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Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

Hairy Heron
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

My 200-800 arrived yesterday and looking forward to testing it out today. Playing around with it though I noticed it's audibly noisy in two areas - motor and zooming so I thought I'd ask here to see if other owners have the same experience with their copy.

1. Motor noise -- The motor sound - a light "whrrr" - is noticeable with my face up to the EVF in a quiet place. No other RF lens, L or non-L, has this attribute. With my 100-500, for example, I have to put my ear up to the lens before hearing any motor sounds. I don't hear any motor noise with my face to the EVF. The sound is less pronounced with IS off, but still present. The sound is similar to a laptop fan at very low -- faint but still noticeable.

2. Zooming noise -- turning the zoom wheel at any speed emits a noticeable wheezing sound. It's audible no matter if zoom is set all the way to smooth or tight, though the noise becomes more noticeable as I tighten it. Using my 100-500 for example again, that lens isn't completely silent when zooming in/out but it's not noticeable either unless I put my ear very close to the lens. It's really not the kind of noise I'd expect in a $1900 lens even if it's not an L so unsure if this is a defect, something that just needs to be "broken in," or "a feature."

Feb 18, 2024 at 08:47 AM

ilkka_nissila
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

With a longer focal length it is typical that the lens elements have to move greater distances as the lens is focused or zoomed. So it is understandable that these actions produce more sound. It's also to some extent a question of budget; more sophisticated mechanics which might be quieter are likely to cost more money. I would not worry about the sound too much. If you continue to be concerned, try to get yourself the chance to test another copy of the lens and compare.

Feb 18, 2024 at 09:04 AM

Hairy Heron
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

ilkka_nissila wrote:
With a longer focal length it is typical that the lens elements have to move greater distances as the lens is focused or zoomed. So it is understandable that these actions produce more sound. It's also to some extent a question of budget; more sophisticated mechanics which might be quieter are likely to cost more money. I would not worry about the sound too much. If you continue to be concerned, try to get yourself the chance to test another copy of the lens and compare.

Thanks. Just for clarification do you own the 200-800 or are you just talking theoretically? Just asking because from your last sentence suggesting I test another copy it sounds like you are being theoretically and don't own actually own the lens. I appreciate the comment but the comparing w/ other owners is the reason I made the post. As I'm sure you know, finding another copy at a store to compare with right now is impossible so asking owners online is the only way to make a comparison.

Feb 18, 2024 at 10:06 AM

alundeb
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1826760/29#16429055

Feb 18, 2024 at 10:16 AM

garyvot
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

I sadly don't own a copy of this lens and so have nothing to offer, but if you want to hear a noisy lens, you should try my EF 300 mm f/4L IS. :-)

Feb 18, 2024 at 04:26 PM

stanj
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

I just used my 200-800 and didn't hear any noise that I would find to be out of the ordinary.

Feb 18, 2024 at 04:33 PM

dwweiche
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

If I ever get off the B&H wait list, I'll happily check and let you know. Does 2025 work? 😂

Feb 18, 2024 at 09:32 PM

fgphoto
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

I don't hear any unusual noises from mine, either. That is a drag to have a new lens right out of the box with issues. I hope Canon is able to resolve things quickly for you!

Feb 20, 2024 at 11:30 PM

ct1co2
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

I received my 200-800 this morning. I don't hear anything unusual from the focus or IS. When zooming back in there is what I suppose could be a very subtle wheezing sound, but it's not anything I consider unusual or gives me pause. It's very similar, although quieter, as the sound my Sigma 150-600C made when zooming the lens quickly.

Feb 21, 2024 at 02:12 PM

Kathy White
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

I haven't heard any noises I don't normally hear. Mine sounds fine.

Feb 21, 2024 at 10:09 PM

Hairy Heron
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

Appreciate all the responses. I've used the 200-800 many times now, mostly with the R7, once with the R5. It's been a joy to use so I'm just chalking the what I consider noticeable motor noise to be normal for this lens. I can only hear it in a quiet room. In the field it's unnoticeable, even in a wildlife sanctuary, so hopefully a non-issue, and if it does burn out I'll cross fingers it does so within a year. Haha. The wheezing noise when zooming in and out has dissipated with use. It just needed to be broken in. So all-in-all guess I was worried about nothing.

Feb 26, 2024 at 05:57 AM

jedibrain
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

garyvot wrote:
I sadly don't own a copy of this lens and so have nothing to offer, but if you want to hear a noisy lens, you should try my EF 300 mm f/4L IS. :-)

or the 70-200 F4L IS vI.....

Feb 26, 2024 at 11:49 AM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Is your RF 200-800 audibly noisy?

jedibrain wrote:
or the 70-200 F4L IS vI.....

I just sold my EF 70-200 4L IS USM. It was audible but didn't sound noisy to me. I could hear a pianissimo grinding sound from the IS when near my head in a quiet room but outdoors it was silent against Oahu traffic and/or trade winds. My 1999 EF 70-300 IS USM was louder and used to make my viewfinder drift sideways and jerk back...

Feb 26, 2024 at 09:00 PM


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