Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens, a super-telephoto lens that has created quite a buzz. Known for its compact size, affordability, and impressive reach, the RF 800mm f/11 is designed to bring distant subjects closer without breaking the bank. I've spent some quality time with this lens, and I'm stoked to share my thoughts, experiences, and whether it lives up to the hype. We'll be covering everything from image quality and autofocus performance to its pros, cons, and who this lens is really for. So, buckle up, and let's get started!

Unboxing and First Impressions

Right out of the box, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 immediately grabs your attention with its surprisingly small size. Unlike its massive super-telephoto cousins, this lens feels remarkably compact and lightweight. Weighing in at just over 3 pounds, it's a breeze to handle, even for extended periods. The build quality feels solid, featuring a retractable design that further reduces its footprint when not in use. The textured focus ring provides a comfortable grip, and the lens has a generally simple and functional design. One of the first things that struck me was how well-balanced it feels in hand, especially when paired with a Canon EOS R series body. It doesn’t feel front-heavy, which is a common issue with longer lenses. The design choices make it feel more accessible for photographers who might be intimidated by the bulk of other super-telephoto lenses. It’s also worth noting the inclusion of a lens hood, which helps reduce flare and protect the front element. First impressions? This lens is a game-changer for those looking to get into super-telephoto photography without investing a fortune or needing to carry around a beast of a lens. It's built for those on the move.

Size and Weight: Compact Super-Telephoto

One of the most appealing aspects of the Canon RF 800mm f/11 is its size and weight. Unlike the behemoths that often dominate the super-telephoto landscape, this lens is surprisingly compact and lightweight. This makes a huge difference, especially if you're planning to handhold the lens for extended periods or travel with it. The reduced size allows you to be more mobile, more nimble, and overall, more discreet. You’re less likely to attract unwanted attention from the subjects you’re photographing. This is especially beneficial for wildlife photography, where stealth and mobility are key. The lens’s weight of around 3 pounds is manageable, meaning you're less likely to experience fatigue during long shooting sessions. When compared to the massive lenses that professional photographers use, the RF 800mm f/11 feels like a breath of fresh air. It opens up super-telephoto photography to a wider audience, including hikers, bird watchers, and travelers who need a long reach without the heavy baggage.

Build Quality and Design

While the Canon RF 800mm f/11 is more affordable than its professional counterparts, the build quality still holds up. The lens is primarily constructed of high-quality plastics, which helps keep the weight down without sacrificing durability. The retractable design is a clever feature, allowing you to minimize the lens's size when not in use. This mechanism is smooth and easy to operate, adding to the overall user experience. The lens barrel feels sturdy, and the focus ring is textured, providing a comfortable and secure grip. The included lens hood is a nice touch, offering additional protection from flare and impacts. The lens also features a built-in image stabilization system, which is crucial for handheld shooting at such long focal lengths. Canon has managed to balance cost and build quality effectively, resulting in a lens that feels well-made and capable of withstanding the rigors of everyday use. The design is simple and functional, focusing on providing a great user experience rather than flashy aesthetics.

Image Quality: Sharpness and Performance

Let's be real, image quality is where it's at. The Canon RF 800mm f/11 produces some impressive results. Considering its price point and compact size, the sharpness is remarkable, especially when shooting at the center of the frame. You'll notice excellent detail, and images are generally crisp. However, keep in mind that being an f/11 lens, you’re dealing with a fixed aperture. This means you'll need plenty of light, so shooting on bright, sunny days is ideal. In low-light situations, you'll need to crank up the ISO, which can introduce noise. The image stabilization system is a lifesaver, allowing you to shoot handheld with confidence, even at such a long focal length. It helps to minimize camera shake, resulting in sharper images. The lens does a decent job of controlling chromatic aberration, which is the unwanted appearance of color fringes along high-contrast edges. The bokeh, or the quality of the out-of-focus areas, isn't the smoothest due to the fixed f/11 aperture, but it's still acceptable for most situations. Overall, the image quality is more than satisfactory, particularly when considering the other benefits of the lens, such as its portability and affordability. It's a great option for capturing detailed images of distant subjects, as long as you have enough light.

Sharpness at 800mm

The Canon RF 800mm f/11 truly shines when it comes to sharpness. At its maximum focal length of 800mm, the lens delivers impressive detail, especially in the center of the frame. This allows you to capture incredibly sharp images of distant subjects, from birds in flight to wildlife in their natural habitat. While the edges of the frame may not be quite as sharp as the center, the overall sharpness is more than adequate for most photography scenarios. The image quality is particularly noticeable when viewing images at 100% magnification, revealing fine details in feathers, fur, and other textures. The lens’s sharpness is also enhanced by its built-in image stabilization system, which helps to minimize camera shake and maintain focus. For photographers who prioritize detail and clarity, the RF 800mm f/11 is a great choice. It allows you to produce images that are both visually appealing and technically sound, without the need for expensive and bulky professional lenses. The lens’s ability to render sharp images is one of its key strengths, making it a compelling option for a wide range of photographic applications.

Image Stabilization Performance

The integrated image stabilization (IS) system is a standout feature of the Canon RF 800mm f/11. Given the lens's long focal length, even the slightest camera shake can blur your images. The IS system effectively counteracts this, allowing you to shoot handheld with confidence, even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. Canon claims that the IS system provides up to 4 stops of correction, which is significant. In real-world use, the IS system is noticeable, allowing you to capture sharper images at slower shutter speeds. This is crucial for wildlife photography, where you often need to shoot at sunrise or sunset when the light is dim. The IS system helps to minimize motion blur, ensuring that your images are sharp and clear. This is especially helpful when tracking moving subjects. The IS system enhances the versatility of the lens. It allows you to shoot in a wider range of conditions, without having to rely on a tripod. This is a game-changer for photographers who value mobility and flexibility. The IS system's effectiveness is one of the key reasons why the Canon RF 800mm f/11 is such a popular choice among photographers of all skill levels.

Bokeh and Background Blur

One of the trade-offs of the Canon RF 800mm f/11's fixed f/11 aperture is the effect on bokeh, or the quality of the out-of-focus areas. With a narrower aperture, the background blur won't be as creamy or pronounced as you might see with a faster lens. However, the 800mm focal length still allows for a pleasing level of background separation, especially when shooting at closer distances to the subject. The out-of-focus areas are generally smooth, but they lack the creaminess that you get with wider apertures. This is something to consider if you prioritize a soft, dreamy background. However, for many types of photography, particularly wildlife and bird photography, the bokeh is more than acceptable. The lens's long focal length allows you to isolate your subject from the background, even with the narrower aperture. The background blur helps to create a sense of depth and dimension in your images. The overall effect is still quite pleasing, and the background doesn't distract from the main subject. The bokeh is a compromise, but it's a worthwhile one given the other benefits of the lens, such as its compact size and affordability. The lens still delivers images with a nice sense of depth and subject isolation.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy

Autofocus performance can be a deal-breaker. The Canon RF 800mm f/11 uses Canon’s STM (Stepping Motor) for autofocus. The focus speed is generally acceptable, though it isn't lightning fast like some of the higher-end lenses. It's perfectly adequate for stationary subjects and slower-moving objects. However, it may struggle a bit with very fast-moving subjects. In good lighting conditions, the autofocus is accurate, locking onto subjects quickly and precisely. In low light, the autofocus can be a bit slower, and you might need to assist it with manual focusing. The lens is compatible with Canon's various focus modes, including One-Shot, AI Servo, and continuous autofocus. This gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to capturing different types of subjects. The lens's performance is further improved when paired with a camera body that has advanced autofocus features. Overall, the autofocus is reliable and accurate, though it’s not the lens's strongest suit. If you're shooting fast-paced action, it might not be the best choice. However, for most other applications, the autofocus performance is perfectly adequate.

Focusing Speed

The Canon RF 800mm f/11 utilizes Canon’s STM (Stepping Motor) for autofocus, which strikes a balance between speed and quiet operation. The focusing speed is adequate for many shooting situations, particularly when photographing stationary or slow-moving subjects. The STM motor provides smooth and relatively quiet focusing, which is beneficial for wildlife photography, where noise can scare away your subjects. However, the focusing speed is not as fast as some of Canon’s higher-end lenses, especially those with USM (Ultrasonic Motor) technology. In fast-paced situations, such as capturing a bird in flight or a sports event, you might experience some focus lag. In good lighting conditions, the autofocus performs reliably, quickly locking onto the subject and maintaining focus. However, in low-light conditions, the autofocus can become a bit slower, and you might need to assist with manual focusing. Despite the limitations in focus speed, the STM motor still provides a practical and effective autofocus system for a wide range of photography applications. The lens’s performance can be further improved by utilizing the advanced autofocus features available on Canon EOS R series cameras. If you don't require super-fast autofocus, the STM motor will be more than sufficient. For many photographers, the focus speed will not be a major concern, given the lens's other advantages.

Autofocus Accuracy

Accuracy is crucial, and the Canon RF 800mm f/11 generally performs well in this regard. In good lighting conditions, the autofocus system is quite precise, locking onto subjects with impressive accuracy. The lens effectively utilizes Canon's autofocus technologies, ensuring that the subject is in sharp focus. Canon's EOS R series cameras provide advanced autofocus features, such as eye detection and subject tracking. These features can significantly enhance the lens's autofocus performance, allowing you to capture sharp and well-focused images, even when shooting fast-moving subjects. The lens’s performance can be slightly affected in low-light conditions, where the autofocus system might struggle a bit. In such cases, you can switch to manual focus, which is easy to accomplish due to the comfortable focus ring. The lens’s accuracy and consistency make it a reliable choice for a wide range of photography applications. The accuracy of the autofocus system is one of the key strengths of the Canon RF 800mm f/11. It allows you to produce sharp, detailed images, even when shooting at maximum focal length.

Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary

Okay, let’s break it down:

Pros:

• Compact and Lightweight: Easy to carry around and handle. Perfect for travel and handheld shooting.
• Affordable: A super-telephoto lens at a reasonable price point.
• Sharp Image Quality: Delivers impressive detail, especially in the center of the frame.
• Effective Image Stabilization: Reduces camera shake, resulting in sharper images.

Cons:

• Fixed f/11 Aperture: Requires plenty of light; not ideal for low-light situations.
• Autofocus Speed: Not as fast as some of the higher-end lenses.
• Bokeh: Bokeh isn't the smoothest because of the aperture.

Who Is This Lens For?

This lens is an excellent choice for several types of photographers. Specifically, wildlife and bird photographers will love the reach and portability. Anyone on a budget looking for a super-telephoto option. Travelers who want to minimize the bulk of their gear. Those who enjoy handheld shooting and are comfortable with the limitations of a fixed aperture lens.

Final Verdict: Is the Canon RF 800mm f/11 Worth Buying?

So, is the Canon RF 800mm f/11 a worthy addition to your kit? Absolutely, yes! It is an excellent value for the money. The compact size, lightweight design, and impressive image quality make it a standout choice. You're getting a super-telephoto lens that delivers remarkable results without the backbreaking burden of a larger, more expensive lens. The fixed f/11 aperture is the main compromise, but it’s a trade-off that many photographers will find acceptable given the other benefits. If you're looking for a super-telephoto lens and are willing to work within the limitations of a fixed aperture, I highly recommend the Canon RF 800mm f/11. It opens up a whole new world of photographic possibilities and is a game-changer in its class.

Value for Money

The Canon RF 800mm f/11 offers incredible value for the money. It's a surprisingly affordable super-telephoto lens. It allows a wider range of photographers to experience the benefits of extreme reach. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this lens. The image quality, the compact size, and the built-in image stabilization make it a fantastic deal. Compared to other lenses in the super-telephoto category, the RF 800mm f/11 is a bargain. It's particularly appealing for those who may not want to invest a fortune in a professional-grade lens. This makes it a great choice for hobbyists, enthusiasts, and anyone looking to expand their photographic capabilities. The value proposition of the RF 800mm f/11 is one of its strongest selling points. It enables photographers to capture stunning images without breaking the bank. The value is a significant factor in its popularity and success.

Alternatives and Comparisons

When considering the Canon RF 800mm f/11, it's helpful to look at alternative lenses and how they compare. Canon's RF mount lineup has several options, depending on your needs and budget. The RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM offers greater flexibility with its zoom range, but at a higher price and a larger size. It also has a wider aperture, which is beneficial in low-light situations. The RF 600mm f/11 IS STM is another viable option, offering a slightly shorter reach but with a similar design philosophy of compact size and affordability. When comparing, the RF 800mm f/11 gives you the maximum reach, which is great for wildlife. It excels when you want to get closer to the action. It is also the most affordable. Choosing the right lens depends on your specific needs, shooting style, and budget. However, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 is a strong contender, especially for those prioritizing portability and affordability. Weigh the pros and cons of each lens carefully and choose the one that aligns best with your photographic goals.