Robots hand polish Canon’s L-series lenses, and 9 more facts about the Utsunomiya lens factory

Utsunomiya

The Utsunomiya lens factory in Japan is where all Canon L-series lenses are produced.

Sci-fi style robots, fault-hearing engineers, anti-static shoes – Canon’s Utsunomiya lens factory is a hotbed of innovation and precision. Canon’s L-series lenses are known around the world for their professional-quality build and sharp results, but to produce such outstanding lenses requires impressive levels of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a few surprising practices.

Canon Europe posted a short and neat article with 10 (supposedly) unknown facts about Canon’s L lenses, and the Utsunomiya factory. These are:

  • Japanese engineering is everywhere
  • Lens experts can hear faults
  • Lens polishing tools are made with diamonds
  • Aspherical lenses are made by melting glass
  • Sci-fi robots roam the factory
  • Lens polishing machines self-correct
  • Lens measurements are incredibly precise
  • The hardest lens to make is…
  • The innovation never ends
  • Canon lenses could (probably) cover half the world

If you want to know more about the facts listed above (every point comes with text and pictures) and the Utsunomiya factory, I encourage you to head over to Canon Europe.

Another take on Canon’s and Nikon’s full frame mirrorless plans

Full Frame Mirrorless

FroKnowsPhoto (aka Jared Polin) shares his opinion and view on what Canon and Nikon will feature on their long rumored full frame mirrorless cameras. And obviously: how will they compare to Sony’s technology and offering? And how will Sony counter?

We expect Canon to announce their full frame mirrorless camera within the next 8 to 12 months. For the latest about it see here.

Stay tuned.

Canon Digital Photo Professional 4.8.30 released (supports older cameras)

Digital Photo Professional Video Tutorials

Canon released Digital Photo Professional 4.8.30 to the public.

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 4.8.30 :

  • Newly supported EOS D2000 *, EOS D6000 *, EOS D30, EOS D60, EOS 10D, EOS Kiss Digital / EOS Digital REBEL / EOS 300D Digital (*: Can now handle CR2 files converted with the CR2 Converter).
  • Added Partial adjustments functions.

Canon Digital Photo Professional 4.8.30 can be downloaded here.

Canon Q1 2018 Financial Results: Increased Profit despite lower overall Sales, thanks to chip making

Canon published the documents about the financial results in Q1 2018.

Things still look good for the industry giant. However, the increased profit is due to Canon’s chip making technology and efforts, as reported by Nikkei Asian Review:

Canon clinched a 4% rise in first-quarter profit despite weakness in its mainstay cameras and office machines, thanks to a chipmaking equipment business thriving on Asian demand for semiconductors.

Group net profit rose to 57.1 billion yen ($522 million) for the three months ended in March, with tighter controls on research and development and other costs also contributing to the higher result, the Tokyo-based company reported Wednesday.

All Canon Q1 2018 documents are available for the public:

For your convenience, the presentation material can be viewed below.

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.canonwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/conf2018q1e.pdf”]

Canon USA Supports the Arbor Day Foundation’s “Replanting Our Forests” Program

Canon press release

Canon U.S.A. Supports the Arbor Day Foundation’s “Replanting Our Forests” Program that Helps Replenish Forests in the U.S.

Canon’s Support Contributed to the Planting or Distribution of 460,000 Trees to Date

MELVILLE, N.Y., April 24, 2018 – With forest fires and severe weather sweeping the country and taking their toll on trees nationwide, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, stays steadfast in its commitment to support the Arbor Day Foundation’s “Replanting Our Forests” program. The Company successfully helped to contribute to the planting or distribution of 460,000 trees in the United States since 2009.

“It is through such initiatives that we demonstrate our dedication to Kyosei, engaging in activities that promote social and environmental responsibility,” says Toyotsugu Kuwamura, executive vice president and general manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “We are thrilled to help the Arbor Day Foundation revitalize forests in the United States in connection with their survival for future generations.”

The Arbor Day Foundation implements reforestation initiatives across the country to rebuild forests that are in desperate need of regrowth. Through this program, Canon helps contribute to the distribution and planting of one tree for every eligible imageRUNNER ADVANCE multifunction system sold from April 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, up to a maximum of 50,000 trees. With the company’s support, trees this year plan to be planted and distributed in Bastrop Lost Pines Forest in Texas to support wildlife habitat improvement, Superior National Forest in Minnesota to help climate resiliency, and Withlacoochee State Forest in Florida for watershed restoration purposes.

“Canon’s corporate support is an incredible benefit to our program and we thank the team for their ongoing support,” says Dan Lambe, president, Arbor Day Foundation. “Their contributions can be seen through revitalized forests and communities that, until recently, had lost the benefits that a full forest brings to the environment.”

The Kyosei Philosophy

Canon’s corporate philosophy of Kyosei signifies that all people should work together for the common good. Canon seeks to achieve its goals of energy and resource conservation, as well as reducing environmentally hazardous materials used in its products. Canon shares this philosophy through various environmental, conservation, recycling and sustainability initiatives. To continue this initiative at home, Canon employees began to plant and dedicate trees on the Canon Americas headquarter grounds to commemorate certain anniversaries and milestones.

For more information about the communities that the Arbor Day Foundation supports, visit: www.arborday.org/takeaction/community-tree-recovery/. To learn more about Canon’s involvement, visit: www.usa.canon.com/arborday.

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Phase One releases major update to Capture One 11 (and we still give you 10% discount)

Capture One 11

Capture One 11 at a glance:

  • Image Processing and Raw File Conversion
  • Instant Tethered Capture and Live View
  • Layered Workflow and Annotations
  • Feather Mask and Refine Edge Tools
  • Catalogs and Sessions, EIP Export
  • Duplicate Checker, Grey Scale Mask Mode
  • Three-Phase Sharpening Tools
  • Updated Color Handling Tools
  • Over 400 Cameras & Raw Files Supported
  • For Mac OS X 10.11.6+ and Windows 10/8/7

Phase One released a major update to their professional photo software, Capture One 11.1.

We can offer you a 10% discount on Capture One 11. All you have to do is to use the coupon code “AMBCW” when checking out from Phase One’s web store.

A rich set of webinars for Capture One are available on YouTube (for free). Some of the webinars are available in German too.

capture one 11Press release:

Phase One Releases Capture One 11.1
Update Provides New Resource Hub, Expanded Camera Support and Improved Workflow

COPENHAGEN, Apr. 19, 2018 – Phase One, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-end digital camera systems, today released Capture One 11.1, a service release to the industry’s premier RAW conversion and image editing software. The release enhances the Capture One user experience, through a new support platform and functionality updates to ensure a faster, smoother workflow. Improved Styles and presets workflow, support for 11 new cameras, including Sony A7 Mk III and Fuji X-H1 and 10 new lenses, including Tamron lenses for both Nikon and Canon, and an all-new Resource Hub are among the latest updates.

“Capture One remains dedicated to the needs of ambitious photographers. These latest updates introduce an extension to camera and lens support, as well as an all-new Resource Hub. The Resource Hub is an in-app portal that allows users to easily access news, tutorials, updates and much more – all designed to inspire photographers and ensure the best workflow and user experience in Capture One,” said Jan Hyldebrandt-Larsen, VP Software Business at Phase One.

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