For the dreamers: EF 1200mm f5.6 L USM

[bjscharp]

<p>For the lens-fetishists among us, <a href="http://www.the-digital-picture.com/">The-Digital-Picture</a> has a <a

href="http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-1200mm-f-5.6-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx">review of the

Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 L USM</a>, which is currently available from <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/

controller/home?O=&Q=&IC=622963&A=RetrieveSku">B&H</a></p>

 

<p>The B&H description is worth reading too, btw: <i>...[it comes with] a prodigious measure of ego satisfaction.</i> and <i>Pack mule not included.</i>

[bob_king2]

<p>I wonder if the front element rotates...</p>

[mbkissel]

<p>Love the pic of the lens standing vertically in front of the model.</p>

<p>You could buy this one and tape over the logos to make it less conspicuous. ;-)</p>

[robert_wilson11]

<p>No purchaser reviews at B & H ?</p>

[anders_carlsson]

<p>If I remember correctly the initial price at B&H for that very unit was $99,000. Now it's $120,000. It would have been a decent investment, in other words.</p>

[anders_carlsson]

Oops, it was obviously the <em>previous</em> copy that cost $99,000. The feature description on B&H's site is somewhat un-B&Hish: "calling this lens a 'tele' is like calling King Kong a monkey". You get "a prodigious measure of ego satisfaction" whereas "Pack mule [is] not included".

[ed_v.]

Just for kicks I clicked "calculate shipping". I think I spent less than that for my 40D.

[f72]

<p>funy you can lease it as low as $4068 /m at B&H. </p>

[rubo]

<p>"$4068/m" Is that per minute or per month?</p>

<p>:)</p>

[john_bellenis]

<p>$120,000 and no IS? If ever you needed a little help when hand holding a lens, this would be it surely! ;o)</p>

[bobatkins]

<p>I believe it would be more of a nightmare to own than a dream. It's one of the few lenses I actually wouln't want (unless they gave me one and let me sell it!). Too big, too heavy, too expensive to leave in the car...</p>

[jamie_robertson2]

<p>I have actually used this lens many years ago on a Canon EOS 1N body. Yes, it is HUGE. Yes, it is HEAVY. The autofocus is SLLLOOOOOOOOOWWWW as hell. The AF on the 600mm wipes the floor with it. The AF on the 1200mm was so slow it was like the crappy screw drive AF on the early Nikons. I would rather save $100,000 and buy the 800mm f5.6 and crop my images (or use a 50D). The 1200mm f5.6 is certainly unique, but it's a white elephant.</p>

[dogbert]

<p>Just the lens for hiking in the back country.<br>

Combine it with the Sigma 200-500 f2.8 EX, 2X extender and the new Canon EF-S 18-200 IS and you have all the focal lengths covered.</p>

[nhut-nguyen]

<p>Imagine upacking this baby at the local wildlife reserve when you're always surrounded by folks with 400 f/2.8, 500, 600 and 800. My self esteem is forever hurt by my little 400 f/5.6L <img src="http://community.the-digital-picture.com/emoticons/emotion-6.gif" alt="Sad" /> <img src="http://community.the-digital-picture.com/emoticons/emotion-6.gif" alt="Sad" />....</p>

 

[robert becker]

I bet it would be a real bitch to throw over your shoulder for a little walk around the marsh!

[savagesax]

<p>Here's another picture of it...</p><div></div>

[alphonse_semaan]

<p>Just have one question, I usually lock my lens on the camera by turning the lens from the right to the left upon the red or white dot! i have 450D, you guys who used this lens? do you turn the camera to lock it ?</p>

[juans eye]

<p>This lens does not need IS. After paying 120K, if you need stability , build a wall for it :) /bing</p>

[juans eye]

<p>This lens does not need IS. After paying 120K, if you need stability , build a wall for it :)<br>

Come to think of it, if you need this much magnification to take a pic, buy a jeep j/k :)</p>

<p>/bing</p>