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Diffractive Optics
Innovative Canon diffractive
optics (DO) technology results in
high-performance lenses that are more compact than
traditional refractive designs. Conventional glass lens
elements disperse incoming light, causing chromatic aber-
ration. The Canon multilayer diffractive elements are con-
structed by bonding diffraction gratings to the surfaces of
two or more lens elements. These elements are then com-
bined to form a single multilayer DO element. The DO ele-
ment’s dispersion characteristics are designed to cancel
chromatic aberrations at various wavelengths when combined
with conventional glass optics. This results in outstanding
reductions in “color fringing” — chromatic aberration —
rivaling that of L-Series telephoto lenses. Canon DO technology
is ideal for telephoto lens optics and makes possible
significant size reduction while maintaining superb optical
performance.
Ultrasonic Motor
Canon developed the world’s first
lens-based Ultrasonic Motor (USM)
to power the lens autofocus
mechanism. Instead of large noisy drive trains powered by
conventional motors, Canon USM lenses drive the lens
using the fine electronic vibrations created by piezoelectric
ceramic elements. The focusing action of the lens is fast
and quiet, with virtually instantaneous stops and starts.
USM lenses also draw minimal power from the camera,
ensuring longer battery life. Canon makes two types of
Ultrasonic Motor lenses. Ring-type USM lenses, found in
large aperture and super-telephoto designs, permit manual
focusing without first switching out of the Auto mode. Micro
USM designs bring the performance benefits of Canon USM
technology to a wide assortment of affordable EF lenses.
Specialty Lenses
Super Telephoto Lenses
— Distinguished by their white
color and seen at major sporting events around the world,
the powerful EF Super Telephotos are ideal for getting up-
close detail from afar. The latest additions to the EF Lenses
line-up, the
EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
and
EF 200mm f/2L
IS USM
feature dust and water resistance, Optical Image
Stabilizer technology for up to 4-stops of shake correction
and magnesium alloy components for further weight
reductions while retaining strength and durability. They
both feature flourite and UD lens
elements reducing chromatic
aberration for outstanding optical
performance. They are also compati-
ble with Extender EF 1.4x II and
Extender EF 2x II, for additional power
and versatility.
Fisheye
— Perfect for super wide-angle and special-effect
photography, Canon’s full-frame fisheye can focus
as close as 8 inches (0.2m), and delivers
exceptionally sharp images throughout its
focus range. Up to three gel filters can be
inserted into its built-in rear filter holder.
Macro
— The EOS lens lineup has a number of options
for true close-up and macro photography. With five
different macro lenses for precision, and three screw-on
close-up options for convenience — in addition to Life-Size
Converter EF and two Extension Tubes
— Canon EF Macro lenses and close-up
accessories can uncover detail that is
impossible for the unaided human eye
to detect.
TS-E
— Canon’s Tilt/Shift lenses bring many of the
advantages of technical view cameras to the EOS
System. Tilt movements alter the angle of the plane of
focus between the lens and film plane, allowing
precise control of depth-of-field even at large
apertures. Shift movements slide the lens’s
optical axis along the film/sensor plane,
enabling photographers to correct or alter per-
spective at almost any angle.
EF-S Lenses
— Designed for Canon EOS Digital cameras
with APS-C sized sensors (with a 1.6x conversion factor),
Canon EF-S lenses take advantage of the
sensor’s smaller size to deliver
optimized performance in compact,
lightweight designs.
Ring-type USM
Great Images Start with Great Lenses
137
Hybrid Image Stabilizer
During normal shooting situations,
sudden camera movement in rota-
tional camera angles can cause
significant image blur. During
macro or close-up photography
however, the image blur caused
by linear camera shake — when
the camera moves parallel to
the subject — is more pro-
nounced. Optical Image
Stabilizer (OIS) is optimized to
counteract rotational or angular
camera shake and works well
for most camera shooting situa-
tions. To help compensate for linear camera shake, a new
acceleration sensor was required, the Hybrid Image
Stabilizer.
Canon Hybrid Image
Stabilizer technology,
found in the
EF
100mm f/2.8L Macro
IS USM
, employs a
highly sophisticated
algorithm combining
the feedback of both
the acceleration sensor and angular velocity sensor found
in current OIS technology. This combination moves the
image stabilizer lens elements, effectively compensating for
both rotational and linear camera shake. Hybrid IS dramati-
cally enhances the effects of Optical Image Stabilizer, espe-
cially during macro shooting. The incorporation of Hybrid IS
allows users to more effectively compensate for camera
shake during close-up shooting, marking a significant
improvement in macro photography for portrait, nature or
wedding shoots.
L-Series Lenses
Highly regarded among professional photographers, Canon
L-Series lenses are distinguished by a bold red ring around
the outer barrel. What makes them truly distinctive, howev-
er, is their remarkable optical performance — the result of
sophisticated Canon technologies such as Ultra-low
Dispersion UD glass, fluorite and aspherical elements, and
Super Spectra Coating.
For many professional photographers, Canon EF Series lenses
alone are reason enough to choose the EOS System. A venerable
blend of world-class optics, microelectronics, and precision
manufacturing technologies such as a new SWC (Subwavelength
Structure Coating) lens coating for better light transmission
and reduced flare, EF lenses are perfected in Canon’s laborato-
ries and proven in the field. Whatever, whenever and wherever
you shoot, you can count on Canon EF lenses to deliver high
quality imaging performance.
Optical Image Stabilizer
Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer
technology makes handheld
photography possible in more
low-light situations than ever before. When camera shake
occurs using normal lenses without Optical Image
Stabilizer technology, the image projected on the image
sensor also shakes, often resulting in blurred images at
slower shutter speeds. With Canon Image Stabilized lens-
es, a special group of lens elements automatically shifts
position, compensating for the movement and stabilizing
the image. This compensatory effect adds the equivalent
of up to 4-stops (depending upon the lens), expanding a
photographer’s handheld options dramatically.
With Optical IS in the lens, C anon can equip each IS lens
with the stabilizer it needs for effective shake correction.
Other systems are limited by how far they can move an
image sensor, and as a result, their stabilization is less
effective as telephoto
lengths get longer.
Also, Optical IS
can be seen
right in the
viewfinder —
impossible
with some
other stabiliz-
er systems.
Taken with EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
with Hybrid Image Stabilizer
Angle camera shake
(oscillating)
Shift camera shake
