L-Series lenses: Beyond human perspective
The choice of professionals the world over, L-series lenses represent
the very finest in Canon EF optics. Recognisable by the distinctive red
ring around the outer barrel, L-series lenses incorporate the highest
quality optical materials to provide a level of image performance
and operability without equal. Each L-series lens is engineered to
operate under the most demanding of conditions.
Fluorite and UD lens elements
One of the greatest obstacles in telephoto lens design has been
the problem of colour fringing, or chromatic aberration.
Some L-series lenses use Canon’s Ultra Low Dispersion glass to
help minimize this effect. The design of the UD glass delivers
outstanding contrast and sharpness by minimising the splitting
of colours as they pass through the elements. Fluorite elements
are used in certain super telephoto lenses as they are even more
effective in reducing these characteristics.
Aspherical Elements
Spherical aberration occurs when light rays coming through the centre of the lens do not align with
the light rays coming through the lens edge. Since there is no sharp point of focus, images look soft
and lack contrast. Canon's aspherical lens elements change the curvature from centre to edge to
align incoming light rays so that the entire image plane appears sharply focused.
Image Stabilizer
Canon’s Image Stabilizer (IS) technology makes handheld photography possible in low-light
situations or when shooting from a moving platform. IS lenses include a special group of lens
elements which automatically shift position to compensate for camera shake. This compensatory
effect adds the equivalent of up to three stops of exposure, expanding a photographer's handheld
options dramatically.
Ultrasonic Motor (USM)
The world's first lens-based motor that harnesses ultrasonic oscillation energy to drive virtually silent
auto focus, which on some lenses is literally faster than the human eye. The USM stops the moment
focus is achieved, without overshooting.
Diffractive Optics
Diffractive Optical (DO) lenses represent a new level in professional telephoto lenses.
New technology delivers optical characteristics unavailable in traditional lenses, dramatically
reducing size and weight. Lens coatings are optimised to minimise the ghosting and flare with
digital photography.
Super Telephoto
Renowned for their optical performance and speed, Canon's super telephoto lenses can
be found on the sidelines of every major sports event around the world. With focal lengths
ranging from 300mm to 600mm, L-series super telephoto lenses are also used extensively
by news, sports and wildlife photographers.
Macro Lenses
Canon’s EF lens line-up includes a number of options for true close-up and macro photography.
Allowing photographers to bring tiny objects into life-sized view, these lenses are optically designed
to provide even colour reproduction and sharpness throughout the frame.
Tilt
and Shift Lenses
Tilt and 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 CMOS sensor, making
broad depth of field possible even at large apertures. Shift movements move the lens’ optical axis in
parallel, allowing photographers to correct the perspective distortion that typically occurs with
architectural photography.
For more information on the EF lens range, visit our website.
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The EF Lens Range
Every EOS digital SLR camera is backed up by the EF lens series, the world's most comprehensive system
of interchangeable lenses – more than 50 models, ranging from 14mm extreme wide angle to 600mm
super telephoto.
© Greg Basco, USA
