Hey everyone! Today, let's dive deep into the Canon RF 800mm F11 STM lens. This lens has generated quite a buzz, mainly because it offers an incredibly long focal length at a relatively affordable price. But does it live up to the hype? We're going to put it through its paces and see what it's really capable of.

First Impressions: Lightweight and Compact

Right out of the box, the first thing you'll notice about the Canon RF 800mm F11 STM is how surprisingly lightweight it is. Compared to traditional super-telephoto lenses, this thing is a featherweight champion. This is largely due to its diffractive optics (DO) element, which allows Canon to significantly reduce the size and weight of the lens. The lens is so light, in fact, that you could hold it for extended periods without feeling like your arms are about to fall off.

Its compact design also makes it incredibly portable. You can easily throw it in your bag without taking up too much space, making it a fantastic option for travel or wildlife photography where you need to be mobile. This portability factor alone makes it an appealing option for many photographers who might have been intimidated by the sheer size and weight of other 800mm lenses. The build quality feels solid despite its lightweight construction, and it's clear that Canon has put some thought into making this lens both durable and easy to handle.

Image Quality: Sharpness and Detail

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: image quality. The Canon RF 800mm F11 STM delivers surprisingly sharp images, especially considering its fixed f/11 aperture. In the center of the frame, sharpness is excellent, and even the edges hold up reasonably well. However, it's worth noting that diffraction can start to become noticeable at f/11, especially on higher resolution sensors.

Despite this, the level of detail you can capture with this lens is impressive. Feathers on birds, textures on wildlife, and distant landscapes all render with remarkable clarity. The lens also controls chromatic aberration (color fringing) quite well, which is crucial for a super-telephoto lens. While you might see some minor fringing in high-contrast areas, it's generally easy to correct in post-processing. One thing to keep in mind is that the fixed f/11 aperture means you'll need to be mindful of your ISO settings, especially in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. But overall, the image quality from the Canon RF 800mm F11 STM is more than acceptable for its price point and target audience. When paired with a capable camera body, it’s possible to achieve stunning results that belie its affordable price tag.

Autofocus Performance: STM Stepping Motor

The Canon RF 800mm F11 STM utilizes a stepping motor (STM) for autofocus. STM motors are known for their smooth and quiet operation, making them ideal for video recording. In terms of speed, the autofocus is decent, but it's not the fastest on the market. It can sometimes hunt a bit in challenging lighting conditions or when trying to lock onto fast-moving subjects. However, in most situations, it's perfectly adequate for capturing still images.

One of the significant advantages of the STM motor is its near-silent operation. This is particularly useful for wildlife photography, where you don't want to scare away your subjects with noisy autofocus. The STM motor also works seamlessly with Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, providing accurate and reliable autofocus performance. While it might not be the best choice for professional sports photography, it's more than capable for general wildlife, birding, and landscape photography. The smooth and quiet operation makes it a joy to use, and you'll appreciate the lack of distracting noise, especially when shooting in quiet environments. The autofocus is accurate enough to capture critical moments.

Fixed Aperture: Understanding the Limitations

The fixed f/11 aperture is perhaps the most significant limitation of the Canon RF 800mm F11 STM. This means you have no control over the aperture, which can be challenging in certain situations. In bright, sunny conditions, f/11 is perfectly fine, but as the light starts to fade, you'll need to increase your ISO to maintain a decent shutter speed. This can lead to increased noise in your images, so it's essential to find a balance between shutter speed and ISO.

Another consequence of the fixed aperture is the shallow depth of field. While you might think that f/11 would provide ample depth of field, the long focal length of 800mm actually compresses the background and creates a surprisingly shallow depth of field. This can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it can help to isolate your subject and create a pleasing background blur. On the other hand, it means you need to be extra careful with your focus to ensure that your subject is sharp. Despite these limitations, the fixed aperture is a trade-off that Canon made to keep the size, weight, and cost of the lens down. For many photographers, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, but it's crucial to understand the limitations before purchasing the lens. If you know what you're getting into, you can work around the fixed aperture and still capture stunning images. This fixed aperture is a trade-off between cost and convenience.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Things Steady

The Canon RF 800mm F11 STM features built-in image stabilization (IS), which is essential for a lens of this focal length. The IS system provides up to 4 stops of shake reduction, allowing you to shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds than you would otherwise be able to. This is particularly useful in low-light conditions or when shooting from a moving platform. The image stabilization works effectively to reduce camera shake and produce sharp images, even at slower shutter speeds.

When combined with the lightweight design of the lens, the image stabilization makes it possible to capture handheld shots that would be impossible with other 800mm lenses. Of course, using a tripod is always recommended for the sharpest possible images, but the IS system gives you the flexibility to shoot handheld when necessary. The image stabilization is a valuable feature that significantly enhances the usability of the lens. It allows you to capture sharp images in a wider range of shooting conditions, making it a versatile tool for wildlife, birding, and landscape photography. This feature is crucial for a super-telephoto lens.

Who is this Lens For?

The Canon RF 800mm F11 STM is not for everyone, but it's an excellent option for certain types of photographers. If you're a beginner or enthusiast looking to get into super-telephoto photography without breaking the bank, this lens is a great starting point. It's also a good choice for travel photographers who need a lightweight and portable telephoto lens. However, if you're a professional sports photographer or someone who needs the fastest possible autofocus and widest possible aperture, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.

This lens is ideal for wildlife and birding enthusiasts who want to capture stunning images of distant subjects. The long focal length allows you to get close to the action without disturbing the animals, and the image quality is good enough for producing high-quality prints and sharing on social media. It's also a fun lens to experiment with, and you might be surprised at the kinds of images you can capture with it. Ultimately, the Canon RF 800mm F11 STM is a unique and affordable lens that opens up new possibilities for photographers of all skill levels. This lens is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Pros and Cons

To summarize, let's break down the pros and cons of the Canon RF 800mm F11 STM:

Pros:

• Lightweight and compact design
• Affordable price
• Good image quality
• Effective image stabilization
• Silent STM autofocus

Cons:

• Fixed f/11 aperture
• Autofocus can be slow in challenging conditions
• Diffraction can be noticeable at f/11

Final Verdict

The Canon RF 800mm F11 STM is a unique and compelling lens that offers a lot of value for its price. While it's not without its limitations, the lightweight design, good image quality, and effective image stabilization make it a worthwhile option for photographers looking to explore the world of super-telephoto photography. If you're willing to work around the fixed aperture, you can capture stunning images with this lens. It's not a perfect lens, but it's a lot of fun to use, and it opens up new creative possibilities. So, if you're in the market for an affordable and portable 800mm lens, the Canon RF 800mm F11 STM is definitely worth considering. This lens represents a significant step forward in making super-telephoto photography more accessible to a wider range of photographers.