Over the years, there have been plenty of innovative and affordable lenses from around the world. While Japanese lenses can be somewhat costly, their Chinese counterparts have found a solution, albeit by creating lenses with no weather sealing and an obvious lack of autofocus. While it may not be ideal, it was a better go-to option for those who want an additional lens without the massive price tag. For instance, beginners or enthusiasts. However, now, there seems to be a rising popularity of one focal length, which is quite a niche on its own: the nightly 800mm. Here’s a look at why manufacturers are going after telephoto lenses.
It’s often the case that if one manufacturer creates something, others will also follow suit. Sigma had an 800mm offering for DSLRs back in 2013, and since the switch to mirrorless, a lot of companies have not had a similar focal length for their newer devices. Over the last few years, we have seen reports of 800mm lenses popping up in almost everything. For instance, Nikon launched the 800mm f6.3 VR S for their mirrorless Z mount, while Canon has the 800mm F5.6 L for its RF mount. Now, there is also Canon’s 200-800mm f6.3-9, which is the world’s s first super-telephoto zoom lens reaching 800mm. If you add a teleconverter, it can achieve a staggering 1600mm focal length. All of this, however, comes with a massive cost too.
In addition to Nikon and Canon, there are reports of Tamron working on its 200-800mm lens, with Sigma reportedly launching its own 800mm this month. Sony has not yet jumped on the 800mm wagon, as the longest focal length they have is 600mm.
So, why is everyone running after an 800mm lens, especially now? Here’s what we think is happening:
- Mirrorless cameras are getting better: When mirrorless devices were first announced, many users understood their potential and, thus, wanted a lens that could help professionals in wildlife or sports photography. This means that the cameras and the optical quality that one can get now, as opposed to a decade ago, will make a huge difference to the kind of images that are being produced, especially in low light.
- Extra reach and versatility: One of the primary uses is that an 800mm can help you get that extra reach, which can change your entire photograph. For instance, sports like rugby, football, or any equestrian activities can now be captured at a much closer distance, allowing one to see the expressions of the athletes. However, if you add a teleconverter, the lens can also help you get more focal distance, further aiding you.
- Market trend: The telephoto lens market has seen immense growth in recent years. According to Global Market Insights, the global telephoto lens market was valued at USD 2.95 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 5% between 2024 and 2032. This only means that in the coming weeks, we are likely to see more releases from this lens type.
However, while there are several great things with an 800mm, there are also a few drawbacks. First is the obvious weight, which may make it challenging for some people to lug around. Then, there is the hefty price tag of over $12k, which is challenging for many to afford. It is pretty evident that as long as there is a demand, we may see newer ranges in the telephoto market, perhaps, something to beat the existing Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 L USM, Nikon 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8.0P IF-ED, and the Leica 1600mm f/5.6 Apo-Telyt-R. For now, it is quite interesting to see how far the lens makers are ready to go.