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Nikon has been teasing development of the new absurdly long, fixed AF-S Nikkor 800mm, f/5.6 aperture lens since last year. Now it’s here, and you’ll be happy to know that this lens’ crazy and inflexible magnification potential is coupled with the absolutely ludicrous price of £15,600. But don’t worry, cheapskates, because there’s an actually affordable new lens coming out, too.
In fairness, this lens is freaking marvel of design intended only for professionals, and the Nikon product rep who introduced me to it told us they expect to sell every single one. Surrrrre they will. I mean the thing has up to four stops of VR image stabilisation, because you’re going to hand hold it, obviously. (Also note: the fixed aperture can be trimmed to f/8.0 using a special AF-S Teleconverter TC800.)
On the much more practical end of the lens spectrum, Nikon is also introducing a AF-S Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 lens that is optimised for full-frame sensor cameras like the Nikon D600 and Nikon D800. The new lens has a nice compact size and weight, at just 385g. And running you £670, it costs considerably less than the 800mm monster. [Nikon]
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Considering the applications of the lens, its everything-proof design and practically perfect MTF specs (unheard of!) it easily justifies the price.
Are you high?
I agree, a great lens is an amazing level of tech and build quality.. price reflects this.. also its not going to for sale is it, chances are you will need to order and pay per unit built so its a high price
Long lens prices jumped a couple of years ago, the net effect, coupled with lower usage rates, being that only the big agencies can afford them, squeezing us poor (sports) freelancers out further.
Hire one? Lenses for hire don’t have the Nikon 800 in yet, but here’s the Canon equivalent: http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/canon-ef-800mm-f56-l-is-usm-281-p.asp
Surely the f5.6 refers to the *maximum* aperture – it’s not actually permanently stuck at that.
Also, I’d imagine that they will sell every one they make – they know the size of the market and it’s never going to be a mass-produced lens.
Correct max f5.6 – min f32