|
CANON’S TWO NEW
LENSES FOCUS ON NEEDS OF PROFESSIONAL AND
ADVANCED AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 24, 2006 –
Canon continues its tradition of optical
excellence with two new EF lenses –
the powerful EF50mm f/1.2L USM and the versatile
EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lenses. Both lenses
are valuable additions to the EOS arsenal
for professional wedding and portrait photographers
as well as advanced amateurs – expanding
the range of current Canon EF lenses to
more than 60 selections.
“The EF50mm f/1.2L USM lens is now
the fastest autofocus lens in its class*,
which makes it an essential tool for many
professional and advanced amateur photographers,”
said Ian Macfarlane, Vice President and
General Manager of the Consumer Imaging
Group at Canon Canada Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Canon U.S.A. Inc. “The
EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens delivers the
legendary sharpness and clarity of the Canon
‘L’ series lenses in a compact
and lightweight design that is easy to use
for hand held photography, making it a versatile
lens for any photographer.”
“Wedding moments unfold at the speed
of life and my mission is to artfully document
in real time as a lasting history of the
newlyweds,” said Canon Explorer of
Light photographer Denis Reggie, who is
known worldwide for captivating wedding
and portrait photography. “Many favourite
images are made under the challenges of
very low light levels, but using superb,
fast lenses, the reward is an unmistakable,
documentary look. I love the shallow depth
of Canon’s remarkable “L”
series lenses to bring sharp focus and full
attention to the bride’s eyes…
that gives me and my clients compelling
images that stand out from the crowd. For
my celebrity and society wedding assignments,
these new Canon lenses will be prized additions
to my gear bag.”
The EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens – Serious
Glass for Serious Photographers
Canon is the only camera manufacturer
to provide professionals and advanced amateurs
with Digital SLRs that feature full frame
sensors, such as the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark
II and EOS 5D digital SLRs. The new EF50mm
f/1.2L USM lens complements full-frame cameras,
while delivering beautiful results on APS-C/H
sized sensor models as well.
The EF50mm f/1.2L USM lens is a strong
testament to Canon’s heritage of optical
excellence. Every aspect of this lens exudes
professional quality from its wide 72mm
filter diameter to its dust and moisture
sealed construction. A high refraction glass
molded aspherical lens element helps to
minimize spherical aberration, which is
crucial in order to provide fine detail
and maximum image quality from corner to
corner, even when the lens is used wide
open. Full frame digital camera users will
especially appreciate the benefits of the
50mm focal length, when shooting waist-up
portraits while maintaining appropriate
subject distance at a wedding.
The large maximum aperture of f/1.2 allows
this lens to produce shallow depth of field
that softens the background and makes subjects
“pop” out of a portrait. Photographers
can also take advantage of higher shutter
speeds to shoot in lower light and help
prevent blurring caused by subject movement
or camera shake. In addition to a large
aperture, the new lens also has blazingly
fast autofocus speed and response time,
thanks in part to Canon’s ring-type
Ultrasonic Motor (USM), which quietly drives
the lens. A full-time manual focus feature
allows photographers to fine-tune the sharpness
of their images, even when the lens is set
for autofocus.
Canon designed the EF50mm f/1.2L USM to
deliver the best possible optical quality
while being tough enough to meet the needs
of demanding photographers. Eight lens elements
in six groups provide high resolution, while
advanced coating suppresses flare and ghosting.
A glass molded (GMO) aspherical element
ensures maximum image quality by reducing
spherical aberration and linear distortion.
Dust and moisture resistant components in
the lens mount, switches, and focus ring
help to protect the lens in a wide variety
of shooting conditions.
The EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens - Versatile
and Compact New EF Lens
Canon is also the only manufacturer to provide
a full range of professional zoom lenses
in both the high-speed f/2.8 category as
well as the compact and lightweight f/4
category. Rounding out Canon’s f/4L
lens lineup is the new EF70-200mm f/4L IS
USM lens. This “L” series lens
is designed for professional or advanced
amateur photographers seeking maximum performance
and versatility. This is a lens that can
handle almost any assignment, ranging from
distant subjects to the demanding requirements
of up-close and personal portraits as well
as nature photography.
The EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens stands
up to the rigours of professional use. The
lens is sealed from dust and moisture, and
is equipped with the latest generation of
Canon’s Image Stabilizer (IS) technology,
making it an optimal everyday shooter. The
image stabilization achieves three shutter
speed steps of camera shake correction within
0.5 seconds after the shutter button is
depressed halfway and yields correction
for up to four full shutter speeds while
handheld, providing a new level of performance.
Users can also select two IS modes, one
for stationary subjects and another for
intentional panning.
The EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens is the
same size as the EF70-200mm f/4L USM lens
that remains in the EF lens line, but the
new lens adds several valuable features.
In addition to enhanced weather sealing
and image stabilization, the EF70-200mm
f/4L IS USM lens incorporates a circular
diaphragm to create more natural looking
background blur, and distance information
to aid autofocusing and automatic flash
exposure. The lens also suppresses flare
and ghosting with advanced coatings and
optimal placement of its 20 lens elements
in 15 groups. One Fluorite element and two
UD (ultra low dispersion) elements thoroughly
suppress chromatic aberrations for crisp
photos throughout the entire focal range.
A ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) provides
fast and silent autofocusing, while the
full-time manual focus function provides
maximum control even when the lens is set
for AF.
The powerful and fast EF50mm f/1.2L USM
lens will be available in November
for a manufacturer’s suggested list
price of CDN $2,150.
The compact and universal EF70-200mm f/4L
IS USM will also be available in November
for a manufacturer’s suggested list
price of CDN $1,800.
About Canon Canada, Inc.
Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the
company employs 1,500 people at its offices
nation-wide, servicing the Canadian market
from coast to coast. Innovation and cutting-edge
technology have been essential ingredients
in Canon's success. Canon's leadership in
imaging, optical and document management
technology and solutions is based in large
part on the thousands of patents the company
has secured throughout its history. Canon
Inc. is among the top three US patent recipients
over the past 14 years.
The company’s comprehensive product
line includes networked multifunction devices;
digital copiers (colour and black and white);
printers, scanners, image filing systems
and facsimile machines; calculators, digital
camcorders, digital and analogue cameras
and lenses; semiconductor, broadcast and
other specialized industrial products.
Canon supports programs that help preserve
and protect the environment. The company
instituted the Clean Earth Campaign in 1990,
which assists various environmental and
recycling initiatives. The Campaign has
also supported leading environmental organizations,
such as The Nature Conservancy of Canada,
World Wildlife Fund - Canada and the Canon
Envirothon.
For more information, visit www.canon.ca
|
