Canon has seen several milestones since they began production of their EOS film SLRs back in 1987, and on May 23rd, they achieved yet another. While producing EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM lenses that day, Canon surpassed the 90 million mark for their entire EF-series of lenses. If you remember, just this past August they were celebrating the creation of their 80-millionth EF lens. 10 million new lenses in just 9 months is pretty amazing, so we can see why Canon is so proud of this accomplishment.
You can see the full press release below for more details.
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Canon
Celebrates Significant Milestone with the Production of 90 Million
EF
Interchangeable Lenses
MELVILLE,
N.Y., May 29, 2013 –
Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today
announced its parent company, Canon Inc., has reached a new
lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of its 90-millionth
EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras. Canon turned out its
90-millionth lens, an EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM (released in
September 2012), on May 23, 2013.
The
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. Since that time, supported by a wide
range of users, demand has steadily increased and production has
expanded. Today, Canon produces EF lenses at four of the Company’s
manufacturing bases, including Canon Inc., Taiwan; Canon Opto
(Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; and Oita Canon Inc. in southern Japan.
EF lens
production surpassed the 10-million-unit mark in 1995, doubled to 20
million lenses in 2001, and went on to reach 30 million units in 2006
and 40 million units in 2008. Afterward, due to the rapid spread of
EOS digital SLR cameras, production of EF lenses gained further
momentum, crossing the 50-million-unit threshold in 2009, reaching 60
million units in January 2011, and hitting the 70-million-unit mark
in October of the same year. In August 2012, lens production reached
80 million units and now, a little over nine months later, the
company commemorates its latest manufacturing milestone of 90 million
lenses.
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 the Ultrasonic Motor (USM), Image
Stabilizer (IS) technology, a multi-layered diffractive optical (DO)
element, and Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection
technology.
With the
introduction in May this year of the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM
Extender 1.4x, super-telephoto zoom lens with a built-in 1.4x
extender that makes possible a 200-560 mm focal length range,
along with EF Cinema Lenses for digital cinematography, Canon’s
extensive EF lens-series lineup now comprises a total of 84 models.1
Canon will
continue refining its diverse imaging technologies based on its core
optical technologies, striving to produce exceptional and reliable
lenses and cameras that 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.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading
provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital
imaging solutions. With approximately $ 40 billion in global revenue,
its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in
U.S. patents registered in 2012† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s
World’s Most Admired Companies in 2013. In 2012, Canon U.S.A. has
received the PCMag.com Readers’ Choice Award for Service and
Reliability in the digital camera and printer categories for the
ninth consecutive year, and for camcorders for the past two years.
Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer
satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer
service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon
U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and
environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news
from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by
visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.
###
†Based
on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark
Office.
All
referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their
respective owners.
1Including
two EF lens extenders and three models available outside of Japan. As
of May 29, 2013.
