Carl Zeiss Unveils Big Tele Lens

September 13, 2006: Carl Zeiss will showcase the world’s largest telephoto lens at its stand at Photokina 2006.
Developed for long distance wildlife photography this 1700mm f/4 STL Sonnar T* super-tele lens provides 21x magnification (equivalent to 920mm in 35mm format). It was custom-made by Carl Zeiss for a client who wanted a high-quality, ultra-long lens for a Hasselblad 203 FE camera. According to the manufacturer, “this lens put requirements on optical glass, lens assembly and quality assurance methods, never before encountered in photo lens manufacture”. The company used its expertise in satellite and space optics as well as semiconductor fabrication lenses to produce the 256 kg optic, which required totally new ways of operating a telephoto lens, including servo controlled aiming and focusing. The lens will be on display in Hall 2.1 at Booth B010.

Top view of the 1700mm f/4 STL Sonnar T* super-tele lens.