Good news for Nikon enthusiasts with the need to get really up close and personal with their subject. Nikon today announced the development of what they are calling a “ground breaking” super-telephoto, fixed focal length lens to add to its line-up of full frame (FX) NIKKOR lenses.

The big boy 800 mm, AF-S lens, comes with a bright aperture of f5.6 and VR (vibration reduction) system, and will be fully compatible with the auto focus system of all Nikon FX-format cameras. It will boast the longest focal length of any NIKKOR autofocus lens, and has been designed with field sports, news and wildlife photographers in mind. In keeping with the tough conditions these photographers might find themselves in, the lens will be dust and water resistant.

“We are very excited to showcase a ground breaking new milestone in NIKKOR development at this summer’s major sporting events” said Romi Jacobs, chief marketing officer for Nikon in South Africa. “It reflects our ongoing philosophy to turn ‘feedback into fact’ for the world’s leading news, sports and wildlife photographers.”

A prototype of the new lens will be premiered to professional photographers at the Open Golf Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England, between July 19th and 22nd 2012. Nikon has been an official sponsor of The Open Championship since 1993. The lens will also be on show to the general public visiting Photokina 2012, the world’s largest photo and imaging exhibition, in Cologne, Germany, from September 18th to 23rd.

Earlier this month, Nikon announced that total production of NIKKOR lenses for interchangeable lens cameras had reached seventy million and that the total production of AF-S lenses equipped with the Silent Wave Motor (SWM), the autofocus motor developed by Nikon, had reached 30 million. This year, Nikon released three professional FX-format D-SLR cameras: the flagship Nikon D4, the Nikon D800 and Nikon D800E.

An on-sale date, suggested retail price and further specifications will be announced by Nikon Corporation at a later date. Don’t expect to come off lightly for the privilege to have this lens in your line-up, although we’re not sure if the lens will be heavier on the wallet or on the shoulder?