Is the Canon RF 800mm f/11 the best budget super-telephoto lens for wildlife photography? (Review)
Super-telephoto lenses are often large, heavy, and expensive, making them out of reach for many wildlife photographers. However, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens is a unique addition to the world of wildlife photography.
Since its release, it has sparked both excitement and skepticism among wildlife photographers. At under $1,000, it offers extreme reach and a lightweight build at an unprecedented price. But can it actually deliver sharp images and reliable performance in the field?
In this review of the Canon RF 800mm f/11, we will explore these aspects in detail to help you decide whether this lens fits your wildlife photography needs.
Northern lapwing | Canon R10 + Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM | ISO 1000, 1/500, f/11
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Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM Overview
The Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM is a prime lens designed for Canon’s RF mirrorless cameras. It provides an accessible way for photographers to experience extreme reach without the typical weight and cost of high-end super-telephoto primes. While it sacrifices versatility due to its fixed f/11 aperture, it compensates with a lightweight build, compact design, and affordability, making it a compelling option for wildlife photographers.
Unlike traditional telephotos, you must manually extend the Canon RF 800mm f/11 before use. This collapsible design reduces storage size but adds an extra step before shooting. It also has a diffractive optical element (DO) that reduces weight and size while maintaining image quality. This allows the lens to remain significantly smaller and lighter than traditional 800mm primes.
Simply put, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 challenges conventional telephoto lens design by prioritizing accessibility and portability over high-performance features.
Specifications
Focal Length: 800mm
Max Aperture: f/11
Min Aperture: f/11
Minimum Focus Distance: 6 m / 19.6 ft)
Magnification Ratio: 0.14x
Weight: 1260 g (2.77 lbs)
Image stabilization: up to 4 stops correction
Minimum Overall Length:
When shooting: approx. 351.8 mm / 13.85 in
When retracted: approx. 281.8 mm / 11.09 in
Before diving into a list of pros and cons of this lens, I will discuss other areas that require detailed analysis:
Price
Weight and ergonomics
Focal length and reach
Price
With a price tag of $999.99, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 is one of the most affordable super-telephoto lenses, making extreme reach accessible to more photographers.
Among 800mm lenses, this is the most budget-friendly option on the market. This lens costs 17 times less compared to the Canon RF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM ($16,999). This price lowers the barrier for entry for beginners and wildlife photographers on a budget looking to explore long prime lenses without the high cost.
For those looking to save even more, used copies are available for around $800, offering an even lower-cost entry into 800mm photography.
Weight and ergonomics
Its remarkably lightweight and ergonomic design sets the Canon RF 800mm f/11 apart from traditional super-telephoto lenses.
At under 3 lbs (1.2 kg), this lens is exceptionally light for its focal length. This makes it significantly easier to handle than other 800mm lenses, like the RF 800mm f/5.6, which can weigh upwards of 3 kg or 6.9 lbs. Its lightweight design is a significant advantage, particularly for photographers prioritizing portability.
The lens is designed to be easily hand-holdable and collapsible for transport, which is unique for an 800mm lens. This is a major advantage for wildlife photographers who often move in the field. However, the lens must be extended and locked into place before use.
The plastic build helps reduce weight but comes at the cost of weather sealing, which may be a drawback for some wildlife photographers. However, in my experience, having a good lens cover and cleaning your lens thoroughly if it gets dirty is generally enough for even the least weather-sealed gear.
The lens does not include a tripod collar, as it is intended for handheld shooting. While it includes a small tripod mount, it does not allow for easy horizontal and vertical rotation.
The lens includes a focus limiter switch that allows users to choose between the full range or 20 meters to infinity. This feature helps improve autofocus speed so the lens doesn't "hunt" as much.
Despite its lightweight design, the lens remains large, measuring approximately 35cm (14 inches).
The Canon RF 800mm f/11 prioritizes lightness and hand-holdability. The lens's design is geared towards photographers who want a long, easy-to-carry lens they can use for extended periods without excessive weight.
Focal length and reach
An 800mm focal length provides extreme telephoto reach for wildlife photographers to capture distant subjects with ease, making it well-suited for small birds, elusive animals, and subjects in open landscapes.
A defining characteristic of shooting at 800mm is perspective compression. At this focal length, the background appears pulled in toward the subject, creating a distinct look that can enhance subject isolation or flatten depth within a scene. However, this compression can also lead to a deceptive perception of distance—a subject may appear much closer in the viewfinder than it actually is.
Long lenses and shooting distant subjects can also increase the challenge of heat distortion (also referred to as atmospheric distortion or heat haze). Heat waves, humidity, and air turbulence can degrade image sharpness, especially when shooting over long distances. Heat distortion—often seen as a shimmering effect over sunlit surfaces—becomes increasingly problematic at focal lengths above 150-200mm. And at 800mm, even minor atmospheric disturbances become magnified, which can degrade sharpness and contrast.
This effect occurs because long focal lengths magnify not just the subject but also every layer of air between the camera and the scene. The more distance light travels through unstable air, the more it bends and refracts, creating visible softness in images. Humidity, dust, and air pollution further scatter light, reducing contrast and making distant subjects appear hazy. Understanding this is crucial to get the most out of your lens.
To minimize atmospheric distortion, photographers should:
Shoot during cooler times of the day, such as early morning or late afternoon, when the air is more stable.
Avoid photographing over heat-radiating surfaces like asphalt, dry grasslands, or water on sunny days.
Choose shooting locations with clean, dry air, as high humidity and airborne particles reduce image sharpness at long distances.
Black-winged stilt | Canon R10 + Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM | ISO 500, 1/200, f/11
Pros
Image quality
For a budget lens, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM delivers solid image quality, though it falls short of premium telephoto options.
Compared to the Canon RF 100-400 is noticeably softer, and higher-end lenses, like the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and Canon RF 135mm f/1.8, blow its resolution and rendering out of the water. That said, it is sharp enough for most people’s uses. That’s why I never hesitated to use the lens when I needed more focal length.
One reason for its reduced sharpness is diffraction, a phenomenon where light waves spread and interfere with each other as they pass through a small aperture. Because this lens is fixed at f/11, diffraction is more noticeable compared to faster lenses like f/4 or f/2.8, reducing fine detail.
Note: While lens sharpness is important for wildlife photography, your technique often plays a more significant role in achieving sharp results. Whether you use a tripod or employ good hand-holding techniques can make a difference in your photographs, sometimes more so than the lens itself.
Background blur and bokeh
Despite its narrow f/11 aperture, the lens can still create a pleasing background blur, due to the strong compression at 800mm. However, backgrounds may retain more texture compared to faster lenses and require careful composition to achieve full subject isolation.
Bokeh depends on multiple factors: focal length, aperture, subject distance, and background distance. At 800mm, even at f/11, if the subject is close and the background is far away, you can still nail those creamy backgrounds we wildlife photographers strive to achieve.
Just remember that the 6 m (19.6 ft) minimum focus distance is far, so you won’t be able to work as close to your subject as with other lenses. This just means you’ll have to work harder to find suitable backgrounds, but that’s almost a bonus if you’re trying to learn about composition, which will serve you well far into your wildlife photography career.
Image stabilization
For a lens of this focal length that is meant to be handheld, I was very impressed with the 4-stop image stabilization (IS) on the Canon RF 800mm f/11. At 800mm, camera shake is significantly magnified, and IS plays a crucial role in reducing motion blur at slower shutter speeds. This is especially useful in low light, where a slower shutter speed reduces the impact of noise. With image stabilization activated, I’ve been able to capture sharp images at 1/50s and, in some cases, even 1/20s when using proper handholding techniques.
And if you happen to have a camera with in-body image stabilization (IBIS), like the Canon R6 II or R5 II, you can increase your IS significantly to shoot even slower to capture images that normally wouldn’t be possible.
Autofocus
The Canon RF 800mm f/11 uses an STM (Stepping Motor), which prioritizes smooth and quiet operation over raw speed. While the autofocus is generally accurate, its limitations can impact real-world performance.
Autofocus is restricted to a small, central portion of the frame, significantly reducing composition flexibility. This means that subjects must be within this central area to acquire focus effectively. If a subject moves outside this zone, tracking becomes difficult, requiring frequent focusing and recomposing.
The autofocus can sometimes be inconsistent, occasionally hunting for focus or failing to maintain a solid lock on a subject. On full-frame cameras like the Canon R8, autofocus performance is more reliable. However, on APS-C bodies like the Canon R10, focus hunting is more frequent, particularly in lower light conditions. My keeper rate is much, much lower with the R10 than R8.
While the autofocus remains more than usable, it does not match the performance of higher-end lenses like the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8, RF 100-400mm, or RF 200-800mm. The Canon RF 800mm f/11 is noticeably slower than those lenses, though it still outperforms the sluggish autofocus of the Nikon 200-500mm. I’ve struggled most with shooting birds in flight or moving subjects, but it performs much better with static wildlife.
Giraffe | Canon R10 + Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM | ISO 1600, 1/500, f/11
Cons
Aperture
The fixed f/11 aperture of the Canon RF 800mm f/11 is the most significant drawback for low light performance and subject isolation.
The lens gathers far less light than wider-aperture lenses, requiring much higher ISO settings or longer shutter speeds to achieve proper exposure. This makes freezing fast-moving subjects—such as birds in flight—especially difficult, as fast shutter speeds demand higher ISOs, which increase image noise.
The fixed f/11 aperture means exposure adjustments must rely solely on ISO and shutter speed. In other words, there is no flexibility to adjust it for different shooting conditions without adding a teleconverter—which introduces additional drawbacks (increased focal length, poorer autofocus, and more limited use).
Low light performance
Although you can use the 800 f/11 in low light, especially by reducing shutter speeds, the aperture will reduce the time you can spend in the field shooting more than a faster lens. And of course, your ISO will skyrocket much sooner. This results in more noise and shorter shooting windows at dawn and dusk.
You cannot work around less time in the field, but thankfully, high ISOs are not as dramatic as they used to be thanks to better image stabilization, noise performance in cameras, and modern noise reduction software, like Adobe Lightroom or DXO PureRaw.
Read more: Here's Why Your Photos Aren't Sharp: 8 Tips to Improve Sharpness in Your Photography
Minimum focus distance
The lens has a long minimum focus distance of 6 m (19.7 ft). Therefore, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 is unsuitable for close-up photos of small birds or other subjects in dense environments, where stepping farther back isn’t always possible. The inability to focus on nearby subjects will reduce composition flexibility, forcing you to work harder to get keepers. Wildlife photographers looking for a versatile telephoto lens for both distant and close subjects will find this to be a significant drawback.
No lens hood
The Canon RF 800mm f/11 does not come with a lens hood, so you have to purchase one separately. A lens hood reduces glare, improves contrast, and provides essential protection for the front element. The lack of a hood also presents a practical challenge—without it, the lens is harder to set down or walk through the forest securely, increasing the risk of accidental damage.
Little owl | Canon R8 + Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM | ISO 2500, 1/50, f/11
How to best use the Canon RF 800mm f/11
In this section, I will share my insights on how best to use the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM for wildlife photography. While having some limitations, it offers unique advantages in real-world shooting scenarios for bird and wildlife photography.
Avoid teleconverters and get closer to your subject
While it may be tempting to extend the 800mm reach even further with a teleconverter, doing so degrades image quality and reduces autofocus speed. A 1.4x teleconverter turns the lens into a 1120mm f/16, while a 2x teleconverter results in 1600mm f/22, making autofocus unreliable and requiring extremely high ISOs in anything but bright sunlight.
Instead, prioritize getting physically closer to your subject. This maintains optical quality, improves subject detail, and allows for more engaging compositions that reveal behavior and emotion—key elements in compelling wildlife photography.
Know its limitations, but experiment
The Canon RF 800mm f/11 has clear constraints, such as its fixed aperture (challenging in low light) and minimum focus distance (not suited for close-ups). However, don’t let these hold you back. Experiment with different compositions, lighting, and slow shutter speeds to explore your creative potential.
Great for when you can't get close
The 800mm focal length is perfect for photographing:
Wary animals that flee when approached
Small birds that are hard to get close to
Larger wildlife at a safe distance
It fills the frame even at long distances, making it ideal for subjects that are easily disturbed or live in open environments where cover is limited.
Prioritize full frame cameras, avoid crop sensors
To compensate for the f/11 aperture, pair this lens with a camera like the Canon R8, which excels in high-ISO performance. These cameras can produce usable images even at higher ISO settings, allowing you to maintain a decent shutter speed in less-than-perfect lighting. High-ISO capabilities help maintain fast shutter speeds in less-than-ideal lighting.
In my experience, the autofocus will also be much better on full-frame cameras. The difference is drastic when I use my Canon R8 vs my R10, as I miss far more shots with the latter.
Pair with a shorter lens
This focal length is highly restrictive, so if budget allows, pair it with a shorter telephoto or zoom lens, such as the lightweight and versatile Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8. In fact, before I purchased the Canon RF 200-800mm, that’s exactly what I did and it gave me excellent coverage at multiple focal lengths. Having a second lens gives more flexibility, especially for closer subjects, environmental shots, or situations where 800mm is too tight.
Shoot silhouettes and backlit
Use the 800mm f/11 to capture silhouettes and backlit subjects. Since you’ll be underexposing to enhance colors and reduce detail, you can use lower ISOs and faster shutter speeds for cleaner shots. You will also capture more drama than your standard frontlit photos.
Optimized for distant subjects
At 800mm and with a 6m minimum focus distance, this lens isn’t suited for close-ups. Plan your shots accordingly, ensuring subjects remain within the focusing range to get sharp results. If a subject moves too close, you’ll need to step back or switch to a different lens.
Black-headed gull | Canon R8 + Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM | ISO 1600, 1/500, f/11
Should you use the Canon RF 800mm f/11 with teleconverters?
Attaching a teleconverter increases the focal length of the lens, but it also reduces the maximum aperture. While they can be helpful, they come with significant trade-offs:
Reduced Aperture: A 1.4x teleconverter makes it a 1120mm f/16, while a 2x makes it a 1600mm f/22. This makes it nearly unusable in anything but bright daylight.
Image Quality Loss: Teleconverters can degrade sharpness and detail, making images less usable beyond social media. Apertures around f/16 and f/22 are also commonly associated with increased diffraction, leading to a decline in sharpness.
Autofocus Challenges: Autofocus becomes slower and less reliable, struggling with moving subjects and limiting focus points to a small central area.
For an already specialized lens, a teleconverter makes its use even more niche. Cropping would be a better alternative to the extender. Although I have not used this lens with teleconverters, given my research into others’ experiences and the natural challenge of using this lens, I would generally not recommend using teleconverters on the Canon RF 800mm f/11.
Why cropping may be a better option
For most wildlife photographers, cropping from the RF 800mm f/11 may be a better option than using a teleconverter. The loss of sharpness, slower autofocus, and the sheer cost of a teleconverter make it impractical for many users.
As of writing this article, the Extender RF1.4x costs $499.99 and the RF2x $599.99 compared to the $999.99 of the RF 800mm f/11. In other words, a 2x teleconverter costs over half as much as the lens itself, making it hard to justify. For those looking for more reach, investing in a high-resolution camera and cropping may provide a better solution than a teleconverter.
Competitors
The Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens occupies a unique position in the market, and comparing it to other lenses highlights its strengths and weaknesses.
Canon RF 100-400mm
Pros
Cheaper: The 100-400mm ($649) is about 1/3 the price of the RF 800mm f/11 ($899).
Image quality: Sharper and better contrast than the RF 800mm f/11.
Smaller and lighter: 635g (1.4 lbs) vs. 1,260g (2.78 lbs)—much easier to carry and handhold.
Zoom range: 100-400mm zoom provides flexibility, while RF 800mm is fixed at 800mm.
Faster autofocus: More reliable and quicker to lock focus than the RF 800mm f/11.
Minimum focus distance: 0.88m (100-400mm) vs. 6m (800mm f/11)—better for close-ups.
Wider, variable aperture: f/5.6-8 vs. fixed f/11.
Image stabilization: 6 stops vs. 4 stops—helps with sharper handheld shots.
Cons
Less focal length: 400mm vs. 800mm doesn’t provide as much reach.
Canon RF 100-500mm
Pros
Image quality: Much sharper, better contrast, and superior coatings compared to the RF 800mm f/11.
Smaller and lighter:
Zoom range: 100-500mm range vs. fixed 800mm.
Faster autofocus: Dual Nano USM system is quicker and more reliable than the RF 800mm’s STM motor.
Minimum focus distance: 0.87-1.2m (100-500mm) vs. 6m (800mm f/11)—better for close-ups.
Wider, variable aperture: f/4.5-7.1 vs. fixed f/11—better for low-light and fast shutter speeds.
Image stabilization: 5 stops vs. 4 stops—helps with handheld shooting.
Cons
Much more expensive: $2,699 vs. $899—three times the price of the RF 800mm f/11.
Less focal length: 500mm max vs. 800mm—even with a 1.4x teleconverter (700mm f/10), it’s still shorter.
Heavier: 1,370g (3.02 lbs) vs. 1,260g (2.78 lbs)—not a huge difference, but still bulkier.
Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM
Pros
Cheaper: $699 vs. $899—more affordable than the RF 800mm f/11.
Smaller and lighter: 930g (2.05 lbs) vs. 1,260g (2.78 lbs)—easier to carry and handhold.
Image stabilization: 5 stops vs. 4 stops—helps with handheld shooting.
Minimum focus distance: 4.5m vs. 6m makes it better suited for closer subjects.
Cons
Less focal length: 600mm vs. 800mm
Canon RF 200-800mm
Pros
Image quality: Sharper and better contrast than the RF 800mm f/11.
Zoom range: 200-800mm—much more versatile than a fixed 800mm.
Faster autofocus: Better AF speed and accuracy with Nano USM compared to the RF 800mm’s STM motor.
Minimum focus distance: 0.8m (200mm) / 1.8m (400mm) / 2.8m (600mm) / 3.3m (800mm) vs. 6m—much better for closer subjects.
Wider, variable aperture: f/6.3-9 vs. fixed f/11—better for low-light shooting and fast shutter speeds.
Image stabilization: 5.5 stops vs. 4 stops—better for handheld use.
Cons
More expensive: $2,799 vs. $899—over three times the price of the RF 800mm f/11.
Larger and heavier: 2,930g (6.46 lbs) vs. 1,260g (2.78 lbs)—significantly bulkier and harder to carry for long periods.
Canon RF 800mm f/5.6
Pros
Image quality: Far superior sharpness, contrast, and overall rendering compared to the RF 800mm f/11.
Faster autofocus: Significantly better AF speed and tracking than the RF 800mm f/11.
Wider, variable aperture: f/5.6 vs. fixed f/11—far better in low-light conditions and for action photography.
Cons
More expensive: $16,999 vs. $899—more than 18x the price of the RF 800mm f/11.
Larger and heavier: 3,140g (6.92 lbs) vs. 1,260g (2.78 lbs)—far bulkier and harder to handhold.
Little egret | Canon R8 + Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM | ISO 1250, 1/500, f/11
Bonus: Canon R8 community feedback and photos!
Matt Parish
Matt is an amateur wildlife photographer based in Ontario, Canada. He's on a mission to showcase intimate, detailed images of animals from his own unique perspective.
“Despite its limitations, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 is a surprisingly effective bird photography lens. Its 800mm reach allows me to capture detailed images of birds without disturbing them. However, the fixed f/11 aperture performs best in bright daylight, as low-light shooting can be challenging. The lens performs much better on full frame cameras since on APS-C bodies, 1280mm can be a limiting and niche focal length. Image stabilization is crucial for reducing camera shake, especially when shooting handheld at 800mm. The STM autofocus is reliable but slower than Canon’s USM motors, making it less ideal for fast-moving subjects like birds in flight. Paired with proper technique and patience, sharp images are achievable with this budget friendly prime lens.”
Tree swallow | Canon R8 + Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM | ISO 3200, 1/320, f/11 | Credit: Matt Parish
Hooded warbler | Canon R8 + Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM | ISO 2500, 1/640, f/11 | Credit: Matt Parish
Broad-winged hawk | Canon R8 + Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM | ISO 320, 1/160, f/11 | Credit: Matt Parish
Who is this lens for?
The Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens is not an all-purpose lens. It’s a highly specialized tool designed for wildlife photographers who need extreme reach at an affordable price. Understanding its strengths and trade-offs is key to determining whether this lens is the right fit for your photography. You should consider this lens if:
You’re on a budget: The RF 800mm f/11 offers an affordable entry into super-telephoto photography, giving you 800mm for possibly the lowest price on the market.
You prioritize portability: Lightweight and easy to carry, this lens is ideal for hiking and travel, allowing you to use it all day without the same fatigue as heavier telephotos.
You shoot in bright light: Best suited for sunny conditions where the f/11 aperture is less restrictive, making it a solid choice for daytime shooting.
You enjoy a challenge: Designed for photographers who understand its limitations (fixed f/11 aperture, minimum focus distance), can adapt to higher ISOs, and want to work on their fieldcraft.
You might want to skip this lens if:
You need maximum versatility: With a fixed 800mm focal length, f/11 aperture, and a minimum focus distance, it lacks the flexibility of a zoom or variable aperture lens.
You often shoot in low light: While not impossible, the f/11 aperture makes it challenging to use in dim environments or when fast shutter speeds are needed.
You rely on shallow depth of field: The narrow aperture limits bokeh more than fast glass, making it less suitable for those who prioritize more significant subject isolation.
You need the fastest autofocus: Autofocus can be slower and less consistent than higher-end lenses, which may be frustrating for shooting action.
Common tern | Canon R8 + Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM | ISO 1000, 1/200, f/11
Bottom line
The Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM is a unique super-telephoto lens, offering extreme reach in a compact, lightweight, and budget-friendly package. It doesn’t work in every scenario a shorter zoom would, but if you learn how to use it properly, it produces excellent results for wildlife and bird photography.
Although it isn’t as fast as other lenses of similar focal lengths, its smaller size and weight allow it to go where bigger, heavier ones cannot. This is an excellent thing because it can make your shooting experience much more enjoyable since it will require way less effort, since it can be handheld comfortably for long periods.
Although it cannot touch the image quality of shorter, faster primes nor match the versatility of zooms like Canon RF 200-800mm, it is less tiring, easier to travel with, and still offers the same reach. For much, much cheaper.
For photographers willing to work within its limitations, it provides a rewarding challenge that can refine their skills in composition, lighting, and fieldcraft. In short, this is a fun, accessible lens that can deliver excellent results when used within its capabilities. For those looking for a lightweight 800mm lens that doesn't break the bank, look no further.
Where to buy
If you are interested in purchasing the Canon RF 800mm f/11, there are several cheap, used options on Amazon for around $1000. If you live in Canada, Kijiji is a great place to get even cheaper gear if you are willing to buy cameras and lenses without an intermediary service.