More Fun With the Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM

[Canon Rumors]

<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/czmPpvANYtM" width="100%" height="390" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>B&H Photo recently came into possession of the Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM, this is the third time the used department at B&H has had this lens for sale. It’s rumored that less than 20 of these lenses were ever built, although Canon won’t confirm the production number.</p>
<p>If you’re in New York City, be sure to head to B&H Photo and check it out.</p>
<p>The lens is still available with free shipping in the CUSA! If you buy it today, <a href="http://www.lenscoat.com/lenscoatsuptmsup-canon-1200mm-p-914.html" target="_blank">I’ll buy you the LensCoat for it</a>.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801201815-USE/canon_2527a001_super_telephoto_1200mm_f_5_6l.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L $180,000 at B&H Photo</a></strong></p>
<p>Source: [<a href="http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=15012" target="_blank">The-Digital-Picture</a>]</p>

 

[GammyKnee]

Looks like it'd be good for shooting tanks in a war zone

 

[Loswr]

Looks like it'd be good for shooting tanks in a war zone

Not so sure...point something that big at them, they're likely to shoot back (and their shots will hurt more than yours).

 

[Eldar]

Comparing it to a 600 f4L IS II, with a 2xIII extender, makes the one stop lost seem like a bit of a trifle ...

 

[dhr90]

Does it come with the assistants in the video to carry it for you?

 

[jeffa4444]

We own two and I believe Canon built 22.

 

[Eldar]

We own two and I believe Canon built 22.

One for each shoulder

 

[Intel478]

This looks like much fun as well!

The monster let loose in London:

http://petapixel.com/2014/08/28/video-see-canon-1200mm-mother-telephoto-lenses-performs-wild/

 

[tpatana]

Looks like it'd be good for shooting tanks in a war zone

Not so sure...point something that big at them, they're likely to shoot back (and their shots will hurt more than yours).

Yea, some years ago they released the video from helicopter. People in the helicopter ended up shooting small number of civilians, including one reporter. They claimed they had seen a bazooka. The video was bad quality so couldn't really tell, but I was guessing it was 100-400 (mk1).

So if you have more range than them, you're ok. Until they order artillery/air strike. Fun times.

 

[ScottyP]

I'd be using the converter to shoot it on the EOS M. I just can't stand a big clunky DSLR body.

 

[Jim Saunders]

No IS? I'll wait for the mark 2.

Jim

 

[weixing]

Hi,

I'd be using the converter to shoot it on the EOS M. I just can't stand a big clunky DSLR body.

After one shot, EOS M will indicate battery level low... ha ha ha

Have a nice day.

 

[luckydude]

Comparing it to a 600 f4L IS II, with a 2xIII extender, makes the one stop lost seem like a bit of a trifle ...

I have exactly that setup and $160K difference for one more stop of light is insane. I struggle to imagine the market for this lens.

 

[Local Hero]

Panavision own a few of these converted for cine use.

I find it hard to believe that only 20 were built?

 

[Hesbehindyou]

Comparing it to a 600 f4L IS II, with a 2xIII extender, makes the one stop lost seem like a bit of a trifle ...

I have exactly that setup and $160K difference for one more stop of light is insane. I struggle to imagine the market for this lens.

All I can think if is that, back in the days of film and relatively low ISO, light was more precious.

 

[Eldar]

Comparing it to a 600 f4L IS II, with a 2xIII extender, makes the one stop lost seem like a bit of a trifle ...

I have exactly that setup and $160K difference for one more stop of light is insane. I struggle to imagine the market for this lens.

All I can think if is that, back in the days of film and relatively low ISO, light was more precious.

Indeed it was, but in the days of digital, $165k is rather precious too

 

[IslanderMV]

Chuck Norris has one attached to his iPhone. He uses it with one hand.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I thought I read that these were originally FD lenses, and Canon converted them to EF.

I found that story here:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-1200mm-f-5.6-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

I also read that they were used with a 1.4X TC for a high school baseball field in Japan. 1200mm was needed to get a photo of the pitcher and 1700mm to get home plate. Nikon could not stand seeing those Canon lenses, so they built their 1200-1700mm zoom lens (The Tuna) to steal Canon's thunder. The zoom had the advantage of not requiring the TC to be added and removed.

http://www.nikon.com/about/feelnikon/recollections/r16_e/index.htm

http://www.nikon.com/about/feelnikon/recollections/r16_e/index.htm

 

[whothafunk]

weird they haven't tried using it on a crop, f.e. 7D2 just for the kicks.

 

[PhilA]

My much younger self wrestling with one back in '95. I also used the NFD1200 way back in '85ish.