Press release
EMBARGO: 24 January, 2008, 04:00 GMT
Canon expands professional EF lens range with
two new telephoto ‘L’ models
EF200mm f/2L IS USM
EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM
Hi-res versions of these and other images can be downloaded from http://www.canoneurope.com/press_centre/image_library/index.asp
United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 24 January 2008: Canon today unveils
two new professional EF lenses: the EF200mm f/2L IS USM and EF800mm f/5.6L
IS USM. Equipped with Canon’s latest 4-stop Image Stabilizer, both models
incorporate L-series lens optics and construction to deliver class-leading
performance and operability.
With its large f/2 aperture, the EF200mm f/2L IS USM will appeal to photographers
who require a brighter lens for indoor sports and portraiture photography.
Improvements over the EF200mm f/1.8L USM include a fluorite lens element for
better elimination of chromatic aberrations, a circular aperture diaphragm and a
significantly lighter, more compact design.
The EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM enhances Canon’s super telephoto range with the
longest focal distance of any EF lens on the market. Light enough to allow for
handheld shooting, it is expected to be popular with sports, news and wildlife
photographers.
Benefiting from UD and fluorite lens elements along with a raft of new optical
technologies, both lenses offer professional photographers an exceptional degree
of image quality – as standalone lenses and when combined with the Canon EF
1.4x extender.
Key features:
EF200mm f/2L IS USM:
•
4-stop Image Stabilizer with 2 modes
•
1 x fluorite and 2 x UD lens elements
•
Ring type USM auto focus with fulltime manual override
•
Circular aperture diaphragm for pleasing background blur
•
Supra Spectra coatings to reduce ghosting and flare
•
Magnesium alloy body – 2.52kg
EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM:
•
4-stop Image Stabilizer with 2 modes
•
2 x fluorite, 1 x UD and 1 x super UD lens elements
•
Ring type USM auto focus with fulltime manual override
•
Circular aperture diaphragm for pleasing background blur
•
Supra Spectra coatings to reduce ghosting and flare
•
Magnesium alloy body – 4.5kg
Both lenses feature environmental seals to protect against dust, rain and humidity.
Pricing & Availability
The EF200mm f/2L IS USM will be available from April 2008 priced at £4499.99
RRP inc. VAT / €6659.99 RRP inc. VAT
The EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM will be available from June 2008 priced at £8999.99
RRP inc. VAT / €13299.99 inc. VAT
Image Stabilizer
The 4 stop Image Stabilizer (IS) significantly extends the low light performance of
both lenses. Photographers normally shooting handheld at 1/1000 sec can switch
on IS to obtain a similarly steady and blur-free result with a shutter speed of just
1/60 second. For shooting immobile subjects, Mode 1 corrects for movement in the
image along both the horizontal and vertical axes. For shooting while panning
horizontally to follow a moving subject, Mode 2 turns off vertical correction and
prevents the effect of dragging the subject back through the frame.
IS switches off automatically when the camera is mounted on a tripod, thus
preventing feedback loops between the IS sensor and internal motor vibrations.
L-series optics
Both lenses incorporate a newly designed optical system that limits lens size while
improving image clarity over the total image area. A combination of fluorite, UD
(Ultra-Low Dispersion) and Super UD glass elements are used to eliminate the
secondary chromatic aberrations that otherwise reduce sharpness and introduce
colour fringing. Canon’s patented Super Spectra lens element coatings reduce
reflections off lens surfaces, ensuring undistorted images with natural colour
balance and minimal ghosting or flare.
Lightweight design
The lenses employ magnesium alloy components to significantly reduce weight
and size. The EF200mm f/2L IS USM has the lightest body in its class, weighing
only 2.52 kg. Despite its longer focal length, the EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM is a
similar length to the EF600mm f/4L IS USM at 461mm, but weighs 860g lighter. In
keeping with Canon’s Kyosei philosophy of living in harmony with the environment,
the lenses feature only lead-free glass.
Superb operability
Several features are incorporated to assist photographers in the field. The AF stop
button at the front of each lens allows photographers to temporarily turn off auto
focus. The button can be configured to control AF mode, IS, and AE lock with the
EOS 40D, EOS 5D, EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III The EF200mm f/2L IS
USM and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM also feature a focus preset function that
electronically memorised a user-selected focus position – particularly helpful for
sports or wildlife photographers.
– Ends –
Reader enquiries
United Kingdom – 08705 143723 / www.canon.co.uk
Republic of Ireland – (01) 2052400 / www.canon.ie
Editors only
For Canon product images please visit www.canon.co.uk/press_centre
For further information please contact:
[email protected] / 01737 220 413
[email protected] / 01737 220 185
About Canon (UK) Limited
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information
technology solutions for the home and office environments.
Canon has a global philosophy of Kyosei - living and working together for the
common good, which clearly demonstrates commitment to customers, staff and the
environment shared by all.
Canon (UK) Ltd is the UK marketing and sales operation for the US$35 billion
global company based in Tokyo, Japan. In the UK Canon employs around 1,800
people in various locations including Ireland and has achieved sales of £531million
in 2006.
The main business focus for Canon (UK) Ltd is in two clearly defined market
segments: Business Solutions covering both the office and professional printing
environments (including: multifunctional printers, IT consultation, photocopiers,
printers, large format printers, fax machines, document management hardware &
software) and Consumer Imaging (input solutions: film and digital SLR cameras,
digital still compact cameras, camcorders, binoculars, calculators and scanners;
and output solutions: Inkjet and laser printers, faxes, desktop all-in-ones and
multimedia projectors).
Broadcast Division is an extension of our product
portfolio covering the supply and servicing of professional lenses and their
accessories to the Television Broadcasting environment.