Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS Plus Three Other EF Lenses Coming

As reported in my earlier post, Canon is expected to announce the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS lens plus three more EF 'high end' lenses, probably EF-S and EF-M models in the month of August. Keep checking back for more info as I get them.

I know of no other 'L' lens to expect anytime soon. The EF 600mm f/4 DO BR lens is expected next year as reported earlier and the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III is also expected to arrive some time in 2018 but not next month. Keep checking back for the latest information as I receive them.

I will be leaving for my annual Alaskan Wildlife Photo Tour and will try and stay in touch if time permits. In the meantime, you can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter. See my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Canon Celebrates Production of 120 Million EF Lenses

TOKYO, September 8, 2016 - Canon Inc. today announced the achievement of a new lens-manufacturing milestone with the production on August 26, 2016, of the Company’s 120-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras—an EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM telephoto zoom lens.

Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (Autofocus) single-lens reflex film cameras began in 1987 at the Company’s Utsunomiya Plant. Over the years, EF lenses have gained support from a wide range of users and production has since expanded to a total of four manufacturing bases, including Canon Inc., Taiwan; Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; and Oita Canon Inc. in southern Japan.

EF lens production passed the 10-million-unit mark in 1995 and crossed the 50-million-unit threshold in 2009. In April 2014, the Company celebrated its first-in-the-world achievement of having manufactured 100 million EF lenses, and now, setting a new world record for the most interchangeable lenses produced, Canon manufactured its 120-millionth EF lens in August 2016.

What’s more, Canon’s interchangeable-lens digital cameras (digital SLR and compact-system cameras), which utilize EF lenses, have maintained the No. 1 share of the global market for 13 consecutive years since 2003.1

Canon’s proprietary EF lenses, launched in March 1987 along with the EOS SLR camera system, have continued to evolve since their introduction, leading the industry through the incorporation of a wide range of innovative technologies, including such world’s firsts as the Ultrasonic Motor (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, a multilayered diffractive optical (DO) element, and Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection technology. The Company’s extensive EF lens-series lineup currently comprises a total of 97 models,2 including EF Cinema Lenses for digital cinematography.3

Canon will continue refining its imaging technologies centered on its EF lens lineup, striving to 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. As of March 29, 2016, based on a Canon survey.
2. Including two EF lens extenders and 3 models available outside of Japan. As of 9/7/2016.
3. For more information visit “The Eyes of EOS” Canon EF lens portal site at www.canon.com/the-eyes-of-eos/

Canon Patent - EF-S 18-100mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Egami, the Japanese photography blog, has discovered a new Canon patent for a EF-S 18-100mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. Of course not all patents make it to the market but Canon has been very active in filing patents and is expected to announce more EF and EF-S lens this year.

Patent Publication No. 2016-1224

• Published 2016.1.7
• Filing date 2014.6.11

Example

• Focal length 18.59 47.22 94.99
• F-number 3.60 4.92 5.88
• Half angle of view (degrees) 36.31 16.14 8.18
• Image height 13.66 13.66 13.66
• The total lens length 137.78 158.04 178.30
• BF 35.39 52.79 64.61

More Canon EF Lenses Coming In 2016

Canon recently announced the long awaited EF 35mm f/1.4L II lens. The lens has just started shipping and you can see sample images by clicking on the link above. But there will be more announcements to come in the new few quarters, leading all the way through 2016.

One of my favorite wide zooms is the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II and it will be in line for an upgrade in 2016. Canon is also working on the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS and we may eventually see this glass come on the market in a year or two. Other non 'L' lenses will include EF-S and EF-M as alluded by Masaya Maeda of Canon during a recent interview at the Canon EXPO 2015 in New York City.

Canon has now perfected the Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics technology. This new optical element will find its way into many of the upcoming lens and the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III will be a prime candidate. In addition, the EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS III lens is expected to be announced in the near future as well, together with some specialty lenses. The one lens I am most eager to get my hands on is the EF 600mm f/4 DO BR. It will be another great wildlife photography lens in my equipment bag.

Canon will have a busy schedule in the next 6 months or so. The EOS-1D X II and EOS-5D Mk IV are expected to be announced. Keep checking back for the latest news and development.