Canon RF Lenses For Wildlife Photography - 600mm and 800mm f/11 TESTED ON SAFARI
In this video, Sabine field tests the 600mm and 800mm f/11 Canon Rf Lenses For Wildlife Photography. Tested on The Chobe River in Botswana, Sabine will give a full review and verdict on these lenses. Can an f/11 lens really be fast enough in real-world wildlife photography situations?
Download Sabine's RAW files here: bit.ly/3pDy5HM
As a disclaimer, we are not sponsored in any way by Canon nor its affiliates. We appreciate their support in lending us this gear but the opinions we give are our own. At Pangolin we cater for photographers who enjoy using all the major brands and as photo hosts, we know how each works and how to get the best out of your gear.
Read more about the Canon f/11 RF lens review for wildlife photography: www.pangolinphoto.com/gear-re...
Timestamps:
0:50 First thoughts on the f/11 RF lenses
1:36 Set-up for wildlife photography
2:46 Build quality of the 600mm and 800mm
8:02 Functionality of the rf lenses
8:53 Background blur - Bokeh
10:53 AF Capabilities of the RF lenses
13:26 Image stabilization
14:39 Image quality - shooting at high ISOs
16:25 Image quality - sharpness
17:52 Compared to the Sigma 150 to 600mm lens
19:44 Pros and Cons of the f/11 rf lenses
Welcome to our channel which is dedicated to the wonderful world of wildlife photography. We endeavour to load one new video every week featuring beginner to advanced photo skills, editing tutorials, hacks and gear reviews. We are based in Northern Botswana in The Chobe National Park and we invite you to travel here, either virtually or physically, and we will do our very best to make you a better wildlife and nature photographer. Enjoy the channel.
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#wildlifephotography #canonrf #gearreview
Пікірлер: 336
One of the best lens reviews on KZread. A standard setter. No histrionics, just clear narration and fantastic examples. Well done!
@PangolinWildlife
2 жыл бұрын
Wow, that is great to hear! Thank you so much for the feedback ;)
@BrianSFischer
2 жыл бұрын
Agreed!
@MusikPiratCH
Жыл бұрын
You could also watch Jan Wegener's review on those two lenses (even with both teleconverters) ... 😇
Excellent review and take. Thank you, Sabine.
This is lovely and very kind that you spend your time to give loads of information to us, This is meaning of humanity. Thank you very much Love from the UK
Sabine, Your ability to present a professional lecture is noted. Plus, your attention to details with your stills and videos, involving the R5 and R6 with the 600mm f/11 and 800mm f/11, are exceptional. The clear and concise remarks of "pros and cons" of the lenses are appreciated. Best of good health to you and Pangolin.
Thank you Sabine. Very clever use of the tools in Lightroom. Learned a but in this video. Top shelf as always!
Absolutely brilliant opinion ant the detail that you share is incredible. Millions of thanks for putting us virtually behind the lens to give us as clear an insight as we will ever get
Very thorough with excellent production quality.. Thank you!
Might be the very best lens review you can make! Full of information !
Another awesome video Sabine with heaps of valuable info from Professionals who know. We do appreciate your advise as you are able to compare cameras and lenses side by side, which is something we can't do. Thank you once again.
Your videos are fantastic. You really understand photography and what photographers want.
Excellent review of these two lenses, Sabine! Very thorough with lots of examples. Thank you for this video.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Awesome! Glad you liked it Mary ;) -Sabine
Fantastic review. Thank you for putting this together 😊
Your reviews are awesome; thanks for the great work.
Wow - your review hit all the highs and lows of the product exactly like I like. No BS, no hype, just clear, honest opinions. I could listen to you speak all day - your voice is very soothing and easy to listen to as well. A perfect combination in my lowly opinion. I just received my 800mm example of this lens and I live in the pacific northwest' uppermost western corner in the US and its January - that means dull, grey skies and absolutely FLAT light all day most every day.. I'm dying to get out and shoot the lens but until then I'll live vicariously through you and your videos.. Love your safari boats and that dual camera setup looks boss to say the least. Much respect and thanks for this review.
Excellent review. most practical and fair. Thank you
Sabine, you are wonderfully to the point and very clear.. thank you so much for all the effort you put into your feedback.
@PangolinWildlife
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you Rose. It is nice to hear a feedback like this and makes worth all the effort ;)
Excellent video. So concise with so much good information. Thank you so much! Subscribed
This review was excellent, thank you
Terrific review! Thank you very much.
Great review.Thanks.Very useful.
What an informative and we'll produced review this is. Complete with images. This is without doubt best review on net. highlighting pros and cons with examples too. Keep it up.subd
Ohhh i was waiting for your review of these lenses. Thank you.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Great! I hope it helped and gave you an idea ;) -Sabine
I love the efforts you put into your videos, very much appreciated as the result is always great and very informative….
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you and we do appreciate that you take the time to leave a comment too ;) -Sabine
Excellente Présentation.Bravo !
I just purchased the 800mm and Sabine's considerations were very important and interesting. I have been following Pangolin for several years. Thank you so much. I have learned a lot from you. I'm passionate about everything related to the world of photography in general and wildlife in particular. Thanks a lot. 👌🥰
This is a superb video on these two lenses. Hands down the best one I have seen. Thank you for crafting this video.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hey David. Such a great feedback from you. I really appreciate it as it is quite a bit of work put into that ;) - Sabine
Thanks Sabine. Hope to see you at Chobe - I miss that part of the world
Excellent Review Video Danielle!! Thank you!!
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much! -Sabine
Ultimate review with honest opinion!!!!. Am your big fan of your photography. I have learnt lot of tips from your photography skills!!! Thanks a lot Teacher!!!!!! :)
superb review - so thorough and helpful - thank you
@PangolinWildlife
2 жыл бұрын
Nice to hear it was Phil ;) -Sabine
Very well explained. Thank you so much.
Gorgeous video and one of the best reviews of these two lenses 👍
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you and much appreciated ;) -Sabine
Extremely well-done video on several long lens!
Another great and effective video. Thank you
Very very informative and practical review ! Thanks You !!
I was looking at reviews of 800mm for a few days now and I must say : WOW! what a great review! Exactly something that I was looking for! You are amazing, so professional and helpful. I wish other KZread "experts" were just like you! Keep up great work! ;)
@PangolinWildlife
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.
Thanks Sabine for another great review, I have found it very useful and have been waiting for it for a while. I just wish that I could visit you again in the Chobe
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hey Ray, thank you and it would be lovely to see you back here in the near future ;) Keep well! -Sabine
Excellent look at these two lenses, Sabine!
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Timothy, thank you so much! -Sabine
Great review! Thanks for sharing…that 800mm is looking like a real nice option!
I got the perfect review about these lenses. Best review on KZread and to-the-point. 😀
Excellent review, bravo!
Ganz perfekt und fachlich gründlich! Danke!
Just bought the 800 for my R6ll! And love your video, watched it twice!
Great video. Excellent analysis.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks a lot! -Sabine
Hi, Sabine. As usual, you’ve presented another outstanding video. I am considering getting the RF800mm lens with a Canon R6II combination. So; seeing your Review with very similar setups was very helpful for me making a decision. Thank you very much!!
Great review!
Exceptionally well done! Very informative, fair-minded and intelligent analyses! Great photographs!! I hope to visit Chobe, soon!
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hi there and thanks a lot for that. We hope to see you in Chobe very soon...beautiful place ;) -Sabine
Great video thank you for this information
Amazing review.
Thank you. I was impressed.
Great review! I’ve owned both the sigma and 800mm. I found once there was enough light I was always switching to the 800mm. With enough background separation it sure was an advantage for small birds.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for confirming and your input here ;) -Sabine
Great review
Thanks you so very much for a very good Demo and Info. Still waiting for Canon R 7, with the 600 mm f11.0. It's for weight and measurement. I mean travel with my backpack. Now working with Sony and Canon. 200-600 mm and 100-400 mm M2. I am very excited for the new Combi in the end of 2022. Best regards from me in Thailand.
Great review, I like your comparison shots.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Awesome, thanks so much ;) -Sabine
Excellent presentation. .
🙏🦁 Lovely test images Sabine ❤️
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much Canon Europe. I am glad you like them! -Sabine
Good Morning from New Zealand, Thank you for your Marvelous RF Lenses Video, Thanks for sharing, Have a great rest of your week
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hello to you from Botswana and have a great week yourself ;) -Sabine
You did a great job on this review. I'm enjoying my 800 f/11.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
That is great to hear Phil. I think too many people are bashing them so it is nice to hear good feedback ;) -Sabine
@stevemurnan1702
2 жыл бұрын
Getting on great with mine Phil.
Excellent video!
Das hast du toll gemacht, Sabine! 👍
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Ganz lieben Dank ;)
I love that you wonderful people at Pangolin give such balanced yet personal reviews 😊 The predictable structure and build up to your conclusions and opinions is also soo very useful. Thank you very much. For me, 800 vis-à-vis the 600, the advantage of an additional 1.5 m as MFD sort of compensated at the shorter end for that deficit in additional reach. You win some..... you lose some! Find it so much an easier size to carry along too....😊
Great impartial review!
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Richard, much appreciated! -Sabine
Agreed, well done!
Wonderfull review. Thank you!
@PangolinWildlife
2 жыл бұрын
Nice to hear, thanks for the feedback ;)
Great video, these lenses can be a great option for many uses. Great photos.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks a lot for commenting Graham ;) -Sabine
Great review 👍😊 A review I trust
Outstanding video. I agree with your assessment of the lenses. I am now shooting with the RF 800 on my Canon R3 and am getting some excellent handheld shots of hummingbirds. But I am not working in low light due to ISO concerns. Your explanations and comments were eye opening and greatly appreciated.
Fantastic review Sabine. Will you be doing an R5/R6 settings overview for these lenses?
Excellent Sabrina, thank you for this review, I have the RF800 f11, also the 100-400mk ii the difference in weight is noticeable, today I used the zoom with a 1.4 mk iii extender waiting for a bird and yes even that was heavy after 3 minutes 🤷🏼♂️ I remember wishing I had the 800 attached
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hey Roger. That is so true, weight does make a huge difference and that is where these lenses really excel. One quickly gets used to the lighter weight ;) -Sabine
awesome review
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! -Sabine
Another great review!
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!!! _sabine
very nice review!
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!
Great review! Thanks.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
You are welcome, glad you liked it ;) -Sabine
Excellent review Sabine. I own the EF600mm f/4III, the RF100-500mm and recently added the RF800mm f/11 to my gear bag. Nothing will replace the EF600mm f/4 in my view esp the 3rd version which is relatively lighter weight compared to prior versions of the EF600mm lens. I can hand hold the R5+adapter+1xTCIII+ EF600mmf/4III comfortably which gives me freedom for BIF. However, you make a great point which is that for a walking lense the EF600mmIII is still a BEAST. I purchased the RF800mm f/11 for long hikes when I need reach. I agree with the limits you point out of the lens. I have found it's a good companion lens for long hikes along with the RF100-500mm. I take BOTH lenses each on a separate body so I am not limited when/if the animals/birds come closer. They are a manageable combo for me. If I can only take ONE lens I'll take the RF500mm NOT the RF800mm. My best to you and the Pangolin family - a dear friend of mine is currently there right now!
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Vicky. So great to hear your thoughts on that. I am sure you must enjoy that combo a lot. And thanks for sending your friends to us. Regards from the whole Pangolin family ;) -Sabine
Thank you for the review! As with any lens purchase decision, there are always numerous factors that are evaluated depending upon your needs and intended usage. I see these lenses as competitors not only to the big heavy prime L series that you mentioned (and other similar focal lengths), but also to other supper-telephoto zoom lenses beyond the one you mentioned. This competition will always be come down to the factors you feel are most paramount and where you are willing to compromise or find acceptable trade-offs. For some the price of the big L primes (and I’m pretty certain the price of any rumored equivalent RF primes) will be the first trade-off as finances dictate their elimination. The other compromises that will be weighed may be aperture, optical qualities, weight and one that I found to be my deciding factor, versatility. These new Canon lenses are admittedly compromises, but the compromise they make in versatility, not just in terms of focal length, but also in aperture speed and adjustability is too much for me. Being limited to a single f stop is just as limiting as being one focal length, particularly when it is preventing my usage at my choice of ISO or shutter speed for a possible shooting condition. My own opinion, for what it’s worth, is that a quality tele-photo zoom provides the sweet spot amongst the options most consider. Between price, performance, size and weight, and versatility of both focal length and aperture, they contribute to a winning combination that led me to the Sigma 60-600 4.5-6.3 Sport IS lens.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hey Thomas. Thank you so much for the thorough input. All very valid points and as you said it is all about needs and affordability. The Sigma 60-600 certainly gives a lot of flexibility ;) -Sabine
Awesome video...Thanks
@PangolinWildlife
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching and commenting ;) -Sabine
Great review and it will help me to make my choice between the 600 mm and the 800 mm. Thank you / Merci !
Great review of these two lenses, best one I've seen yet. Did you show sample images using the 1.4 and 2x teleconverter on these two lenses? I do remember seeing the teleconverters used on the Sigma lens, but did I miss the teleconverters on the Canon lens? Thanks again for another high-quality, informative, and enjoyable video.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Brian, thanks so much for the great feedback. Unfortunately I didn't have the RF teleconverters at the time of producing the video. The one you see on the Sigma is my 1.4x TC for the EF mount. We just got the RF ones now and will test and make another video about that soon ;) -Sabine
Wow!!! Absolutely FANTASTIC review!!! I’m considering buying the R6 and the RF 600mm lens and you’ve definitely helped with my decision. I’m only wondering if I should get the 800 mm vs the 600mm. I have a Tamron 150-600mm EF lens that I hate! Question: at 7:11 you mentioned that AF is a problem when you move closer to the subject. So do you just take a step back? Thank you so much for the wonderful review!!
Sehr realistisches und objektives Review !!
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Vielen lieben Dank und Gruesse in die Heimat ;) -Sabine
Excellent review with clarity of thought. Canon have recently introduced RF 100-400 lens. Will there be a review of this lens with the R6?
Hi Sabine, thanks for the comparison. Regarding 21:20, the best budget lens available is most probably the Sony FE 200-600mm 5.6-6.3 G, internal zoom, super fast and silent AF motor, razor sharp images, only a quarter turn from 200 to 600, fully weather sealed, 2115 grams light. As proud R3 shooter, I always envy the Sony guys for that lens.
Always brilliant and informative for people thinking of switching from dslr to mirrorless
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Nik ;) -Sabine
@NikCan66
3 жыл бұрын
@@PangolinWildlife more than welcome
Great review. These are excellent lens for people who want to get into bird or wildlife photography.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Kenneth. Thanks so much for watching and leaving a comment. Totally agree on that ;) -Sabine
Spectacular review... Thank you. Definitely niche lenses & have their limitations, but SERIOUSLY tempted for their size & price.
@PangolinWildlife
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
Well done. Thanks
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Much appreciated! - Sabine
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
You are most welcome! Hope it helped ;) -Sabine
Amazing video, thank you very much +++ 😉
thankyou for this review. for all the limitations of this lens, there is sooooo much to be thankful for. a few years ago a reach of 600-800mm was expensive and heavy. Canon has provided an amazing lens at an affordable price. going to the extreme u could have an 800mm with a 2x extender plus put the R5 into 1.6 crop mode and have potentially a 2560mm lens @ f22. its not going to work in most situations but if the conditions are right then what a reach !! looking at the Canon Lens Roadmap there is a 1200mm f8 in the pipeline. but might be a more expensive lens but exciting all the same. congrats on a wonderful review, obviously a lot of work has gone into the production and i am very grateful for that.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your input. I 100% agree. People often just try to see the negative side but thinking about it the way you stated as well these lenses are an incredible step in technology change and few years back probably unimaginable. Just shows what will be possible in the near future to come ;) -Sabine
your review … help me in making decision . thank you thank you
Excellent, highly professional video thanks Sabine, subscribed! Your photos are excellent, what I would say is that you're in seemingly ideal conditions. Here in 55° North Newcastle our opportunities to use f11 are very thin on the ground. Having said that the price is seriously tempting 👍
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much and of course you are right in the sense that we are very spoiled with good light in Africa. So I totally get where you are coming from ;) -Sabine
Great reviews and reasons to own or not to own. I have owned all the big whites from Canon and still with 2 x EF800mm and a EF200-400mm. Unfortunately with air travel, getting these as hand carry is always a bother. Your test shots are convincing but also the caveat of low light and my shots of birds under heavy canopy is the one that holds me back. Still I may have to test these out from my Canon dealer and go from there. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Great review 🙂 I own both the RF 600 and the RF 800 F11, of which the 800 stays glued to my Canon R7 almost exclusively. For me reach is everything. Not necessarily for shooting subjects a long way away, but rather shooting small subjects from 25 or 30 ft. I also owned the Sigma 150-600, and I felt like the optics were fine. However that lens suffered a lot from the dreaded focus pulsing issues. Not to mention I stayed glued at 600 mm most of the time and that still wasn't long enough. So I sold it, bought RF 800, and never looked back 🙂 I'm sure the RF 800 F5.6 would be a better lens. But for 16 X's the price, and 4 X's the weight, my RF 800 f11 is by far the best choice on the market 👍
Thanks Sabine for a very thorough and practical review. On my R5 I really like the flexibility of the Canon 100-500 which I use as a one lens setup for nature and wildlife for everything from dragonflies, with it’s respectable close focussing, to birds in flight and larger animals too of course. And when I know I’m going to have to crop heavily in post anyway I’ll sometimes use the 1.6x crop mode on the R5 to give me 800mm of effective reach with the benefit of having the subject larger in the frame whilst saving a bit of disk space with the resulting 17.25MP file size. Yes, there are compromises, but overall I’m really enjoying it and with the weight saving my back’s not complying either! Thanks again.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Alan. Great feedback and I can see that the 100-500mm will work great as an all rounder. We have it here now too and test it very soon ;) -Sabine
@alanwood5590
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Sabine. I’ll be interested to see your review of the 100-500 and to get your take on it.
Great review on this equipment Sabine. 100% correct...It depends on the standards of which the owners are prepared to settle. They definitely fit a gap in the market, and Roger (Canon SA) can be very happy for this review :-p BTW: We are booked for the 16th - 30th Aug, so should be lots of time for some fun shoot-outs :-p Warm regards to all.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hey Tim. Thank you very much and hope that Roger will be happy ;) I saw that you come soon, great time in Chobe right now. Catch up soon :) -Sabine
Thank you for this in depth review. I am upgrading to the R5 this month and was curious about these two lenses for shooting in Yellowstone park. I currently use a 5DSR and a 100-400mm mark II. I might spring for the 100-500mm RF instead. This was so informative for me and very well produced.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Geoffrey. Thanks for the positive feedback! You will not go wrong with the 100-500mm and I am sure you'll love being flexible having the zoom option ;) -Sabine
@davidboreham
3 жыл бұрын
I live close to Yellowstone. Animals are mostly active in the early morning and evening when light is low.
Great video Sabine! Thanks for sharing it with us!💖👌👍😎JP
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Hi there...thanks a lot, appreciate the kind words ;) -Sabine
@IEnjoyCreatingVideos
3 жыл бұрын
Your very welcome Sabine! Have a great week!😎
Great review Sabine. I need to rent it and do some test as well - in the ZOO 🙂
I laughed when I first saw these were coming but they are much better than I thought they would be. I won’t be replacing my EF 600/4 IS II but these are great for the casual wildlife photographer and will probably help get people into the RF system and that’s what Canon wants.
@PangolinWildlife
3 жыл бұрын
Exactly what I thought as well...very skeptical at first but definitely seeing a market for those. Thanks for the comment ;) -Sabine
Thanks for the great review! It helped me a lot. At the end you said that there are some photos on the comments section, but I couldn't find any. I would like to look closely at some photos, to sea whether they are reasonable to me. Thanks! 🙂