumping from 200mm to a 300-500mm zoom ain't no gap. My point was that for my use, small mammals and birds, anything under 400mm is pretty useless. I'm not concerned with shorter focal lengths. I have those. Most looking at this lens probably do, too.

*Further into the Ozarks, there are Black Bears, but they never get near my location. I'm on the very edge of the Ozarks.*

 

[stillviking]

I'm just afraid of the price.

 

[Ian K]

Well my new RF 2x Extender arrived today and it's much better than the original. I'm pretty sure my original RF 2x was one of the very first batch, I got it and the 1.4x along with the RF 100-500 when it was released with the R5. The new one is brand new stock from Wex. anyhow, no animals to shoot at the moment but the tree at the bottom of the garden is yielding nice sharp leaves, apple and bark. Even at 1000mm on a 1.6 crop R7, 1600mm equivalent angle of view.

I'll wait and see what the RF 300-600 world provides before changing up any more.

 

[Del Paso]

Well my new RF 2x Extender arrived today and it's much better than the original. I'm pretty sure my original RF 2x was one of the very first batch, I got it and the 1.4x along with the RF 100-500 when it was released with the R5. The new one is brand new stock from Wex. anyhow, no animals to shoot at the moment but the tree at the bottom of the garden is yielding nice sharp leaves, apple and bark. Even at 1000mm on a 1.6 crop R7, 1600mm equivalent angle of view.

I'll wait and see what the RF 300-600 world provides before changing up any more.

Nice to read, since I'm presently hesitating whether to buy the 2X extender, having read some rather unenthusiastic comments (AlanF?) about it.
Since I'm also planning to acquire the 70-200 Z, these are good news to me!

 

[AlanF]

Nice to read, since I'm presently hesitating whether to buy the 2X extender, having read some rather unenthusiastic comments (AlanF?) about it.
Since I'm also planning to acquire the 70-200 Z, these are good news to me!

No! I am enthusiastic about the RF 2xTC. I had one of the first and it is very good on the 100-500. I am not enthusiastic about the 1.4x on the 100-500 but it seems better on the 200-800 and 800/11.

 

[Cerulean42]

To be honest, With Sony's 200-600 5.6-6.3 available for less than $2000, this being 1/3 of a stop faster would be a hardsell over 5000. That one focuses fast, has decent oss, is sharp enough and is internal zoom.
Maybe canon would actually come to us with a pleasent surprise with the price.

 

[Red Dog]

Happy to use this lens for motorsports if it comes to fruition. Hopefully it'll be an internal zoom and within acceptable weight and budget parameters to make it a worthwhile addition to the armoury. Already use the EF200-400 for the majority of my football and motorsports events with the 1.4x converter engaged regularly on the R3 and R5mkii and, whilst its heavy to handhold, it still delivers exceptional quality images. That little bit of extra reach to 600mm would be useful and a good versatile lens without the need for adapters and teleconverters. Have to see if it appears in time to put it on my Santa list.

 

[Del Paso]

No! I am enthusiastic about the RF 2xTC. I had one of the first and it is very good on the 100-500. I am not enthusiastic about the 1.4x on the 100-500 but it seems better on the 200-800 and 800/11.

Sorry for that! I just remembered your dislike of one RF extender, and thought it was the 2X.
Memory, memory, you used to be better than that. Is it aging? Yes, it is...

 

[Del Paso]

To be honest, With Sony's 200-600 5.6-6.3 available for less than $2000, this being 1/3 of a stop faster would be a hardsell over 5000. That one focuses fast, has decent oss, is sharp enough and is internal zoom.
Maybe canon would actually come to us with a pleasent surprise with the price.

Bet you are an optimist!

 

[john1970]

Well my new RF 2x Extender arrived today and it's much better than the original. I'm pretty sure my original RF 2x was one of the very first batch, I got it and the 1.4x along with the RF 100-500 when it was released with the R5. The new one is brand new stock from Wex. anyhow, no animals to shoot at the moment but the tree at the bottom of the garden is yielding nice sharp leaves, apple and bark. Even at 1000mm on a 1.6 crop R7, 1600mm equivalent angle of view.

I'll wait and see what the RF 300-600 world provides before changing up any more.

Glad to hear that the new RF 2x TC works better. I have two RF 2x TCs and one is noticeably sharper on my 100-300 mm f2.8 lens than the other.

 

[Del Paso]

Glad to hear that the new RF 2x TC works better. I have two RF 2x TCs and one is noticeably sharper on my 100-300 mm f2.8 lens than the other.

There could be an issue with sample variations.
"Glad to hear that the new RF 2x TC works better"
" I had one of the first and it is very good on the 100-500"
Or just a coincidence? If I buy one some day, only from a store or company accepting returns.

 

[RobbieHat]

Go for a new nice stick from which the kingfisher can hunt. They cannot resist the new toy and WILL sit on it. A ghilly 3D suit or a camu tent nearby does the trick. they are not shy and will get used to a tent with a couple of hours! Good luck!

This is helpful advice. As mentioned kingfishers have been very difficult for me to get near. This might solve the challenge.

 

[20Dave]

To be honest, With Sony's 200-600 5.6-6.3 available for less than $2000, this being 1/3 of a stop faster would be a hardsell over 5000. That one focuses fast, has decent oss, is sharp enough and is internal zoom.
Maybe canon would actually come to us with a pleasent surprise with the price.

Sounds like the RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 at $2099 is more the competition of the Sony lens. This one is targeted to a different clientele.

 

[SvO2]

Sounds like the RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 at $2099 is more the competition of the Sony lens. This one is targeted to a different clientele.

I don't know if an external zoom that starts at F/6.3 and ends at F/9 is really a good alternative

 

[Ian K]

Mortals in the Arkansas Ozarks ain't goin' on no safari. I've got a 200mm, 135mm, 100mm, etc. Jumping from 200mm to a 300-500mm zoom ain't no gap. My point was that for my use, small mammals and birds, anything under 400mm is pretty useless. I'm not concerned with shorter focal lengths. I have those. Most looking at this lens probably do, too.

*Further into the Ozarks, there are Black Bears, but they never get near my location. I'm on the very edge of the Ozarks.*

The gap I was talking about was from the top of the RF 24-70mm to the proposed 300-600mm. 230mm is quite a jump. I suppose a 70-200 (non-z) would fill some of the gap. But my existing 24-70mm, 100-500mm does it better.

 

[SonicStudios]

I'm hoping at the most this lens is F4 only.