Canon's New EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens and New Wireless Controller LC-5 Make Taking Close-Ups Easy…Even at a Distance

Business Wire, Feb 17, 2005

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. -- For photographers whose idea of a close-up is the full-frame flutter of a bumblebee's wings, Canon's new EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens makes it happen. And...for photographers who do not want to bump the bee's knees, spook the subject or receive a stinging rebuke (or worse), Canon's new infrared Wireless Controller LC-5 can make compelling close-ups a snap, even from more than one football field away. Both products will be on display at PMA 2005, February 20 - 23 (Canon Booth #3503), in Orlando, Fla.

The EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens is a compact, internal focusing lens designed specifically for the just announced EOS Digital Rebel(R) XT SLR camera as well as the prosumer EOS 20D and entry-level EOS Digital Rebel SLR cameras. The new lens focuses from infinity down to 1:1 (lifesize) at a generous working distance of approximately four inches from the subject.

What's more, because it is an internal focusing lens, the physical size of the new lens remains constant, ensuring that it will never inadvertently invade a subject's space. This is a particular advantage in macro nature shooting with live subjects when sudden lens movement such as a forward focus adjustment with a conventional macro can cast an unwanted shadow on the subject or send more wary species scampering for cover.

Optimized for the large, APS-C size CMOS imaging sensor used by the two Digital Rebel cameras and the EOS 20D SLR, the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens takes full advantage of the short back-focus and small image circle that characterize EF-S type lenses. The lens uses a 3-group floating inner focus system in which group one is fixed while groups two and three move on their own separate tracks. The process provides enhanced correction for any aberrations that may arise during focusing as well as a "flat field" that optimizes the lens' center-to-corner performance with tack-sharp image quality over the entire shooting area. This is coupled with a working distance of 90mm from the front of the lens to the subject during 1:1 macro photography, the longest working distance in its class.

Though it is a true macro lens in all respects (as opposed to a zoom lens with a macro setting), the 1.6x focal length conversion factor (created by the difference in size between the cameras' image sensor and a traditional 35mm film frame) gives this 60mm lens an angle of view equivalent to a 96mm lens on a 35mm camera, making it a high-end performer as a portrait lens as well.

Brawn and Brains

While the lens features Canon's rugged metallic EF bayonet mount, the back of the lens is designed to prevent it from being mounted on cameras that do not accept EF-S lenses, and features a rubber ring to prevent damage to the camera. The mount also serves as the conduit for signal transmission between the lens and the camera, providing such EOS dedicated information as lens status, lens type, metering information, focal length, distance information and AF drive information. Finally, the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens is constructed of environmentally friendly lead-free glass, and it is treated with Canon's Super Spectra coating to help ensure exceptionally accurate color balance while minimizing flare and ghosting.

Employing Canon's quieter and faster Ring USM (ultrasonic motor) autofocus drive, a high speed CPU and an improved AF algorithm for fast autofocusing, the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens also accommodates manual focusing even when the camera is in the AF mode. The lens is also compatible with Canon's specialty macro Speedlites, the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX and Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX.

Remotely Possible

Working in Macro mode can demand a level of precision and steadiness that goes beyond the tolerances of typical picture taking. Mounting the camera on a sturdy tripod and controlling the camera functions with a remote switch are long-standing methods of minimizing camera shake and vibration. Now, thanks to Canon's new Wireless Controller LC-5, photographers can easily create compelling close-ups from a safe and secure "line-of-sight" distance of up to 330 feet. Far more than a wireless shutter release, this newly enhanced infrared remote provides photographers with the flexibility to control essential camera functions without intruding on the scene.

The Canon Wireless Controller LC-5 simply attaches to a compatible camera's accessory shoe or can be separately attached to a supplied bracket and connected to the camera's three-pronged N3 Remote socket with the supplied 15-inch receiver cable. The unit is triggered with a pocket-sized transmitter that sends an infrared pulse-modulated strobe signal to the receiver. Powered by 4 AA alkaline batteries (approximately 4,500 operations per set), the LC-5 controller is also compatible with AA-size Lithium, oxyride and Nickel-hydride rechargeable batteries.

Offering photographers the situational adaptability of four control modes, the LC-5 can be set to Single-Shot mode which captures one shot each time the transmitter button is pressed; Continuous mode which signals the receiver to keep firing the camera (until the transmitter button is pressed again or until the camera's buffer memory limit or maximum storage card capacity is reached); Test mode which illuminates a red LED on the receiver to confirm that the unit is operating properly before shooting, and Delay mode which fires a single shot approximately 3.5 seconds after the transmitter button is pressed.