NewsAugust 2004

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Two Canon EF-S lenses and a flash

Canon has today announced two new digital SLR lenses and a flash with digital features. The EF-S 17 - 85 mm F4 - F5.6 IS USM lens (US$600) provides an equivelant field of view of 27 - 136 mm (5x zoom), the EF-S 10 - 22 mm F3.5 - F4.5 USM lens (US$800) provides and equivelant field of view of 16 - 35 mm. Currently these new lenses can only be used on the Canon EOS 20D and EOS 300D digital SLR's (the only camera's to support EF-S lenses). Additionally Canon has also announced the Speedlite 580EX flash (US$480) with digital specific features such as zoom linked to sensor size and control of camera white balance.

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• Canon EF-S lenses
• Canon Speedlite 580EX

Press Release (Canon Europe):

Canon D-SLRs get new EF-S lenses

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 20 August, 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM wide-angle EF-S zoom lenses. Targeted at advanced digital photographers, both lenses are designed to work exclusively with Canon’s EOS 20D and EOS 300D digital SLR cameras. The focal length ranges of the respective lenses translates to 27-136mm and 16-35mm respectively in 35mm film format – a spread carefully chosen by Canon to reflect the needs of its rapidly growing base of advanced D-SLR photographers.

Both lenses feature Canon’s ring-type Ultra Sonic Motors (USM) for fast, near-silent auto focus, and a range of features designed to deliver a level of image quality approaching that of Canon’s revered L-Series professional lenses.

Standard

Ideal for travel, mid-range nature/wildlife and general photography, the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is a high quality, lightweight, all-purpose ‘standard’ zoom lens. This 5x zoom lens offers the widest range of any lens in this class, and features Canon’s latest optical Image Stabilizer technology, providing up to 3-stop compensation for image blur caused by camera shake and slow shutter speeds. With superb quality suited to semi-professional use, the lens has a 17 element, 12 group construction, including one double-sided aspherical element for crisp, high contrast corner-to-corner detail.

Wide Angle

The EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is the market’s lightest and smallest 16-35mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens available; ideal for landscape or indoor photography, or for photographers wishing to experiment with pan-focus and dramatic perspective effects. It also boasts a remarkably close focusing distance of just 24 cm. With similar high build quality to the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM includes a Super UD (ultra-dispersion) glass lens and two aspherical elements in its 13 element, 10 group construction. The non-rotating front element makes it ideal for use with filters such as polarizing and graduated, both of which are popular for the type of landscape photography for which the lens is suited.

EF-S mount

Both lenses feature Canon’s EF-S lens mount, matched to the EOS 20D and EOS 300D digital SLRs. The APS-C sized sensor of these cameras results in an effective multiplication factor of 1.6x the indicated focal length. While this creates an obvious advantage for telephoto lenses, it is less beneficial when meeting wide-angle requirements. To meet the needs of the new digital photographers, Canon developed the wide-angle EF-S lens mount. The EOS 20D and EOS 300D are both completely compatible with all existing EF lenses, while EF-S lenses only fit these two cameras. Optimized for Digital SLRs with APS-C size sensors, the EF-S mount enables economic wide-angle solutions often required by advanced photographers.

The ‘S’ in the EF-S nomenclature stands for the term ‘short back focus’. This describes the system that allows the rear lens element of EF-S lenses to be positioned closer than normal to the image sensor of APS-C sensor cameras. A white lens mount index differentiates the lenses from other EF lenses, which retain their traditional red marking. A rear rubber ring prevents any damage in the event that an inadvertent attempt is made to mount the lenses on non-compatible cameras.

Fast auto-focus

The ring-type USM motors found in both lenses employ ultra-sonic frequency vibrations to drive focussing with unrivalled speed. Canon’s ring-type USM holds the lens with precision and accuracy, the instant it arrives at the correct focus point and without overshoot. To further improve accuracy and speed, the drive patterns of both lenses are tailored to specifically match that of the EOS 20D and EOS 300D. Both lenses also feature full-time manual focus override without risk of motor damage.

Appealing background blur

The lenses both incorporate an EMD (electromagnetic diaphragm), which employs an almost perfectly circular barrel aperture. This helps create an attractive, even background blur when the photographer minimises depth of field to isolate a subject.

Perfect for digital photography

By optimising lens coatings, Canon’s engineers have been effective in suppressing flare and ghosting, which are more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection off the image sensor. Coatings reduce reflections off the lens surfaces to deliver crisp, undistorted digital images with natural colour balance.

Distant linked flash

Both lenses include new distance metering information, providing compatibility with the E-TTL II flash system of the EOS 20D. When used in conjunction with Canon’s range of EX Speedlite flash units, this allows for markedly improved flash exposure metering.

An optional lens hood accessory is available for both lenses.

In harmony with the environment

In keeping with Canon’s stringent environmental policy, only lead free glass is used in the lens’ optics.

Canon EF-S 17 - 85 mm & EF-S 10 -22 mm lens specifications

	Canon EF-S 17 - 85 mm IS USM	Canon EF-S 10 - 22 mm USM
Price	EU: €649 US: $599	EU: €899 US: $799
Image size	APS-C	APS-C
Focal length	17 - 85 mm	10 - 22 mm
35 mm FOV	27 - 136 mm equiv.	16 - 35 mm equiv.
Construction	17 elments in 12 groups	13 elements in 10 groups
Diaphragm	6 blades	6 blades
Maximum aperture	F4.5 - F5.6	F3.5 - F4.5
Minmum aperture	F22 - F32	F22 - F27
Closest focus	0.35 m	0.24 m
Max magnification	0.20x (at 85 mm)	0.17x (at 22 mm)
Distance information	Yes	Yes
Image stabilizer	3-steps	No
AF actuator	USM with full-time manual focus	USM with full-time manual focus
Filter diameter	67 mm	77 mm
Dimensions	78.5 x 92 mm (dia x len)	83.5 x 89.8 mm (dia x len)
Weight	475 g	385 g

Canon Speedlite 580EX

Press Release (Canon Europe):

New professional model Speedlite flash geared for digital

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 20 August 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the release of a new flagship to its EX Speedlite range: the Canon Speedlite 580EX. Now Canon's most powerful flash unit, the Speedlite 580EX has a guide number of 58 (m/ISO 100 at 105mm) and an adjustable angle of coverage suitable for wide lenses to 14mm.

Replacing the popular Canon Speedlite 550EX, the Speedlite 580EX improves on many specifications of its predecessor, and includes new features to improve digital EOS SLR flash results. These include transfer of colour temperature data to optimise the white balance compensation, and auto-adjustment of the zoom flash position to best compliment the sensor size of the camera to which the unit is attached.

Circuitry modifications improve on Speedlite 550EX recycle times by approximately 25%. An ultra-bright 3-LED configuration focus assist-beam has been designed to be compatible with all focus points within the frame of all EOS AF systems, including the new EOS 20D 9-point AF. The unit has improved exposure stability, with a tolerance of just +/-0.3 stops.

New features for full control

An intuitive and ergonomic interface includes a new select dial for fast and direct control over settings such as flash exposure compensation. A bounce lock release button provides immediate control over the bounce head angle. 14 custom functions can be pre-set for fast access to commonly used settings. Despite high power and short recycling times, the unit is small and lightweight. A new left-right 180˚ bounce allows either left or right vertical camera orientation. A retractable catch light reflector is built-in for portrait photography.

System flash

The Speedlite 580EX is a key component of the integrated flash system for both analogue and digital SLR cameras, and is fully compatible with the distance linked E-TTL II system found on recent EOS cameras. It serves as a wireless master to compatible slave units (with up to four channels and three slave groups), or as a slave to other Speedlites or transmitters such as the ST-E2.

White balance compensation

Slight variations in a flash gun’s voltage and brightness can destabilise white balance in respective frames during continuous shooting. The Speedlite 580EX compensates for this by transmitting colour temperature information from the flash to the camera. The camera then uses this information to optimise the white balance setting for each individual image. This function works with the camera set to Auto WB or Flash Mode.

Matching sensor size

When mounted to the latest EOS digital cameras such as the EOS-1D Mark II or EOS 20D cameras, the Speedlite 580EX receives sensor size information (full frame, APS-C or APS-H) from the camera. The flash’s zoom position automatically adjusts accordingly, thus optimising flash coverage and reducing the amount of charge required per shot. The Speedlite 580EX distributes a consistent, even spread of light throughout the entire zoom range.

Fully featured for full control

Features include 1st and 2nd curtain flash synchronisation, flash exposure bracketing (FEB), exposure compensation (+/-3 stops in 1/3 stop increments) and manual adjustment of flash output (22 levels).

New battery pack

Developed with working professional photographers in mind, the new external compact battery pack CP–E3 improves flash recycle times significantly and increases to approximately 432 the number of firings before batteries need to be replaced . The pack takes optional rapid-change magazines that can be loaded with 8 AA-size batteries prior to a shoot to ensure fast, smooth transitions from one battery set to the next – important in critical shooting situations or to keep up momentum in the studio. The CP–E3 battery pack is also compatible with the Speedlite 550EX, MR-14EX and MT-24EX.

New L bracket

A new optional Speedlite Bracket SB-E1 allows the flash unit to be mounted to one side of the camera. Designed specifically for press and wedding photographers, it removes the harsh unnatural shadows that can appear to one side of the subject when shooting in portrait orientation with camera-mounted flash. Flash batteries are replaceable without removing the unit from the bracket.

Canon Speedlite 580EX specifications

Price	EU: €499 US: $479
Flash type	Clip-on, E-TTL/TTL autoflash Speedlite with built-in zoom, bounce, AF-assist beam, and wireless function.
Compatible cameras	All EOS cameras (flash metering system may differ depending on the camera) E-TTL autoflash (Type-A cameras): enabled with all EOS cameras from the EOS 50/50E onward (except EOS 3000) * E-TTL II autoflash will apply to EOS 20D, EOS 300X, EOS-1D Mark II, and EOS 30V Date/ 33V. TTL autoflash (Type-B cameras): enabled with all other EOS cameras.
Normal flash guide no. (ISO 100)	@ 14mm - 15 m @ 24mm - 28 m @ 28mm - 30 m @ 35mm - 36 m @ 50mm - 42 m @ 70mm - 50 m @ 80mm - 53 m @ 105mm - 58 m
Flash coverage	Auto zoom, Manual Zoom, Wide panel
Picture size zoom control	When the Speedlite is attached to an EOS camera (from EOS-1D Mark II onwards), the flash head will move to position according to suit the camera’s picture size. (based on Full-size, H-Size, C-size picture).
Bounce flash	Vertical bounce: 0-90° upward, 0-7° downward Horizontal bounce: 0-180° to the left and right.
Flash modes	1) Normal flash; 2) Quick flash; 3) High-speed sync (FP flash); 4) Stroboscopic flash: 41 flash frequency settings, 31 firing settings; 5) Test flash: With test firing button; 6) Modelling flash: Fired with the depth-of-field preview button of all Canon Digital SLR cameras (from EOS D30 onwards), and EOS –1V, 3, 30V Date/ 33V, 300X, 300V; 7) Manual
Flash metering control	1) Automatic 2) Manual compensation with the Speedlite 580EX; up to +/- 3 stops in 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments 3) Manual compensation with the camera
FEL (Flash Exposure Lock)	Yes
FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing)	Yes
Exposure confirmation	OK: Flash exposure confirmation lamp lights in green for 3 sec. after the flash is fired. No good: Lamp does not light.
Shutter Curtain Synchronization	1st-curtain or 2nd-curtain synchronization can be set
Flash duration	Normal flash: 1.2ms or shorter High-speed sync (FP flash): 2.55ms or shorter
Color temperature information transmission	For optimal white balance the Speedlite automatically transmits the flash’s color temperature information to compatible D-SLR cameras (from EOS-1D Mark II onwards)
Film Speeds	ISO 6-6400 is set automatically by the camera; the effective flash range shifts according to the film speed.
AF-assist beam	Linked to 45, 9, 7, 3 or center AF-points, depending on the EOS camera in use.
Illuminated LCD display	Turns on for 12 sec. When the illumination button is pressed
Wireless transmission system	Optical pulse, between master and slave unit, including 4 channels. 3 slave groups possible
Custom Functions	14 user-settable Custom Functions available
Power sources	Internal power sources: 4 AA-size alkaline (6V) or Ni-MH (4.8V) External power sources: compact battery pack CP-E3, fits 8 AA-size alkaline (12V), Ni-MH (9.6V) or lithium (12V) batteries. High voltage pack E315.
Camera connections	1) Fixed: hot shoe with locking collar 2) PC terminal: Direct contacts 3) Dedicated, 3 pin, external power source socket
Mode memory	Yes
Dimensions	76 x 134 x 114 mm
Weight (no batts)	100 g
Accessories	Soft case (included), compact battery pack CP-E3, Speedlite bracket SB-E1, Speedlite transmitter ST-E2, wired multi-Speedlite accessories (optional)