who needs a telescope when you got 1600mm of monster glass?? 
I think this is the most expensive lens in the world: the LEICA APO-TELYT-R 1:5.6/1600mm is worth 16 million HKD (2,064,489 USD) yes you read this right 2 million US dollars! Anyone has that thing? I would like to see some test shots
Sigma APO 200-500 F/2.8
Image: Sigma
Perhaps the most "sensible" of the items presented in this list, this is nevertheless one of the heftiest tele zoom lenses for SLR cameras around. While the zoom range of 200-500mm is nothing new or exciting, it's the maximum aperture of an incredible f/2.8 throughout the focal range that makes this such a special lens.
While a lot of tele lenses have a distinct cannon barrel look, Sigma have apparently done all they can to enhance that trait, giving the lens a leafy green finish. The end result is an extremely fast tele zoom lens that could easily be confused with a surface-to-air missile launcher.
» www.sigmaphoto.com
Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 1700 mm F4
Image: Zeiss
For people who have been into photography for a while, the name Carl Zeiss means top of the line optical quality, usually with a matching price tag. While continuing to produce their top-of-the-line optics for various camera systems, Zeiss have more recently also begun cooperating with Nokia and Sony, making optics for their mobile phones and digital cameras.
Two years ago, the company presented a remarkable one-off tele lens, reportedly custom built for a wealthy Qatari. Weighing in at 256 kilos, it's is a 1700mm f/4 lens designed for medium format (which roughly equals 750mm in 35mm SLR format). The monster bears more than a fleeting resemblance to a jet engine; given the size the 'super tele lens' labeling on the side seems a little superfluous it isn't very likely that it would be mistaken for an average 70-200mm, after all.
The little black lump at the end is your average 6x6 medium format camera, in itself a quite bulky piece of equipment, but completely dwarfed by the Zeiss lens. Upon it's unveiling, it was said to be the largest non-military tele lens in the world. One wonders what the largest military tele lens might look like.
Drawing from their experience in manufacturing large telescopes and instruments for astronomical sciences, Zeiss had to develop an entirely new focussing system, Due to the massive size of the glass elements, the lens had to be equipped with extremely powerful focussing motors, capable of moving all that heavy glass around. The rear end of the lens has a dedicated LCD monitor built in to display focussing distance, aperture etc. No price has been published, but Zeiss hinted at a price of at least several million Euros.
The intended use for the lens is reportedly "antelope photography". This doesn't immediately strike one as the kind of kit you want to bring along on a safari to photograh fast moving and easily startled animals hiding in the bushes is certainly off the agenda but the uncompromising construction is said to allow the lens to autofocus as fast as a 'regular' telephoto lens.
Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM
Image: Robert
While the 1700mm lens mentioned earlier is all fine and dandy if you've got a truck to mount it onto, some may prefer a more lightweight, nimble sollution. Weighing a mere 16.5 kilos and being only 83 centimeters long (without the bucket-like hood), this delicate little flower will nevertheless magnify faraway objects (or perhaps more relevant, faraway people) to a degree that will leave little to the imagination. To my knowledge, this is the longest focal length available to autofocus SLR cameras without using any extra magnifiers.
Due to its size, limited area of use and robust price tag, it has only been available from Canon built to order, and to date they have apparently produced fewer than 20 samples of this lens. The company recently announced that they would be slashing the 1200mm from their catalogue, so if you want one, better be quick about it.
The suggested price of the lens upon unveiling in 1993, converted to present day money puts it at apx. $120 000, or the cost of "a small sports car" which is the most common price comparison given for the lens.
