Canon 600mm F4 DO BR Prototype - remarkable reduction in size

[Nick Walker]

http://photonaija.donsimioni.com/content/canon-el-600mm-f4l-do-br-usm-lens-prototype-images-and-details (especially pic showing person operating lens re scale)

Having owned various 600mm F/4 super-telephoto lenses over the years (Canon and Nikon) the reduction in size of this Canon 600mm prototype lens is remarkable. The first 600mm lenses I used to lug around (early 1990's) weighed-in at approx 6.5 kilos for the lens alone.

[David Anderson]

I saw that as well - very impressive. 
Some amazing stuff happening with lenses at the moment.

[NancyP]

Yep, I saw an early 1990s  Canon EF 600mm f/4 at my local store's used cabinet - attractive price, but I didn't bother getting them to show it to me because ...  13.5 pounds. OK for tripod use in a limited set of locations, not too great for hauling around after wildlife / birds. I have been hoping to see a 600 DO, but I anticipate a price in the $16K to $18K range. Gulp. Rentable, I suppose.

[MatthewCromer]

And how many people are in the market for a $20,000 lens?

[Tarnash]

And the dramatic reduction in weight and bulk isn't just limited to the lens either.  Your wallet will be a mere shadow of it's former self

[Paulo Bizarro]

And how many people are in the market for a $20,000 lens?

The ones that need it and can afford it. Cost is always relative.

[tom b]

$20,000, it might be just one photo for a pap in the right circumstances.

Looks like a nice lens.

Cheers,

[Bo Dez]

It's so reduced in size and weight that it doesn't even exist yet.

[tom b]

Maybe the same people who rely on super-tetelephoto lenses today for their bread and butter. Those who would like to lighten the burden of walking for miles with heavy gear, keep such expensive equipment away from baggage handlers, help reduce baggage charges and mitigate injuries (long term use) to their vertebrae caused by uneven loading (one shoulder support using monopod).

As a grumpy old man I can totally agree. A nice, small 600mm lens for a pro photographer, what is not to like about it (except maybe the price).

[Paulo Bizarro]

It's so reduced in size and weight that it doesn't even exist yet.

This one also took a while, but it exists today... looking carefully, one could spot many being used by the sports photographers in the recent World Athletic championships in Beijing.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_200_400mm_f_4l_is_usm_extender_1_4x

So the new 600 will be a reality. In spite of half ***ed jokes...

[MatthewCromer]

The ones that need it and can afford it. Cost is always relative.

So, in other words, almost no-one.

[Rob C]

Maybe the same people who rely on super-tetelephoto lenses today for their bread and butter. Those who would like to lighten the burden of walking for miles with heavy gear, keep such expensive equipment away from baggage handlers, help reduce baggage charges and mitigate injuries (long term use) to their vertebrae caused by uneven loading (one shoulder support using monopod).

Of course, absolutely right, and as example let's look at this guy, Hans Feurer. A former Nikon devotee, he seems to have switched, even using the Canon shorter lenses which are not his trademark.

The first link shows the Canon - no idea the length of the longer lenses he uses there, and the second link is to his website, where the long lens 'identity' comes to the fore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qJu6JQJnx0

http://www.hansfeurer.com/

Naturally, sales will be limited, as they are of anything expensive; if you need and can afford, it's what you will get.  Nuttin' wrong with that!

Rob C

[John Koerner]

And the dramatic reduction in weight and bulk isn't just limited to the lens either.  Your wallet will be a mere shadow of it's former self

 

[DeanChriss]

Lots of people would buy a 600mm DO if it is up to snuff optically.

Once upon a time it was fairly rare to see 600mm f/4 lenses in the field and now they are as common as gnats. When Canon went from their 600mm IS version 1 to version 2 it seemed like over half of the Florida bird photographers acquired them within just months of the introduction. At the time they were selling for around $14K. Within a year the V2 was about all I'd see anyone carrying. It made me wonder where the heck all of the V1 lenses went. It's not even rare to see 800mm lenses in use now.

[NancyP]

The old 600s are going to stronger photographers with smaller bank accounts? There are a surprising number of birders who are willing to spend $10K or more for a lens - often the same people travel a lot.
Seriously, this 600 DO might cost a bundle to rent, but for a special trip might be worth the expense. I will be waiting to see its availability at Lens Rentals. You need to be good at speedy AFMA and test it on day of arrival.

[Bernard ODonovan]

They also have a Manual version of this new lens on show at the NY CANON Expo...

So that's a DO BR MAN standing guard

[eronald]

 This is amazingly compact.

 However, if I really needed a long lens photo, I would just stick a nice cheap 300mm F4 on my GH4 and use 4K movie mode. 24fps permanent burst
 Or use my Canon 200 f1.8 with a tele-converter.

 Unless one needs incredible subject isolation, I would say that crop sensors are an incredible  boon to the long-range photographer.

 I look forward to the DO technique coming to make shorter lenses even shorter - size matters

Edmund

[Bernard ODonovan]

This is amazingly compact.

...

 I look forward to the DO technique coming to make shorter lenses even shorter - size matters

Edmund

It's been a long time since the 50 F1, if they did that one again, it would be the birth of F1 DO...

Your gonna have get a long lead for that puppy 

[Fine_Art]

It looks like it has a two part Fresnel lens element. If they have managed very fine cutting of those, you can expect many low weight lenses to follow.

[NancyP]

I am a big fan of crop sensors for focal length limited work. Still, for birders, there is no "too long FL", only hazy days.