Dubai, UAE, 10 July 2008: Canon Middle East has celebrated a new milestone in the history of D-SLR photography, as production of the company's EF lenses - which began in 1987 with the birth of Canon's EOS system - reached 40 million. Incredibly, a quarter of these were produced within the last two-and-a-half years. With 67 models, the EF series is the world's most extensive range of D-SLR lenses.

"The production of the 40 millionth EF lens is testament to the soaring popularity of D-SLR photography," said Hendrik Verbrugghe, Marketing Manager Canon Middle East. "With the increasing number of consumer-orientated D-SLR models on the market - including Canon's market-leading EOS 400D and the new EOS 450D - D-SLR has moved from the professional domain to become a truly mass interest".

"We are delighted that photographers of all levels continue to rely upon Canon EF lenses, and we remain committed to producing the industry's most extensive, cutting-edge line-up," he added.

Canon's comprehensive range of EF lenses benefits from a long lineage of forward-thinking design. In 1987, the first EF lenses rewrote the SLR rulebook with their large-diameter, fully electronic lens mount, and the incorporation of a drive motor within the lens. Since then, innovations have included the first lens with an Ultrasonic Motor, the EF 300mm f/2.8L USM  (1987), the world's fastest aperture interchangeable lens, the EF 50mm f/1.0L USM(1989), and the world's first lens with Image Stabilizer to compensate camera shake, the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (1995).

2008 will see the addition of two new models to the EF range: the EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM, the world's longest image-stabilised telephoto lens, and the EF 200mm f/2L IS USM, another large-diameter telephoto lens. They join a total of 67 different lenses - ranging from super wide-angle to super telephoto models - which includes standard zoom and telephoto zoom lenses, fast aperture lenses, macro lenses, and "the TS-E lens", equipped with tilt and shift function.

-Ends-

About Canon Middle East
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for individuals and businesses. Canon provides both individual products and complete networked technology solutions for information input, management and output. Its product range is divided between Business Solutions (developing IT products, solutions and services for both the office and professional print environments) and Consumer Imaging (photography, video and digital camera, Bubble Jet printers).  Canon Middle East is the operational headquarters for Canon in this region, and is based in Dubai, UAE. Further information about Canon Middle East is available at: www.canon-me.com

Canon Contact:   
Ruta Bublyte
Marketing Department
Canon Middle East FZ-LLC
Tel: + 971 4 3915050
Direct: + 971 4 3915079
Fax: + 971 4 3916715
e-mail: bublyter@canon-me.com

Agency Contact:
Linsey Worgan
d'pr
Tel: (9714) 331 1104
linsey@d-pr.ae

© Press Release 2008