Learned contributors
What are the largest lens constructed for conventional cameras I.E not for use in U2 or Canberra PR9 spy planes or satellites.
I've heard that Nikon made a 3000mm prototype available to the army in Northern Ireland for trials and that Carl Zeiss made a 5000mm mirror for the East German border guards, of course there is Canon's legendary 1200mm EF.
Your time and trouble appreciated.
Be lucky
David

http://www.gizmag.com/go/6147/

http://www.gizmag.com/go/6147/picture/26998/

Well, these will fit 'conventional' cameras, but are not auto-focus models:

http://www.mistisoftware.com/Astronomy/Equipment_RC32.htm
(5760mm, f/7.2 !!)

Same company also makes this model:
RC40-190FS -- RC 40” f/8, OGS190 Fork Mt., TCS Servo Drive
That would be about 8000mm at f/8 for only $825,000.00

And if you want an AF one from Canon - at least for video cameras:
http://www.canon.com/bctv/products/digi100xs.html
100x zoom, starting at 9.3mm f/1.7 and out to 1860 at f/9.4 with 2x converter

David Truman wrote:
Learned contributors
What are the largest lens constructed for conventional cameras I.E not for use in U2 or Canberra PR9 spy planes or satellites.
I've heard that Nikon made a 3000mm prototype available to the army in Northern Ireland for trials and that Carl Zeiss made a 5000mm mirror for the East German border guards, of course there is Canon's legendary 1200mm EF.
Your time and trouble appreciated.
Be lucky
David

Any astronomical equipment would qualify since they can be attached to a DSLR body. An example of such a lens would be http://www.dfmengineering.com/cct_50.html.

The longest lens designed explicitly for a camera was the Canon FD 5200mm f/14, which was designed for one of the Olympics (I don't remember which one). In addition, while the digi100xs had the largest ratio, the Digisuper 86 tele is actually longer, 2322mm (f/11.6) with the 2x TC. In addition, there is also the Nikon 1200-1700mm f/5.6-9, which I think is the longest zoom for 35mm cameras. For refractive lenses overall, I strongly suspect the Yerkes refractor telescope is the longest in the world, however, it was designed for astronomical observation as opposed to terrestrial photography.

Around here, the Keck probably qualifies as the biggest camera lens It has plenty of cameras mounted on it and the focal length is quite impressive at about 17.5 meters (that's an f/1.75 lens!). The IS system (adaptive optics) is about as good as it gets too. However, it is a bit heavy to hand hold

The Panavision 7-2100mm (i.e. 300x) has the longest zoom range for video cameras.

Although not the longest focal length available.






Panavision 300x



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