11 months after being announced, Sigma's 200-500mm f/2.8, 35-pound monster is finally available for purchase. When it was announced almost a year ago, I naïvely speculated that it might run $6,000, so it was a shock when I found it at a retailer in Japan for about 2.6 million yen (US $25,000). I haven't seen it in a US retailer yet, but I doubt it'll be substantially less.

I wouldn't have gotten one at $6,000, but at $25,000, all I can say is "wow", and note that my birthday is coming up....

Both Fumie and Anthony have been down with the flu lately, so not much posting on my part, but seeing today the announcement of Sigma's 200-500mm F2.8 zoom, I had to at least mention it so that everyone would know to add it to your "things to buy for Jeffrey someday" list.   🙂

Too bad it doesn't have Optical Image Stabilization. Not having it reduces the lens' appeal for handheld use. (That's a joke -- the lens will likely weigh 20 pounds.)

The press release doesn't mention a price. My guess is $6,000.

UPDATE:  six   nine months later, the lens [...]