topic Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800 in Share Your Photos

First Shots with the RF 200-800 and the R6II

Tronhard — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 01:51:47 GMT

I got it the day before yesterday and went out yesterday to test it at my 'happy place'.

Here is a selection of images, shot on the Canon R6MkII, hand-held, available light, seriously downsized in PS to post, with default lens corrections and some cropping.

Red Panda@10m: R5, RF 200-800@ 600mm, f/9, 1/500sec, ISO-6400 Emu: 481mm, f/8, 1/500sec, ISO-2500 Emu: 300mm, f/7.1, 1/320sec, ISO-800 2xStick Insects: R6 RF 200-800@200mm, f/7.1, 1/160sec, ISO-6400 Stick Insect: 200mm, f/7.1, 1/40sec, ISO-6400 Gouldian Finch: 570mm, f/8, 1/250sec, ISO-6400 Cockatoo: 570mm, f/8, 1/250sec, ISO-6400  Cotton Top Tamarin: 800mm, f/9, 1/500sec, ISO-6400  Kakariki: 570mm, f/8, 1/400sec, ISO-6400
Takahe: 570mm, f/8, 1/640sec, ISO-400   Ring Tailed Lemur: 227mm, f/9, 1/250sec, ISO-2000 Brolga: 277mm, f/7.1, 1/320sec, ISO-500
Serval: RF 200-800@800mm, f/9, 1/500sec, ISO-6400  Serval: RF 200-800@ 311mm, f/8, 1/400sec, ISO-5000 Serval: 250mm, f/8, 1/320sec, ISO-2000

I was particularly pleased to get three shots of the Serval (the cat). It is reclusive in any case, but because it has incredibly good hearing - it can hear a mouse underground- it is inclined to face away from humanity because we make so much noise.

Overall, I was very impressed with the performance of this lens.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

ccanada — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:01:25 GMT

You have quite an eye. These are AMAZING! I especially like the image of the lemur. The detail in the eyes is striking.

Thank you for sharing Trevor.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Tronhard — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:10:10 GMT

Thank you, kind sir! Also, thanks for adding the ref to the lens, it did not seem to come up when I tried myself.
They are all amazing creatures. Since NZ is a land of birds, to photograph anything else requires a trip to the zoo or overseas, but the former is cheaper, and I can be home for lunch!

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

ata — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:47:09 GMT

Congratulations on the photos, Trevor. Different species and gorgeous colours. The lens gives amazing results. A perfect price-performance lens. Canon has done a great job.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Tronhard — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 22:28:52 GMT

Thank you. I was trying to shoot a range of subjects at different focal lengths and shutter speeds to gauge the performance of the lens and give it a good workout. I think it's a keeper.
I do have a Sigma 60-600s that I shall retain, because it also works with my DSLRs, and the focal range is amazing! The 200-800 is another step up in FL though. I might try shooting the moon on my R5 as it gets bigger, and see how it behaves on a 1.6 crop - that would be an Equivalent FoV of 320-1280mm, which is up there with super tele bridge cameras.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

shadowsports — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 21:39:48 GMT

Trevor,

Well done as always. I applaud you.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Tronhard — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 21:40:57 GMT

Thank you so much Rick, that's extremely generous and much appreciated.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Tintype_18 — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 13:40:59 GMT

One does not appreciate the variety of wildlife in other countries. Trevor, you have posted some outstanding photos. Thanks for sharing plus sharing the settings and equipment used.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Tronhard — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 18:24:09 GMT

Thanks John. I always do think EXIF data offers a little more context and value to these postings.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

John_SD — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 17:39:04 GMT

Excellent! Better results with that lens than I would have anticipated.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Tronhard — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 18:08:50 GMT

I think there was a lot of concern about the f/9 minimum aperture, but given that a long focal length reduced DoF, having a significant increase in FL did a lot to mitigate that.

I plan to do a lot more experimentation to see how it behaves! 👁

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Fotogrni61 — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 20:49:28 GMT

Nice photos with nice lens using f/7-f9.🙂

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Fotogrni61 — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 20:52:51 GMT

Can always learn more about details and composition.😉 Lovely photographs Tronhard.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Tronhard — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 23:20:15 GMT

Thank you!

The general theme for this series was getting to know the features and limitations of the gear. In particular, I was confirming that using single-point focus and exposure was still, for me, the best approach. That is demonstrated in the image of the Red Panda, which was way back in a tree, with a lot of foliage between it and me. I had to bob around to find a tiny peephole to focus on. If it had been anything else except spot, I'm pretty sure I would have got a sharp image of a leaf or branch!

I was honestly amazed that I could take photos of the stick insects - essentially close-up images, through thick glass and still get focus. Finally, I was testing my endurance hunting images of the elusive Serval - which is extremely reclusive by nature, but also made more so because of its acute hearing. In a zoo environment, children demonstrate their behaviour as the the noisiest young on the planet. Given that a serval can hear a mouse some distance underground, having a bunch of kids making a racket would be like me holding a megaphone to your ear and yelling. This is why the creatures spend a lot of their time facing away from us, given their large ears are very directional. Consequently to get them in more frontal poses takes some time and almost always having the fairly hefty lens and body held up ready to get that 'decisive moment'.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Tronhard — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 01:09:17 GMT

Thank you! I think the lens fills a unique focal range slot. Hitherto, I had been shooting with the RF 100-500 and Sigma 60-600s, both of which I keep but obviously offer different magnifications. They have kept the price quite low and the weight down: the latter thanks to engineered plastics which seem to work fine.
The only drawbacks for me are:
- I wish the tripod mount was like that of the EF 100-400MkII, the foot itself being detachable from the ring around the lens.
- It s a shame that the tripod foot is not Swiss Arca plate compatible
- I really appreciate the inclusion of a lens hood with a non-L lens: that's a huge step forward, however if they were to make it less susceptible to showing scratches and marks - maybe include a rubber area around the open end to make it a bit more robust for when one is inclined to rest the lens nose-down on the lens hood, which is a pretty common thing to do - certainly the Sigma 60-600s has that feature.

None of these are game-changers and don't in any way detract from the optical performance of the lens.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Fotogrni61 — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 13:49:37 GMT

I have found that using single point focus is the best way to go with utilizing my 18-200mm camera lenses; because it's dead on the image I'm trying to shoot from afar. How better to test camera gear in every good aspect of it's use. 😉 I say: You go Tronhard!!😉😎

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Tronhard — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 17:54:18 GMT

Thank you! BTW, as my signature says, my name is Trevor 🙂

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

DarbyBo — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 00:24:31 GMT

As a beginner, trying to figure out how this whole picture-taking thing works, posting the camera settings is a huge help.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800

Tronhard — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 02:27:56 GMT

You're welcome. 😊 That is why I post the EXIF settings: camera, lens, focal length, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO at they are the technical building blocks of the composition. This is going to take a while to learn and it cannot be rushed. You need to get a clear understanding of the role of each of the controls and how to turn that into a workable composition.

Re: First Shots with the RF 200-800 and the R6II

stevet1 — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 05:02:44 GMT

Trevor,

It looks like your new lens is handling high ISO's pretty well.

I can see that I need to work on my spot metering.

Nice shots too. Looks like your zoo trip went well.

Steve Thomas