Photo: Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
- 800mm
- f/5.6
- Prime
- Stabilized
- 3140 g
- Min focus 2.6 m
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Quick answer
A 2022 super-telephoto prime with stabilization and an f/5.6 maximum aperture. It weighs about 3.1kg and is aimed at wildlife and sports.
Pros
- f/5.6 aperture
- Image stabilization
- Takes RF extenders
- Close focus of 2.6m
Cons
- Weighs about 3.1kg
- Large
Verdict
A native RF 800mm for serious wildlife work.
About this lens
A 800mm f/5.6 telephoto prime lens, the Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM is designed for Canon RF mount bodies, from the Canon L series with Image Stabilizer and ultrasonic-motor autofocus. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.
Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon RF
- Focal length
- 800mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/5.6
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2022
- Optical construction
- 26 elements in 18 groups
- Aperture blades
- 9
- Image stabilization
- Yes
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 2.6 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.34x
- Weight
- 3140 g
- Length
- 432 mm
- Diameter
- 163 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM?
- Distant wildlife
- Sports
- Aviation
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 800mm | 2.6° | 3.1° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 1280mm | 1.6° | 1.9° |
Frequently asked questions
How heavy is the Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM?
About 3.14kg, light for an 800mm f/5.6. A monopod or gimbal head is still advisable.
How is it different from the RF 800mm F11?
The F5.6 L is a pro-grade lens with a much faster aperture. The F11 is a lighter lens with a fixed f/11 aperture.
Does the RF 800mm f/5.6 work with extenders?
Yes. The RF 1.4x gives 1120mm f/8 and the RF 2x gives 1600mm f/11, with autofocus depending on the camera body.