By Andrew Liszewski
Sure, $120,000 might seem like a little much to spend on a lens, particularly a used one, but there’s some important backstory for this lens that you need to be aware of before you do your morning spit-take. Here’s an excerpt from the B&H newsletter:
The Canon 1200/5.6L USM (priced at $120,000… and if you live out of state we don’t need to charge you tax!) has been built on a special-order basis since 1993, and the ‘official word’ is there are “more than twelve, less than twenty” of them in existence. With a price tag equivalent to a pair of his-and-her sports coupes, they were produced at the rate of about 2-per-year and a delivery time of about 18 months. National Geographic magazine, Sports Illustrated, Canon Professional Services, and a few well-heeled enthusiasts are counted among the fortunate few who own these unique optics.
The lens contains 13 elements in 10 groups, stops down to f32 and has a minimum focus distance of 45.9 feet. You’ll of course need a tripod if you hope to use the behemoth, since it weighs 36 pounds and is about 33 inches long. To make things even more fun, the lens’ reinforced aluminum case is actually heavier than the lens itself, so you’ll want to set aside a few extra bucks for a wheeled cart if you plan to take it anywhere. And if you’re curious what kind of shots you can get with this thing, head on over to B&H’s site where they’ve posted a few amazing samples.
Thanks Sam!
[ B&H – Canon Super Telephoto 1200mm f/5.6 EF USM Autofocus Lens ]
Not that it makes a difference but B&H is selling the used lense for 99k. 120k gets you a new one.
Rumor has it the reason the guy is selling this one is because he brought it into Canada where it was quickly mistaken for the Stanley Cup and went on a drunken 12 city parade.
I know the article in the B&H newsletter says the used lens is being sold for 99k, but the 120,000 one is also listed under the Used Equipment section of their site. So I'm a bit confused to be honest.
Maybe the 99k one still smells like beer.
that looks great , I think it must feels very nice , I want to have a look too!
Here I also have a good place, that is : Tradestead , there are different kinds of such beautiful and powerful consumer electronics with very cheap price , I like it very much!
WOW, amazing i love this canon product , lovely blog
B&H purchased this lens over a year ago. I know because I worked there when they got it. Apparently from some collector who sold it to them for $20,000 (sucker) It was being sold used and then it disappeared. They've had it for a year, so why is it suddenly back on sale now?
Is business SO slow that they are desperate for that $80,000 profit?
They bought it last year and had it listed for $99,000 but then it mysteriously disappeared from the Used section for about a year. Now it's back up for sale at $120,000.
When I worked at B&H, I was told that it was purchased from a man for about $20,000!
They bought it last year and had it listed for $99,000 but then it mysteriously disappeared from the Used section for about a year. Now it's back up for sale at $120,000.
When I worked at B&H, I was told that it was purchased from a man for about $20,000!