After 16 years of running PhotographyTalk, I’ve seen a lot of questions pop up on repeat. And one that never fails to resurface is all about the largest lenses ever created for photography. You’d think people are prepping for some kind of photography-themed Jeopardy episode: “I’ll take Massive Lenses for 500, Alex!” But, jokes aside, there’s something fascinating about these giants of the lens world that captures people’s imaginations.
In photography, size can be everything—especially when it comes to capturing that ultra-zoomed detail or shooting in near darkness. So, let’s dive into eight massive lenses that have earned their place on the list of the largest ever made for photography. These beasts are a mix of engineering marvels and collector’s dreams, and each has a unique story that makes them worthy of this list.
Table of Contents
- Largest Lenses Ever Created: Zeiss Apo Sonnar T 1700mm f/4
- Largest Lenses Ever Created: Nikon 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8.0P IF-ED
- Largest Lenses Ever Created: Canon 5200mm f/14 Mirror Lens
- Largest Lenses Ever Created: Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM
- Largest Lenses Ever Created: Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 APO EX DG Ultra-Telephoto
- Largest Lenses Ever Created: Leica APO-Telyt-R 1600mm f/5.6
- Largest Lenses Ever Created: Nikkor 2000mm f/11 Reflex
- Largest Lenses Ever Created: Carl Zeiss 50mm Planar f/0.7
Largest Lenses Ever Created: Zeiss Apo Sonnar T 1700mm f/4
Image Credit: Film’s Not Dead
Year Released: 2006
This beast of a lens, the Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 1700mm f/4, first entered the scene in 2006 as a custom commission for a wildlife photographer based in Qatar. Weighing in at 256 pounds, it’s a true marvel of optical engineering, made by Carl Zeiss AG. When I think of long telephoto lenses, my mind usually goes to 600mm or 800mm, but Zeiss took it to the extreme with 1700mm, creating a lens that dwarfs most others.
The lens was designed to capture wildlife from an incredibly far distance, a necessity for the client, as it’s not always possible or safe to get close to certain animals. Crafted with APO (apochromatic) glass elements, it reduces chromatic aberrations that can be pronounced at such long focal lengths. The optical quality is remarkable, with sharpness even at f/4, which is quite fast for such a massive lens. I’ve always been intrigued by the lengths some photographers will go to, and this lens embodies that commitment to getting the shot, no matter the distance.
Largest Lenses Ever Created: Nikon 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8.0P IF-ED
Image Credit: mir.com
Year Released: 1993
Back in 1993, Nikon introduced the 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8.0P IF-ED, a lens that pushes the limits of zoom lenses. Weighing 36 pounds, it has a focal length range of 1200-1700mm, perfect for capturing subjects that are nearly out of reach. It’s the kind of lens that was designed for extreme sports, press, and wildlife photographers who need that extra reach without compromising on quality.
What makes this lens fascinating is that, despite its size, Nikon managed to include ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass, which helps to eliminate chromatic aberration. The internal focus design (IF) makes focusing smoother and prevents the lens from extending, which is a massive benefit in handling. Owning or even handling one of these lenses is a bit of a rare experience, as it’s a lens built in limited quantities and mostly found with collectors or specialized agencies.
Largest Lenses Ever Created: Canon 5200mm f/14 Mirror Lens
Year Released: 1960s
As discussed in the video above by HDCAMAN, this legendary lens, the Canon 5200mm f/14, was a product of the 1960s and holds a unique place in photography history. At an incredible 220 pounds, this lens is essentially a telescope with a Canon mount, capturing subjects from miles away. Its main application was for surveillance and observatory purposes, making it far from a practical choice for regular photography.
What’s wild about this lens is its capability to photograph subjects 30 miles away, thanks to a focal length that’s nearly unheard of in standard photography. Since it’s a mirror lens, it’s compact for its reach but sacrifices some sharpness compared to refractor designs. For any photographer who’s managed to try it, it’s a thrill. While I’ve handled some hefty lenses, the 5200mm would be in a league of its own.
Largest Lenses Ever Created: Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM
Image Credit: Canon
Year Released: 1993
Released in 1993, the Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM is a highly coveted lens with a 1200mm focal length and a unique pedigree. This 36-pound lens was designed for extreme sports and wildlife photographers. Its status as one of the longest focal length autofocus lenses makes it legendary among Canon enthusiasts, especially as Canon produced only around 20 units.
The optical quality is remarkable; Canon’s L-series construction ensures sharpness and color fidelity, and with USM (Ultrasonic Motor) autofocus, it offers a rare blend of power and usability. I’ve always appreciated how Canon designed this lens with its characteristic reliability and durability. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime piece of equipment, more like owning a collector’s item.
Largest Lenses Ever Created: Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 APO EX DG Ultra-Telephoto
Image Credit: Sigma
Year Released: 2008
When Sigma launched the 200-500mm f/2.8 APO EX DG in 2008, it quickly earned the nickname “Sigmonster.” Weighing about 35 pounds, this lens is one of the few zoom lenses that can maintain an f/2.8 aperture across its range, making it a dream for low-light sports and wildlife photography. It also includes a built-in 2x teleconverter, pushing it up to 1000mm at f/5.6.
This is one lens I’d describe as pure engineering genius. The optical quality is amazing, especially for a lens of this size, and Sigma designed it with APO (apochromatic) glass to reduce chromatic aberration. If you’ve seen this lens in action, you know it turns heads—and probably needs a strong tripod and assistant to help carry it.
Largest Lenses Ever Created: Leica APO-Telyt-R 1600mm f/5.6
Year Released: 2006
In 2006, Leica built a custom 1600mm f/5.6 lens for Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al-Thani of Qatar, who paid around $2 million for this exclusive piece. This 132-pound behemoth is the longest focal length Leica has ever made, built specifically for wildlife and nature photography. It’s as much a status symbol as it is a piece of optical art.
Leica’s APO glass design ensures superior color accuracy and sharpness, even at 1600mm, where most lenses would struggle. It’s probably the most unique lens on this list and one that only the most dedicated Leica collectors will ever have the chance to see in person, let alone use. Learn more about this lens in the video above by Kristian Dowling.
Largest Lenses Ever Created: Nikkor 2000mm f/11 Reflex
Image Credit: Lens-DB
Year Released: 1970s
Nikon’s Nikkor 2000mm f/11 Reflex, introduced in the 1970s, is a classic mirror lens with an astonishing 2000mm focal length. Weighing 37 pounds, it was initially developed for surveillance and astronomy. The lens’s mirror design means it’s relatively compact for its length, though it has that signature doughnut-shaped bokeh typical of mirror lenses.
For any long-distance photographer, the 2000mm f/11 is both a relic and a masterpiece. The f/11 aperture limits low-light use, but in daylight, it can achieve impressive results. I’ve always been a fan of mirror lenses for their compact size, but this one really takes that concept to another level.
Largest Lenses Ever Created: Carl Zeiss 50mm Planar f/0.7
Image Credit: Zeiss
Year Released: 1966
Zeiss crafted the 50mm f/0.7 Planar in 1966, initially for NASA’s Apollo missions. Stanley Kubrick famously used it to shoot the candle-lit scenes in Barry Lyndon, cementing its legacy in cinematic history. Weighing only 6.2 pounds, it’s not as physically large as others on this list but deserves mention for its groundbreaking f/0.7 aperture, one of the widest ever created.
The speed of this lens allowed Kubrick to capture natural candle-lit scenes without additional lighting. It’s the kind of lens that pushes boundaries, allowing photographers to shoot in near-darkness.
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