Canon produces 20-millionth EF lens
Canon announced that it has reached a new lens-production milestone with cumulative production of the company's EF lenses passing the 20-million mark.
Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) SLR cameras began in 1987 at the company's Utsunomiya Plant in Japan. Canon produced its 10-millionth EF lens in August 1995 and, a mere five and a half years later, reached the 20-million plateau. This achievement reflects users' high level of satisfaction with the performance and quality realized by EF lenses, as well as the service offered through Canon's marketing operations.
Canon's proprietary EF (electro-focus) lens, which combines a large-diameter fully electronic lens mount and an internal autofocus motor, was born in 1987. In November of that year, Canon introduced the industry's first [1] Ultrasonic Motor (USM)-powered lens: the EF 300mm f/2.8L USM. In September 1989 the EF 50mm f/1.0L USM, featuring the world's largest aperture [1] of f/1.0, was launched and in September 1995 the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, equipped with the world's first [1] Image Stabilizer to correct for the effect of camera shake, made its debut. Canon's EF lens lineup, through the introduction of the latest innovative technologies, has consistently been recognized as the state of the art in the industry.
In September 2000 Canon announced the development of the world's first Multi-Layer Diffractive Optical Element for camera lenses and intends to soon launch a commercial version of the compact, lightweight, high image-quality EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM lens, which incorporates the element.
Canon's current EF lens lineup comprises 54 [2] models, the most comprehensive selection [3] in the industry. Canon EF lenses span the gamut from ultra-wide 14mm to super-telephoto 1200mm lenses and include standard and super-telephoto zoom models, large-aperture lenses, and TS-E lenses, which are equipped with a special tilt-shift mechanism that permits the manipulation of image perspective and distortion. Canon EF lenses have garnered high praise from a wide user base, from professional and advanced amateur photographers to novice photo enthusiasts, and earned Canon the top share in the interchangeable lens market.
Also, as the each EF lens is compatible with Canon's EOS D-series of digital SLR cameras, both film and digital camera users can benefit from the exceptional quality, performance and versatility realized by the EF lens lineup.
Canon, through continual innovations in every area of production technology, including optical design and electronics, intends to continue its efforts to deliver attractive products in response to user needs, opening up new directions in the future of photographic expression.
[1] For 35mm AF SLR cameras
[2] Including EF lens extenders
[3] As of February 27, 2001
TOKYO, February 27, 2001
