Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS coming on November 2, 2023

[Exploreshootshare]

In addition to the price, I'll be looking out for the minimum focus distance (a notable weakness of the 800 f/11) and extender compatibility.

Imagine: with a 2x extender we'd get a 400-1.600mm lens I must go to the Masai Mara again within the next years

 

[Bonich]

In addition to the price, I'll be looking out for the minimum focus distance (a notable weakness of the 800 f/11) and extender compatibility.

A zoom will provide by far better minimum focus distance (ask the dirty cheap but performant RF 100-400)
Extender? I would not think about using one at this lens, but I expect them to be supported by the lens.

 

[Dragon]

For me, at that price point it has to offer a lot more than the RF 600mm/ 800mm F11 lenses. It should have a...
- faster AF motor
- weather sealing to some degree
- full AF capabilities (unlike the 600/800mm where the AF only works in the center square)

I would put weather sealing in the maybe class, but the rest seem logical. OTOH, I can't think of any other non-L lenses even near that price point, so we may get reasonable weather sealing. This is, after all, a response to what Sony and Nikon have brought out and I suspect it will be a very creditable response. Definitely interested to see the design choices. If it is relatively small and light as some sources are predicting (and the price suggests), then DO is likely (already used in the 600 and 800 f/11), but if my memory serves correctly, Canon has not made a DO zoom since the EF 70-300 DO (I have one), which I believe was their first use of DO.

 

[danfaz]

Hmm, very interesting! Possible pre-order depending on what additional details come out.

 

[Dragon]

A zoom will provide by far better minimum focus distance (ask the dirty cheap but performant RF 100-400)
Extender? I would not think about using one at this lens, but I expect them to be supported by the lens.

Zooms typically focus much closer than prime telephotos, but often at the expense of heavy focus breathing (i.e. trade off focal length for close focus). Can't wait to see the TDP review.

 

[Bonich]

It looks like Canon is going to continue with their affordable super-telephoto lenses. This time we’re getting an RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS, which will be announced on November 2, 2023. We’re not sure if the already reported on RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM will be announced on the same day or not. Rumored pricing according

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This is the real companion for the RF100-400 (only those not using it are complaining...)
Canon's mission is making Wildlife Photography affordable.

I do think this to be a decent strategy for the company's future.

Don't worry, more in the league of the RF100-300 is about to hit the market, but these products will not win new young enthusiasts.

 

[H. Jones]

Hm, this will raise a pretty solid question for me on if I should sell my 100-400 and pick this up or not.

Because of the RF 70-200 being so light and compact, I pretty much only ever grab the 100-400 for birding these days, so it normally has a 1.4x on which leaves it as a 140-560mm F/8 lens. A 200-800 F/9 would be considerably more range and not a whole lot lost on aperture.

If the size is right, and IQ is at least comparable to the EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS II with the 1.4x extender attached, I could totally see myself picking this up for my own hobby uses.

Somewhat helping to add to this is that my newspaper provided me with a 200-400mm F/4 for work, which has significantly decreased my need for my 100-400 during the workday.

 

[josephandrews222]

"It looks like Canon is going to continue with their affordable super-telephoto lenses. This time we\'re getting an RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS, which will be announced on November 2, 2023.

We\'re not sure if the already reported on RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM will be announced on the same day or not.

Rumored pricing according to The Camera Insider is around $2000 USD."

=====

...my oh my--2K USD descibed as \'affordable\'...

I remain in the EF (and EF-M?!) world and will take a good hard look at the R5 II and its native lenses next year.

By that time, if the reviews on the 200-800 look positive, I am likely to get one...in part because of the great results I\'ve obtained with the 70-300 IS II...and I\'ll lean on reading user reviews of those I trust here on CR.

But 2K as 'affordable'...

Reminds me of the old joke that I first heard as an explanation (of sorts) for certain aspects of thermodynamics (in a p-chem class):

An old guy was asked if he was happily married. His response?

"Compared to what?"

My oh my.

 

[bbasiaga]

I really like my 800mm f/11. I may swap it for this.

I shoot my daughter's soccer team with the EF 100-400L vII, usually with 1.4x. That has me going 160-560 f/5.6ish to f/8. 200-800 6.3-9 could be quite interesting. IQ may suffer a bit, but for sports shots I'm not sure I'll notice. Focus speed and consistency would be another one for me to check. But I'm not a pre-order guy anyway.

-Brian

 

[bbasiaga]

\"It looks like Canon is going to continue with their affordable super-telephoto lenses. This time we\'re getting an RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS, which will be announced on November 2, 2023.

We\'re not sure if the already reported on RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM will be announced on the same day or not.

Rumored pricing according to The Camera Insider is around $2000 USD.\"

=====

...my oh my--2K USD descibed as \'affordable\'...

I remain in the EF (and EF-M?!) world and will take a good hard look at the R5 II and its native lenses next year.

By that time, if the reviews on the 200-800 look positive, I am likely to get one...in part because of the great results I\'ve obtained with the 70-300 IS II...and I\'ll lean on reading user reviews of those I trust here on CR.

But 2K as \'affordable\'...

Reminds me of the old joke that I first heard as an explanation (of sorts) for certain aspects of thermodynamics (in a p-chem class):

An old guy was asked if he was happily married. His response?

\"Compared to what?\"

My oh my.

Such is the state of ILC camera systems. This should compete well with the Sony and Nikon similar offerings, and is at the same price point. Be interesting to see how it reviews compared to the Sigma 160-600 Sport and contemporary models as well. All of which are in the same price range. The 100-400 RF model is out there at less than half the price, and is a great performer. The 600 and 800 f/11 primes are also less money and great performers. This 200-800 looks to fill a gap between those consumer models and the 'big whites'.


Brian

 

[blackcoffee17]

For me, at that price point it has to offer a lot more than the RF 600mm/ 800mm F11 lenses. It should have a...
- faster AF motor
- weather sealing to some degree
- full AF capabilities (unlike the 600/800mm where the AF only works in the center square)

Did Canon ever made a non-L lens with weather sealing?

 

[neuroanatomist]

Did Canon ever made a non-L lens with weather sealing?

Nope. L lenses without sealing, yes. But not the converse.

 

[neuroanatomist]

For me, at that price point it has to offer a lot more than the RF 600mm/ 800mm F11 lenses. It should have a...
- faster AF motor
- weather sealing to some degree
- full AF capabilities (unlike the 600/800mm where the AF only works in the center square)

1 and 3 will likely happen. I doubt we'll see #2, but we'll see.

 

[JustUs7]

Interested to see where in the range f/9 starts. Will it be f/8 at 400 already, or will it be a slightly brighter option through the shared range? We shall see.

 

[David - Sydney]

To me, Canon has released low end and high end native lenses and not so much the mid ground despite the echo chamber outrage for a 50/1.4 and 3rd party options.
Where would this one fit in? Is it the start of the mid range?

Separately, since when has "Sony Alpha Rumors" had the scoop on Canon rumors?

 

[john1970]

An interesting lens. However, I would have been much more interested in a 200-800 mm f5.6-f8 L lens for $4-5K. Still might buy this one, but only if it does not come with STM. Frankly, I am a bit disappointed.

 

[Dragon]

1 and 3 will likely happen. I doubt we'll see #2, but we'll see.

If my memory serves, we are talking over twice the price of any other non-L lens ever, so there is at least a possibility.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

In addition to the price, I'll be looking out for the minimum focus distance (a notable weakness of the 800 f/11) and extender compatibility.

If it starts at 200 mm then MFD should not be an issue.

 

[AJ]

Probably about the size of the Tamron 150-600, but maybe longer, or if they use DO, maybe shorter.

Yes, maybe it'll be DO and extend, like the 800/11

 

[danfaz]

I would have been much more interested in a 200-800 mm f5.6-f8 L lens for $4-5K. Frankly, I am a bit disappointed.

Well, then it would no longer be considered "affordable," and we'd continue to hear complaints that Canon only makes cheap consumer garbage, or super expensive pro lenses.