This whopper of a lens costs US$97,554.
Only 10 people in the world own it, including the Sultan of Brunei
and Mr James Jannard, the billionaire founder of eyewear and apparel
company, Oakley.

With a focal length of 1,200mm, the lens allows the world's best
photographers to snap the catch-it-now-or-lose-it shots.

Apart from wealthy individuals who have the lens, most of the others
are owned by news agencies like Reuters and Sports Illustrated.

The steep price of the made-to-order EF 1200mm is the result of
the precision work and materials required to make it.

There are only about five master lens-makers at the Canon optical plant
in Japan, qualified to make and assemble this lens - by hand.

The glass used for the lens is nearly three times the size of the regular
glass blanks, so it takes extra effort to get it bubble-free.
Plus, it is also made of special material - fluorite crystals -
to make images sharper.

You will need a pair of strong biceps to handle it: to protect
the lens, it is housed in a metal body that weighs 16.5kg.

However, bigger may not always be better.
The giant lens has a minimum focusing distance of 14m.
So, the photographer has to be at least that far away from the
subject before the lens can focus properly.


Had the opportunity to try out this lens with a Canon 1D MkIII,
courtesy of Canon Singapore for photo enthusiasts to try out.