Canon EF 1200mm F/5.6L USM
Super telephoto prime lens • Film era • Discontinued • Collectible
- Announced:
- · July 1993
- Production type:
- · Small-batch production
- Availability:
- ● Sold out
- Country of design:
- · Japan
- Original name:
- · CANON LENS EF 1200mm 1:5.6 L ULTRASONIC
- Class:
- · Slow full-frame super telephoto prime lens
- · Professional model
- System:
- · Canon EOS (1987)
Abbreviations
| EF | The lens is designed for Canon EOS 35mm SLR cameras but can be also used on Canon EOS APS-C digital SLR cameras. |
| L | Professional lens with high quality optics and robust build. Meets the highest standards and provides excellent performance and flawless image quality unachievable with traditional optical technologies. |
| USM | The lens is equipped with Ultrasonic Motor. |
Specification
| Optical design: | |
| 35mm full frame | |
| 1200mm | |
| F/5.6 | |
| 13 elements in 10 groups | |
| 2 FL | |
| Internal focusing (IF) | |
| Canon EF [44mm] | |
| 2.1° (35mm full frame) | |
| On Canon EOS APS-C [1.59x] cameras: | |
35mm equivalent focal length: | 1908mm (in terms of field of view) |
35mm equivalent speed: | F/8.9 (in terms of depth of field) |
Diagonal angle of view: | 1.3° |
| Diaphragm mechanism: | |
Diaphragm type: | Automatic |
Aperture control: | None; the aperture is controlled from the camera |
| 8 (eight) | |
| Focusing: | |
| 14m | |
| 1:11.11 | |
Focusing modes: | Autofocus (AF), Manual focus (M) |
Autofocus motor: | Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (*) |
Manual focus control: | Focusing ring |
Focus mode selector: | AF - M |
Full-Time Manual Focus (FTM): | Yes |
Focusing distance range limiter: | 14m - INF / 14m - 30m / 30m - INF |
| Image Stabilizer (IS): | |
| - | |
| Physical characteristics: | |
| 16500g | |
| ⌀228×836mm | |
| - | |
| - | |
| Accessories: | |
| Removable front filters are not accepted | |
Additional features: | Drop-in filter holder (48mm) |
| Built-in telescopic round | |
| Canon Extender EF 1.4X II → 1680mm F/7.8 | |
| Canon Extender EF 1.4X III → 1680mm F/7.8 | |
| Canon Extender EF 2X II → 2400mm F/11.2 | |
| Canon Extender EF 2X III → 2400mm F/11.2 |
Source of data
- Manufacturer's technical data.
Manufacturer description
This super telephoto lens has the longest focal length of an interchangeable lens for AF SLR cameras at the time. Silent and fast AF is realized using a ring USM (Ultrasonic Motor) and rear focusing system. Extremely sharp, professional-quality images are realized through use of two large-diameter artificial crystal fluorite lens elements (3rd & 6th) that thoroughly eliminate secondary spectrum. Although the optical design is the same as FD1200mm f/5.6L (prototype), this lens is optimized for the EF system with a nonlinear focus cam for moving the focusing lens group, a focus preset function for quick focusing at a predetermined point, and power manual focusing with three focusing speeds. A one-touch revolving mechanism for quick switching between vertical and horizontal formats is possible. Extenders EF1.4X or EF2X transforms the lens into a manual focusing super-super-telephoto 1700mm f/8 or 2400mm f/11 lens.
From the description of the lot at the Wetzlar Camera Auctions (October 2024)
Canon described this lens as "The world's largest interchangeable SLR-AF lens, both in terms of focal length and maximum aperture". The lens was introduced in 1993 and was available on special order only; each lens was produced after it had actually been sold. The annual production volume was about two lenses. Each lens took over a year to be built, due to the time required growing its massive fluorite crystals.
The list price at the time was 90.000 U.S. Dollar. Canon itself has never published production figures for this lens, but it is certain that far fewer than 100 units were made. It is assumed that the number of pieces is closer to 20.
A list of customers was never published either. Verified specimens are in the hands of Sports Illustrated Magazine (two), Canon Professional Services (two), James H. Jannard (founder of Oakley and RED Digital Cinema) (two), and National Geographic (at least one). It is also believed that several intelligence and law enforcement agencies hold examples of this lens.
Since the end of production, there have been sales of individual pieces, some of which caused considerable media attention - not least because of the respective sales prices in question, which in some cases significantly exceeded the original retail price.
The first lens to be offered at a public auction was sold at our third auction for a world record price of EUR 500.000 including premium and is considered the most expensive lens ever auctioned.
From the editor
The longest autofocus telephoto prime lens in the world. Was available on special order basis with lead time for about 18 months.
Compared to other super telephoto prime lenses in the Canon EOS system
- Slowest speed (F/5.6), along with 2 other models
- Longest closest focusing distance (14m)
- Smallest magnification (1:11.11)
- Does not have Image Stabilizer (IS), along with 7 other models
- Heaviest weight (16500g)
- Longest length (836mm)
- Not weather sealed, along with 8 other models
