Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens

2022-08-07T20:00:00

I just purchased this lens a couple of weeks ago and I absolutely love it. I am finally able to photograph Red Tailed hawks at a respectful distance, whereas before with my 400mm, they almost always would fly away. The lens is heavy, but I was able to capture the attached coyote photo hand-held at 1/320s and the red tailed hawk with some stabilization on my car door(no edits, the exposures were created exclusively by the camera). I'm sure a tripod is ideal, but I usually like to drive around wildlife refuges and take photos(i.e. be "in the moment"), so I'm not sure a tripod lends as well to that style of photography. I am loving this lens and am determined to extract every penny from it!

hawk38

Originally posted at

2021-07-09T20:00:00

There aren't too many reviews for this (and not any recently -- I guess there just aren't that many around. Anyhow, my wife gave this to me as a present last year. I really didn't think I had a need for it, but it sure is cool. Yes, you definitely need to use it with a tripod, and the narrow angle of view requires that you have your A-game for zeroing in your subject. But the results are indeed amazing. I don't get to use it often, but when I do, I'm SO glad I have it!

Rob219

Originally posted at

2019-08-12T16:45:33

No problems. Needed for skid-dish animals that I could not get close to. Would be better with the Image Stabilizer II but still an excellent lens.

PHILIP M.

2019-03-26T06:35:58

This tele is Perfect for wildlife capture. Just wish could lighter as Nikon

Dao v.

2018-01-05T19:00:00

I've been shooting this lens for approximately 18 months now. It's terrific. But. There is a learning curve with this. You don't just mount up a body, slap it on a gimbal and start taking tack sharp photos. Shooting at 800 takes some getting used to. Be that as it may, this is a great lens.

Dilemma

Originally posted at

2016-06-04T20:00:00

I finally managed to purchase this lens after 28 years of wanting a big glass. I looked at many different lens's some much less expensive and decided to go for this big gun. So far i found that the clarity and use is top notch. My photos have gone from OK to WOW! I mainly shoot wildlife and this lens lets me get those close shots that are National Geo quality without harassing the animal! I really love that as I can shoot them in more natural positions and they stay put for more opportunities for that just right position. Heavy? 9.9lbs,plus the tripod and lens mount does push down on my shoulder, but it's relevant. I can carry it for miles and only complain a little about a sore shoulder the next day. I'll get some more padding to relieve that situation. Over all I have finally got my hands on the best lens out there! Love it!

Woodtool

Originally posted at

2016-02-14T04:10:53

This lens, being Canon's flagship is, by a country mile the best lens on the planet. Being a professional photographer is a must, but for any serious enthusiast who has cash on the hip, then I would indeed thoroughly recommend this equipment. And yes, you DO need a tripod - get one with a floating head if you are intent upon shooting birds in flight... hand holding NOT recommended.... at all!

MG B.

2014-01-27T19:00:00

I got this lens as a gift from my mother. It is the best gift ever. It is very heavy and you need a tripod to use with it. I tried using a mono-pod, but had better results/luck on a tripod. I am not sure Arnold Schwarzenegger could hand-hold this one for long, even in his youth! There is a learning curve and some adjusting to get used to it, but it is a great lens for wildlife. I was lucky and got this as a gift, but if you have the $$$, it is a great lens.

5d3-shooter

Originally posted at

2014-01-14T19:00:00

Resolution has always been my highest priority and this lens certainly is the best. The auto-focus features are superb. After using the 600mm f/4 L lens for years trading it in for the 800 was the best trade I've ever made. It is lighter, a longer focal length and the stabilizing features are excellent. Would recommend a gimbal tripod head, with one the system can be manipulated with ease.

Andy

Originally posted at

2013-12-03T19:00:00

I am a very armature photographer and the shot's I got with this lens makes me look like a pro.

Billy320

Originally posted at

2013-06-20T20:00:00

ITS GREAT...I LOVE IT... ITS GREAT FOR SPORTS OR TRAVELING

Ketchup

Originally posted at

2013-04-03T21:00:00

I use the lens to shoot local wildlife. I can reach more now with 800mm without add the extension any more. It focus super quick and accurate. I love it so much. It crystal clear and sharp. Yes, you can briefly handhold for short time to shoot birds in flight. This lens is not easy for travel. It is big and heavy.

THY B.

2012-12-26T19:00:00

I have been using this lens for more than a month now. Its really exciting to see distant birds and wild animals so close thro' the image finder. AF is very fast.

Velavan

2012-12-19T19:00:00

I have been taking wild life photos for 30 years with canon lenses and the new 800 is a great improvment over the old FD 800 , if the picture is a thousand word it speeks for it self

Highlander

Originally posted at

2011-01-11T19:00:00

Great with the 1DMkIV. This combo allows captures I would not have previously been able to capture, particularly birds in flight.

Birdman

2010-12-01T19:00:00

I have been using 600 and 800mm lens for about 30 some years , Canon glass is hard to beat

JENNY W.

2010-10-18T20:00:00

I finally got my 800mm after waiting for one to be built for me. 3 months wait, but it was worth it. I bought this lens to photograph eagles this upcoming winter, but have shot pics of the moon with a 2x and a 7d (2560mm, man what unbelievable pictures. With this set up, you can just barely get the whole moon in the shot. Craters and seas jump right out at you. I would strongly suggest a gimball head set up. I am using an Induro set up, and love it. My Monfrotto ball head would support it ok, but when you losen it up to move it, you better have a good grip on the lens. I am so impressed with the quickness of the autofocus on this lense with out the 2x. It is as fast as any of my other L series lenses, and I own quite a few, and faster than my older ones. All in all, if you are looking for a fantastic super telephoto with unbelievable quality and speed, this is the lens. You may have to trade your first born for it, but it might be worth it.

john

Originally posted at

2010-09-28T20:00:00

I have used the 800 to shoot the worlds fastest motorcycles on the Bonneville Salt Flats. In five days I shoot over 7500 images. I hand hold the 800mm to shoot at 1/500 to 1/640 late in the day and use a mono-pod to rest it in between shots. Images of motorcycles going between 200 and 350 mph are crisp and the auot-focus is perfect for this type of work. I really enjoy working with this lens and would highly recomend this setup for anyone doing similar work.

Scooter

Originally posted at

2010-04-11T21:00:00

This lens exhibits superior picture quality and is thorough sharp without any chromatic aberration. It's not cheap but it's worth every penny! Simply a "must have" for an enthusiastic wildlife photographer. The built-in image stabilizer provides sufficient support for excellent picture quality without using a tripod. However, I recommend the usage of a gimbal head to make this lens virtually weightless.

Uersel

2010-03-17T20:00:00

The images of the moon with this, is unreal!! I can't believe what I was watching. The photos were so close, it looks as if I were standing right in front of it. Every concealable detail was exposed, AWSOME!!!!

fly

Originally posted at

2010-03-04T19:00:00

Hmmmm, where to start. My job as a photojournalist and my hobby as an aviation photographer depend on good equipment. No ifs, ands or buts about it. The image stabilized Canon 800mm F5.6 is a photographers dream. It is relatively lightweight for the focal length and the smoothest and fastest focus lens I own. The lens brings even the farthest subjects into a realistic possibility. The workmanship and machinery are top notch.

garf

Originally posted at

2010-02-20T19:00:00

This lens while expensive is unbelievable for wildlife. It is fast and incredibly sharp at its maximum aperture of 5.6. Amazing if you have the bucks.

Alaskakd

2010-01-24T19:00:00

I bought this lens for bird photography and use it on my Canon 7D which is a great combo. Before I was using a 500mm f4 IS with a 1.4 extender. I hand carry using a sling made by Blackrapid[@]which screws into the tripod foot and allows me to center the weight across my shoulder with the lens upside down. This allows me to hold the foot like a big handle which takes some of the weight off and keep it from swinging as I walk. I like the 800mm reach without having to use the extender on my 500mm but this adds a couple of lbs and I've lost 3' of focus (16 vs 19). Bottom line, the quality of my shots have improved and I have adjusted to carrying the weight and now carry a 2nd 7D with a 100-400mm zoom for close up shots when they present themselves. At age 62, I was worried that the extra couple of lbs would be a big negative. I do feel the extra lbs but really only notice when rotating to shoot vertically. Lastly, while a tripod would no doubt give more reliable results, I find that hand carrying is the only way to go when practicing my bird photography. Being able to walk and almost instantly swing into action is the only way to take the action to the birds as opposed to setting up in a static manner and hope that they come to you.

MORGAN E.

2009-12-30T19:00:00

This lens is a dream come true. I shoot wildlife, often at a distance, and this lens is amazing. The lens is sharp as a tack and, when mounted on a gimbal head, very easy to handle. Auto Focus is super fast and quiet. Used a 2X converter and had great results. My first extensive use of the lens was in Yellowstone and Grand Teton this past November. We hit all kinds of weather and the lens never disappointed. All in all I got some of the best photographs of my life. This lens puts you right there.

Gman

Originally posted at

2009-10-28T21:00:00

Shoot it on a bean bag, lay it on a fencepost in a pinch. It is all sharp. It is the the most amazing piece of glass I have ever seen. In 5 months, the shots from this lens have eclipsed all before. It is great for very shy animals like wolves and birds. I can't wait to try it with an extension tube. The 7D is made for this lens.

HAROLD E.

2009-07-12T21:00:00

Never bye nothing better

Fisherman

2009-04-20T21:00:00

Beautiful piece of equipment, both functionally and physically.Had the 500mm f/4.0 IS lens and must admit it was and is a great lens with spectacular I.Q.I found I needed more reach and didn't want to keep attatching and removing my 1.4 and 2x extenders in the field.This lens gives me the reach I desire without sacrificing any image degradation that might be caused by the use of extenders.With this bare lens and drop-in circular polarizer the sunrise, daytime and sunset images are stunning.Shy birds and wildlife are no longer frightened away by trying to get closer to them while more docile subjects can be framed and shot up close with gorgeous background blur.This lens, even though it is 9.9 lbs., doesn't feel much heavier to carry around than the 500mm did.I have it mounted on a Canon 5D Mark II, Wimberley 200 II gimbal head and an Induro 414A tripod. This set-up renders the lens and camera virtually weightless. I know I've found the lens that I will be most using for a long time[...]

WAYNE G.

2009-04-02T21:00:00

Finally attained my ultimate dream lens.I've only had it for a while and still in the get aquainted stage, but the features such as fast auto focus and image stabilization are incredible.Much lighter in weight than expected.I have it mounted on a Canon 50D right now and getting super long range results even wide open.The set-up is mounted on a Wimberley II gimbal head and seems almost weightless during use.Very expensive I'll admit, but no regrets.[...]

Fl.Keys

2008-12-09T19:00:00

I purchased this lens soon after it became available in the USA. I have been a Canon user for many years. My primary use is animal photos, usually from a rather large distance., and this lens is the best I have ever used. It's not for everyone, it's big and heavy and costly, but the performancy is fantastic! I highly recomend this lens if you need a lens of this length. Only suggestion to improve it would be changes to the tripod mount. The 1/4 " hole is way too far back, making the lens nose heavy, otherwise it's the best!

Tom3horse

Originally posted at