A bit of history about Canon and catadioptric (mirror) lenses

[Canon Rumors]

There has been a lot of talk about Canon and catadioptric lenses (mirror) since a patent surfaced with new lens designs likely for the RF mount. It has been rumored for quite some time that Canon would be bringing an RF 1200mm f/8 lens for the EOS R system, which could actually be a mirror lens.
Canon does have a history with mirror lenses, including the behemoth Canon 5200mm f/14 along with an 800mm f/3.8 and a 2000mm f/11. A Canon Rumors reader sent me a brochure for these three lenses and I found it to be a fun read.
These lenses were developed in the mid-1960s and can still fetch a king’s ransom on the used market. The 5200mm f/14 sold for about $50,000 a few years ago on ebay.
Check out the official Canon brochure...

Continue reading...

 

[TAF]

And if you adapt your 5200mm to an APS-C camera...

 

[HenWin]

If Canon brings out some cat lenses, I hope they're a bit lighter than these puppies!

I kinda remember the Nikon cat lens (for F models), and it was comfortably light (hand-holdable) at 500mm.

 

[Loswr]

And if you adapt your 5200mm to an APS-C camera...

...it's still a 5200mm lens.

 

[Deleted member 387121]

And if you adapt your 5200mm to an APS-C camera...

Ooh you said a bad word: APS-C.
Bring on the h8ers...

 

[EOS 4 Life]

I am not sure that I would trust selling something worth $50K on eBay.

 

[Ozarker]

I don't appreciate Canonrumors publishing what I paid on ebay for the 5,200mm.

 

[Jsjamesok]

100 kgs for the 5200! That would be interesting to handle. I would like to touch it.

 

[Del Paso]

And if you adapt your 5200mm to an APS-C camera...

Are you kidding?
I suggest Micro four thirds.
PS: where are thou, sony ?

 

[SteveC]

I've been contemplating a new telescope. With the right adapter it would essentially become something like this, just not Canon brand.

 

[AlanF]

I am not sure that I would trust selling something worth $50K on eBay.

I am even less sure I would trust buying something costing $50K on eBay.

 

[JPAZ]

But no IS? Forget it

 

[Chig]

And if you adapt your 5200mm to an APS-C camera...

Micro 4/3rds maybe ?

 

[Chig]

The 800mm f/3.8 looks interesting with such a bright aperture ,but a bit heavy at 15kg

 

[AJ]

But no IS? Forget it

No kidding. How on Earth would you keep a 5200 mm lens steady. That and atmospheric turbulence would be big challenges.

 

[Loswr]

But no IS? Forget it

It comes with IS – a large block of granite.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

But no IS? Forget it

Just use a gimbal and it is the perfect vlogging lens

 

[RGF]

I want all 3

 

[DBounce]

I wonder how much the new canon lenses will cost?

 

[Stig Nygaard]

And if you adapt your 5200mm to an APS-C camera...

Scary