RF 800mm f/11 vs RF 100-500mm + 1.4xTC @ 700mm

[AlanF]

According to the Canon MTF charts the RF 800mm f/11 and RF 100-500mm + 1.4xTC @ 700mm are nearly identical. This means the 800mm should outresolve the 700mm because of the extra 100mm. I find this with my copies. Others have reported the opposite. It could be that I have a poorer copy of the 1.4x (and I have never been that happy with it) and a good copy of the 800/11. Others might have vice versa. So, I am interested in others experiences.

 

[EricN]

It could be that I have a poorer copy of the 1.4x (and I have never been that happy with it)

If you sent it to Canon could they test it and adjust it or would the probably charge you more than selling it and buying another would cost?

 

[AlanF]

If you sent it to Canon could they test it and adjust it or would the probably charge you more than selling it and buying another would cost?

Waste of time sending such a lens to Canon.

 

[EricN]

Waste of time sending such a lens to Canon.

I'm not really surprised

 

[AlanF]

I have now tested mine against two copies of the RF 1.4xTC on the RF 100-500mm. They are identical, and the 800mm does out-resolve the RF 100-500mm + 1.4xTC.

 

[EricN]

I have now tested mine against two copies of the RF 1.4xTC on the RF 100-500mm. They are identical, and the 800mm does out-resolve the RF 100-500mm + 1.4xTC.

It's disappointing

 

[neuroanatomist]

So the RF 800/11 just popped up at a CPW street price of $690, full USA warranty. I didn’t plan on getting this lens, having the 600/4 II + 1.4x and the lighter option of the 100-500 + 1.4x or 2x.

But for $690? Very, very tempting.

 

[AlanF]

So the RF 800/11 just popped up at a CPW street price of $690, full USA warranty. I didn’t plan on getting this lens, having the 600/4 II + 1.4x and the lighter option of the 100-500 + 1.4x or 2x.

But for $690? Very, very tempting.

I got mine for less than that used. I think the large online company transposed the first two digits. The list price here is £1099 with a £100 cash back. The black friday price on the gray market is only £689 which matches the US price when you include our taxes. Canon price gouging again.

 

[neuroanatomist]

I think the large online company transposed the first two digits.

Nope. List here is $999. It’s been $800 recently, and CPW’s street prices are unadvertised discounts so just under $700 is reasonable.

The way CPW works is you submit an online form with your contact info, CPW connects you with the seller (a major US or Canadian retailer), and you pay that seller. I used CPW years ago for my EF 11-24/4, the seller was Adorama.

Just did that, US$689 is the confirmed price for the 800/11 from a Canadian retailer.

Of course, there’s the hood, a 95mm clear filter and an Arca plate to add.

 

[AlanF]

Nope. List here is $999. It’s been $800 recently, and CPW’s street prices are unadvertised discounts so just under $700 is reasonable.

The way CPW works is you submit an online form with your contact info, CPW connects you with the seller (a major US or Canadian retailer), and you pay that seller. I used CPW years ago for my EF 11-24/4, the seller was Adorama.

Just did that, US$689 is the confirmed price for the 800/11 from a Canadian retailer.

Of course, there’s the hood, a 95mm clear filter and an Arca plate to add.

The digits were transposed for my one. The third party hood works fine.