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

[PhilA]

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

They only made half a dozen of the NFD1200f5.6L lenses (which had the 1.4x TC built in, much the same as the current 200-400). Some of the optics might possibly have been reused but the barrel castings etc of the EF are quite different to the NFD's. Not to mention many more were produced (if another 14 odd can be called 'many').

 

[jeffa4444]

Makes a great surveilence lens and if Homeland security is buying it then its only your tax dollars!

 

[rfdesigner]

180,000... I know a telescope is a different beast, but I have a 12" f5, (1500mm fl) with optical window, so no diffraction spikes, and it hasn't cost me that much, not even 1/10th that much although I'll admidt it is a touch less portable

 

[kimvette]

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

At that price maybe it comes with a mount in the forum of an HMMMV.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Makes a great surveilence lens and if Homeland security is buying it then its only your tax dollars!

That was 25 years ago. Now, they just use your smart phone camera and microphone.

 

[LDS]

Makes a great surveilence lens and if Homeland security is buying it then its only your tax dollars!

That was 25 years ago. Now, they just use your smart phone camera and microphone.

Or a drone flying over you...

 

[Maiaibing]

I saw one of these on Greenland around 10 years ago. Owned by a private US businessman. He used it to photograph Polar Bears.

Probably a great reason to get this lens. Getting close to wild life up there is really difficult.