Canon celebrates producing their 30 millionth EF lens

Press Release:
Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) SLR cameras began in 1987 at the company's Utsunomiya Plant. Canon produced its 10-millionth EF lens in August 1995, its 20-millionth in February 2001 and, a mere five years later, has now reached the 30-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 the same year, Canon introduced the industry's first 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 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 Image Stabilizer to correct for the effect of camera shake, made its debut. Further, in December 2001, Canon delivered the world's first super telephoto lens incorporating a diffractive optical element for camera lenses: the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM. Canon's EF lens line-up, through the introduction of the latest innovative technologies, has consistently been recognized as the state of the art in the industry.

In conjunction with the launch in September 2003 of the highly acclaimed EOS Kiss Digital SLR camera, which has achieved outstanding success worldwide with sales to date surpassing 1.2 million units, Canon expanded its EF lens line-up with the introduction of the EF-S series of lenses, optimized for use with digital SLR cameras that incorporate APS-C size (22.2 x 14.8 mm) image sensors.

Canon's current EF lens line-up comprises 60 models, the most comprehensive selection in the industry. Canon EF lenses span the gamut from ultra-wide 14mm to super-telephoto 600mm 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 top share of the interchangeable lens market.

Also, as EF lenses are ideally suited for use with Canon's EOS D-series of digital SLR cameras in addition to its 35mm film SLR cameras, the company aims to continue developing the line-up as the core of the EOS system.

Canon, through continual innovations in every area of production technology, including optical design and electronics, will continue its efforts to deliver attractive products in response to user needs, opening up new directions in the future of photographic expression.