SYDNEY, 7 February, 2011: Canon announced today the achievement of a new EF lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of the company’s 60-millionth lens at its Utsunomiya Plant in Japan.
“Canon is proud to have achieved this significant production milestone, which is representative of the huge growth in the popularity of digital SLR photography in Australia and around the world,” said Darren Ryan, General Manager Consumer Product Marketing, Canon Australia. “The Digital SLR format offers the ultimate in quality and creative potential, and its popularity with consumers everywhere is evident by the fact that our last 10-million units were produced in just 13 months, compared with eight and a half years for our first.”
Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) single-lens reflex cameras began in 1987 at the company’s Utsunomiya Plant, and has since expanded to a total of four production facilities. EF lenses reached the 10-million-unit milestone after approximately eight and a half years in production, followed by the 40-million-unit mark in April of 2008. Owing to the popularity of the EOS Digital series, production then increased and EF lenses achieved the 50-million-unit mark in December of 2009. Canon has since produced 10 million units just in one year and one month and reached the 60-million-unit milestone in January 2011.
R&D delivers ‘world’s first’ innovations
“Canon’s continued focus on investment in R&D of approximately 10% of consolidated net sales each year has seen the EF lens feature a range of innovative proprietary technologies that lead the industry,” continued Ryan. “Our lens technology is a strategic advantage across all camera categories and contributes to Canon’s overwhelming No.1 position in the total retail camera market here in Australia.” *1
Canon’s innovations include such world’s firsts*2 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. Last year, Canon successfully launched EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, featuring outstanding optical performance and Image Stabilization.
Canon’s current EF lens line-up comprises 65 models*3 ranging from super-wide-angle lenses to super-telephoto zoom lenses, catering to the varying needs of photographers from first-time users to advanced-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. In addition, the EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, the world’s first*2 fisheye zoom lens, is planned for market release in March 2011.
“The Canon EOS brand is synonymous with quality and creativity, and the 65 EF lenses available in Australia, together with the challenges laid down to users on the World of EOS, allow all photographers to take their photography to the next level of creative expression,” added Ryan.
*1 30% share by value for the most recent 12 months. Source: GfK Retail and Technology Australia, Digital Still Cameras, Retail Sales Value Dec 2009 to Nov 2010 (excludes MMC, internet and online channels)
*2 Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras
*3 Including two EF lens extenders and models available outside of Japan