Canon Continues to Answer Photographers' Needs With the Introduction of Two New EF Lenses: EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM; EF 400mm f/4L DO IS USM

Business Wire, Sept 25, 2001

Business Editors

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2001

Sports Shooters, Photojournalists and Outdoor/Nature Photographers

Reap Benefits from Latest Additions to Widest Selection

of Autofocus Lenses in Any Camera System

Photojournalists, sports photographers and outdoor/nature and wildlife photographers everywhere will soon be able to benefit from the latest additions to the already extensive line of EOS System lenses from Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ).

The new EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM wide-angle zoom lens incorporates many advanced and exclusive Canon lens technologies to provide performance at a level that's simply unavailable to users of other 35mm and digital SLR systems. A highly desirable focal length range among photojournalists, the new EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM is an ideal standard lens for the newly introduced Canon EOS-1D digital SLR camera.

Canon has also announced it will begin shipping the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM lens, the world's first lens to incorporate Canon's exclusive "Multi-Layer Diffractive Optical Elements." This technology is highly effective for correcting chromatic aberrations and, accordingly, will serve well in super telephoto lenses where chromatic aberrations are most prevalent. In addition, Canon's DO technology results in substantial reductions in size and weight. The new EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM is 26% shorter and 36% lighter than a conventional lens with the same focal length and aperture specifications.

"These new lenses strengthen the entire line of EOS System analog and digital camera models," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Photographic Products Group, Canon U.S.A, Inc.

"The EF 16-35mm lens will greatly benefit photojournalists, especially those who have switched over to digital. The EF 400mm DO lens is a very high-quality lens that is certain to attract the professional sports photographer as well as nature and outdoor shooters. Both lenses will not only add to the overall functionality of the EOS System, but will also help our customers create images of the highest quality."

Both lenses will be available at authorized Canon dealers in November and will have the following suggested retail prices:

EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM -- $2,400.

EF 400mm f/4L DO IS USM -- $8,900.

EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

With its reduced minimum focal length of 16mm, the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM exceeds the capabilities of its predecessor, the EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM, by providing an even wider angle of view for photojournalists and other professional photographers. The 16mm focal length in particular is extremely useful for the new EOS-1D digital SLR.

This new lens is the first EF-series lens to incorporate three types of aspherical elements, providing even higher image quality than the EF 17-35mm model. In addition, the lens also uses two UD elements to further reduce the chromatic aberrations most likely to occur in wide-angle lenses. As a result, there is no color bleeding along the edges of the subject and the image resolution and contrast are high.

Additionally, the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM features weather-resistant construction in the mount area, switch panel, zoom ring and focusing ring to prevent water and dust from reaching the inside of the lens. This design philosophy matches the performance of the EOS-1v 35mm and EOS-1D digital professional cameras and makes the new lens usable in a wider range of adverse shooting conditions.

Similar to the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens, the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM uses a new electromagnetically controlled automatic diaphragm designed to maintain nearly circular apertures between f/2.8 and f/5.6. A circular aperture makes blurred points of light appear round and makes the background blur more prominent for greater effect.

Autofocusing is fast and accurate, covering the full range from 11 inches to infinity. This was achieved through internal focusing which also enhances focusing speed, durability and handling. Additionally, the lens provides fast and smooth manual focusing in the AF mode through its built-in, full-time mechanical manual focus override. A drop-in gelatin filter holder is also provided at the rear of the lens.

EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM Lens

During the manufacture of the Multi-Layer Diffractive Optical Element's diffraction grating, the height and pitch of the diffraction grating as well as its positioning requires micron-level precision (1 micron equals 1/1000 mm). Such exacting accuracy was made possible through Canon's proprietary three-dimensional ultra-high-precision micro manufacturing technologies and the replicated aspherical lens manufacturing technology used in the production of Canon EF lenses. Such advanced technology also makes possible the manufacture of the ultra-precision diffractive optical element.

To make a lens smaller and lighter, the spacing between the elements is shortened and the refractive properties of the front and rear lens groups become more pronounced. This, however, results in increased chromatic aberration. To resolve this problem, the Multi-Layer Diffractive Optical Element is located within the lens to cancel out the occurrence of chromatic aberration. Compared with conventional super telephoto lenses, the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM lens, measuring 233 mm in length, is about 26% shorter and, weighing 4.3 pounds (including the 5 ounce tripod collar), about 36% lighter.