Canon Celebrates Significant Milestone with Production of 150 Million Interchangeable RF And EF Lenses data-src=https://creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/avatars/263018/5fa08c562aaf4-bpthumb.jpg data-srcset=https://creativecow.net/wp-content/uploads/avatars/263018/5fa08c561c0e7-bpfull.jpg 2x class=lazyload avatar avatar-80 photo height=80 width=80 />
Brie Clayton February 4, 2021
0 Comments
Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today that its parent company, Canon Inc., reached a new lens-manufacturing milestone with the production in January 2021, of the Company's 150-millionth RF and EFseries interchangeable lens for EOS cameras1- an RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS 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 interchangeable lenses, and now, setting a new world record for the most interchangeable lenses produced, Canon manufactured its 150-millionth RF and EF lens in January 2021. Laid end-to-end2, all of the RF and EF lenses Canon has manufactured thus far would measure approximately 7,736 miles in length - nearly equivalent to the Earth's diameter, which measures approximately 7,917 miles.
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 firsts3 as the Ultrasonic Motor (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, and a multilayered diffractive optical (DO) element.
In 2018, Canon introduced the EOS R system and the RF series lenses, which pursues new heights of quality under the core concept of Speed, Comfort and High Image Quality. Today, the Company's extensive RF and EF lens series lineup currently comprises a total of 118 models4, expanding the possibilities for image capture. In addition, thanks to the extensive lineup of lenses, Canon has maintained the number one market share for digital interchangeable-lens cameras since 2003 - a total of 17 years5- and in September 2019, the Company celebrated the production of 100 million EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras.
Canon will continue refining its imaging technologies centered on its RF and 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.
Model name & Release date Main features and technologies
EF300mm f/2.8L USM6
Nov. 1987 World's first7 use of a lens-based Ultrasonic Motor (USM)
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 USM8
Sept. 1995 World's first7 use of Image Stabilizer (IS) technology
Users can see the results of IS technology through the viewfinder. Delivering high precision and stability for superb image stabilization results, this technology expands the possibilities for handheld photography.
EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM9
Dec. 2001 World's first7 use of a diffractive optical (DO) lens element
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
Dec. 2008 World's first10 use of Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC)
SWC technology helps to minimize 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
Oct. 2009 World's first7 use of Hybrid IS, which compensates for both angle camera shake and shift camera shake
Employing an 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
July 2011 World's first7 fisheye lens to deliver both 180-degree diagonal angle of view and 180-degree circular fisheye
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.
EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x
May 2013 World's first7 super-telephoto zoom lens to employ an internal extender
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
Feb. 2015 World's first7 lens offering ultra-wide-angle 11 mm minimum focal length
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 superb image-quality perfor
