Does The Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Have A Design Weakness?

[Canon Rumors]

The Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM has been a terrific selling lens for Canon. We’re big fans of its performance and price performance. It has allowed so many photographers get reach without selling their car or a kidney.

Read The Full Article

 

[neuroanatomist]

Is this a design flaw or do we have to realize the 200-800 isn’t built to the same standard as a lens such as the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7L IS USM? You are paying for how L lenses are put together and the materials used inside the lens along with the optical elements.

I wonder what Aaron at LensRentals has seen, and if he’ll do a teardown at some point.

 

[Mistral75]

It also happened during a presentation of the lens by Canon and Images Photo Nîmes (the local branch of a French retail chain) in the Camargue.

The lens broke in the same place. I'll let you imagine how the Canon salesman looked, especially as there were a lot of people there to test the lens...

 

[Canon Rumors]

It also happened during a presentation of the lens by Canon and Images Photo Nîmes (the local branch of a French retail chain) in the Camargue.

The lens broke in the same place. I'll let you imagine how the Canon salesman looked, especially as there were a lot of people there to test the lens...

Thank you for that input. I'm waiting to hear back from some rental houses to see if they have experienced this.

I think this is worth knowing about.

 

[Mirnavi]

And I thought I would buy this lens one day, I think I’ll keep my Sigma 150-600 for now.

It also happened during a presentation of the lens by Canon and Images Photo Nîmes (the local branch of a French retail chain) in the Camargue.

The lens broke in the same place. I'll let you imagine how the Canon salesman looked, especially as there were a lot of people there to test the lens...

And he said it was a pre-production lens wasn't a video about this too or did I read about it somewhere?!

 

[Daniel Lindblom]

I don't like that cumbersome large front piece. It looks really front heavy and awful. And with this weakness I want buy this lens until they release an reinforced mark II version.

 

[docsmith]

I'll say it again...I really wish Canon had priced the RF 200-800 2x what they did and made a few improvements. Removable foot, better lens coatings, and now, sounds like, more metal in the construction.

But, this is an optically very good consumer level lens.

 

[Canon Rumors]

Here's another lens becoming two lenses. That's now 7 reports and counting.

 

[OldDudePhotog]

I originally pre-ordered this lens but canceled it once I realized it was not an L series, it seems this was a good idea, and mine would have almost certainly broken by now, as I can be rough on equipment sometimes.

 

[Exploreshootshare]

Whew, seven broken lenses is quite a lot. I was on a safari in Kenia in 2022 and boy did I treat my RF 100-500mm bad in a couple of situations I banged it against car interiors on two or three occasions. Plus, the roads (if you can call them roads at all) are very though in the Masai Mara. Just hitting a bump while driving might give the a lens a shake that will tear it apart. Hope Canon finds a fix for this or that is just related to a certain batch of lenses. I'll stick with my RF 100-500mm, but since I´ll hold of getting a 200-800mm (not related to these reports) I might revisit the idea of an RF extender.

 

[MichelleVanTine]

I\'m happy to read this because, as you said, it seemed like an affordable option without selling my kidney. Seeing these reports come in, though, I\'m realizing. It might not be the right lens for me. I shooot alot of extreme sports. Lots of moving, running, climbing, ATVs, lots of water and mud splashing. I need a lens that is water sealed and very durable.Thanks for this information.I\'m gonna keep an eye on this.

 

[Del Paso]

Something similar was experienced by several Sony users.
Their first 70-200 f/2,8 had a very weak aluminium flange used to assemble the 2 lens\' halves.
Guess what could (and did) happen.
But honestly, not being an L lens shouldn\'t be an excuse. This is what in French is known as \"faire des economies de bouts de chandelles\".
Approximate translation: Making candle end-bit savings.

 

[byjohnburns]

That's bad, but doesn't surprise me too much. I think Canon was somewhat mistaken to paint the lens in that white color because—despite the lack of the red ring towards the front—it does bely "L" quality to a degree.

 

[shadowsports]

Mine is working well . I have a CarePak. It's a great value for the money. This kind of information is certainly helpful, but I'm not going to worry about something that hasn't happened. If it does, I'll deal with it. Otherwise I'm happy with my copy at this point. I fully understand that $h*t happens however, so hopefully most can enjoy the lens without problems. Hoping so anyway.

 

[Berowne]

Something similar was experienced by several Sony users.
Their first 70-200 f/2,8 had a very weak aluminium flange used to assemble the 2 lens\' halves.
Guess what could (and did) happen.
But honestly, not being an L lens shouldn\'t be an excuse. This is what in French is known as \"faire des economies de bouts de chandelles\".
Approximate translation: Making candle end-bit savings.

Uncle Rog made a Tear-Down of this Sony-Lens an demonstrated the weak point.

 

[Berowne]

Here it is:
* Lens Teardown of the Complicated Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS: Part I
* Completing the Teardown of the Sony FE 70-200 f/2.8 GM OSS: Part II

 

[Berowne]

I wonder what Aaron at LensRentals has seen, and if he’ll do a teardown at some point.

We had a Problem with the RF 100-500
* The Secret of the Broken Element: A Canon RF 100-500mm f4.7-7.1 Teardown

 

[LSXPhotog]

I'll say it again...I really wish Canon had priced the RF 200-800 2x what they did and made a few improvements. Removable foot, better lens coatings, and now, sounds like, more metal in the construction.

But, this is an optically very good consumer level lens.

Just like the R7, it was built to a price point and had to make sacrifices that I’m not fond of. The new Sony 400-800 shows what’s possible when you build a professional, darker aperture lens and it’s pretty remarkable. But a 400-800 zoom range is a commitment on telephoto to say the least. LOL

 

[Snapster]

Good to know. Was just planning to get this lens but now I have more doubts in addition to 800mm IQ and f/9, or f/8 @600mm.

Ideally, I'd want what Sony did with the 200-600. Or even the Sigma DG DN version if Canon would license it. Not holding my breath for that anymore. Maybe it's time to get a Sony body for wildlife and just grab the 200-600.

 

[julferry]

Mine hasn't broken in half (yet), but I'm disappointed with the sharpness. My 100-400mm MK2 and 1.4X MK3 combo is sharper at every zoom level.

And of course, my 500mm with the 1.4 X is sharper too. But that thing is a beast to carry.

I guess I'm just spoiled by the L glass.