CANON-VINTEN COLLABORATION TECHNOLOGY EXTENDED TO BENEFIT USERS OF MORE CANON DIGISUPER HD FIELD LENS MODELS

Technology For Eliminating Lag After Fast Pan or Tilt Moves Is Now Available for Most Canon HD Long Lenses With Optical Shift Image Stabilizer (“Shift-IS”) Feature

LAS VEGAS, NV, April 14, 2008 – The benefits of the technology collaboration announced one year ago between Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging technology, and Vinten, a leading manufacturer of tripods, pedestals, pan/tilt heads, camera robotics, and other innovative camera-support solutions, is now available for most existing Canon HD field lenses with Canon’s Optical Shift Image Stabilizer (Shift-IS) technology. Canon’s Shift-IS feature enables camera operators to capture rock-solid HD images even at telephoto distances.

The Canon-Vinten technology collaboration integrates the advanced capabilities of Canon’s Shift-IS lens technology with high-resolution optical encoders built into Vinten’s Vector 950 Active pan/tilt head, which, combined with a customized serial controller box, creates a link between the two technologies. This link transmits precise, real-time digital positioning data from the pan-and-tilt head to the Shift-IS stabilization system in most Canon HD field lenses. The result is the elimination of any trace of lag after fast pan or tilt shots – a great advantage in the production of fast-paced HDTV sporting and entertainment events.

A standard feature on the Canon DIGISUPER 100AF and DIGISUPER 86AF Auto Focus Canon HD field lenses, the Canon-Vinten technology collaboration is now available as an optional upgrade on the DIGISUPER 100xs, DIGISUPER 86xs II, and DIGISUPER 75xs “legacy” models with Canon’s Shift-IS lens technology as well.

“The exclusive technology collaboration between Canon and Vinten increases the value of the Canon HD field lenses with Shift-IS already in use,” said Gordon Tubbs, director, Broadcast and Communications division, Canon U.S.A. “Vinten has been a highly respected company in the broadcast and production industry for decades. It’s an honor to participate in this exclusive technology collaboration with them and bring these new benefits to users of both companies’ products. Now the advanced capabilities of Vinten’s Vector 950 Active system can be applied to many more Canon HD field lenses, making them an even greater asset for the exacting demands of HD camera operators and program producers.”

Since its debut, the Canon-Vinten technology collaboration has enhanced HD sports coverage to capture exciting, fast-paced action with greater stability, smoothness, and precision than ever before possible.

Vinten’s Vector 950 Active pan/tilt system offers camera operators improved picture control and better performance in a smaller and more robust package.  The Vector 950 Active features infinitely adjustable TF drag, tilt-axis deadlock, an illuminated leveling bubble and pan-and-tilt brake levers positioned for ease-of-use.  In addition, a new spring counterbalance system allows up to ±90° of perfectly counterbalanced camera tilt.  The Vector 950 Active is relatively light and compact, allowing for easier set-up and repositioning, and requiring minimal storage space.

Canon’s DIGISUPER 100AF and DIGISUPER 86AF HD field lenses feature sophisticated Auto Focus capabilities based on a proprietary HD implementation of Through-the-Lens Secondary Image Registration Phase Detection Method technology. A world leader in optical technologies, Canon’s extensive experience in long-zoom HD field-lens design provides the company with a unique understanding of the challenges that HD production presents to camera operators. Canon’s development of the DIGISUPER 100AF and DIGISUPER 86AF HD field lenses is a powerful new automated solution to assist in the task of maintaining constant and perfect HD lens focus.

Canon’s HD field lenses are the most widely used lenses in HD sports and entertainment production, including the DIGISUPER 100xs, the world’s first triple-digit HD zoom lens. All Canon DIGISUPER lenses feature the HD optical precision and heightened long-range zoom capabilities that have made Canon a global leader.  All of Canon’s DIGISUPER HD field lenses also feature Canon’s unique XS technology for improved optical performance and lighter weight, as well as Canon’s second-generation Digital Servo System, which provides microcomputer compensation of lens-focus breathing (the inadvertent alteration of field of view when operating the focus control).

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2007†, with global revenues of $39.3 billion, is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2007 BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/pressroom.

†IFI Patent Intelligence Press Release, January 2008
About Vinten
Vinten® is the global market leader in camera support technology for broadcast professionals, as well as corporate, education and government applications.  The range covers manual heads, tripods and pedestals suitable for ENG, EFP, OB and studio environments.  With 100 years’ experience pioneering the world’s broadcast and film industries, Vinten continues to provide the most innovative camera support products available by working closely with today’s production professionals.

Along with five other leading brands in the broadcast industry, Vinten is part of Camera Dynamics Inc., a Vitec Group company.

About The Vitec Group plc
The Vitec Group, plc. is acknowledged as a global leader in the supply of equipment and services to the broadcasting, entertainment and photographic industries and has established a reputation for technical excellence and superior engineering along with an astute business strategy, which has seen it grow by acquisition. Innovation is a cornerstone of the Group’s activities and the organization is committed to a policy of continuous product development. With revenues (2006) of £222m ($400m) and over 1500 employees worldwide, its products are distributed in almost 100 countries, through a strong, fully-resourced distribution network or direct to the end user or corporate customer. More information can be found at www.vitecgroup.com

For all Vinten and Vitec Group plc press enquiries please contact:
Susan Lewis
Lewis Communications
724 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica CA 90405 USA
Tele: + 1 310-392-4531
Fax: + 1 310-392-0183
Email: Susanlu@aol.com

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