Canon press release:

Canon Congratulates the Team of Imaging Professionals Who Captured the Iconic Moments of the Big Game

MELVILLE, N.Y., February 6, 2014 – On February 2nd imaging professionals from across the country gathered in New Jersey to cover the big game between teams from Seattle and Denver. Prepared to battle the potential elements, these professionals provided football fans with images documenting monumental moments and plays that can be watched, enjoyed and relived for years to come.

“We are honored to have seen so many photographers using our equipment to capture images of the big game this past weekend. Canon is committed to ensuring our products and support live up to the needs and expectations of our customers, and it is always humbling to see Canon equipment being used in such high profile events,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. was on site in New Jersey with its Canon Professional Services (CPS) team to provide these professionals with convenient access to support personnel, equipment maintenance, and product loans. “I have personally been impressed with Canon’s proactive, prompt and thoughtful support for professionals,” said Tom Hauck, freelance sports photographer who photographed the game and has shot over 350 professional football games in his career. “Before the game, I sent all my gear to Canon’s Irvine service facility to be cleaned and checked and I got everything back in about two days. And at the game, Canon’s CPS staff was on site providing information on how to better understand and get the most from my equipment as well as peace of mind.”

Canon press release:

Canon celebrates production of 70 million EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras

TOKYO, February 6, 2014—Canon Inc. announced today the achievement of a camera-manufacturing milestone as combined production of the company’s film and digital EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras surpassed the 70-million mark on February 5.

Production of Canon EOS SLR cameras began in 1987 at Canon Inc.’s Fukushima Plant (now Fukushima Canon Inc.) with the EOS 650, later moving to such production bases as Oita Canon Inc. and Canon Inc., Taiwan. Following the spread of digital SLR cameras in the early 2000s, production rapidly increased, surpassing the 60-million-unit mark in October 2012 and now, approximately one year and four months later, reaching the 70-million-unit threshold.

EOS, which stands for “Electro Optical System,” also carries the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn. Introduced in March 1987 as a new generation of AF SLR cameras, EOS cameras were the world’s first to incorporate an electronic mount system enabling complete electronic control not only between the lens and body, but throughout the entire camera system.

Sigma press release:

Sigma Corporation of America to Release Two MTF Charts for Measurement of Lenses

Company releases the data of Geometric and Diffraction MTF charts for Global Vision Lenses

RONKONKOMA, N.Y., — February 3, 2014 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced that the company will now release a Geometrical MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) chart in addition to a Diffraction MTF chart when measuring the performance of all new Global Vision lenses.

MTF charts are important because they help photographers better understand the optical quality of lenses. Sigma has traditionally released Diffraction MTF data because it takes the diffraction quality of light into consideration, which can dramatically affect the data outcome. Diffracted light exists at every aperture, giving photographers a more accurate measurement of how the lens will perform in real life. Although Geometric MTF data is easier to measure and calculate since it does not consider the diffraction quality of light, it tends to show higher values in the graph and less defined results.