Canon rolled its 90 millionth lens off the production line last week on May 23, 2013 – with the very popular EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM be the lucky lady. This big milestone comes less than 10 months after Canon produced its 80 millionth lens in August 2012. Canon hit the 60 million and 70 million EF lens milestone in 2011.
Canon EF Lens Production Timeline
- 1987: EF lens production begins
- 1995: 10 million lenses
- 2001: 20 million lenses
- 2006: 30 million lenses
- 2008: 40 million lenses
- 2009: 50 million lenses
- Jan. 2011: 60 million lenses
- Oct. 2011: 70 million lenses
- Aug. 2012: 80 million lenses
- May 2013: 90 million lenses
At this pace, expect that 100 million lens milestone to happen in early 2014, maybe even faster if Canon makes something hot happen with the EOS M system later this year.