Where are all the RF 200-800 ?

[RUPhotography]

Canon RF 200-800. I ordered this lens 2 months ago for a once in a lifetime trip naively thinking that I would surely get it way before I leave. Seems like canon hasn't build one of these lens in over 4 months. Now, a few days away from my trip, I'm without a zoom lens. I'm thinking I will have to go with the RF 100-500L but it doesn't have the reach I was hoping and is more expensive. I'm regretting joining the canon ecosystem seeing that they often experience availability issues. Any chance my local store gets 3 lens by Thursday since I'm 3rd on the waiting list (My hopes a very small)? My local store has offered to rent out a lens for only half the price of a new one but it sucks to spend over a thousand dollars to rent a lens for 1 month. 

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Rent out the lens for half the price as new?  Thats a store you'll want to avoid at all costs. 

A lens like this typically rents for $100 per week.

I want one myself, but am afraid to order and not be here to receive it.  I have similar travel plans.  However, I would not have waited until 3 days before my trip to secure a lens.  I plan to order at the end of summer.  This way I'll be back and won't have to worry about losing my place or starting over.  I've been in the Canon ecosystem for a very long time. Purchasing gear wasn't like this before.  I had to wait about 6 or 7 weeks when I ordered my R5 C 2 years ago.  However, every lens I've wanted has been in my hands in about 2 days. 

Like others, I expected the RF 200-800 to be in stock and generally available by now.  I'm not going to speculate on the reason why it isn't.  People seem to be selling them on eBay for about $500-$700 above retail. I'm not recommending you do this, just pointing out it's availability.

Hope you can find one to rent at this late point.

[RUPhotography]

I called around and the price to rent an RF 100-500 is 680$ for 1 month. Not exactly half the price of a new lens I do admit. It's still a 1/4 of the price of the lens. I get it that camera stores have to make money. I'm just a little disappointed that I ordered the RF100-500 end of March and come June they haven't received any and from what I read on the Internet, nobody has. The only people that got the lens are reviewers and influencers it seems. I need to go into that gig 🙂

[March411]

Many of us are in the same boat as you.

The challenge, Canon communication for this lens has been nonexistent! I purchased from B&H who has always been an excellent supplier and recently spoke to them regarding lead times. They conveyed that Canon has been silent and has made no commitments regarding delivery. 

[shadowsports]

I'm sorry you are disappointed.  I can tell you that the RF 100-500 is a wonderful lens.  It's truly one of my favorites.  

If you are shooting FF with for example the R5, consider putting the camera into crop mode.  You'll still get 17MP images.  Not quite the reach, but pretty close.     

[RUPhotography]

Decided to get the Rf 100-500 and will hopefully have the reach I need in most cases. I always have the possibility of spending an extra 700$ and getting a 1.4x extender and getting almost 800 of reach for only 2000$ more. Well played Canon making me spend more money 😉

[March411]

 Hey RUPhotography the 1.4X is only $500 on the Canon site, you can save $200.

[ILLUSTRATIVEMAN]

It took six months to get mine, and I ordered it at the end of November last year(2023)