Canon today announced the achievement of a new lens-manufacturing milestone with the production on August 26, 2016, of the Company’s 120-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras—an EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM telephoto zoom lens.
Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (Autofocus) single-lens reflex film cameras began in 1987 at the Company’s Utsunomiya Plant. Over the years, EF lenses have gained support from a wide range of users and production has since expanded to a total of four manufacturing bases, including Canon Inc., Taiwan; Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; and Oita Canon Inc. in southern Japan.
EF lens production passed the 10-million-unit mark in 1995 and crossed the 50-million-unit threshold in 2009. In April 2014, the Company celebrated its first-in-the-world achievement of having manufactured 100 million EF lenses, and now, setting a new world record for the most interchangeable lenses produced, Canon manufactured its 120-millionth EF lens in August 2016. What’s more, Canon’s interchangeable-lens digital cameras (digital SLR and compact-system cameras), which utilize EF lenses, have maintained the No. 1 share of the global market for 13 consecutive years since 2003.
Canon’s proprietary EF lenses, launched in March 1987 along with the EOS SLR camera system, have continued to evolve since their introduction, leading the industry through the incorporation of a wide range of innovative technologies, including such world’s firsts as the Ultrasonic Motor (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, a multilayered diffractive optical (DO) element, and Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection technology. The Company’s extensive EF lens-series lineup currently comprises a total of 97 models, including EF Cinema Lenses for digital cinematography.
Canon will continue refining its imaging technologies centered on its EF lens lineup, striving to cater to the varying needs of photographers—from first-time users to advanced amateurs and professionals—while contributing to expanding the photographic and video imaging culture.
Canon EF lenses equipped with world’s-first technologies
Model name | Main features and technologies | Launch date |
EF300mm f/2.8L USM1 | World’s first2 use of a lens-based Ultrasonic Motor (USM) | Nov. 1987 |
USM technology delivers fast autofocusing thanks to its high torque and responsiveness. By converting ultrasonic vibrations into rotational energy, the technology makes possible quiet, smooth AF drive performance. | ||
EF75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM3 | World’s first2 use of Image Stabilizer (IS) technology | Sep. 1995 |
Users can see the results of IS technology through the viewfinder. Delivering high precision and stability for exceptional image stabilization results, this technology expands the possibilities for handheld photography. | ||
EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM4 | World’s first2 use of a diffractive optical (DO) lens element | Dec. 2001 |
Diffraction is an optical phenomenon in which light waves bend as they pass around the edges of an object. DO lens elements use this phenomenon to correct for a variety of aberrations by controlling the path that light travels. | ||
EF24mm f/1.4L II USM | World’s first5 use of Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) | Dec. 2008 |
SWC technology minimizes reflections by aligning countless wedge-shaped structures more minute than the wavelength of visible light on the surface of a camera lens. | ||
EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM | World’s first2 use of Hybrid IS, which compensates for both angle camera shake and shift camera shake | Oct. 2009 |
Employing a newly developed algorithm, Hybrid IS optimally adjusts for camera shake based on information gathered by two sensors located in the lens. By precisely driving the optical correction system, the technology simultaneously corrects for angle and shift camera shake. | ||
EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM | World’s first2 fisheye lens to deliver both 180-degree diagonal angle of view and 180-degree circular fisheye | Jul. 2011 |
The EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM enables the capture of images with dramatic deformations, exaggerated perspectives and extreme depths of field, making possible images that are significantly distorted, similar to what a fish might see were it to look skyward from under the water surface.
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EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x | World’s first2 super-telephoto zoom lens to employ an internal extender | May 2013 |
Featuring a built-in 1.4x extender, the EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x’s zoom range can be expanded with a simple one-touch operation even in locations where users are unable to switch lenses. | ||
EF11-24mm f/4L USM | World’s first2 lens offering ultra-wide-angle 11 mm minimum focal length | Feb. 2015 |
In addition to achieving the world’s widest angle of view starting at a minimum focal length of 11 mm, the EF11-24mm f/4L USM effectively corrects for aberrations commonly associated with ultra-wide-angle lenses, delivering superior image-quality performance. |
1 As of September 7, 2016, production for this lens has already been discontinued. Successor: EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM (launched in August 2011).
2 Among interchangeable SLR camera lenses.
3 As of September 7, 2016, production for this lens has already been discontinued. Successor: EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (launched in September 2005).
4 As of September 7, 2016, production for this lens has already been discontinued. Successor: EF400 f/4 DO IS II USM (launched in November 2014).
5 Among photography lenses.
About Canon Group
Ever since its foundation in 1937, Canon has been adhering to the “Kyosei” philosophy and has been striving to create and deliver world-class products, becoming a top global corporation by diversifying into new business fields throughout the world. Focusing on optical technologies, Canon produces office equipment, imaging devices, industrial systems and other products. Through the close connection between its global head office in Tokyo and regional headquarters in America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and regional headquarters in Japan, Canon combines its global and local operations organically. In 1996, Canon launched its Excellent Global Corporation Plan with the goal of serving the society with advanced technologies and becoming a trustworthy and responsible corporate citizen. The year 2016 is the first year of Phase 5 of the Plan. Currently, Canon boasts a strong global presence of 317 subsidiaries all over the world, supported by 189,571 employees. (Data as of December 31, 2015)
Canon in India
Canon India Pvt. Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of Canon Singapore Pvt. Ltd., is a world leader in imaging technologies. Set up in 1997, Canon markets over 200 comprehensive range of sophisticated contemporary digital imaging in India. The company today has offices and warehouses in 14 cities across India and employs over 1000 people. Canon has over 500 primary channel partners, 14 National Retail Chain partners, and over 6000 secondary retail points. Canon has 201 own retail stores called the Canon Image Square across 94 cities in the country. Canon’s service reach extends to over 5000 towns with 18 Canon camera service centres and 37 printer Canon Care Centres. Canon India also has 141 authorized service centres for printers and 175 camera collection points.
In sync with its corporate tagline- ‘ Delighting You Always’ , reinforced by World class technology, Canon offers an extended product portfolio, including copier MFDs, fax-machines, printers, scanners, All-in-ones, digital cameras, DSLR, Cinematic imaging products, camcorders, cable ID printers and card printers catering to the multiple market segments of consumer, SME, B2B, Government & Commercial. Canon India recorded revenue of INR 2158 crores in the year 2015.
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