World’s Most Expensive Lens: $2 million Leica APO-Telyt-R 1600mm
At a sum of US$ 2,064,500, Leica has the honor of manufacturing the world’s most expensive SLR Lens, the Leica APO-Telyt-R f/5.6 1600mm telephoto lens. A Howitzer among lenses, this 1600mm is also the largest and heaviest telephoto lens at 47.24 inches long, 16.5 inches diameter, and 132 lbs! This one-off lens is commissioned by Qatar’s former minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Sheikh Saud Bin Mohammed Al-Thani of Qatar.
This lens is so heavy that according to Danish Leica expert Thorsten Overgaard, Sheikh Al-Thani commissioned Mercedes to make a specially-equipped four-wheel-drive vehicle to carry the lens and act as a mobile tripod.
Thanks to Apotelyt.com for the links and photos!
In the first Gulf War a BBC cameraman with a large white canon lens he was seen by a tank 1/2 mile away it took out the cameraman and entire room in a hotel. The man no trace at all whole room vaporized and his ID card was all there was left.
I can hook this up to a web cam or cellphone.
whoa
Only f/5.6? Call me when it they get it to f/2.8 or I’m not interested…
[…] Courtesy of SLRLounge […]
Did he use this lens to take the pictures of Kate and William in France?
most expensive AND useless lens!
Is this for taking picture of people from other planet.
I second the question, Where are the pictures taken with this lens? (probably girls from a far far far away beach..)
Does anyone know the place where one can watch photos made by this lens?
I’d like to actually see some of the shots he’s taken with this. I wonder what his Flickr account is?
While I love photography and all related to it, I look at this lens and think “How practical is it” I know most of my work has me crawling up riverbeds up to my knees in water or marching across fields full of cows and bulls, I ask myself why would I hinder my work by owning a lens of such proportions.
I look at this lens and I think, ” There are people starving to death at this very moment. And as I reach for my gear and head out I thank God I do not have this monster.
Michael Larkin
This would be perfect for pictures of cats
…sleeping inside the end of the lens.
This lens would be great for watching girls close up on the beach…!!!