The upcoming Wetzlar Camera Auctions on October 07, will auction a Nikon ED Nikkor 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8 P IF lens. In 1996 Nikon offered the longest focal length of any zoom lens available for the 35mm format. A prototype was first used in 1990 at the Koshien Stadium in Amagasaki. After that, Nikon delivered these lenses to news agencies worldwide. Beginning in 1994 Nikon made this massive lens available to the general public on a build-to-order basis – presumably no more than 35 units were produced in total worldwide.
Estimated price: 80,000 – 100,000 euros.
“In May 1989, Nikon began developing the lens offered here, responding to the 1:5.6/1200 mm super-telephoto lens introduced by Canon around 1980. With this 1200-1700 mm lens, Nikon offered the longest available focal length of all zoom lenses for the 35mm format at the time. The prototype was first used in 1990 at Koshien Stadium in Amagasaki. In order to capture the athletes in the middle of the stadium from the press seats, focal lengths of 1200 mm for overview shots and 1700 mm for portrait shots were required. Nikon later supplied these lenses to news organizations worldwide. Starting in 1994, Nikon also made this 16 kg lens available to the general market on an order basis. Probably no more than 35 copies were made in total. Never offered in auctions.”
Photographer waiting for the new pope with a Nikkor 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8P IF-ED lens
More pictures from the prototype lenses exhibition at the Nikon museum
Via LeicaRumors