LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2001-- Canon U.S.A.,
Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ - news), continues to
provide professional photographers and serious amateurs with the
highest quality products with the introduction of the EF 70-200mm
f/2.8L IS USM Image Stabilizing lens for the company's market-leading
line of EOS autofocus SLRs.
Canon expects its new lens, with fixed f/2.8 aperture, L-series
optics and Image Stabilizing technology to become the best-selling
model in its category.
The optical system of the new lens is based on the current EF 70-
200mm f/2.8L USM and retains the same outstanding level of image
quality, while adding a new high-performance Image Stabilizer
function. In addition, the new lens also incorporates an improved
high-performance vibration gyro sensor for maintaining the lens'
compact design, moisture- and dust-resistant construction in critical
areas for greater performance in adverse shooting conditions, and
several other significant improvements compared to the original EF 70-
200mm f/2.8L USM, which will remain in Canon's EF lens line-up.
``Canon is committed to finding new ways to provide its customers
with the very latest in imaging technology,'' said Yukiaki Hashimoto,
vice president and general manager of Canon's Photographic Products
Group. ``Combining Image Stabilizing technology with extremely fast
and high-quality optics gives photographers the necessary tools to
excel in their craft.''
The new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is a professional telephoto zoom
lens with high contrast and high resolving power. It is constructed
using the finest optics including four UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion)
glass elements designed to correct chromatic aberrations, resulting
in extremely sharp images with excellent color rendition. Powered by
Canon's exclusive Ultrasonic (USM) motor for autofocusing, the EF 70-
200 f/2.8L IS USM is silent in operation and very quick to focus,
even in low-light conditions. The new lens also offers full-time
manual focus, making it ideal for many photographic applications
including sports, photojournalism, portraits, and landscapes.
Designed to maintain a consistent aperture ratio of f/2.8 throughout
the zoom range, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens provides
photographers with tremendous shooting flexibility. This feature
makes it the optimum choice for location and sports photographers who
need an assortment of fast lenses but can not afford to weigh
themselves down with excessive gear.
The lens employs a newly designed Image Stabilizer mechanism that
uses an improved method of holding the barrel of the supplementary
optical system, providing smoother movement than in previous IS
systems. This results in image stabilization up to approximately 3
stops compared to the 2-stop stabilization effect of previous Canon
IS lenses. Additionally, the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM's Image
Stabilizer function can be used to eliminate the image-blurring
effects of mirror bounce even when the lens is used on a tripod or
monopod.
Other improvements include a reduced minimum focusing distance of
1.4m/4.6 ft., a newly developed aperture diaphragm that remains
virtually circular from f/2.8 to f/5.6 for enhanced image quality,
and a revised AF drive circuit and autofocusing algorithm for
superior AF speed when used with current high-end EOS SLRs.
Additionally, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS 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 professional camera and makes the new lens usable in a wider range
of adverse shooting conditions.
When using EF Extenders, autofocus is available throughout the entire
zoom range of the lens and the Image Stabilizing feature remains
functional. The new EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens will be supplied
with a pro-quality lens pouch and dedicated lens hood. It will be
available at authorized Canon dealers in September and have a
suggested list price of $3,000.
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