If the camera companies had navy fleets, their flagships would be the super-telephoto lensessuper-teles. Both Canon and Nikon make huge 600mm lenses that stand heads and tailssize and capability wiseabove the rest of their arsenals. Use one of these out in the general public, and your quiet nature photo expedition becomes a question-and-answer session. My, thats a big lens. Can you see really far with that? I bet that cost a lot of money, didnt it? Geez& its annoying being interrupted by such inquiries, but its the price of doing business. Sure, someone is thinking to himself or herself, we shouldnt be flaunting this kind of equipment around at the risk attracting attention from the unwelcome sort. It kind of makes you wonder? Is there a low-key way to use equipment this big? Im not sure. If someone out there does know, drop me a line. Im very interested. Anyway, back to the lens.

Why does anyone need such a beast anyway? Why do photographers find it necessary to take a second mortgage on the house to schlep a 14-pound weight out to the field? The answer is simpleto get closer, Duh! Unfortunately, animals generally arent that keen on being approached by us two-legged fellows. Even though we nature photographers may have the greatest intentions, we all look the same to a critter. Stealth, guile, and cunning can be used to overcome this fact of nature but even thats not enough most the time. Basic power is required; a 600mm lens has that in spades. Theres a cost literally and figuratively for this power, by the way. You cant get something for nothing.

The Nikon 600mm f/4 AF-S lens is street priced well into the $8,000 range, brand new. Except for cars and houses, this lens might be the single most expensive thing you will ever buy. Optimistically, some will term buying these things as an investment to support their profession or passion. Still, its a lot of money obligated to anything. This Nikon lens has huge capability but is it worth the money? Thats something well address in a bit.

Wait, just when you thought the spending was over, its not! The acquisitions cant stop with the lens. You cant operate it alone. If youve never owned and operated a super-telephoto lens, there are other accessories you have to acquire to safely use your investment. I spent at least an extra $1,000 bucks on support equipment to safely store, transport, and support my lens. A sturdy tripod, tripod head, and lens bag were all necessary tools to safely and effectively use my gear. I could write an entire series of articles about tripods, their accessories, and why we need these high tech super-tele marvels. Thatll have to wait for another day. Suffice it to say, these accessories are absolutely necessary when making such a big lens purchase.

The bottom line: If youre planning to buy a brand new super-tele like the Nikon 600mm f/4 AF-S and have never owned a super-tele before, expect to spend between $8,000 to $10,000. Theres no way around it. If you havent guessed, it takes a lot of investment to play with the big boys.

Now, why does anyone need such a big, expensive piece of equipment? As I said before, if you cant get close enough to your quarry, get it closer to you. Super-teles are the solution.