Canon Inc. recently celebrated hitting
the production of its 90-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens,
an EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM. Ahistoric achievement for the company, the production of interchangeable EF
lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) film cameras began first in 1987 at
the company’s Utsunomiya Plant. EF lens production surpassed the
10-million-unit mark in 1995, doubling to 20-million lenses in 2001. After
reaching the 30-million-unit milestone in 2006, Canon celebrated the production
of its 40-millionth lens in 2008. Owing to the rapid spread of the EOS digital
SLR cameras series, production for Canon’s EF lenses gained momentum, reaching
the 50-million-unit milestone in 2009, followed by the 60-million-unit and
70-million-unit marks in January and October of 2011, respectively. And the EF
series reached the 80-million mark in August 2012, and just nine months later,
the EF series has now come to celebrate its 90-millionth lens produced. Canon’s
EF lens series was first introduced together with the EOS SLR camera system in
March 1987, and has over the years led the industry through the incorporation
of a number of all-new technologies.
In May of this year, Canon announced an EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM, a super telephoto zoom lens equipped with a 1.4x internal extender and offers a 200-560 mm wide zoom range. As a result, Canon’s current EF lens lineup comprises 84 models including the EF Cinema Lens series for use in cinema and TV production. Canon will continue refining its imaging technologies based on its core optical technologies to produce lenses and cameras that cater to the varying needs of photographers—from first-time users to advanced amateurs and professionals—while constantly trying to contribute to expanding the photographic and video imaging culture.