World Cup started - no sign of 100-400L Mk2

[bdunbar79]

Bit of trivia...Canon has produced an f/5.6 lens with a built-in TC, so the lens was f/8 with the TC engaged. That was the FD 1200/5.6+1.4x, and when Canon converted them to manual focus to the EF mount, they removed the TCs.

Do you know what the price was and how long it was on the market? That had to be absolutely super expensive!

The FD 1200 with built in 1.4 TC were never sold, all the ones made, and best estimates put it at 20-30, were owned by Canon, and that is why they were all converted to the EF 1200's, which was sold, they ranged from $80,000 to well over $100,000 and they grew the flourite elements to order.

Wow. When Neuro posted that I went and found Bryan Carnathan's review of it. Recognizable faces up to a mile? Cool stuff.

 

[Halfrack]

Yea, the 1200mm is a lens that I would love to play with for about 30 minutes, but I don't think I'd want to pack one any distance. The photo of the FD version with the TC over a guys shoulder on a beach pops to mind but I can't find it currently. B&H had fun with the one they flipped for some serious cash - you have to wonder who would walk into a used department with one, and what they offered for it.

There isn't going to be a built-in TC in a consumer level L lens - the costs and expectations don't allow for it. Would I like to see a TC in a new 800mm - sure, but then you're talking about a lens that would command any price they wanted. Canon sells too many 100-400 lenses currently that to add in a TC would push the price up too high. Add in the whole lack of f8 AF on the crop bodies, and you see where selling a lens that doesn't work on their entire lineup just doesn't make sense. Plus it gives Tamron a great niche to sell their 150-600mm lens.

 

[Menace]

Bit of trivia...Canon has produced an f/5.6 lens with a built-in TC, so the lens was f/8 with the TC engaged. That was the FD 1200/5.6+1.4x, and when Canon converted them to manual focus to the EF mount, they removed the TCs.

Do you know what the price was and how long it was on the market? That had to be absolutely super expensive!

The FD 1200 with built in 1.4 TC were never sold, all the ones made, and best estimates put it at 20-30, were owned by Canon, and that is why they were all converted to the EF 1200's, which was sold, they ranged from $80,000 to well over $100,000 and they grew the flourite elements to order.

Wow. When Neuro posted that I went and found Bryan Carnathan's review of it. Recognizable faces up to a mile? Cool stuff.

1200mm Canon 5.6 L Super Telephoto Lens in Action!

Here is a B & H video I remember watching a little whilw ago:

1200mm Canon 5.6 L Super Telephoto Lens

 

[privatebydesign]

I have posted this picture here before, though it isn't mine, from the LA Olympics back in 1984. The FD 1200 with 1.4's were first loaned out here and this picture is very unusual in that there are two of them.

Before the FD 1200 there was also the FL 1200, but that was an f11, so not quite as useful. There were several photos in National Geographic of the FL 1200 being used for mountaineering. It was a very interesting design too, the super teles at the time came in two parts, the focusing unit that was the same for all the lenses and the front focal length section, this meant you took the front "lens" off the focusing unit not the body and changed that out.

 

[Maximilian]

Before the FD 1200 there was also the FL 1200, but that was an f11...
the super teles at the time came in two parts, the focusing unit that was the same for all the lenses and the front focal length section, this meant you took the front "lens" off the focusing unit not the body and changed that out.

Very interesting. I didn't know that at all.
Maybe because it was back in 1972 (now I could look it after).

Thank you for sharing.

 

[KitsVancouver]

Never had much credence in the views held by some that this mythical lens might appear in Rio - but still early days etc. Miracles could happen.

Ultra secretive Canon treat their loyal expectant customers with contempt.

The least that the Canon hermit kingdom people could say is no replacement planned at all or replacement planned for 2015, 2016....2020 or whatever.

Going back on topic a bit. I don't think a 100-400 is a lens that would be in hand with top photographers as it's really a budget L lens. I'm not a professional, but I would imagine that world-class photographers will use the best. The 100-400L is a compromise for size and cost.