It's as if I'm living in some sort of crazy alternative universe because I keep hearing you say how light and easy to hand hold the 800 is. And then I look over at the huge 800 f5. 6 sitting on my heavyweight tripod, rub my aching back, arms and shoulders.... and ask myself, WTF??? 😩
Saw my two favorite TH-cam birding channels working together and couldn’t click fast enough! Thanks for taking us through your trip definitely felt the positivity and enjoyment you two had! Now I have to go watch his haha
Wow, what a great collection of images. I'm enjoying my 800mm as much as you seem to. Getting great shots in almost all lighting conditions. 12800 ISO is the new 800.
Great to hear Kevin, the reach and weight make it a pleasure to walk around with. Yes, it's crazy to think ISO800 was the max on my 40D and now we can shoot at 12800. Cheers, Duade
it is a great lens, the reach is excellent, it is nice and light. You will need a zoom as the 6m MFD can cause difficulties with certain scenarios. Cheers, Duade
amazing shots. I am surpriced about the clarity with sich high ISO numbers with the 600/ 800 mm glasses. very useful test . thanks and have a very nice weekend Bernhard
I just picked up the 800F11 and the 100-500 last week so the timing of this video is very fortuitous . Great video Duade, I'm very much looking forward to your review and opinions on these lenses.
I have watched this video like 10 times! You are sooooooooooooooo good looking! Love our smile and accent. Now, on the video, I loved this...A very comprehensive and detailed review of the RF 800....I am trying to decide between this lense and the rf 600 f11...
My wife finally has someone else that agrees with her ;-) I would go with the 800 as that extra reach comes in very handy. However, the MFD of 6m on the 800 is a negative and it is a bigger and heavier lens. If you want the lightest and smallest telephoto lens possible then the 600 will perform very well. Cheers, Duade
Hey, thanks a lot to go through all these RF lenses. As a new R6m2 owner myself, I do love those videos on RF teleobjectives. They are so useful to me and I love watching your photos... Keep it this way 😊
Thanks for the all you are doing. I especially liked your recent trip with Jen. I was seriously thinking of getting an RF800 f/11 but hearing about it from your review, it would be too limiting as far as close focus range goes. I have an R5 paired with a 100-500 and am very happy with the setup. I often use the 1.6 crop which put me at 800mm when I need it. Also, thanks for the info about Topaz. I downloaded it and you save me a few $$$.
Loren, thanks for the feedback I appreciate it. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the 100-500. I believe the 1.4 extender works well on the 100-500 also so maybe another option. Cheers, Duade
I really enjoy seeing your videos. I live in the US on the esst coast and seeing your environments is really cool. We don't have those types of birds so it's nice to see something different. Please keep doing these. I'm also a fan of your birding buddy.
Cracking video Duade, the 800 mm is a cracking lens when you consider the cost, size and weight of it... the best thing is that you can shoot hand held at silly shutter speeds with it ! Sure it's got limitations but once you get used to them it's a wonderful piece of kit when paired with a R5 or R6. Photographer friends of mine who have seen this lens in action have been blown away, how user friendly it is compared to heavy EF primes. It isn't too shabby when capturing BIF shots and my keeper rate has gone up when compared to using my 1DXs and older EF lenses.
Ron that is great to hear, I have to admit being able to walk around handheld really was a nice experience and made it a lot of fun. Dealing with the weight of the prime can be a drag at times. Cheers, Duade
Wow! The best video yet. What a fantastic tour. I was wondering where you had gone. 8000 photographs! How do you manage all those files? ( It would make a good rainy day video I'm sure) I love that drone shot of the tall trees and huge ferns! At first I thought it was a footpath. The scale is unreal. Beautiful little Robins. Thanks.
Thanks Nigel, I am glad you enjoyed it, yes it took a lot longer than I thought and yes 8000 photos is a lot. I use Lightroom to catalog all my shots and I only keep around 10-15% of the photos which makes it a little more manageable. Yes, that forest was incredible. Cheers, Duade
The 800 f11 looks like it is a good lens for carrying around. I agree about the focus being better performance with the 100-500 which is what I ended up getting.
The 800mm f11 lens is sensational. I have been using it for birds for some time now and I am always amazed at the quality I get with the R6 and this lens.
I owned the 800 F11 and now own the 100-500 and came to similar conclusions. Pretty mind blowing the quality the 800 can put out with the R5 compared to the Tamron 150-600 on the D500 I used to use on my old system. Also, 800 is sharper when at a significant distance of the subject. The 800 is a bit limiting though, I like the variety and close focus of the 100-500 better. I felt like I needed higher shutter speeds with the 800 due to the subjects being larger in the frame which caused ISOs to creep higher but images still look great at high ISOs on my R5.
Thanks Matt, I appreciate you sharing your experience it is very interesting to hear its comparison to the 150-600. The R5 sure is an impressive camera. Cheers, Duade
Great images, real world usage and helpful, honest commentary. Really appreciate how you not only showed the raw file but you showed how much it was cropped as well!
Was kind of hoping you were going to say these were brutal in low light and not worth the effort 🙄 now I am leaning toward getting the 800mm even if for the brighter days. Great video and was eagerly waiting for this.
Donal, yes, I was surprised, it won't replace my prime but I could see me reaching for it if I was exploring new areas or walking long distances as the weight is incredible. Cheers, Duade
I recently purchased the Canon 800mm F11 lens. I use it on the Canon R6 to shoot Northern Cardinals and Sparrows that come to my bird feeder. I was beginning to think I wasted money with this lens purchase until I watched this video. Thank you for giving me new hope. I plan on going out tomorrow and with hopes of capturing some headshots. Thank you for sharing your work
Absolutely marvellous all the photos are fantastic I would be so stoked to have to anyone of them what a fantastic three days you had so many beautiful birds got my eye on the hundred to 500 I’m 60 this year so I think I deserve a treat. Thank you so much for sharing I have subscribed so I don’t miss anymore excellent
Another great video! Every photography session always starts off average for me and mainly get those best shots on the 2nd lap or if I hang around that bit longer when I think the sun has set too much. Don't know why but its always worth sticking around for every last second.
Thanks for pointing my to this video Duade. Your findings are the same as mine. I regard the 800 as my good light lens, both weight and daylight. Great video and again I wish you well.
Fantastic video, Duade. Love the channel. Drowned my old 60D + 100-400mm zoom in a river tying to capture an African Finfoot and have been without anything for 6 months. But just sprang for the R6 and RF800mm (EF primes are just way out of reach financially). Definitely a new shooting experience that's taking me a while to master. I'm a mobile birder (lots of walking and hiking) so the lighter weight and image quality with hand-held is a big plus. What I'm noticing is that knowing a good photo processing programme is more important than ever.
I also have RF 600mm F11.With R6 its very lightweight combo.It was amazing how good picture quality a 750 € lens produces.Its about on par with EF 100-400mm ll+TC 1,4lll with adapter.Contrast is also acceptable.Many times I carry binoculars and food for birds so is important to have light gear.
I laughed when Canon announced the 600,800 F11’s but they seem to be a good light weight affordable option for wildlife and will probably attract new buyers to the RF mount system. I’m in love with my 100-500. It won’t replace my EF600/4 especially in low light but for a lot of shooting it’s optically equal. You have some beautiful birds down there, I’m hoping to be able to get there in 2022.
Hi Rui, the 2x will work on the 100-400 however the IQ and AF will take a fair hit and you will need plenty of light. I use my 1.4 on the 400 5.6 more often then the 2x. Cheers, Duade
Great video. The R6 + RF 100-500 + RF 11/800 is also my individual combination as a very good compromise. I totally agree with you regarding the judgement of cam + lenses. Thank you for being on TH-cam with all at all impressive presentations. Many greetings Robert, Bad Homburg (Germany)
12 hours sheshh Jan gave you a workout hahah. Awesome shots, love my 100-500 used my friends 600 f/4, but not needing a tripod is great (yeah yeah I know, I'm getting older).
Another great video! It seems that lens has way more positive points than negative ones. Can't wait for you full review. Which throw-over blind do you use? Lastly, give us a shout if you ever plan to visit the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. We might be able to show you a few birds. Thanks for a great channel!
What a fantastic video. I loved how you took us to the photoshoot, and how passionately you talked about both birds and the lenses. I have 100-400, which is often a bit short for birding. I enjoyed your honest comments when shots did not turn out well, and also seeing the RAW and processed files. Great video.
The video I waited for so much! Guys put your thumbs up after watching more than half of video it helps with TH-cam algorithm (when you put thumbs up at the beginning it could count as a bot like).
HI Phryxe, thanks, I did attempt BIF but found the AF of the f11 lenses struggled to obtain sharp shots and with the smaller AF coverage I don't think the f11 lenses are well suited to BIF. It is possible but can be a challenge. The 100-500 would be a much better option however I didn't really get a chance to use it for BIF. Cheers, Duade
Great video! Suggestion, compare the R6 800mm f/11 shooting 1. Animal detection 2. Eye detection 3. Single AF Compare the R6 100-500mm against R6 RF adapter 100-400mm II F5.6 with 1.4x III adapter at 560mm One tip, if light permits try using R6 800mm f/11 try EV -.3 and -.65 and notice impact on lower ISO. Bought the RF 1.4x extender for the 800mm for longer reach. Will test out this winter when flocks of Bald Eagles visit the only opened ice covered lake in the area. R6 800 f11 with animal detection worked great for far off Bald Eagles in flight.
G'day Joseph, unfortunately I do not have these lenses to test anymore. Jan did a comparison with the 100-400 and 100-500 here th-cam.com/video/dyHodbYrP4k/w-d-xo.html When you underexpose you are increasing noise when increasing exposure in post. If you use ISO800 and underexpose by 2/3rds the noise when exposure is corrected will be like ISO1250. The extenders worked surprisingly well in good light, I used the 2x on the 800 and was surprised by the results. Cheers, Duade
Really happy for you that these lenses/body are working out for you. There are two issues in my mind : a) is your keeper rate better or worst with the 800 f/11and b) how do they cope with BIF as all shots here were static (esp. how AF speed n accuracy compares with your 500+1.4x for moving subjects) I appreciate that the f/11s due to the low weight allow you to take photos that you have otherwise missed with a heavier set up and that you can be in the field walking etc much longer- this is the main advantage for me. But still would like your take on the above two issues. Tnx in advance and carry on the good work.
Hi Dimitris, the f11 lenses do not compare to the 100-500 or the 500 f4+1.4 in terms of IQ, AF speed and accuracy. I had noticeably more keepers with the 100-500. The f11 lenses just struggled at times and I got a number of slightly soft shots. I did try BIF but failed to get anything decent to be honest. I would not suggest these lenses if you did a lot of BIF. The 100-500 will perform a lot better that is for sure. Cheers, Duade
@@fgb3126 Hi Breck, the field of view is narrower for sure which can make BIF difficult, the smaller autofocus coverage box is a disadvantage and the lens just isnt as reliable as the USM focusing motor on the L series lenses. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade i have currently Sigma 150-600mm C but it often is soft at longer range and cant keep the speed. Just trying know different ways of improving it and even wrote on Jan channel. Of course you see this on the 1:1 review. If You zoom out, denoise it with topaz its not so bad but still would like to have more keeper.
@@thomasbednarowski1651 Hi Thomas, from my experience you need to shoot the 600mm zooms at f9-11 to really get the sharpest images. Shooting at 6.3 will often be slightly soft. Give that a go and see how your images look. Cheers, Duade
@@thomasbednarowski1651 Hi Thomas, sometimes it has to do with how close we are to the subject, some lenses just don't crop very well and the photos almost need to be full frame to get the most detail. My suggestion would be to photograph a tame bird full frame in nice morning light at f11, that will in theory give you the maximum quality you can expect from the lens. If you are using a DSLR the lens adjustment could be an issue however if you have mirrorless this is a non issue. Good luck, cheers, Duade
The 100-500 is a beautiful lens but I think it is a great second lens to a prime, you just can't beat the prime for setups or when the light is poor. I find the 500 just a touch short on the FF and whilst an extender makes it 700mm you need good light, and it just doesn't dissolve the background like a prime. I think an R7 with the 100-500 will be a great option. Good luck, Cheers, Duade
GOOOOD to see this video, happy to know you were using the 100-500 for a bit. Eager to see your full review on that beast and what you like / dont like... I'm inches away from buying it. Can't believe the 800 X2 action...wowsa
Matt, the 100-500 is as sharp as a prime and has the flexibility of the zoom. 500mm is a little short at times however I think when paired with say an R7 it will be the combo I would use the majority of the time. Cheers, Duade
I use the 800 ref in the U.K. And it is ideal for the small shy birds here. I can very quickly apply a 1.6 crop on the R5 without losing detail so not sure I would get a 2x tele.
What a splendid few days you both had with such a wonderful variety of colourful birds. I'm feeling rather envious of you both. The birds in Australia seem to be more tolerant of humans, than here in the UK. As for picking my favourite shot from this video ??? Not possible. I'm waiting with baited breath to see what the new Canon body will be. Apparently it's likely to be announced before the Olympics. Curious what it will do to the R5 & R6 prices?
Hi Nordburg, a great question and well worth a video I think. My initial thoughts are when you crop you often introduce more noise and the image size will reduce. With a converter you are in theory extending your focal length which will mean your image will be closer to full frame. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade I own 2 teleconverters, 3 if you count the one in my 200-400 f4. I'm just not sure the photos are better. Some of the benefit seems physiological. Wow my 400mm is now an 800! The bird/soccer player/ sunset is much bigger in the viewfinder. But shoot it without the converter you have 4X the light, you crop, upsize and I think end up with a photo that is as good or slightly better than with the converter. It would make a great video!
@@Alseki7 G'day, I think between my video and Jans video we covered a lot of the common questions. th-cam.com/video/0opsVl9C35g/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=JanWegener If you have a specific question I am happy to answer it. Cheers, Duade
Great video Duade. I do the majority of my photography in forests so the 600 and 800 f11s might be a bit slow for me. However the lightness for handholding is definitely a plus. The pair of gang gangs is my favourite from this sequence but I always have a soft spot for Easter yellow robins. For me if I move to mirrorless, I suspect the 100-500 would be a better option. Look forward to more detail about that one.
Lachlan, the f11 lenses are fun unique lenses but if you wanted the best IQ and AF you would go with an L series lens such as the 100-500. I am looking forward to seeing how the R7 and 100-500 work together, I suspect that will be one awesome combo. Cheers, Duade
Beautiful shots ... 1600mm f22 is insane. This kind of combination to reach that far would be very expensive with 5D4 and prime lens. Great to know Canon introduced the low cost, light weight, RF 800mm prime lens that is affordable for people like me. R5 definitely open new area of photography possibility. Thanks for your video off new Canon lens introduction.
Another great video man! Great pics and R6 with 800mm is exactly the combination I'm looking at picking up this year. Something that I really like is when you mention information about how you set up the perch in prime locations, bringing the meal worms and playing bird calls to attract local species. A video focused on these techniques would be awesome and maybe you have already done this and I've just not managed to find it yet.
and thanks for the comment, good luck with the kit when you get it. Yes, that would make a good video, it does vary from species to species and location. It can be very difficult most of the time. Cheers, Duade
Another great review, Duade. Thanks! Loving my R6 and look forward to getting my hands on the RF 800 in the coming weeks. (and then summer to hit the Pacific North West so we can get some light :))
Such a nice video, i love all those bird, specially the gang-gangs. Here in Europe those are very rare, only very few Zoos have them. Well, even the galah istn't easy to find here, but of course they will be happier where they are :)
Thank you, they are not that common in the wild here either, the Galah is literally everywhere but the Gang-gang is usually in the mountains and harder to find. Cheers, Duade
now come my decision, ahahaha I am ready for r6 + rf 100-500 :-) ... dun even know how to start using manual on camera yet hahahah Thank you for always come up with all these info :-)
Thanks for that info. I am trying to get a pair of Beach Stone Curlews which are at a beach close by- they are quite large and fitting them both into the centre frame of the 800mm is quite difficult and usually they are not on the same focal plane, so I will try your idea of moving the focus points . I’ll also try with the 100-500 and see how that goes- they are quite skittish so can’t get too close. Thanks again 😊cheers Lyn
Hi Lyn, what a great bird to be photographing, you will find the 100-500 will much more likely allow both birds to be sharp as they will be smaller in the frame. Good luck with them. Cheers, Duade
I thought I would respond to this well made video I just upgraded to the EOS R and R6 the R5 is just a bit to expensive for my budget. I have also re-bought the sigma contemporary 150-600. I have tested the sigma sport and C and the tamron G1 and G2 150-600 lenses. The tamron to my testing is a softer lens to the Sigma lenses despite what big youtubers have said. I feel some youtubers lie just to get the views. I also own the canon 100-400 II I still think the 100-500 RF lens is over priced especially when you consider you can buy a used big prime for the same money. I recently made a video called (EF 100-400 II with 2X extender VS Canon RF 800mm F11 Image quality) on my channel and I bought the RF 800mm F11 lens comparing the 100-400 II with 2x III I find they are almost identical in image quality and focus speed. Believe it nor not the sigma 150-600 does beat the canon with extenders when it comes to image quality and focus speed. In this regards The sigma lens does beat the canon combo. So my set up is as follows. Canon R6 /EOS R/ 7dII Canon 100-400 II 1.4/2x III Sigma C 150-600mm Canon 800mm RF F11 Canon 70-200 2.8 II 24-105 STM EF Also Have EFS lenses 10-18 55-250 18-55. I used to own the Sigma 500mm F4.5 prime lens but at F4.5 I found it soft at wide open that's why I decided to sell it I have many videos on my channel about that lens if you care to see. One last question how do you make a living I would love to take my photography and video making skills and turn it into a real job and get out of the dead end one I have. Many thanks Paul.
Paul, thanks for sharing your experience, sounds like you have tested the many lens options well. I find most lenses when using good technique will result in acceptable images. The difference in IQ between the top images is often pretty small. The key difference is the speed, AF accuracy, weight, how they dissolve the background and of course the cost. I think anyone purchasing any of the lenses you mentioned should take confidence that they will be able to take nice shots. In regard to making a living from photography it is very difficult. I currently have a day job that pays the bills whilst TH-cam and photography is a passion and supplements my main income. The majority of the money I make from TH-cam goes back into gear, trips etc. I suspect you would need to do Real Estate, Weddings, Pets, Children etc to make a decent living from Photography. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade I must say I found the sigma lens image quality vs the tamron G2 lens was a big difference. The sigma is way better. Despite the likes of toby rec tv and tony northrup saying different. I really think some youtubers are deceiving people. So thats why I do my own testing videos.
Hi Siva, the 100-500 is the superior lens by far, it delivers prime like IQ in a very light package. The 800 does have the advantage of the extra reach but its AF and IQ doesn't match the 100-500. Cheers, Duade
Thank you for very competent video. it seems that having a good light is substantial with such dark lens. I see you have it a lot in Australia :) in Europe it is not to perfect. I don’t think this lens will be usable anywhere different than under bright sky and lot o f sun.
yes, it works best in bright light and if you have low light you will use very high ISO most of the time. I did take many of the photos in this video in the forest or less than ideal light. The Eastern Yellow Robins were taken in very dark conditions which required ISO12800, f11 and 1/320th of a second. Cheers, Duade
I was so happy to see your great video on these lenses, especially the 800mm. It isn't the the fastest or easiest to use but I have found the more I use it the better I get. Just to be able to get some of those shots that you wouldn't ordinarily get, is well worth the price. Do I use it all the time? No but let me tell you it sure comes in handy those times the birds are far away. Sometimes I am the only one in the group that can capture them.
Great! The never ending session...! Obviously Canon did a great job with these bodies and lenses. I (also) use digiscopy so 800/11 or 1600/22 is not really a problem for me (not always). Add the very light weight, the AF, (IS), and a sharp optic and it sounds amazing. It's way possible I quit Nikon DSLR APSC (750mm f8 btw) and go Canon ML FF for action shots (wildlife)...
I was surprised how usable 1600 f22 was and it would be great for birding. I think it might be worth waiting for the R7 as an APSC sensor will give you another 1.6x reach. Cheers, Duade
Nice work again - My RF 800 F11 on my R5 - My raw files at 3200 ISO are so so so noisy (same speed as yours) compared to yours (7:35)... how can you get such amazing raw files with no noise...your are a magician - congrats
Hi Norton, the amount of light heavily impacts the amount of grain one sees in an image. ISO3200 can look very different depending on the light situation. If you have not already I highly suggest downloading a trial of DXO Pure RAW and Topaz Denoise and running your files through there, you will be surprised how effective it is. Cheers, Duade 🛒DXO PureRAW - tidd.ly/3hH0Kta 🛒Topaz Denoise - topazlabs.com/denoise-ai-2/ref/426/
I love my RF800. I got one early after preordering and used it on my EOS R. Using it on an R5 now. I think it is too easy to emphasize unduly the shortcomings of this lens. Yes, it would be nice if . . . 1/ The AF area covered more of the field. 2/ It was more ruggedly built. But, while Canon certainly could accomplish such improvements, at what additional cost? And weight? I have no reservations about the IQ. My biggest gripe . . . . they did the AF limit switch backwards, i.e., you have a choice of full range or 20m to infinity. In my case, and I think in the case of most birders, you will be using this lens inside 20 meters most of the time! I would infinitely prefer the limit switch locked out 20m to infinity! For small birds, using a 35mm extension tube allows me to fill the frame pleasingly. I usually have the tube mounted. You can focus to about 20 meters with a 35mm tube in place. I use the Fotodiox RF 35mm tube. I sold my EF600mm F/4.0L IS some years ago as lugging it about became just too much. The freedom hand holding at 800mm is a dream. When first introduced, there were howls of skepticism and outright derision for these f/11 DO wonders. In the years to come I expect most birders using Canon will own one. The high ISO performance of cameras like the R5 and R6 make shooting at ISO 5000 and even well beyond, entirely reasonable! I do not miss the weight and overall cumbersomeness of my 600/4.
Terry, I agree completely with your comments. I have the R6 with both f11's. I live in Florida on the marsh and river....so I am lucky enough to shoot daily. I admit that capturing fast flying birds with these long fixed lenses is a challenge, but as we all know, you have to keep at it. Last week I filled the frame with a slight crop using the 800mm f11 in perfect early morning light of a regal looking American Eagle on a dock so far away that I could really only see his white head with the naked eye. The 800 image was amazing. I couldn't believe I had this light setup of the R6 and the 800 hand held and along with the fantastic IBIS, I was getting awesome images. Honestly, getting this shot was worth the price of the kit. My advice to anyone that shoots wildlife is buy at least the 600f11 prime and the 800f11 if it fits your style of shooting. I can't stress enough how good the IBIS is to be able to hand hold these monster lenses. ( I have my Nikon D4 with the 600mm fitted on a massive tripod. Feels like it weighs 40 + pounds when you pick it up...and now we have mirrorless and these light long lenses. It is a great time to be shooting wildlife:-)
Very happy to see that comparison of the 3 lenses, thanks for sharing. And CONGRATS to the the pretty nice bird pics you made. I'd be interested how the R6 performs when it comes to flying birds, any comments on that?
Thanks for a great review and for sharing your lovely photos. I also enjoyed Jan's review, and I'm getting close to making the leap. I'd be very curious to know what you thought of the lens on a crop sensor, though I don't think the R7 was available when you shot this. Though the RF 100-500 is my primary lens for birds and wildlife, I'm seriously debating the 800 mm F11 prime for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Yellowstone in the fall. For staying away from the grizzlies :)
Excellent video. Particularly liked the view of RAW files then showing the final image including crop. Thinking about R6 but concerned about cropping with 20mp sensor. I often crop down to about 1200x1600p on my 70D camera [also 20mp but APS-C] getting reasonable results. Do you have a view on the maximum amount of crop you would be happy with on the R6? Thank you.
Marmot, the R6 would be a significant improvement on the 70D sensor whatever the crop. I personally try to avoid cropping too much as I find it introduces noise and you lose details. On the R6 I am trying to avoid anything less then 3500px. Cheers, Duade
Hi Duade, Iknow that the canon RF 800mm f/11 is a pretty good lens for the price but I have a question for you. On the R5 using the 1.6 crop factor would give me a 17mp image with the canon RF 100-500mm. How this image compare to the same subject shot with the RF 800 f/11. With no further cropping in the same situation I believe that the RF 100-500mm would give me a 'better and sharper' image using the crop factor built in the R5 than using the RF 800mm f/11. Am I right ?
"Difficult to get shots with nice backgrounds." Welcome to my world, Duade. Heh. Lots of trees where I live, and you have to make your peace with that if you want to shoot birds.
I bought the 600 mm F11 as an experiment. Never shot birds in thirty five years of photography. I was surprised how well the lens preformed with the R6. It does focus differently from the L lenses. Looking forward to your take on the focus. It’s seemed to me I needed some contrast to snap quickly into focus.
Paul, the AF is noticeably slower and less accurate then the USM L lenses, you can still get shots but be prepared for some slightly out of focus shots. I'm glad to hear you are giving birds and wildlife a go after all this time, it can be very rewarding that is for sure. Cheers, Duade
I've been closely watching all your videos, I use Canon 7dmkii and 400mm prime. I'd like to go mirrorless for less bulk for travel flights. A Sony R6 and new 100-500mm is a lot more expensive than the Sony a9 and Sony 200-600mm, I'm swaying towards Sony but not fully decide you. Love your videos
Hi Colm, that is a great choice to have but very difficult. The 100-500 is an L build lens and is smaller and lighter than the Sony, I really couldn't believe how light it was. However, the Sony is slightly faster and has more reach. I think long term an R7 or APSC would be a great partner to the 100-500 as you would benefit from the extra reach of the crop body. Hopefully you get a chance to try these combos out before purchase. Cheers, Duade
@@colmranger Hi Colm, that is what I will be getting and I will be sure to share my thoughts and results when I do, hopefully I can get hold of the R7 early to test the ISO as that is the only concern I have. Cheers, Duade
I just got back home from the woods looking for animals to photograph. After I got home I thought that I dont want to log that big and heavy 500mm f4 Mk1 anymore. So now I've been thinking of getting the RF800 to see if the f11 is really that bad.
Kimmo, yes, the weight is a problem with those heavy lenses. The 800 is a very light option, I hope to do a proper review of it in the future. Cheers, Duade
Well, Duade, that's it. I shouldn't have watched this video. I'm in trouble now, as I find myself having to pick up both the RF 800mm and the RF 100-500mm lenses to add to my repertoire of necessary lenses. Please don't do any more videos for awhile, as my pocket book cannot stand it. LOL! I do have a question, however. How in the world do you go through 8,000 pictures, looking for those few "Oh, my gosh, would you look at those photos???" Love both you and Jan's videos. Great job.
Mike, my apologies, I like the term "necessary lenses", I might have to try that on my wife next time I justify a lens. Yes, going through 8000 images is a challenge that is for sure. Ultimately many shots are of the same bird just different poses, which makes it a bit easier to select the best one. Cheers, Duade
Excellent video, mate, I love that you show both the raw and processed versions of each image. I have the R5 and RF 100-500 combination and have been practicing with handheld birds in flight. What has your experience been with birds in flight at fast shutter speeds (say 1/2500 sec) with image stabilization turned on versus turned off? My results with image stabilization turned on have been mixed, so I'm thinking maybe I should turn it off whenever I am shooting at very high shutter speeds. Thanks mate!
Robert, 1/2500 should be more than enough, it is probably worth a try with IS off however I don't know how much of a difference it makes at those SS. I have not done enough testing to know if it makes any discernable difference. Good luck. Cheers, Duade
What I miss here is any attempt to capture birds in flight. That is the most challenging discipline. I was hoping to have some ideas on how the STM F11 lenses would cope with birds in flight. 😒
G'day, I'll be honest that it is a struggle with that much focal length and a narrow AF window on the R5/R6, it is better on the R6II but can still be tough. You can still use it for BIF of course but zooms are easier to find the subject. I have a video coming up soon using the new RF200-800 with birds in flight which you may enjoy. Cheers, Duade
wow so many nice birds down under. i realy like your videos so much it reminds me on the days i worked there as a beekeeper. im just starting to do birding, wich camera and lens you suggest me to buy? Do most birders work with canon? thank you in advence
Marc, it really depends on your budget, a good budget kit would be a second hand Canon 7D or 7D2 and Canon 400 5.6, that will get you nice sharp shots at an affordable price. Mirrorless is the future but it is pretty expensive at the moment. Cheers, Duade
Hi Duade. Commenting after a while, that's some crezy experience of birding, particularly on Day 2. Enjoyed a lot! Thanks for sharing the story. Aside that, glad to see the focusing issue with your R6 has been fixed. Would like to know how. Also, though It's kinda like comparing apples to oranges, but can you please reffer how your old trusty 400mm f5.6 might stack up in terms of sharpness with the RF 100-500? I'm getting obsessed with the 400 5.6. Thanks in advanced and looking forward for more great videos.
Arghyadip, glad you enjoyed it. Unfortunately, the AF issue is still there it's just I didn't really encounter a scenario where it happens, that is a small bird on a thin perch that was close. The 100-500 is superior to the 400 5.6 and likely as sharp as my 500 prime, I will be purchasing that lens in the future. Cheers, Duade
It’s interesting seeing many of the same species I see in the states but totally different colors! Have you tried the DO lenses versus the RF zoom? I too only do handheld.
+Duade Paton Thank you for this video. I am currently considering moving to Canon and have been really curious about these lenses. Now I just need to decide between the R6II, R5 or R7. Any thoughts? I am primarily a bird photographer but would also use it for landscape and astrophotography.
Very helpful. I have the R6 and can attest to its amazing capabilities at high ISO. I never shy away from 12.8 and can make 25.6 work if necessary to get the shot. I have a 4.5-5.6 L Mark II with the1.4 and the 2x TC. I think, for me, given what I already have, the only reason to get the 800 f 11 is its small size and light weight for travel. But, perhaps a Mark I version of the 400 2.8 or Mark I version 500mm f4 would make a better investment and the 1.4x TC or the 2x with one of those would be a good combination. Decisions, decisions. What I really want is for Canon to make the R7. That with my existing lenses would provide more reach along with, hopefully, R6 technology.
Michael, yes very hard choices, I would be wary of purchasing the V1 superteles as they are very heavy and the AF does not perform as well as the V2 lenses. I also think they are getting harder to repair also. I guess it all comes down to price and what you can afford. Good luck, Cheers, Duade
Hey Duade, excellent video! Was able to finally pick up the 800 f11 and took it out to a local hotspot for snow geese. Was able to get some decent shots with it. Most were quite far away and turned out similar to your 1600 f22 shots. Have my eye on the 100-500 RF next. Are you keeping these lenses? Hoping to see more videos in the future!
Jeffery, I didn't really have that many opportunities, I will admit that 800mm is a lot of focal length so your FOV is very narrow making it a little difficult to locate birds in the sky. The 800 f/11 also does not get the full AF coverage, so you have to get the bird within the AF box. But once it finds the bird it will track it very well. Cheers, Duade
One of the best bird photography vlogs I've ever seen. What a treat, thank you Duade!
Thank you, you are too kind. Cheers, Duade
The result is magic when you both are together. Such an awesome adventure.
Thanks Danny, it sure was, Cheers, Duade 👍
It's as if I'm living in some sort of crazy alternative universe because I keep hearing you say how light and easy to hand hold the 800 is. And then I look over at the huge 800 f5. 6 sitting on my heavyweight tripod, rub my aching back, arms and shoulders.... and ask myself, WTF??? 😩
Hi Robert, I had the same thoughts. The 5.6 offers a much faster lens and the IQ is great however the weight difference is crazy. Cheers, Duade
Well if you don’t like how heavy the 800mm f5.6 is you can always give it to me 😏
Saw my two favorite TH-cam birding channels working together and couldn’t click fast enough!
Thanks for taking us through your trip definitely felt the positivity and enjoyment you two had! Now I have to go watch his haha
Thanks Tommy, I appreciate the support, it is nice to have Jan nearby that is for sure. Cheers, Duade
Wow, what a great collection of images. I'm enjoying my 800mm as much as you seem to. Getting great shots in almost all lighting conditions. 12800 ISO is the new 800.
Great to hear Kevin, the reach and weight make it a pleasure to walk around with. Yes, it's crazy to think ISO800 was the max on my 40D and now we can shoot at 12800. Cheers, Duade
@@35mm21 Yes, they sure have come a long way in a shirt period of time. Imagine what they will be like in another 15 years. Cheers, Duade 👍
This adventure has made me excited to possibly getting the 800mm. So amazing how good the images are at high iso levels
it is a great lens, the reach is excellent, it is nice and light. You will need a zoom as the 6m MFD can cause difficulties with certain scenarios. Cheers, Duade
amazing shots. I am surpriced about the clarity with sich high ISO numbers with the 600/ 800 mm glasses. very useful test .
thanks and have a very nice weekend
Bernhard
Hi Bernhard, the R6 is very capable at high ISO. I also use Topaz Denoise to remove any excess noise in the background. Cheers, Duade
I just picked up the 800F11 and the 100-500 last week so the timing of this video is very fortuitous . Great video Duade, I'm very much
looking forward to your review and opinions on these lenses.
Congrats Heath, I would love to hear how you find the lenses. Good luck with them. Cheers, Duade
WOW! This was amazing! Didn't think the 800mm f11 was this capable. Lovely shots!
Hi Miguel, it is far from perfect however it can capture decent shots at a very affordable price. Cheers, Duade
I have watched this video like 10 times! You are sooooooooooooooo good looking! Love our smile and accent. Now, on the video, I loved this...A very comprehensive and detailed review of the RF 800....I am trying to decide between this lense and the rf 600 f11...
My wife finally has someone else that agrees with her ;-) I would go with the 800 as that extra reach comes in very handy. However, the MFD of 6m on the 800 is a negative and it is a bigger and heavier lens. If you want the lightest and smallest telephoto lens possible then the 600 will perform very well. Cheers, Duade
Hey, thanks a lot to go through all these RF lenses. As a new R6m2 owner myself, I do love those videos on RF teleobjectives. They are so useful to me and I love watching your photos... Keep it this way 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Great video... A much awaited one too 👍👍
Thanks Manash, yes, it took longer than expected due to my day job getting in the way. Cheers, Duade
Thanks for the all you are doing. I especially liked your recent trip with Jen. I was seriously thinking of getting an RF800 f/11 but hearing about it from your review, it would be too limiting as far as close focus range goes. I have an R5 paired with a 100-500 and am very happy with the setup. I often use the 1.6 crop which put me at 800mm when I need it.
Also, thanks for the info about Topaz. I downloaded it and you save me a few
$$$.
Loren, thanks for the feedback I appreciate it. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the 100-500. I believe the 1.4 extender works well on the 100-500 also so maybe another option. Cheers, Duade
I really enjoy seeing your videos. I live in the US on the esst coast and seeing your environments is really cool. We don't have those types of birds so it's nice to see something different. Please keep doing these. I'm also a fan of your birding buddy.
Thank you, we do have plenty of awesome birds. Cheers, Duade
Cracking video Duade, the 800 mm is a cracking lens when you consider the cost, size and weight of it... the best thing is that you can shoot hand held at silly shutter speeds with it ! Sure it's got limitations but once you get used to them it's a wonderful piece of kit when paired with a R5 or R6.
Photographer friends of mine who have seen this lens in action have been blown away, how user friendly it is compared to heavy EF primes. It isn't too shabby when capturing BIF shots and my keeper rate has gone up when compared to using my 1DXs and older EF lenses.
Ron that is great to hear, I have to admit being able to walk around handheld really was a nice experience and made it a lot of fun. Dealing with the weight of the prime can be a drag at times. Cheers, Duade
Wow! The best video yet. What a fantastic tour. I was wondering where you had gone. 8000 photographs! How do you manage all those files? ( It would make a good rainy day video I'm sure) I love that drone shot of the tall trees and huge ferns! At first I thought it was a footpath. The scale is unreal. Beautiful little Robins. Thanks.
Thanks Nigel, I am glad you enjoyed it, yes it took a lot longer than I thought and yes 8000 photos is a lot. I use Lightroom to catalog all my shots and I only keep around 10-15% of the photos which makes it a little more manageable. Yes, that forest was incredible. Cheers, Duade
The 800 f11 looks like it is a good lens for carrying around. I agree about the focus being better performance with the 100-500 which is what I ended up getting.
Hi Taylor, yes, the 100-500 is the superior lens however the 800 is a fun lens to use. Cheers, Duade
Wow! Your honest right from the start, great video :) I just like your before and after approach!
Thanks Steve, best way to be, Cheers, Duade
The 800mm f11 lens is sensational. I have been using it for birds for some time now and I am always amazed at the quality I get with the R6 and this lens.
Rick, that is great to hear, it is pretty incredible to get 800mm in such a light package. Cheers, Duade
I owned the 800 F11 and now own the 100-500 and came to similar conclusions.
Pretty mind blowing the quality the 800 can put out with the R5 compared to the Tamron 150-600 on the D500 I used to use on my old system.
Also, 800 is sharper when at a significant distance of the subject.
The 800 is a bit limiting though, I like the variety and close focus of the 100-500 better.
I felt like I needed higher shutter speeds with the 800 due to the subjects being larger in the frame which caused ISOs to creep higher but images still look great at high ISOs on my R5.
Thanks Matt, I appreciate you sharing your experience it is very interesting to hear its comparison to the 150-600. The R5 sure is an impressive camera. Cheers, Duade
Thanks! Just bought a R5, THANKS EVERYTHING
Congrats Jeff, a wonderful camera, have fun, Cheers, Duade 👍
You got some great images, Duade - love the final robin and the male cockatoo on return visit and the female that followed, in particular
Thanks Craig, we had a great few days with these birds that is for sure. Cheers, Duade
Great images, real world usage and helpful, honest commentary. Really appreciate how you not only showed the raw file but you showed how much it was cropped as well!
Jay, thanks for the feedback, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Duade
Was kind of hoping you were going to say these were brutal in low light and not worth the effort 🙄
now I am leaning toward getting the 800mm even if for the brighter days. Great video and was eagerly waiting for this.
Donal, yes, I was surprised, it won't replace my prime but I could see me reaching for it if I was exploring new areas or walking long distances as the weight is incredible. Cheers, Duade
I recently purchased the Canon 800mm F11 lens. I use it on the Canon R6 to shoot Northern Cardinals and Sparrows that come to my bird feeder. I was beginning to think I wasted money with this lens purchase until I watched this video. Thank you for giving me new hope. I plan on going out tomorrow and with hopes of capturing some headshots. Thank you for sharing your work
Thanks Larry, it is a very unique lens and does need nice light to work to its best. Good luck, Cheers, Duade
Absolutely marvellous all the photos are fantastic I would be so stoked to have to anyone of them what a fantastic three days you had so many beautiful birds got my eye on the hundred to 500 I’m 60 this year so I think I deserve a treat. Thank you so much for sharing I have subscribed so I don’t miss anymore excellent
G'day Andy, I highly recommend the 100-500, a beautiful lens. Cheers, Duade 👍
Another great video! Every photography session always starts off average for me and mainly get those best shots on the 2nd lap or if I hang around that bit longer when I think the sun has set too much. Don't know why but its always worth sticking around for every last second.
Hi Kurtis, yes, it often happens that way, often I have to talk myself into staying but it often pays off. Cheers, Duade
Thanks for pointing my to this video Duade. Your findings are the same as mine. I regard the 800 as my good light lens, both weight and daylight. Great video and again I wish you well.
Thanks Dave, glad you enjoyed it, I had a lot of fun trying it out. Cheers, Duade
Спасибо! Как всегда великолепные фотографии и полезная информация!
Now that I know the 800 f11 works beautifully, very eager to rent out an 800 with the R5. Will keep posted.
Good luck, I hope you have fun with it. Cheers, Duade
Fantastic video, Duade. Love the channel. Drowned my old 60D + 100-400mm zoom in a river tying to capture an African Finfoot and have been without anything for 6 months. But just sprang for the R6 and RF800mm (EF primes are just way out of reach financially). Definitely a new shooting experience that's taking me a while to master. I'm a mobile birder (lots of walking and hiking) so the lighter weight and image quality with hand-held is a big plus. What I'm noticing is that knowing a good photo processing programme is more important than ever.
Ian, congrats on the R6 and 800 combo, a great light kit that gives you plenty of focal length. Good luck with your photography, Cheers, Duade
I also have RF 600mm F11.With R6 its very lightweight combo.It was amazing how good picture quality a 750 € lens produces.Its about on par with EF 100-400mm ll+TC 1,4lll with adapter.Contrast is also acceptable.Many times I carry binoculars and food for birds so is important to have light gear.
, that is great to hear, it is amazing just how light that lens is, I couldn't believe it. I'm glad it is working well for you. Cheers, Duade
I laughed when Canon announced the 600,800 F11’s but they seem to be a good light weight affordable option for wildlife and will probably attract new buyers to the RF mount system.
I’m in love with my 100-500. It won’t replace my EF600/4 especially in low light but for a lot of shooting it’s optically equal.
You have some beautiful birds down there, I’m hoping to be able to get there in 2022.
G'day, I totally agree, I think the 100-500 and 600 f4 is the ultimate kit. Cheers, Duade 👍
Great Video mate! Enjoyed to relive the moments. Better bring some runners next time 😂
Thanks mate, I might need a few pairs of runners :-)
😳 going to get a 2x for my 100-400 ... thanks Duade. Amazing 3 days I imagine.
Hi Rui, the 2x will work on the 100-400 however the IQ and AF will take a fair hit and you will need plenty of light. I use my 1.4 on the 400 5.6 more often then the 2x. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade yes. I have the 1.4x
Great video. The R6 + RF 100-500 + RF 11/800 is also my individual combination as a very good compromise. I totally agree with you regarding the judgement of cam + lenses. Thank you for being on TH-cam with all at all impressive presentations.
Many greetings
Robert, Bad Homburg (Germany)
Thanks Robert, great to hear you are enjoying your combo, a lens for every situation hopefully. Cheers, Duade
12 hours sheshh Jan gave you a workout hahah. Awesome shots, love my 100-500 used my friends 600 f/4, but not needing a tripod is great (yeah yeah I know, I'm getting older).
Yes, the weight and flexibility is fantastic and hard to beat. Cheers, Duade
Jan seems like the perfect birder friend
Another great video! It seems that lens has way more positive points than negative ones. Can't wait for you full review. Which throw-over blind do you use? Lastly, give us a shout if you ever plan to visit the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. We might be able to show you a few birds. Thanks for a great channel!
Thanks Jorrie, it is the naturecapes throw blind, expensive for what it is but works very well. One day I hope to get to Africa. Cheers, Duade
What a fantastic video. I loved how you took us to the photoshoot, and how passionately you talked about both birds and the lenses. I have 100-400, which is often a bit short for birding. I enjoyed your honest comments when shots did not turn out well, and also seeing the RAW and processed files. Great video.
Petr, thanks for the feedback, I am glad you enjoyed it, Cheers, Duade
The video I waited for so much! Guys put your thumbs up after watching more than half of video it helps with TH-cam algorithm (when you put thumbs up at the beginning it could count as a bot like).
Thanks Ian, I appreciate the feedback. Cheers, Duade
Wow really (about thumbs up after the halfway mark)? I hit that like button as soon as I saw the pic of the baby bird being fed
Lovely photos of the exotic birds. I was a bit disappointed there were no bird in flight photos.
HI Phryxe, thanks, I did attempt BIF but found the AF of the f11 lenses struggled to obtain sharp shots and with the smaller AF coverage I don't think the f11 lenses are well suited to BIF. It is possible but can be a challenge. The 100-500 would be a much better option however I didn't really get a chance to use it for BIF. Cheers, Duade
Such a great demo of what the lenses are capable of! Thanks Duade.
Great video!
Suggestion, compare the R6 800mm f/11 shooting
1. Animal detection
2. Eye detection
3. Single AF
Compare the R6 100-500mm against
R6 RF adapter 100-400mm II F5.6 with 1.4x III adapter at 560mm
One tip, if light permits try using R6 800mm f/11 try EV -.3 and -.65 and notice impact on lower ISO.
Bought the RF 1.4x extender for the 800mm for longer reach. Will test out this winter when flocks of Bald Eagles visit the only opened ice covered lake in the area. R6 800 f11 with animal detection worked great for far off Bald Eagles in flight.
G'day Joseph, unfortunately I do not have these lenses to test anymore. Jan did a comparison with the 100-400 and 100-500 here th-cam.com/video/dyHodbYrP4k/w-d-xo.html
When you underexpose you are increasing noise when increasing exposure in post. If you use ISO800 and underexpose by 2/3rds the noise when exposure is corrected will be like ISO1250.
The extenders worked surprisingly well in good light, I used the 2x on the 800 and was surprised by the results. Cheers, Duade
Fantastic collection of images, great easy to listen to commentary and well explained. Tank you
Colin, my pleasure, Cheers, Duade
Great video. Nice shots. The bird eating shot was so funny
Thanks River, I am glad you enjoyed it, Cheers, Duade
Really happy for you that these lenses/body are working out for you. There are two issues in my mind : a) is your keeper rate better or worst with the 800 f/11and b) how do they cope with BIF as all shots here were static (esp. how AF speed n accuracy compares with your 500+1.4x for moving subjects) I appreciate that the f/11s due to the low weight allow you to take photos that you have otherwise missed with a heavier set up and that you can be in the field walking etc much longer- this is the main advantage for me. But still would like your take on the above two issues. Tnx in advance and carry on the good work.
Hi Dimitris, the f11 lenses do not compare to the 100-500 or the 500 f4+1.4 in terms of IQ, AF speed and accuracy. I had noticeably more keepers with the 100-500. The f11 lenses just struggled at times and I got a number of slightly soft shots. I did try BIF but failed to get anything decent to be honest. I would not suggest these lenses if you did a lot of BIF. The 100-500 will perform a lot better that is for sure. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade Tnx greatly appreciate the honest reply and your experience.
@@Duade would that be because the field of view is narrower as well? Just how wide is it compared to shooting a Canon 800 f/4?
@@fgb3126 Hi Breck, the field of view is narrower for sure which can make BIF difficult, the smaller autofocus coverage box is a disadvantage and the lens just isnt as reliable as the USM focusing motor on the L series lenses. Cheers, Duade
@@fgb3126 there is no 800 f/4 the fastest 800 is f/5.6
Very good photos. Love the details coming out of the lenses.
Thanks Thomas, I was surprised myself. Cheers, Duade 👍
@@Duade i have currently Sigma 150-600mm C but it often is soft at longer range and cant keep the speed. Just trying know different ways of improving it and even wrote on Jan channel. Of course you see this on the 1:1 review. If You zoom out, denoise it with topaz its not so bad but still would like to have more keeper.
@@thomasbednarowski1651 Hi Thomas, from my experience you need to shoot the 600mm zooms at f9-11 to really get the sharpest images. Shooting at 6.3 will often be slightly soft. Give that a go and see how your images look. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade tried also with this aperture and see that the images could be better. Maybe I reached the max with this lens.
@@thomasbednarowski1651 Hi Thomas, sometimes it has to do with how close we are to the subject, some lenses just don't crop very well and the photos almost need to be full frame to get the most detail. My suggestion would be to photograph a tame bird full frame in nice morning light at f11, that will in theory give you the maximum quality you can expect from the lens. If you are using a DSLR the lens adjustment could be an issue however if you have mirrorless this is a non issue. Good luck, cheers, Duade
Great video. Still contemplating selling my 600f4 is I for the 100-500. Yours and Jan's pics are a good selling point.
The 100-500 is a beautiful lens but I think it is a great second lens to a prime, you just can't beat the prime for setups or when the light is poor. I find the 500 just a touch short on the FF and whilst an extender makes it 700mm you need good light, and it just doesn't dissolve the background like a prime. I think an R7 with the 100-500 will be a great option. Good luck, Cheers, Duade
GOOOOD to see this video, happy to know you were using the 100-500 for a bit. Eager to see your full review on that beast and what you like / dont like... I'm inches away from buying it. Can't believe the 800 X2 action...wowsa
Matt, the 100-500 is as sharp as a prime and has the flexibility of the zoom. 500mm is a little short at times however I think when paired with say an R7 it will be the combo I would use the majority of the time. Cheers, Duade
Rewatching this in light of the new 200-800 lens coming out. Looks like it should be a really good birding lens, basically a hybrid of these 3 lenses.
Very good presentation of the lenses and fantastic pictures. Thanks :)
Heiðar, my pleasure, Cheers, Duade
Another fabulous video Duade, they will be a very popular lens for sure
Thanks Mick, yes, they will be very popular I'm sure. Cheers, Duade 👍
I use the 800 ref in the U.K. And it is ideal for the small shy birds here. I can very quickly apply a 1.6 crop on the R5 without losing detail so not sure I would get a 2x tele.
Great to hear Nick, yes with the R5 you would be able to get the bird big in the frame without having to get too close. Cheers, Duade
What a splendid few days you both had with such a wonderful variety of colourful birds. I'm feeling rather envious of you both. The birds in Australia seem to be more tolerant of humans, than here in the UK. As for picking my favourite shot from this video ??? Not possible.
I'm waiting with baited breath to see what the new Canon body will be. Apparently it's likely to be announced before the Olympics. Curious what it will do to the R5 & R6 prices?
G'day Roger, yes, we have a number of tolerant birds in the populated areas. Yes, I look forward to see what is coming from Canon. Cheers, Duade 👍
Love this! I have the 100-500 but my wife wants something lighter to carry around . I just ordered the 800 f11 really exited to test it.
Jose, congrats, I hope she enjoys the lens, it gives you plenty of reach in a light package. Cheers, Duade
More great shots Duade
Thanks mate, it was a fun few sessions, Cheers, Duade
Living the dream 👌
Thanks Jerrin, it sure was fun. Cheers, Duade 👍
Amazing video. For me the big question with teleconverters is are the pictures better than they would be if you just cropped the no converter image.
Hi Nordburg, a great question and well worth a video I think. My initial thoughts are when you crop you often introduce more noise and the image size will reduce. With a converter you are in theory extending your focal length which will mean your image will be closer to full frame. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade yes but with the higher megapixel sensor of the R5...
@@Duade I own 2 teleconverters, 3 if you count the one in my 200-400 f4. I'm just not sure the photos are better. Some of the benefit seems physiological. Wow my 400mm is now an 800! The bird/soccer player/ sunset is much bigger in the viewfinder.
But shoot it without the converter you have 4X the light, you crop, upsize and I think end up with a photo that is as good or slightly better than with the converter.
It would make a great video!
@@Duade Please address this question if you make any more detailed videos about the 800mm f11 :)
@@Alseki7 G'day, I think between my video and Jans video we covered a lot of the common questions. th-cam.com/video/0opsVl9C35g/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=JanWegener If you have a specific question I am happy to answer it. Cheers, Duade
Thanks Duade
Hi Deepak, my pleasure, Cheers, Duade
Great video Duade. I do the majority of my photography in forests so the 600 and 800 f11s might be a bit slow for me. However the lightness for handholding is definitely a plus. The pair of gang gangs is my favourite from this sequence but I always have a soft spot for Easter yellow robins. For me if I move to mirrorless, I suspect the 100-500 would be a better option. Look forward to more detail about that one.
Lachlan, the f11 lenses are fun unique lenses but if you wanted the best IQ and AF you would go with an L series lens such as the 100-500. I am looking forward to seeing how the R7 and 100-500 work together, I suspect that will be one awesome combo. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade the close MFD on the 100-500 would also be great for the butterflies etc I do too. Appreciate the reply. Lachlan.
Beautiful shots ... 1600mm f22 is insane. This kind of combination to reach that far would be very expensive with 5D4 and prime lens. Great to know Canon introduced the low cost, light weight, RF 800mm prime lens that is affordable for people like me. R5 definitely open new area of photography possibility. Thanks for your video off new Canon lens introduction.
Scott, it is my pleasure, and yes, it is crazy what is possible. Cheers, Duade
Another great video man! Great pics and R6 with 800mm is exactly the combination I'm looking at picking up this year. Something that I really like is when you mention information about how you set up the perch in prime locations, bringing the meal worms and playing bird calls to attract local species. A video focused on these techniques would be awesome and maybe you have already done this and I've just not managed to find it yet.
and thanks for the comment, good luck with the kit when you get it. Yes, that would make a good video, it does vary from species to species and location. It can be very difficult most of the time. Cheers, Duade
Great photos as always.
Thanks Richard. Cheers, Duade 👍
Another great review, Duade. Thanks! Loving my R6 and look forward to getting my hands on the RF 800 in the coming weeks. (and then summer to hit the Pacific North West so we can get some light :))
Trav, excellent, I envy you and the ducks you get up that way, should be perfect for them. Cheers, Duade
Such a nice video, i love all those bird, specially the gang-gangs. Here in Europe those are very rare, only very few Zoos have them. Well, even the galah istn't easy to find here, but of course they will be happier where they are :)
Thank you, they are not that common in the wild here either, the Galah is literally everywhere but the Gang-gang is usually in the mountains and harder to find. Cheers, Duade
now come my decision, ahahaha I am ready for r6 + rf 100-500 :-) ... dun even know how to start using manual on camera yet hahahah Thank you for always come up with all these info :-)
Good luck with the new kit. Cheers, Duade 👍
Thanks for that info. I am trying to get a pair of Beach Stone Curlews which are at a beach close by- they are quite large and fitting them both into the centre frame of the 800mm is quite difficult and usually they are not on the same focal plane, so I will try your idea of moving the focus points . I’ll also try with the 100-500 and see how that goes- they are quite skittish so can’t get too close. Thanks again 😊cheers Lyn
Hi Lyn, what a great bird to be photographing, you will find the 100-500 will much more likely allow both birds to be sharp as they will be smaller in the frame. Good luck with them. Cheers, Duade
I thought I would respond to this well made video I just upgraded to the EOS R and R6 the R5 is just a bit to expensive for my budget. I have also re-bought the sigma contemporary 150-600. I have tested the sigma sport and C and the tamron G1 and G2 150-600 lenses. The tamron to my testing is a softer lens to the Sigma lenses despite what big youtubers have said. I feel some youtubers lie just to get the views. I also own the canon 100-400 II I still think the 100-500 RF lens is over priced especially when you consider you can buy a used big prime for the same money.
I recently made a video called (EF 100-400 II with 2X extender VS Canon RF 800mm F11 Image quality) on my channel and I bought the RF 800mm F11 lens comparing the 100-400 II with 2x III I find they are almost identical in image quality and focus speed. Believe it nor not the sigma 150-600 does beat the canon with extenders when it comes to image quality and focus speed. In this regards The sigma lens does beat the canon combo. So my set up is as follows.
Canon R6 /EOS R/ 7dII
Canon 100-400 II 1.4/2x III
Sigma C 150-600mm
Canon 800mm RF F11
Canon 70-200 2.8 II
24-105 STM EF
Also Have EFS lenses 10-18 55-250 18-55.
I used to own the Sigma 500mm F4.5 prime lens but at F4.5 I found it soft at wide open that's why I decided to sell it I have many videos on my channel about that lens if you care to see.
One last question how do you make a living I would love to take my photography and video making skills and turn it into a real job and get out of the dead end one I have.
Many thanks Paul.
Paul, thanks for sharing your experience, sounds like you have tested the many lens options well. I find most lenses when using good technique will result in acceptable images. The difference in IQ between the top images is often pretty small. The key difference is the speed, AF accuracy, weight, how they dissolve the background and of course the cost. I think anyone purchasing any of the lenses you mentioned should take confidence that they will be able to take nice shots.
In regard to making a living from photography it is very difficult. I currently have a day job that pays the bills whilst TH-cam and photography is a passion and supplements my main income. The majority of the money I make from TH-cam goes back into gear, trips etc. I suspect you would need to do Real Estate, Weddings, Pets, Children etc to make a decent living from Photography.
Cheers, Duade
@@Duade I must say I found the sigma lens image quality vs the tamron G2 lens was a big difference. The sigma is way better. Despite the likes of toby rec tv and tony northrup saying different. I really think some youtubers are deceiving people. So thats why I do my own testing videos.
Excellent photos and this is the video I’m looking for (comparing the f/11 lens with the 100-500)
Hi Siva, the 100-500 is the superior lens by far, it delivers prime like IQ in a very light package. The 800 does have the advantage of the extra reach but its AF and IQ doesn't match the 100-500. Cheers, Duade
Thank you for very competent video. it seems that having a good light is substantial with such dark lens. I see you have it a lot in Australia :) in Europe it is not to perfect. I don’t think this lens will be usable anywhere different than under bright sky and lot o f sun.
yes, it works best in bright light and if you have low light you will use very high ISO most of the time. I did take many of the photos in this video in the forest or less than ideal light. The Eastern Yellow Robins were taken in very dark conditions which required ISO12800, f11 and 1/320th of a second. Cheers, Duade
love your videos :) stay save
Thanks Marc, I appreciate it, Cheers, Duade
I was so happy to see your great video on these lenses, especially the 800mm. It isn't the the fastest or easiest to use but I have found the more I use it the better I get. Just to be able to get some of those shots that you wouldn't ordinarily get, is well worth the price. Do I use it all the time? No but let me tell you it sure comes in handy those times the birds are far away. Sometimes I am the only one in the group that can capture them.
Chris, your comment is excellent and it sounds like how you use the lens is exactly what Canon had in mind. Thank you, Cheers, Duade
Great! The never ending session...!
Obviously Canon did a great job with these bodies and lenses. I (also) use digiscopy so 800/11 or 1600/22 is not really a problem for me (not always). Add the very light weight, the AF, (IS), and a sharp optic and it sounds amazing.
It's way possible I quit Nikon DSLR APSC (750mm f8 btw) and go Canon ML FF for action shots (wildlife)...
I was surprised how usable 1600 f22 was and it would be great for birding. I think it might be worth waiting for the R7 as an APSC sensor will give you another 1.6x reach. Cheers, Duade
Nice work again -
My RF 800 F11 on my R5 - My raw files at 3200 ISO are so so so noisy (same speed as yours) compared to yours (7:35)... how can you get such amazing raw files with no noise...your are a magician - congrats
Hi Norton, the amount of light heavily impacts the amount of grain one sees in an image. ISO3200 can look very different depending on the light situation. If you have not already I highly suggest downloading a trial of DXO Pure RAW and Topaz Denoise and running your files through there, you will be surprised how effective it is. Cheers, Duade
🛒DXO PureRAW - tidd.ly/3hH0Kta
🛒Topaz Denoise - topazlabs.com/denoise-ai-2/ref/426/
I love my RF800. I got one early after preordering and used it on my EOS R. Using it on an R5 now.
I think it is too easy to emphasize unduly the shortcomings of this lens.
Yes, it would be nice if . . .
1/ The AF area covered more of the field.
2/ It was more ruggedly built.
But, while Canon certainly could accomplish such improvements, at what additional cost? And weight?
I have no reservations about the IQ.
My biggest gripe . . . . they did the AF limit switch backwards, i.e., you have a choice of full range or 20m to infinity. In my case, and I think in the case of most birders, you will be using this lens inside 20 meters most of the time! I would infinitely prefer the limit switch locked out 20m to infinity!
For small birds, using a 35mm extension tube allows me to fill the frame pleasingly. I usually have the tube mounted. You can focus to about 20 meters with a 35mm tube in place. I use the Fotodiox RF 35mm tube.
I sold my EF600mm F/4.0L IS some years ago as lugging it about became just too much. The freedom hand holding at 800mm is a dream.
When first introduced, there were howls of skepticism and outright derision for these f/11 DO wonders. In the years to come I expect most birders using Canon will own one. The high ISO performance of cameras like the R5 and R6 make shooting at ISO 5000 and even well beyond, entirely reasonable!
I do not miss the weight and overall cumbersomeness of my 600/4.
Terry, I agree completely with your comments. I have the R6 with both f11's. I live in Florida on the marsh and river....so I am lucky enough to shoot daily. I admit that capturing fast flying birds with these long fixed lenses is a challenge, but as we all know, you have to keep at it. Last week I filled the frame with a slight crop using the 800mm f11 in perfect early morning light of a regal looking American Eagle on a dock so far away that I could really only see his white head with the naked eye. The 800 image was amazing. I couldn't believe I had this light setup of the R6 and the 800 hand held and along with the fantastic IBIS, I was getting awesome images. Honestly, getting this shot was worth the price of the kit. My advice to anyone that shoots wildlife is buy at least the 600f11 prime and the 800f11 if it fits your style of shooting. I can't stress enough how good the IBIS is to be able to hand hold these monster lenses. ( I have my Nikon D4 with the 600mm fitted on a massive tripod. Feels like it weighs 40 + pounds when you pick it up...and now we have mirrorless and these light long lenses. It is a great time to be shooting wildlife:-)
Thanks for your detailed reply sharing your thoughts. The MFD is probably my biggest gripe with the 800. Cheers, Duade 👍
Thanks Ralph, great to hear you are enjoying these lenses. Cheers, Duade 👍
Very happy to see that comparison of the 3 lenses, thanks for sharing. And CONGRATS to the the pretty nice bird pics you made.
I'd be interested how the R6 performs when it comes to flying birds, any comments on that?
Jana, the AF of the R6 is very good for BIF, once the camera can see the bird the tracking does a good job sticking to the subject. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade thanks Duade. I'll give it a try 😀
Thanks for a great review and for sharing your lovely photos. I also enjoyed Jan's review, and I'm getting close to making the leap. I'd be very curious to know what you thought of the lens on a crop sensor, though I don't think the R7 was available when you shot this. Though the RF 100-500 is my primary lens for birds and wildlife, I'm seriously debating the 800 mm F11 prime for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Yellowstone in the fall. For staying away from the grizzlies :)
Thank you, Duade!
Fernanda, my pleasure, Cheers, Duade
Excellent video. Particularly liked the view of RAW files then showing the final image including crop. Thinking about R6 but concerned about cropping with 20mp sensor. I often crop down to about 1200x1600p on my 70D camera [also 20mp but APS-C] getting reasonable results. Do you have a view on the maximum amount of crop you would be happy with on the R6? Thank you.
Marmot, the R6 would be a significant improvement on the 70D sensor whatever the crop. I personally try to avoid cropping too much as I find it introduces noise and you lose details. On the R6 I am trying to avoid anything less then 3500px. Cheers, Duade
Hi Duade, Iknow that the canon RF 800mm f/11 is a pretty good lens for the price but I have a question for you. On the R5 using the 1.6 crop factor would give me a 17mp image with the canon RF 100-500mm. How this image compare to the same subject shot with the RF 800 f/11. With no further cropping in the same situation I believe that the RF 100-500mm would give me a 'better and sharper' image using the crop factor built in the R5 than using the RF 800mm f/11. Am I right ?
"Difficult to get shots with nice backgrounds." Welcome to my world, Duade. Heh. Lots of trees where I live, and you have to make your peace with that if you want to shoot birds.
Hi Theo, yes, it can be a challenge in heavily forested areas that is for sure. Cheers, Duade
I bought the 600 mm F11 as an experiment. Never shot birds in thirty five years of photography. I was surprised how well the lens preformed with the R6. It does focus differently from the L lenses. Looking forward to your take on the focus. It’s seemed to me I needed some contrast to snap quickly into focus.
Paul, the AF is noticeably slower and less accurate then the USM L lenses, you can still get shots but be prepared for some slightly out of focus shots. I'm glad to hear you are giving birds and wildlife a go after all this time, it can be very rewarding that is for sure. Cheers, Duade
I've been closely watching all your videos, I use Canon 7dmkii and 400mm prime. I'd like to go mirrorless for less bulk for travel flights. A Sony R6 and new 100-500mm is a lot more expensive than the Sony a9 and Sony 200-600mm, I'm swaying towards Sony but not fully decide you. Love your videos
Hi Colm, that is a great choice to have but very difficult. The 100-500 is an L build lens and is smaller and lighter than the Sony, I really couldn't believe how light it was. However, the Sony is slightly faster and has more reach. I think long term an R7 or APSC would be a great partner to the 100-500 as you would benefit from the extra reach of the crop body. Hopefully you get a chance to try these combos out before purchase. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade thanks for your reply, I think I'll stick with Canon and hold off for R7 and the 100-500 :)
@@colmranger Hi Colm, that is what I will be getting and I will be sure to share my thoughts and results when I do, hopefully I can get hold of the R7 early to test the ISO as that is the only concern I have. Cheers, Duade
Great photos! 😃
Glad you like them, Cheers, Duade
I just got back home from the woods looking for animals to photograph. After I got home I thought that I dont want to log that big and heavy 500mm f4 Mk1 anymore. So now I've been thinking of getting the RF800 to see if the f11 is really that bad.
Kimmo, yes, the weight is a problem with those heavy lenses. The 800 is a very light option, I hope to do a proper review of it in the future. Cheers, Duade
Well, Duade, that's it. I shouldn't have watched this video. I'm in trouble now, as I find myself having to pick up both the RF 800mm and the RF 100-500mm lenses to add to my repertoire of necessary lenses. Please don't do any more videos for awhile, as my pocket book cannot stand it. LOL! I do have a question, however. How in the world do you go through 8,000 pictures, looking for those few "Oh, my gosh, would you look at those photos???" Love both you and Jan's videos. Great job.
Mike, my apologies, I like the term "necessary lenses", I might have to try that on my wife next time I justify a lens. Yes, going through 8000 images is a challenge that is for sure. Ultimately many shots are of the same bird just different poses, which makes it a bit easier to select the best one. Cheers, Duade
Excellent video, mate, I love that you show both the raw and processed versions of each image. I have the R5 and RF 100-500 combination and have been practicing with handheld birds in flight. What has your experience been with birds in flight at fast shutter speeds (say 1/2500 sec) with image stabilization turned on versus turned off? My results with image stabilization turned on have been mixed, so I'm thinking maybe I should turn it off whenever I am shooting at very high shutter speeds. Thanks mate!
Robert, 1/2500 should be more than enough, it is probably worth a try with IS off however I don't know how much of a difference it makes at those SS. I have not done enough testing to know if it makes any discernable difference. Good luck. Cheers, Duade
Great Job!!!
Thanks Jose. Cheers, Duade
What I miss here is any attempt to capture birds in flight. That is the most challenging discipline. I was hoping to have some ideas on how the STM F11 lenses would cope with birds in flight. 😒
G'day, I'll be honest that it is a struggle with that much focal length and a narrow AF window on the R5/R6, it is better on the R6II but can still be tough. You can still use it for BIF of course but zooms are easier to find the subject. I have a video coming up soon using the new RF200-800 with birds in flight which you may enjoy. Cheers, Duade
wow so many nice birds down under. i realy like your videos so much it reminds me on the days i worked there as a beekeeper.
im just starting to do birding, wich camera and lens you suggest me to buy? Do most birders work with canon?
thank you in advence
Marc, it really depends on your budget, a good budget kit would be a second hand Canon 7D or 7D2 and Canon 400 5.6, that will get you nice sharp shots at an affordable price. Mirrorless is the future but it is pretty expensive at the moment. Cheers, Duade
Hi Duade. Commenting after a while, that's some crezy experience of birding, particularly on Day 2. Enjoyed a lot! Thanks for sharing the story.
Aside that, glad to see the focusing issue with your R6 has been fixed. Would like to know how. Also, though It's kinda like comparing apples to oranges, but can you please reffer how your old trusty 400mm f5.6 might stack up in terms of sharpness with the RF 100-500? I'm getting obsessed with the 400 5.6. Thanks in advanced and looking forward for more great videos.
Arghyadip, glad you enjoyed it. Unfortunately, the AF issue is still there it's just I didn't really encounter a scenario where it happens, that is a small bird on a thin perch that was close. The 100-500 is superior to the 400 5.6 and likely as sharp as my 500 prime, I will be purchasing that lens in the future. Cheers, Duade
It’s interesting seeing many of the same species I see in the states but totally different colors! Have you tried the DO lenses versus the RF zoom? I too only do handheld.
G'day Eddy, the 100-500 is an L quality lens and it shows, it is very sharp, and the quality is outstanding. Cheers, Duade 👍
Great video! Love the head shots of the gang gangs! Whereabouts were you for those birds?
Lee-Anne, I was in a park in north east Melbourne. Check Ebird for updated sightings, Cheers, Duade
+Duade Paton Thank you for this video. I am currently considering moving to Canon and have been really curious about these lenses. Now I just need to decide between the R6II, R5 or R7. Any thoughts? I am primarily a bird photographer but would also use it for landscape and astrophotography.
Very helpful. I have the R6 and can attest to its amazing capabilities at high ISO. I never shy away from 12.8 and can make 25.6 work if necessary to get the shot. I have a 4.5-5.6 L Mark II with the1.4 and the 2x TC. I think, for me, given what I already have, the only reason to get the 800 f 11 is its small size and light weight for travel. But, perhaps a Mark I version of the 400 2.8 or Mark I version 500mm f4 would make a better investment and the 1.4x TC or the 2x with one of those would be a good combination. Decisions, decisions. What I really want is for Canon to make the R7. That with my existing lenses would provide more reach along with, hopefully, R6 technology.
Michael, yes very hard choices, I would be wary of purchasing the V1 superteles as they are very heavy and the AF does not perform as well as the V2 lenses. I also think they are getting harder to repair also. I guess it all comes down to price and what you can afford. Good luck, Cheers, Duade
Hey Duade, excellent video! Was able to finally pick up the 800 f11 and took it out to a local hotspot for snow geese. Was able to get some decent shots with it. Most were quite far away and turned out similar to your 1600 f22 shots. Have my eye on the 100-500 RF next. Are you keeping these lenses? Hoping to see more videos in the future!
Thanks Ed, great to hear, I will likely pick up the 100-500 when I have the funds available. Cheers, Duade 👍
Awesome images. 800 mm would be nice to use.
Thanks Jan, it is a unique lens that is for sure. Cheers, Duade 👍
Daude, I am a Nikon user, so these Canon lens don’t help me. But really enjoy all your images and your channel.
Thanks Cesar, I am glad you enjoyed the photos. Cheers, Duade
Great hands on review. Did you try the 800mm on birds in flight -- how was it??
Jeffery, I didn't really have that many opportunities, I will admit that 800mm is a lot of focal length so your FOV is very narrow making it a little difficult to locate birds in the sky. The 800 f/11 also does not get the full AF coverage, so you have to get the bird within the AF box. But once it finds the bird it will track it very well. Cheers, Duade