Wow. Canon had already sold 50 million of its EF lens. Here is the Press Release.
Canon Celebrates Production of 50 million EF lenses
Singapore, 8 February 2010 – Canon Inc. and Canon Singapore announced today the achievement of a new lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of the company’s 50-millionth lens. The production of this EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is a major milestone and highlights the exponential growth of the digital single lens reflex (DSLR) market – with 10 million EF lenses produced within the last two years alone.
The production of interchangeable EF lenses for the EOS-series AF (Auto Focus) single-lens reflex cameras began over 2 decades ago at the Utsunomiya plant in Japan and has since expanded to 3 other production facilities in Taiwan, Malaysia and Japan. Owing to the popularity of Canon’s EOS DSLRs, production of the lenses passed the 50-million-unit mark in December 2009 – up from the 40-million-unit mark merely one year and eight months prior.
“While the EOS brand is built on our leading DSLR cameras, Canon’s exceptional array of EF lenses is one of the fundamental pillars that our DSLR technology is built on,” said Andrew Koh, Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging and Information Division, Canon Singapore. “With the most extensive array of lenses on the market – over 65 unique lenses currently – Canon offers photographers not just excellent imaging products, but a robust and versatile system to match every step of your photographic journey.”
First introduced in March 1987 together with the EOS SLR system, the EF lens has over the years featured a range of innovative proprietary technologies to lead the industry. This includes world’s firsts* such as the Ultrasonic Motor-powered lens (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) to compensate for the effects of camera shake, Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection technology, and a super telephoto lens that employs a diffractive optical element. Just last year, Canon successfully commercialized the Hybrid IS, a technology that effectively compensates for both angle-based camera shake and shift-based camera shake, utilized in the EF100 f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens.
Today, Canon offers 65 models in the EF lens line-up ranging from super-wide-angle lenses to super-telephoto zoom lenses, catering to the varying needs of photographers from first-time users to advance amateurs and professionals. The company’s diverse selection of lenses offers several features including a number of zoom options ranging from standard to super-telephoto, Image Stabilizer-equipped lenses, large-diameter lenses, macro-lenses and TS-E lenses featuring a special tilt-shift mechanism allowing manipulation of image perspective and distortion. With this achievement, Canon will continue to introduce more innovative lens technologies to provide more options to users seeking superior image quality.
In addition, the new EF-70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens (announced on 13 January 2010) featuring outstanding optical performance and Image Stabilisation will be available at all Canon authorised dealers in March.
*Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras
About Canon Singapore Pte Ltd
Canon is a global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions. Canon Singapore Pte Ltd is the headquarters for South & Southeast Asia driving sales, marketing and service strategies. Besides handling the domestic market, the company leads 18 other countries including subsidiaries in India, Malaysia, Thailand and a representative office in Vietnam. The parent company Canon Inc has a global network of more than 200 companies and employs more than 130,000 people worldwide. It is dedicated to the advancement in technology and innovation and commits about 10% of its total revenue each year to R&D. Canon is consistently one of the top three companies to earn the most number of patents over the last 16 years. As a Fortune Global 500 company, Canon is guided by its kyosei philosophy that focuses on living and working together for the common good.
More information is available at www.canon.com.sg
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