RF 200-800 Lens Design Issue - Filter can't be used with hood

[MadJack70]

A friend of mine was lucky enough to have received her Canon RF 200-800mm lens that she had ordered in Nov. 2023.  She has encountered an issue with the lens design.   The new lens does not appear to allow use of a filter while the lens hood is in place.  She and her camera shop have tried a number of different brands of filters, but none appear to allow the lens hood to be mounted while a filter is attached.  This seems to be a rather inexcusable design flaw on Canon's part.  When Canon technical support was contacted, no one appeared to know anything about the issue.  With the exception of this problem, she loves her new lens.  Has anyone else encountered this issue with this lens?

[Tronhard]

Canon hoods are always black.  It appears you interpreted what I said about grey as referring to the hood, I was referring to the identifying ID, which is grey.

I appreciate that this is frustrating, however I maintain this is not a design issue, at worst, this particular hood is malformed or damaged.  No manufacturer can be blamed or the subject of conspiracy theories if no-one has reported it yet. I checked with stores, and everyone I know who has one, and none of these has any issue with putting the lens hood on with a filter.
 
It should be perfectly possible for your friend to be able to get this sorted and get a replacement hood without cost to them, if the hood is faulty.

[Waddizzle]

Any news updates?

Are you ble to mount the hood without a filter?  

Can you reverse the hood and mount it in a storage position?  Without a filter?

[justadude]

"unless she wants to use a polarizer, filters are almost obsolete."

Mostly true with today's software, but add infrared filters to the needed filters list.  I'd be lost without the four IR filters I carry. 🙂

[ebiggs1]

That's why I said "almost". However, even so the newest Photoshop can do amazing things to your photos.

[justadude]

I was just kidding around with you, Ernie - I knew what you meant.  I just reach for these so often.

The newest PS AI features can do a lot, but I prefer the challenge of trying to read light that is invisible to the human eye.  Yeah with the newest features, some people claim they don't even need a camera.  What fun would that be?  lol

[MadJack70]

The RF 200-800mm lens that I had ordered for my wife last November was delivered from B&H Photo today.   I had no issues using the lens hood using either of the two spare 95mm filters that I had on-hand.  The B+W Digital MRC F-PRO UV-Haze and Canon 95mm Protect filters both worked just fine with the Canon ET-101 hood that was provided with my wife's lens.  I have not yet heard back from our friend regarding the hood issue with her RF 200-800 lens that she received last December.  I do know that her hood fits fine on the lens in either facing position as long as no filter is in place.  I will provide additional information as it becomes available. 

[Glurum]

I am also having this issue. I have the promaster uv filter and hood will not fit correctly. 

[Glurum]

I have the same filter and I'm having the same issue. Have not tried other filters yet.

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Greetings,

I may have found the answer.  Both users reporting issues have the "Promaster"

• Thread size: 95 mm
• Outer diameter: 100 mm
• Frame thickness: 8.2 mm
• Lens thickness: 2.0 mm
• Coatings: 22 layers
• Light transmission rate: 98.2% (average at 400 - 700 nm)
• Reflection: less than 0.3% (average at 420 - 680 nm)
• UV cutoff: 390 - 400 nm
• Made in Japan

The thread size is 95mm, the outside diameter is 100mm (thats +5mm) and the frame is 8.2mm tall.  The light transmission is 98.2.  I'd return or exchange it.  

[Tronhard]

Rick strikes again!!!  👋👋👋   

That makes total sense - Promaster is not a highly-respected brand: far from it.  A filter should not exceed the barrel width of the lens unless they are being adapted for square filters to be attached, or adapting non-threaded filters, such as the SX70HS series.

When you consider the SIZE of the thing, both in terms of diameter and thickness, it's massive!   My own filters, which are Hoya, Sirui and B+W are about 5mm deep (for UV0 and protect ones).  Even my CPL filters would be not as thick this as that.  Amazing...

In comparison, for example the Sirui Ultra Slim S-Pro Nano MC Clear Protective Filter (95mm) has the following characteristics:

Light transmission 99%  vs. Promaster 98.2%

Filter Type	UV / protect
Filter Factor	1x (0-Stop)
Circular Size	95 mm Filter Thread  the outside rim dia. @ 96mm does not exceed the diameter of the filter ring on the lens
Coatings	22 layers of anti-reflective, hydrophobic UV coatings
Physical Features	Slim
Filter Thickness	3.4 mm vs 8.2mm.
Filter Material	Schott B270 glass for increased optical clarity as well as colour fidelity
Ring Material	Aluminium

If one is going to invest a significant amount in a lens, it is not a good idea to get an inferior filter: - putting a rubbish filter on an expensive lens is like throwing away one's investment in quality.  Better filters to get would be the ones I listed,  even Kenko. Usually they are multi-coated optical quality such as Schott glass.