[Steve]

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.



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.

I think you can forget your Lowepro Mini Trekker with this, are you feeling strong?

[Dabhand16]

WOW! You would not want to argue with someone capable of carrying that.

[Dave]

[P-E]

that's a bigun

[Sonsey]

Never mind the weight, I wanna know the price!

[VikingPhotography]

I can see the tripod/head manufacturers scrambling to get products out there that will support this beast - for a premium.

If the optical image quality of this lens is any good, I think we'll start to see a whole slew of these monsters at sporting events - and the shooters using them will have ample time to familiarise themselves with it prior to the 2008 Olympics... an arena where I see such a lens getting a lot of use

Caveat Emptor: just make sure not to use it next to - or in line of sight of - government installations, military bases, airports etc., because you can be sure as heck that thing is going to be easily mistaken for some sort of weapon.

[Dave]

Wonder if you'll get zoom creep if you hang it round your kneck

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by Dave

Wonder if you'll get zoom creep if you hang it round your kneck

I guess it depends on if you can stand up with it round your neck!

[VikingPhotography]

Not quite as large as I expected it to be - which is a good thing!

Once this hits retail I'll see if I can rent one for a weekend; it'd be interesting to see how well if fares with sports, wildlife and other subjects too.

[lcraft]

It's too early for April Fools, right?

[Steve]

Is he smiling or grimacing there ?

I always thought you attached a lens to your camera not the camera to your lens

[stepheno]

Originally Posted by Steve

Is he smiling or grimacing there ?