topic Re: RF200-800 design issue in EF & RF Lenses

RF200-800 design issue results in it breaking in half

apmadoc — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:00:37 GMT

I just read the article on Canon Rumors about issues with the RF200-800 breaking in half under normal use.

has anyone heard anything from Canon about what their plans are to fix this?

Re: RF200-800 design issue

shadowsports — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 13:27:16 GMT

Greetings ,

I saw the article a few days ago. For now, the issue is not widespread. I'm sure Canon would address this as needed on a case-by-case basis. I purchased a CarePak with my lens so I'm not too concerned about it. At this point I wouldn't worry about something that hasn't happened and would not live in fear.

Re: RF200-800 design issue

ebiggs1 — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 13:55:57 GMT

The Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens is not an "L" and should not be expected to be an "L" lens simply because it is white. If you are a person that needs the durability of an "L" lens it is going to cost you. It's going to cost you a lot more.

Re: RF200-800 design issue

apmadoc — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:27:08 GMT

With Respect, I've been shooting Canon for nearly 30 years now. Mostly L series, but some non L series lenses. I shoot a lot of urbex photos which involves crawling through tight openings, etc. Not unusual to have the camera take some pretty serious bumps. In 30 years, I've never had a lens break (L or non L), not once ever.

The issues encountered by the customers and the scenario involved leads me to think someone at Canon didn't do adequate testing before they put it into production.

Re: RF200-800 design issue

Waddizzle — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:22:37 GMT

Most incidents of the lens breaking seem to occur when the lens is being transported in a camera bag. Of course, there’s the possibility of a drop.

As long as your lens is not broken, then I don’t see any reason to worry about a “what if.”

Re: RF200-800 design issue

RICKTJR — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 06:10:05 GMT

I recently bought a 200 to 800, while it did not break in half, I had something odd happened to it on the third day of use. There is a small quarter inch wide white ring around the tube in front of the black zoom grip that I believe keeps dirt and dust from going down the tube. It came loose for no reason and would jiggle back-and-forth in that 3 inch area on the tube when the tube was extended to 800. Since I was on a trip, I simply taped it to the original position so it would not rattle around and it would still serve it purpose of keeping dirt and dust flowing down inside the tube.

Of course I took a lot of verbal abuse for silver duct tape holding my brand new 200 to 800 lens together from other members in the group.

Being a member of CPS, I sent it in for repairs under my carepak that I purchased which I am glad that I purchased but the Canon rep said there’s no need to use that since it’s under warranty. Great idea However, the message that came back several days later from the repair office was an almost $700 repair. I called and said if it’s not under warranty, I will use my carepak. I am waiting for an answer this Monday, but I’m sure the carepak will take care of it. I hope. Regardless, I would recommend buying the carepak if you buy this lens since it is not an L lens and may not be made to the same level of an L lens.

I own four different L lenses and never had a problem over many years of use

Re: RF200-800 design issue

shadowsports — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 09:12:32 GMT

Greeting ,

I have no idea what happened to your lens, but that sounds like a defect to me and should be covered under warranty if it was purchased new and you're the original owner.

I'm glad you sent your lens in. Tape is never a good idea. It's right up there with hope as a strategy.

You can see from my signature that I'm in agreement with you about CarePaks. Good luck! I hope your lens gets repaired quickly. 🙂

Re: RF200-800 design issue

ebiggs1 — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:26:59 GMT

"... I took a lot of verbal abuse for silver duct tape holding my brand new 200 to 800 lens ..."

You should have used gaffers tape. Then you would have looked like a "professional" photographer. 😁

Re: RF200-800 design issue

SignifDigits — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 22:05:45 GMT

Yup. Black gaffers tape would have been MUCH better - especially if you'd ripped it off some you had rolled around an old 35mm film cannister.

Well, I hope mine doesn't break. I'm pretty gentle with mine and have the flight insurance for when it goes in the belly of the beast - er, I mean plane.

Re: RF200-800 design issue

ebiggs1 — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:54:25 GMT

" Black gaffers tape would have been MUCH better - especially if you'd ripped it off some you had rolled around an old 35mm film cannister."

Not entirely sure what a 35mm film can has to do with it but gaffers tape doesn't leave sticky residue behind like duct tape does. You should try it sometime. Amazon has it. Scotch Blue tape or Frog tape sorta the same type tape.

Re: RF200-800 design issue

SignifDigits — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:05:13 GMT

@ebiggs1 What makes you think I don't know this already? I have laid down many rolls of the stuff for temporary audio and power cables, and have a big fresh roll of Tufgaff on hand at all times.

As to "Not entirely sure what a 35mm film can has to do with it", even though you didn't ask that and assumed I was a total gaffers tape newbie I will tell you. I have wrapped both duct tape and gaffers tape around various items (35mm cannisters, pill bottles, etc) for many years so that don't have to toke whole rolls where that doesn't make sense. Maybe you should try wrapping it around an old sealable medicine bottle that you can also carry other stuff (matches if you're backpacking, spare memory cards if you're shooting on-site) when you don't anticipate the need for carrying a whole roll. Both duct and gaffers are handy stuff to have for patching tents (duct tape) and situations like the OP had (for gaffers tape) or a diffuser clip breaks, etc. etc. and adding the weight of a whole roll isn't really something you want in your pack.

Re: RF200-800 design issue

ebiggs1 — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:14:38 GMT

"What makes you think I don't know this already?" "... I was a total gaffers tape newbie ..."

Settle down there, my friend. Deep breath. The reason I suggested gaffers tape is because you used duct tape. Most advanced and/or photography enthusiasts don't use duct tape on their lenses. That's a beginner thing. Just a friendly reminder in case you didn't know about gaffers tape pr Blue Tape or Frog Tape.

Personally, I have never had the need to wrap a 35mm film can with gaffers tape or any other similar container for that matter. If that's you more power to ya.

Re: RF200-800 design issue

SignifDigits — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:43:06 GMT

You have me confused with the OP who used duct tape.

Re: RF200-800 design issue

RICKTJR — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:32:50 GMT

And I only used duct tape because I was in the backcountry of Senegal and that’s the only thing I had besides jungle vine. I probably will carry blue tape in the future and on another note: the 200-800 might be a little inferior to the 100-500 partially because and it apparently tends to have more plastic in the design and construction. With the money you save buying this lens vs the L 100-500 it might be wise to buy a carepak for a few dollars just in case issue develop. Canon just notified me no cost on repairs vs $700 in repairs if no carepak. Money well spent on the carepak

https://ehabphotography.com/what-is-canon-l-lens/

https://www.google.com/search?q=why+is+the+canon+200-800+not+an+l+lens&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#lfId=ChxjMe

Re: RF200-800 design issue

SignifDigits — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:36:12 GMT

Another trick we used for duct tape - an essential for backpacking - was wrapping our Nalgene water bottles and/or stove fuel bottles in tape - makes a great place to carry tape. You can wrap both duct and gaffers tape that way, of course and have both!

Re: RF200-800 design issue

ebiggs1 — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:57:35 GMT

"Yup. Black gaffers tape would have been MUCH better - especially if you'd ripped it off some you had rolled around an old 35mm film cannister."

Yes, I know but your statement led me to believe you did also because you didn't have and probably don't use 35mm film cans any longer. My misunderstanding, I guess. Sorry if it offended you.

Re: RF200-800 design issue results in it breaking in half

SignifDigits — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:36:00 GMT

Sorry to have confused you. Sadly, no, I don't have any 35mm cannisters anymore. I miss those useful little cannisters! You could take a couple bottom to bottom and wrap them with gaffers tape and have two useful little holders.

I apologize for any overreaction on my part. I know you were just trying to impart some good information about the wonderful properties of gaffers tape.

Re: RF200-800 design issue

RICKTJR — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:11:04 GMT

Not at all, like your idea.

Re: RF200-800 design issue results in it breaking in half

ebiggs1 — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:11:33 GMT

"... I don't have any 35mm cannisters anymore."

Not that it makes a hill of beans but I must have two dozen, or more, rolls of unused 35mm film down in my storage room formerly converted stop bath stained darkroom. It seems just one day I/we stopped using film. In my profession I either bought it by the case or in bulk.