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In lieu of the devastation that has spread across Japan; Nikon and Canon have decided to shut down their plants. The Sendai plant, where Nikon has produced their professional cameras such as the D3 and D3x, has been shut down until further notice with possible injuries, according to the press release.
Canon’s Utsunomiya plant, which provides most of the optics for the company has reported 15 injuries and has stopped production and there was also significant damage to the plant, according to a press release

Also, both companies are doing their part to provide relief. Nikon has donated 100 million Yen which equates to roughly $1.24 million USD, to the Japanese Red Cross Society, according to a press release. While Canon has donated 300 million Yen, equating to $3.7 USD to the Japanese Red Cross Society also, according to a press release.

(via Petapixel)

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Last week Canon celebrated the production of its 60-millionth lens, an EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM.

Since Canon began production of their interchangeable EF SLR lenses in 1987 at their Utsnomiya Plant located in Japan they have expanded production to four more facilities including: Canon Inc., Taiwan, Canon Opto (Malaysia) and Oita Canon Inc. in Japan.

EF (Electro-Focus) is Canon’s version of auto focusing that is built into the lens and after eight and a half years of production EF lenses reached the 10-million mark. Then in April of 2008 they achieved 40-million units produced. Then in December 2009, EF lenses reached 50-million units, leading up to the 60-million mark in just 13 months.

(via Canon)