Canon produces 20-millionth EF lens

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

Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM Lens

Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM Lens

Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM Lens is one of four new lenses announced by Canon USA at PMA 1996.

Offering the world's shortest zoom focal length at 17mm, the EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM extends the benefits of its predecessor, the EF 20-35mm f/2.8L USM which has been extremely popular with photojournalists and other documentary photographers.

The new lens provides silent, high-speed autofocus with outstanding optical performance equal, or superior to, similar fixed focal length lenses. The wide focal length of 17mm was achieved by using two aspherical elements that minimize optical aberrations including distortions and flare, while maintaining high image quality throughout its zoom range.

Autofocusing is fast and accurate, covering the full range from 1.5 feet to infinity in 0.4 seconds. This was achieved through internal focusing which also enhances focusing speed, durability and handling. Additionally, the lens provides fast and smooth manual focusing in the AF mode through its built-in, full-time mechanical manual focus override.

Operability is further enhanced by a wide rubber focusing ring and revolving zoom ring. A drop-in filter holder is also provided at the rear and the non-rotating 77mm front lens mount is perfect for circular polarizing filters.

The Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM Lens will be available in April 1996

CANON USA

www.usa.canon.com

New Canon EF Lenses at PMA 1996

Four New Canon EF Lenses at PMA 1996

Canon USA is introducing four new EF lenses at PMA Trade Show and Convention in Las Vegas.

They include the Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM, Canon 135mm f/2L USM, Canon 180mm f/3.5L Macro and Canon 400mm f/2.8L II USM. 

These introduction expanding the total number in the EF line to 50, the widest selection of autofocus lenses available in any 35mm SLR camera system. 

The new L-Series lenses are designed specifically for professional and advanced amateur photographers and offer an extended selection of fast, and extremely sharp focal lengths.

"Canon is committed to offering photographers the widest selection of high quality optics in the industry," said Ted Ando, director and general manager of Canon's Camera Division."Canon will continue to introduce new products and improve existing ones based on the needs and requests of our customers," Ted Ando added.

- Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM Lens Extends Creative Range of Photojournalists

- Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens Offers High Quality in Popular Focal Length

- Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM Lens Adds Dimension to EF Line

- Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L II USM Lens Adds Improuved Optical Perfomence

Large Lens Inventory Meets All Shooting Requirements

Canon offers professional and advanced photographers the widest selection of autofocus lenses available in any 35mm SLR System. Currently offering 50 lenses for use with Canon EOS System cameras, the complete line ranges from 14mm ultra-wide angle to 1200mm Super Telephoto for all-purpose photography, macro lenses for nature and outdoor work, Tilt-Shift lenses for architecture and studio photography, and high-speed zooms for photojournalism. Canon lenses offer features and performance to meet every photographer's requirement.

Canon's white-barreled super-telephoto L- Series lenses are continuously extolled by professional photographers around the world as being super-high-performance lenses with unrivaled sharpness. The key to this performance is the complete elimination of the secondary spectrum through liberal use of fluorite and UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion) glass lenses.

A large selection of Canon L-Series EF super telephoto lenses combine superior optical performance and fast maximum aperture with the ruggedness professionals need. From the 200mm f/1.8L to the 600mm f/4L, Canon L-Series telephotos are used in all areas of photography. Canon's reputation for quality as a leader in optics has given professional photographers the confidence and competitive edge they need to produce some of the world's most exciting images.

CANON USA

www.usa.canon.com

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