Hands on video review of the Canon EF 1200 f/5.6L Lens
/forum/topic/803393/0

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jpons
Registered: Feb 04, 2002
Total Posts: 6
Country: United States

I recently had a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform a "hands on" review of the mythical Canon 1200 f/5.6L lens.

We created a video review of this lens where you will get the opportunity to see some of its unique features, take a look at some still and video as well as a video comparison with an EF500 f/4L IS as we shoot some suburban wildlife. The sample stills and video as well as the entire review were all captured using a pair of Canon 5D MarkII.

Check out the video review on the Outdoor Photo Gear blog at http://outdoorphotogear.com/blog/

I hope you enjoy it!

-J

Ian.Dobinson
Registered: Feb 18, 2007
Total Posts: 4247
Country: United Kingdom

Thanks very enjoyable

CircleMGraphic
Registered: Jun 29, 2008
Total Posts: 328
Country: United States

What speeds are obtainable hand-held Good review

jpons
Registered: Feb 04, 2002
Total Posts: 6
Country: United States

I could hardly lift this lens.... hard to imagine hand holding...

n0b0
Registered: Sep 22, 2008
Total Posts: 3823
Country: Australia

I walk around with the 100-400L and I already got comments like "...must be compensating for something...". I wonder what they'd say if they see you with that monster.

PetKal
Registered: Sep 06, 2007
Total Posts: 9561
Country: Canada

jpons wrote:
I could hardly lift this lens.... hard to imagine hand holding...

Excellent video, Juan.
The woodpecker scenes in particular are surprisingly good.
As far as the lens weight goes, I can assure you I can think of a few members here who'd claim they could handheld shoot that lens all day......"because it's all in the proper technique " which, by implication, they have obviously mastered fully.

Ian.Dobinson
Registered: Feb 18, 2007
Total Posts: 4247
Country: United Kingdom

do you think the Monkey could adapt his Bushawk to fit it?

PetKal
Registered: Sep 06, 2007
Total Posts: 9561
Country: Canada

Ian.Dobinson wrote:
do you think the Monkey could adapt his Bushawk to fit it?

I suppose Frenchmonkey's first concern would be to get a comprehensive chiropractic health insurance.

kim hill
Registered: Mar 28, 2007
Total Posts: 78
Country: United States

A 120,000 you say, just let me grab my checkbook lol.

henryng
Registered: Mar 01, 2004
Total Posts: 841
Country: Canada

Hi Juan, love the video.
Maybe you can mount the 1200 on a Prius like the other guy did. It can then go places.

rextter
Registered: Apr 05, 2008
Total Posts: 106
Country: United Kingdom

Brilliant video - amazing piece of equiment. This video is about as close as I'll ever get to one I think

Willamette
Registered: Aug 18, 2005
Total Posts: 289
Country: United States

Would a beanbag/shotbag work for a dampener to free up the other hand for manual focusing? One more thing to carry, but it sure looks like this lens won't be far from a vehicle

jpons
Registered: Feb 04, 2002
Total Posts: 6
Country: United States

henryng wrote:
Hi Juan, love the video.
Maybe you can mount the 1200 on a Prius like the other guy did. It can then go places.

Hmmm... I own a Prius, but I think a vehicle like a Honda element with the large sunroof would work well....

jpons
Registered: Feb 04, 2002
Total Posts: 6
Country: United States

Willamette wrote:
Would a beanbag/shotbag work for a dampener to free up the other hand for manual focusing? One more thing to carry, but it sure looks like this lens won't be far from a vehicle

I am sure a nice a heavy Beanbag like the Apex Bean Bag would help. And you are right, this thing won't ever be too far from some sort of vehicle...

-J

choiboyogg
Registered: Jun 10, 2003
Total Posts: 3148
Country: United States

very cool segment...

Peyton
Registered: Oct 07, 2008
Total Posts: 1082
Country: United States

very nice stuff Juan, I'll be on the lookout for more reviews/posts! Mr. Dunn has spoke well of you at work lol. btw, loved the H. andersonii vids.

jeremy_clay
Registered: Jan 14, 2008
Total Posts: 6147
Country: N/A

Wedding lens, IMO.

jpons
Registered: Feb 04, 2002
Total Posts: 6
Country: United States

Peyton wrote:
very nice stuff Juan, I'll be on the lookout for more reviews/posts! Mr. Dunn has spoke well of you at work lol. btw, loved the H. andersonii vids.

Thanks for the kind words. Will be doing more of these, have a pipeline built up.

Ah and I also have at least one more Hyla video coming up.

-J

Beauchamp
Registered: Feb 01, 2008
Total Posts: 433
Country: Canada

jeremy_clay wrote:
Wedding lens, IMO.

Also, perfect for studio work.

AGeoJO
Registered: Jul 08, 2003
Total Posts: 8116
Country: United States

Cool video review . Makes me want to get that lens .

KIDERAL
Registered: Apr 12, 2004
Total Posts: 2179
Country: United States

great lens... didn't it come out at $65K...
If you can sell it you have a better return than the stock market...

hauxon
Registered: Feb 24, 2005
Total Posts: 1259
Country: Iceland

Great lensporn!

Ian.Dobinson
Registered: Feb 18, 2007
Total Posts: 4247
Country: United Kingdom

jeremy_clay wrote:
Wedding lens, IMO.

You could cover the wedding without leaving home

Ian.Dobinson
Registered: Feb 18, 2007
Total Posts: 4247
Country: United Kingdom

What would have been a good comp would have been between the 800/5.6 and the 1200/5.6

But hey the video with the 2x is impressive, I wounder if any of the wildlife TV show shooters would use it. When you see the size of some of the TV cams they have to lug about the 1200 and a 5d2 (or an upcomming 1ds4) would not look such a large and heavy prospect.

Mike V
Registered: Jan 18, 2006
Total Posts: 901
Country: Australia

For TV and cine use, long zooms are more popular e.g. the Panavision 7-2100mm.

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