A historic achievement for the company, the production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) film cameras began in 1987 at the company’s Utsunomiya Plant. Since then, Canon has produced them at four manufacturing centers, 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, 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 innovative technologies, including such world’s firsts*1 as the Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for use in lenses, Image Stabilizer (IS), a multi-layered diffractive optical (DO) element, and Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection technology. And 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*2 including the EF Cinema Lens series for use in cinema and TV production.
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.
*1 Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras.
*2 Including two EF lens extenders and models available outside of Japan.
About Canon Inc.
Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leader in the fields of professional and consumer imaging equipment and information systems. Canon’s extensive range of products includes copying machines, inkjet and laser printers, cameras, video equipment, medical equipment and semiconductor-manufacturing equipment. Originally established in 1937 as Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd., a camera manufacturer, Canon has successfully diversified and globalized to become a worldwide industry leader in professional and consumer imaging systems and solutions. With over 200,000 employees worldwide, Canon has manufacturing and marketing subsidiaries in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania; and a global R&D network with companies based in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Canon’s consolidated net sales for fiscal 2011 (ended December 31, 2011) totaled $45.6 billion (at an exchange rate of 78=US$1). Visit the Canon Inc. website at: www.canon.com
Canon in India
Canon India achieved a growth of Rs. 1850 crore in 2012 which is 21% growth over last year. Canon focuses on multiple market segments of consumer, SME, B2B, Government & Commercial. Canon’s product portfolio extends over a vast variety such as copier MFDs, fax-machines, printers, scanners, All-in-ones, digital cameras, DSLR, Cinematic imaging products, camcorders, cable ID printers and card printers.
Canon India Pvt. Ltd. is a 100% subsidiary of Canon Singapore Pvt. Ltd., a world leader in imaging technologies. Set up in 1997, Canon India markets over 140 comprehensive range of sophisticated contemporary digital imaging. The company today has offices in 10 cities, warehouses in 13 cities across India and employs over 1100 people. Canon has approximately 400 primary channel partners, 14 National Retail Chain partners, and over 6000 secondary retail points. Canon has over 100 own retail stores called the Canon Image Square across 51 cities in the country. Canon’s service reach extends to over 2800 towns with over 200 service engineers, 7 Canon owned service centers and 37 Canon Care Centers. Visit the Canon India website at: www.canon.co.in
