Canon's Two New Lenses Are Introduced

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Canon unveils its two new EF lenses - the EF50mm f/1.2L USM and the versatile EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lenses. Both lenses are valuable additions to the EOS arsenal for professional wedding and portrait photographers as well as advanced amateurs - expanding the range of current Canon EF lenses to more than 60 selections. Canon is the only camera manufacturer to provide professionals and advanced amateurs with Digital SLRs that feature full frame sensors, such as the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and EOS 5D digital SLRs. The new EF50mm f/1.2L USM lens complements full-frame cameras, while delivering beautiful results on APS-C/H sized sensor models as well.

The EF50mm f/1.2L USM lens is a strong testament to Canon's heritage of optical excellence. Every aspect of this lens exudes professional quality from its wide 72mm filter diameter to its dust and moisture sealed construction. A high refraction glass molded aspherical lens element helps to minimize spherical aberration, which is crucial in order to provide fine detail and maximum image quality from corner to corner, even when the lens is used wide open. Full frame digital camera users will especially appreciate the benefits of the 50mm focal length, when shooting waist-up portraits while maintaining appropriate subject distance at a wedding.

The large maximum aperture of f/1.2 allows this lens to produce shallow depth of field that softens the background and makes subjects "pop" out of a portrait. Photographers can also take advantage of higher shutter speeds to shoot in lower light and help prevent blurring caused by subject movement or camera shake. In addition to a large aperture, the new lens also has blazingly fast autofocus speed and response time, thanks in part to Canon's ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), which quietly drives the lens. A full-time manual focus feature allows photographers to fine-tune the sharpness of their images, even when the lens is set for autofocus.

Canon designed the EF50mm f/1.2L USM to deliver the best possible optical quality while being tough enough to meet the needs of demanding photographers. Eight lens elements in six groups provide high resolution, while advanced coating suppresses flare and ghosting. A glass molded (GMO) aspherical element ensures maximum image quality by reducing spherical aberration and linear distortion. Dust and moisture resistant components in the lens mount, switches, and focus ring help to protect the lens in a wide variety of shooting conditions.

Canon is also the only manufacturer to provide a full range of professional zoom lenses in both the high-speed f/2.8 category as well as the compact and lightweight f/4 category. Rounding out Canon's f/4L lens lineup is the new EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens. This "L" series lens is designed for professional or advanced amateur photographers seeking maximum performance and versatility. This is a lens that can handle almost any assignment, ranging from distant subjects to the demanding requirements of up-close and personal portraits as well as nature photography.

The EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens stands up to the rigors of professional use The lens is sealed from dust and moisture, and is equipped with the latest generation of Canon's Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, making it an optimal everyday shooter. The image stabilization achieves three shutter speed steps of camera shake correction within 0.5 seconds after the shutter button is depressed halfway and yields correction for up to four full shutter speeds while handheld, providing a new level of performance. Users can also select two IS modes, one for stationary subjects and another for intentional panning.

The EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens is the same size as the EF70-200mm f/4L USM lens that remains in the EF lens line, but the new lens adds several valuable features. In addition to enhanced weather sealing and image stabilization, the EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens incorporates a circular diaphragm to create more natural looking background blur, and distance information to aid autofocusing and automatic flash exposure. The lens also suppresses flare and ghosting with advanced coatings and optimal placement of its 20 lens elements in 15 groups. One Fluorite element and two UD (ultra low dispersion) elements thoroughly suppress chromatic aberrations for crisp photos throughout the entire focal range. A ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) provides fast and silent autofocusing, while the full-time manual focus function provides maximum control even when the lens is set for AF.

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