One Day with the RF 200-800 f/6.3-9 IS USM.

Thanks everyone....

I included the BIF of the merganser, but here are a few others plus the eagles from yesterday.

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small-3088.jpgsmall-3096.jpgsmall-3104-2.jpgsmall-3243.jpgsmall-3251.jpgsmall-3310.jpg

Last one was @ 800 mm....never enough reach ;).

Anyways...give this lens enough light, it really does well, IMO.
 
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Backing off and not using it as much at 800 mm is paying some dividends, 600-750 mm seems like a sweet spot. Also, electronic shutter seems to help the AF a bit in low light.

R5, RF 200-800 @ 672 mm, 1/800, f/9 ISO 3200...cropped to ~2.8 MP
537A3523-Enhanced-NR-2.jpg

same as above, 3.9 MPs

537A3526-Enhanced-NR.jpg

Same settings as above, 15.3 MPs (so, almost a cropped sensor on the R5), exported to 2500px
small-3528.jpg

@800 mm, same settings. 21.1 MPs, exported to 2500
small--10.jpg
 
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Backing off and not using it as much at 800 mm is paying some dividends, 600-750 mm seems like a sweet spot. Also, electronic shutter seems to help the AF a bit in low light.

R5, RF 200-800 @ 672 mm, 1/800, f/9 ISO 3200...cropped to ~2.8 MP


same as above, 3.9 MPs



Same settings as above, 15.3 MPs (so, almost a cropped sensor on the R5), exported to 2500px


@800 mm, same settings. 21.1 MPs, exported to 2500
From what I have seen, I think you are correct in your observation of a sweet spot. I don't think it loses resolution going from 700 to 800, but it doesn't gain much, if any, either, so it really gets down to how much magnification you want. If you are shooting an R5 or R7, then you can go to 650 or 700 and get more of the background in the image without losing much, if any, detail. If you are shooting an R6, then the move to 800 might well be advantageous.
 
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I used the RF 200-800 for a full day while walking different preserves in the Tampa/Bradenton area of Florida.

Pointing out the obvious, which is my specialty, it is nice to have a zoom range. My usage from the day when I exclusively used the 200-800 on my R5:
Focal Length​
Images​
Usage (%)​
200-299​
69​
8%​
300-399​
53​
6%​
400-499​
135​
16%​
500-599​
59​
7%​
600-699​
177​
20%​
700-799​
99​
11%​
800​
278​
32%​
Total Images​
870​

As an illustration as how this might be used....walking amongst some mangroves, seeing an ibis to your right. But the body is obscured so, headshot:

RF 200-800 @ 800, 1/160, f/9, ISO 400 (could I have increased ISO for shutterspeed...yes, I think I could have)

small-9263.jpg

Then the Ibis moves into a small opening:
@ 268 mm (otherwise same settings)
small-9282.jpg

Then you see something a bit further off...cropped to 3301x4949, @800 mm, 1/160, f/9, ISO1600

small-9324.jpg

There was a span of 1 minute between those images (3:22 pm to 3:23 pm).

This is why I wanted this lens.
 
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While I saw several potential uses for the RF 200-800 when I decided to buy it, one really stood out for me, a lighter/smaller supertelephoto to use while kayaking.

I have been out with it several times this summer, and it is great. Still has the same weaknesses (focusing in low light), but I really do appreciate not having to pull my EF 500 f/4 II out while in a kayak.

I picked up a Think Tank Digital Holster 150 that holds the lens with the R5 mounted with the lens hood reversed. Then I put the digital holster into a NRS dry bag. I am using the 35L, but the 25L would likely be better.

As for a few pictures....
Small-9814-3.jpgSmall-8610.jpgSmall-8900.jpg

Enjoy!
 
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