EF 1200 mm f/5.6 L USM

1200mm
f/5.6
Prime
16500 g
Min focus 14 m

Quick answer

The Canon EF 1200 mm f/5.6 L USM is a super telephoto prime lens covering 1200mm at f/5.6 for the Canon EF mount. Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.

About this lens

This 1200mm f/5.6 telephoto prime lens from Canon fits Canon EF mount cameras, from the Canon L series with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.

Canon EF 1200 mm f/5.6 L USM specifications

Brand: Canon
Mount: Canon EF
Focal length: 1200mm
Maximum aperture: f/5.6
Lens type: Prime
Format coverage: full-frame
Released: 1993
Optical construction: 13 elements in 10 groups
Aperture blades: 8
Autofocus motor: USM
Minimum focus distance: 14 m
Maximum magnification: 0.09x
Weight: 16500 g
Length: 836 mm
Diameter: 228 mm

Specification source: global.canon

What can you shoot with the Canon EF 1200 mm f/5.6 L USM?

At 1200mm this is a super telephoto prime, which typically suits:

Wildlife and birds
Motorsport and field sports
Distant subjects and the moon

Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.

Full-frame equivalent and field of view

Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.

Sensor	Crop	Equivalent	Horizontal FOV	Diagonal FOV
Full frame	1.0x	1200mm	1.7°	2.1°
APS-C	1.6x	1920mm	1.1°	1.3°

Try the field-of-view calculator

Frequently asked questions

What mount does the Canon EF 1200 mm f/5.6 L USM use?

It uses the Canon EF mount, so it fits Canon EF cameras directly.

What is the focal length of the Canon EF 1200 mm f/5.6 L USM?

It is a fixed 1200mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/5.6. That makes it a super telephoto lens.

Is the Canon EF 1200 mm f/5.6 L USM a prime or a zoom lens?

It is a prime lens with a fixed 1200mm focal length. Primes usually open wider than zooms; this one opens to f/5.6.

What is the Canon EF 1200 mm f/5.6 L USM equivalent on a crop sensor?

On APS-C (1.6x crop) it frames like 1920mm on full frame, with a 1.1° horizontal and 1.3° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.