This is for the insecure photographers...

[emad]

Source:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0703/07030805sigma200500mm.asp

PMA 2007: Sigma has today announced one massive beast of a lens; the APO 200 - 500 mm F2.8 EX DG. This lens is stated by Sigma as being the worlds first Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens that offers an impressively fast F2.8 maximum aperture through its range. The lens also features and LCD panel with a readout of focal length and subject distance. If 500 mm isn't enough reach a dedicated 2x Tele Converter is supplied with the lens as standard and changes it into a 400 - 1000 mm F5.6. Combine that with a typical APS-size 1.5x FOV crop on a digital SLR and you've got either 300 - 750 mm F2.8 or a 600 - 1500 mm F5.6 (better have a good tripod). No news on price, availability or weight yet.

Press Release:
Sigma APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG

​

The world’s first Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens that offers a fast aperture of F2.8 at 500mm focal length
The APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG is the world’s first Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens that offers a fast aperture of F2.8 at 500mm focal length. It covers the widely used 200 to 500mm focal length range, and maintains its fast F2.8 aperture over the entire zoom range. Four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations and produce a high level of optical performance throughout the entire zoom range.
Shooting distance and focal length can be viewed on the lens’ LCD panel, which is an additional convenience for the photographer.
A filter can be inserted towards the rear of the lens, and a circular polarizing filter can be used with its ingenious rotation mechanism.
A dedicated APO TELE CONVERTER 2x EX DG II is supplied as a standard accessory with the APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG.
Its exclusive design minimises image degradation usually associated with teleconverters. When this dedicated teleconverter is used with the APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG lens, it becomes a large aperture 400-1000mm F5.6 AF Ultra-Telephoto Zoom lens.
Additional images

 

[Sprite]

Ha aha ha, ive seen lenses like that, but they are always fixed and not a zoom lens, thats crazy.

 

[F1GTR]

I wonder if there's someone crazy (and rich) enough to carry one hand-held?

 

[emad]

I wonder what you would *carry* that in. More importantly, what would it be used for?

 

[F1GTR]

Bird photography.

 

[Sprite]

Bird photography.

my thoughts exactly

it look like it belongs on part of a spaceship or somthing. I wonder what the price is going to be.

 

[CDailey]

It looks like it's covered in velvet or felt.

 

[tait]

*Puts in order, starts mapping nude beaches*

 

[breakpoint]

without the press release with that i would think it was some sort of photoshop spoof...lol.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Where the hell are you going to get a CPL for it?

 

[Tornado]

More importantly, what would it be used for?

Aliens.

 

[franz]

I guess it will be handful for sports photographer
or maybe peeping your neighbours with super closeup

 

[Omnis]

Holy crap. Imagine carrying that in your pocket. You'd also need one hell of a tall flash for that thing.

 

[delobbo]

only 500mm????? how about an $85k 1200mm lens...

http://www.costaricanproperty.net/lens.html

The $85,000 Canon Lens

Wow, this is just insane, an $85,000 camera lens? The rumors surrounding this Canon lens lead me to believe that there are only a handful of these monsters in existence. Sports Illustrated reportedly owns a couple, as well as the founder of Oakley sunglasses. This lens is special order only, you won't find this at your local RITZ camera show in the mall. It weighs 36 pounds and comes with it's own heavy duty tri-pod. I guess you won't be shooting any hand-held shots with this lens.

Tech Specs

# EF 1200mm 5.6L USM
# Lens construction: 13 elements in 10 groups (protective glass and drop-in filter included)
# Diagonal angle of view: 2 deg-5deg
# Focus adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM
# Closest focusing distance: 14m / 46ft
# Filter size: 48mm rear drop in
# Canon's most powerful supertelephoto lens

The world's largest interchangeable SLR AF lens, in terms of both focal length and maximum aperture. Two large fluorite elements eliminate secondary spectrum, resulting in extremely sharp, high-quality images. With Extender EF 1.4x or 2x. a whopping focal length of 1700mm f/8 or 2400mm f/11 can be obtained respectively.

 

[zoxxy]

Holy **** I didn't even notice the camera on the first pic. That thing is effing huge.


Compensation perhaps?

 

[Venari]

I wonder what you would *carry* that in. More importantly, what would it be used for?

Well, if you were stood at one end of the Mulsanne, you might be able to figure out how much a coffee is at the restaurant at the other end.

I like the red bit. Nice detail.

 

[V1P3R]

Holy crap. Imagine carrying that in your pocket. You'd also need one hell of a tall flash for that thing.

Hey, is that a camera lens in ur pocket or are you just happy to see me?

 

[jammyozzy]

Admit it, you were all thinking it.

 

[stumpydino]

ahem

and thats a medium format on the end too

 

[V1P3R]

Why couldn't they have called it the Super Dooper Tele Lens 5000. 👎

 

[Cod_Father]

I'm not insecure, but people are impressed when they see me coming with this

400mm f/5.6 prime.

 

[Gabkicks]

do u guys ever feel strange taking pics of random people? i sometimes fear that i'll somehow piss them off or get into a confrontation Anyone else paranoid about just taking pics of people without asking them? i mean i like candid shots but sometimes i'll anticipate a moment for a good photograph and i wont take the shot because of a bit of fear

also, my camera t isnt as quick at taking pics once i press the button as i'd like it to be even with very fast shutterspeeds, i guess maybe if i use manual focus that'd help... (canon A630). sometimes the camera being a half a second or so too slow makes me miss the shot i wanted.