Canon has been perfecting the process of building high quality lenses for 80 years, developing innovative technologies that push the boundaries of what is optically achievable.
The precise construction and assembly of hundreds of mechanical and optical components is a testament to the meticulous and particular pride we take in every part of every product. Incorporating specialized optical materials, our precision-crafted equipment produces unmatched photographic results that will stand the test of time—the same as the lenses and cameras that capture them.
Fluorite and UD elements
Many of the L Series lenses have been built with combinations of fluorite, UD and super UD elements to help reduce the unintentional distortions that standard glass fails to eliminate, such as ghosting and flare. Canon artificially created crystal fluorite in the 1960s, and achieved the first UD lens element incorporating low-dispersion optical glass in the 1970s. The technology was further improved to create super UD lenses in the 1990s.
Ultrasonic motor
Canon developed the world’s first lens-based ultrasonic motor (USM). The technology helps eliminate added lens weight, reduce noise associated with autofocusing and preserve battery life. The ring-type USM technology allows filmmakers to manually focus without first switching out of auto mode.
Image stabilization
Canon’s image stabilization technology is custom matched, then built into each “IS” lens to ensure the best possible results. Image Stabilizer (IS) technology uses a lens shift-type system to help better detect and eliminate any slight camera movements.
Aperture performance
The aperture within an L Series lens is typically faster than that of a standard lens, and is often fixed, helping to increase creative control at any focal range. It also helps in low-light situations or where a fast shutter speed is required.
Aspherical lenses
Canon’s aspherical lenses elements help converge central and peripheral light rays at a single focal point, ensuring uniform sharpness and clarity over the whole image area.
Lens coating
To help let get more light through your lens and to your camera’s CMOS sensor, Canon L Series have multi-layer Super Spectra coating. The coating helps minimize the effects of ghosting and flare, and ensure a consistent colour balance.
