Canon RF 200-800mm IS USM Previews / Reviews

[tron]

I wait anxiously the reports/reviews about performance at 800mm. But maybe-just maybe- if the performance hit is not much and the performance at 630mm f/8 is top then we can think of this lens as a 600 with a variable teleconverter with comparable IQ with the 100-500 with 1.4X.

Maybe, just maybe. Of course, if IQ is excellent I will be tempted.

 

[Klas R]

Very perceptive of you about the duckhouse panels. The Mallards virtually fill the frame and you would expect them to show lots of detail an don't tell us much. But, as you have pointed out, the lens seems to show more detail zoomed out to 600mm. He had increased the shutter speed and iso, but even so. Maybe there was a problem with focussing and dof.

Thanks for pointing out that the ISO used on the two pictures are different. Although the sensor on the R5 is very good at handling high ISO values I usually use DxO PureRAW 3 on the pictures above ISO 1600 (of those pictures I have selected for further work).

Thus it could very well be that this is one reason to the not so impressive picture taken at ISO 4000 (compared to the other taken with ISO 2000).
I imagine that what we see is 100% non edited pictures.

 

[AlanF]

Thanks for pointing out that the ISO used on the two pictures are different. Although the sensor on the R5 is very good at handling high ISO values I usually use DxO PureRAW 3 on the pictures above ISO 1600 (of those pictures I have selected for further work).

Thus it could very well be that this is one reason to the not so impressive picture taken at ISO 4000 (compared to the other taken with ISO 2000).
I imagine that what we see is 100% non edited pictures.

I use DxO as PL6 and wouldn't worry much about iso 4k with the R5. I suspect, however, they may have used jpegs from the camera.

 

[TMT]

The MTF charts suggest that at 800mm this lens is about the same sharpness as the 100-500 + 1.4x (at 700mm). I use that combo often and it's very usable. It's sharper than the 800 f/11.

Side-by-Side Comparisons: With my R5, the IQ on the 100-500 is great until I put on the 1.4x. Then, it goes to crap. I rented the 800 f11 and it was quite sharp - both with and without the 1.4x. - far better than the 100-500 + 1.4x. So, I've pre-ordered the 200-800 and will test it out. Worst case - I return it and get the 800 f11 instead.

 

[danfaz]

Hands-on video review:

 

[Klas R]

I use DxO as PL6 and wouldn't worry much about iso 4k with the R5. I suspect, however, they may have used jpegs from the camera.

Now when we start to see shots taken through production-line lenses, using RAW and the R5,
I start to feel confident that the lens is delivering to our expectations.

For instance take a look at this presentation:
It has been taken in conditions we might experience in UK & Sweden, i.e. snow, cold temperatures, overcast and as well during the evening/night.
Yes, the guy speaks german, but don't dismiss the presentation due to that. The important parts will anyway be understood.

The guy also tests the lens with the 2X converter mounted. Looking at the results (how good they actually are) imagine what we would get with the 1.4X instead!

 

[danfaz]

Phil Thach got his production lens yesterday via local camera shop.
Did a real-world review today:

 

[Del Paso]

Now when we start to see shots taken through production-line lenses, using RAW and the R5,
I start to feel confident that the lens is delivering to our expectations.

For instance take a look at this presentation:
It has been taken in conditions we might experience in UK & Sweden, i.e. snow, cold temperatures, overcast and as well during the evening/night.
Yes, the guy speaks german, but don't dismiss the presentation due to that. The important parts will anyway be understood.

The guy also tests the lens with the 2X converter mounted. Looking at the results (how good they actually are) imagine what we would get with the 1.4X instead!

To be honest, I didn't expect such sharpness, especially not with a 2X extender. This lens is a killer!
The review is very informative, the pictures often stunning!

 

[AlanF]

Now when we start to see shots taken through production-line lenses, using RAW and the R5,
I start to feel confident that the lens is delivering to our expectations.

For instance take a look at this presentation:
It has been taken in conditions we might experience in UK & Sweden, i.e. snow, cold temperatures, overcast and as well during the evening/night.
Yes, the guy speaks german, but don't dismiss the presentation due to that. The important parts will anyway be understood.

The guy also tests the lens with the 2X converter mounted. Looking at the results (how good they actually are) imagine what we would get with the 1.4X instead!

Thanks for the heads-up. Where I live in the southern half of thr UK, snow is a rarity! I am looking forward to testing this lens myself. My experience with the TCs is that the 2x delivers better than expected and the 1.4x worse but the nailing of AF with the 2x can be problematic - f/14 - f/18 is pushing it.

 

[AlanF]

A preliminary comparison of the 200-800 and 100-500mm. It's in Deutsch but you can translate using the CC button. Take home message of this and his previous YouTube, the 200-800 is soft at the edges zoomed out and the 100-500 beats it hands down at 500mm or less for overall sharpness. But, it's good at 800mm. We need more detailed reviews. My feelings and this stage, which is far too early, is that the 100-500mm is the better for going on a hike when the likes of me and @Maximilian are out dragonflying and birding and probably for me for fast flying BIF but the 200-800mm when we we know the birds are far away and we are on a Safari Jeep.

 

[Maximilian]

A preliminary comparison of the 200-800 and 100-500mm.

Thanks for sharing, Alan

the 100-500mm is the better for going on a hike when the likes of me and @Maximilian are out dragonflying and birding.

Somehow I have the feeling, we should go out taking photos together sooner than later.
The only question to me is: Germany or England?

 

[EricN]

Thanks for sharing, Alan

Somehow I have the feeling, we should go out taking photos together sooner than later.
The only question to me is: Germany or England?

You two could plan a birding or dragonfly trip to a third place, maybe to a warm part of Africa?

 

[kypr.eos]

Some sample images from Matt Kemp. Sharpness looks very good, imo.

 

[Klas R]

This one is interesting.


It seems to me as the 100-500 + 1.4X, delivers more or less the same quality as the 200-800 at 800 mm. Maybe I find the contrast slightly better with the 100-500mm +1.4X.

But the very interesting shots taken with the 200-800 + 1.4X is something you will only get close to when using the 100-500 mm + 2X combination.

 

[Klas R]

The Digital Picture has obtained a 200-800m, which makes it possible to do comparisons between camera + lens cobinations.

I compared the R5 with the combinations RF 200-800mm f9, and RF 100-500mm + 1.4X TC f10:

Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

The result makes me somewhat nervous.
Seems as I should stick with the 100-500 + 1.4X TC combination !?

 

[Klas R]

The Digital Picture has obtained a 200-800m, which makes it possible to do comparisons between camera + lens cobinations.

I compared the R5 with the combinations RF 200-800mm f9, and RF 100-500mm + 1.4X TC f10:

Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

The result makes me somewhat nervous.
Seems as I should stick with the 100-500 + 1.4X TC combination !?

Sorry,
I got the f-combinations a bit mixed up.

I think this one is what I was looking for:

Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

Still not 100% impressed

 

[EricN]

Sorry,
I got the f-combinations a bit mixed up.

I think this one is what I was looking for:

Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

Still not 100% impressed

What I see from tpc is the center of the 200-800 is sharper, but the outer of the 100-500 plus 1.4tc is sharper (with chromatic aberration). However, from Phil's video, at a normal viewing, those differences aren't going to stick out a whole lot. It leads me to think if I want to crop, the 200-800 will be the best choice.

 

[AlanF]

The Digital Picture has obtained a 200-800m, which makes it possible to do comparisons between camera + lens cobinations.

I compared the R5 with the combinations RF 200-800mm f9, and RF 100-500mm + 1.4X TC f10:

Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

The result makes me somewhat nervous.
Seems as I should stick with the 100-500 + 1.4X TC combination !?

Thanks for the heads up Klas. It bears out the comments from the early hands on reviews - it is soft at 800mm. Compare it at 800mm with the RF 100-500mm at 500mm:

Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

And the RF 800mm f/11 is sharper:

Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

And it's only slightly better or on a par with the RF2xTC on the RF 100-500mm at 1000mm

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

The RF 100-500mm on the 7R will outresolve the RF 200-800mm on most FFs. I'll need to test this seriously as it the R7/RF 100-500mm would be better for me.

 

[Klas R]

Thanks for the heads-up. Where I live in the southern half of thr UK, snow is a rarity! I am looking forward to testing this lens myself. My experience with the TCs is that the 2x delivers better than expected and the 1.4x worse but the nailing of AF with the 2x can be problematic - f/14 - f/18 is pushing it.

Alan,

Based on the findings from the Digital Picture test charts, your comments above regarding the RF 100-500mm with the 1.4X and 2X gets very interesting.
Could you please elaborate a little bit more around this. For instance is your nailing problems with the 2X TC when you use your R5, or your R7, or...?

Looking at the test charts it seems as the 100-500 with the 2X TC is as sharp or even slightly sharper than the 200-800mm with the 1.4X TC at the center and mid-frame !?
Are you satisfied with your shots taken with your 100-500mm + 2X TC at 1000mm f14 (using the R5 and or R7) ?

 

[EricN]

Thanks for the heads up Klas. It bears out the comments from the early hands on reviews - it is soft at 800mm. Compare it at 800mm with the RF 100-500mm at 500mm:

Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

And the RF 800mm f/11 is sharper:

Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

And it's only slightly better or on a par with the RF2xTC on the RF 100-500mm at 1000mm

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens Image Quality

View the image quality delivered by the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens using ISO 12233 Resolution Chart lab test results. Compare the image quality of this lens with other lenses.

www.the-digital-picture.com

The RF 100-500mm on the 7R will outresolve the RF 200-800mm on most FFs. I'll need to test this seriously as it the R7/RF 100-500mm would be better for me.

I think I got confused with which images were which lens