10 Incredible Camera Lenses
Photographers and videographers – be jealous! Check out 10 of the most incredible camera lenses ever made.
What’s inside your camera bag? In the following article we take a look at 10 of the most incredible and expensive lenses ever made…
1. Nikon 6mm Fisheye Lens
Courtesy of Photofacts
Upon it’s release the Nikon 6mm f-2.8 was the widest lens in the world. It boasts a 220 degree angle of view and is no longer in production. However, If you’re lucky, you might find one pop-up on eBay every now and then.
Price: $160,000
2. Carl Zeiss 50mm Planar f/0.7
Courtesy of PetaPixel
This lens was actually created by NASA to shoot the dark side of the moon. Stanley Kubrick used these lenses to shoot the candlelight scene in Barry Lyndon. You can even rent these same lenses today via the Kubrick Collection.
Price: $23.1 million, adjusted to inflation
3. Canon 5200mm F/14 Mirror Lens
Courtesy of eBay
Using a series of mirrors this lens can stretch it’s focal length to around 5200mm. This lens is perfect for shooting weddings 18-32 miles away! In fact, to even get your subject in focus they would have to be standing 394 feet away from the lens.
Price: $45,000
4. Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 1700mm
Courtesy of Digital-Camera
This F/4 lens was unveiled in 2006 and can actually be purchased from Zeiss. Unlike most of the lenses on this list the Apo Sonnar was designed specifically for photographers, not the military or scientists. The lens weighs 564 pounds, yes you read that correctly. You might want to get a bigger camera bag.
Price: $100,000+
5. Leica 1600mm f/5.6 Telephoto
Courtesy of SLRLounge
The Leica 1600mm is special for a number of different ways. Not only is it made by the most prestigious lens manufacturer in the world, but it also just so happens to be one of the most expensive lenses ever made. The lens was purchased by Sheikh Saud Bin Mohammed Al-Thani of Qatar and he hasn’t released any sample images (what a waste!) Because of the lens’s heavy weight, Al-Thani must carry it around in his Mercedes.
Price: $2 million
6. Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6
Courtesy of Digital Image
Weighing in at about 36 lbs, the 1200mm lens the lens includes an ultrasonic motor built for autofocusing. The crystal required to build this lens takes a long time to grow, so only two 1200mm lenses are produced each year. For more specs see B&H.
Price: $120,000
7. Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 APO EX DG
Courtesy of PhotoJoe
The Sigma is one of the coolest looking lenses on our list. The lens weighs about 35lbs and stretches over 726mm in length. It was the first 500mm lens to have an F-stop of 2.8.
Price: $32,000
8. Rokinon 650-1300mm f/8-16
Courtesy of Rakurs
While we can’t comment on image quality, the Rokinon 650-1300mm lens definitely takes the cake in terms of affordability. The lens has an f-stop range of 8-16, so there will definitely be no low-light shooting with this lens. However, it might be a great lens if you’re shooting in daylight.
Price: $239
9. Sigma 4.5mm f/2.8
Courtesy of PhotographyLife
A recent addition to the Sigma line, the 4.5 mm lens is one of the widest lenses in the world. The lens was designed to be used in scientific or artistic applications. With a minimum focus distance of 5.3 inches it looks like a great lens for shooting macro images.
Price: $1,500
10. Leica 50mm f/.95
Courtesy of LeicaRumors
The 50mm lens is a go-to lens for any photographer. An F/1.4 is usually considered a great 50mm lens but Leica took this to the extreme in 1975 with their invention of the Noctilux-M. The lens was their response to the discontinued Canon 50mm f/.95. This lens can also be adapted to work on a micro 4/3 mount camera.
Price: $10,500
Know of any other incredible camera lenses?
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