First Shots with the RF 200-800 and the R6II

[Tronhard]

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.

[Tronhard]

Thank you Steve!  😊

Well, I would hazard that the handling of high ISO is a function of the sensor rather than the lens. In respect to the higher f/stops, the FF 24MP FF sensors do a great job, the trick (especially for RAW) is to aim to not quite blow out the highlights and then the noise is dramatically reduced.
My own experiments indicate that the R6 series have about at least one stop advantage over the R5 series, with the R5II being at a disadvantage in dynamic range to the R - which is not uncommon for BSI/stacked sensors.

The 200-800 is a killer lens.

[JFG]

Nice shots Trevor,

I can't wait till I get my RF 200-800mm!  I like the shot of the red panda; they are hard to shoot as they are so active.  They never stand still long enough to shoot.  Patience is a must.   You must have spent some time waiting for that cute shot.        : )

[Tronhard]

Hi Joe and thanks!
Actually these Red Pandas are fairly lazy, they spend a lot of time deep in the foliage almost asleep.  The challenging part was shooting between the clutter of leaves and branches, which is where the spot focus and spot metering came to my aid.

[JFG]

Hi Trevor,

In contrast, the Red Pandas that I shot and posted were so active, playing, climbing and chasing one another on the tree branches. I had to wait until one stood still for a moment as they were so playful.   : )  

[Dolphinviews]

Hello Trevor,

I'm looking into this lens your pics and all the comments have been very helpful. I also recently purchased the R6 markii. I wanted to ask your opinion on how this lens works for you on faster subjects ie. birds in flight.

Thank you,

Bob

[JFG]

Hi Dolphinviews,

This lens works great for faster subjects such as birds in flight.  Once you have gotten to know the lens and its capability, it's like any other lens.  However, the lens is heavier and longer, so alot depends on your ability to move it around.  Before I got my 200-800mm lens I was already used to my Sigma 150-600mm so I didnt have much of a  learning curve to a physically longer and a bit heavier lens.  In my opinion, the 200-800mm is mostly favored by wildlife and action sports photographers due to its reach.

[Dolphinviews]

Thank you Joe!

[JFG]

Any time, Dolphinviews!  Here to help when I can...

[BrighamBB]

That red panda head shot is beautiful work. Thank you for sharing.

[jmireland]

These are the best images I've seen with this lens. I've got the same body and am torn between this lens and the RF100-500