Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 L USM Lens—Shortening the Distance

       Canon, one of the leading producers of cameras and camera accessories, had on their shelf maybe the heaviest and even the biggest lens ever created in the history of Canon— Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 L USM Lens.

       With a whopping price of 9,800,000 yen, a piece of it can already buy you a nice and simple house in the country. Imagine spending this amount of money for something you only attach to the tip of the camera to take pictures. But for those who take taking pictures as their profession, then this lens can be a good deal.

       This lens is created on special order purpose only. With its size and weight, no man in his right mind would want to carry it around aside of course if it is greatly needed. By special purpose we mean is during special cases like taking pictures of the wildlife, or of an ongoing sports event where you are not allowed to come closer.

       This lens would require you to take a picture at 469 feet away from your subject and may not be advisable to use in a close range shot. Its 1200 mm lens is especially design to capture very far objects and it can appear like it is just meters away from you. All lenses have a barrel, but this one looks like a military weapon due to its rifle-like top handle. The handle is very useful but looks like a ‘dangerous’ weapon. This military looking lens, though, can be very good is you like seeking attention from bystanders and on-lookers.

       When regards to the image quality, the Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 L USM Lens is a bit soft at f/5.6. But when adjusted down to f/8, the lens could be very sharp. According to some who actually used the lens, no difference can be found between the center and the corners of the lens frame. The adjustment done from f/5.6 to f/8 made way to a brighter image. But then the image quality found on close distance shots cannot be found on distant shots. Interference of atmospheric conditions are visible with long distant shots.

        This lens, more similar to Canon's current super telephoto lenses, is built with a focus preset function for immediate focusing to a predetermined distance with much trouble. Typical to almost all collared lenses, the Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 L USM lens rotates while mounted on a tripod. But the weird thing is that the tripod mount does not rotate.

        And if you are expecting a filter as big as the tip of the lens, then you will be disappointed. Just close to the manual zoom ring is the 48mm filter holder.

       With its skyrocketing price not to mention its 36.4 lbs weight, it would come as a surprise that this would a professional photographer must-have. But sadly, only those a heavy loads of cash can take it home.