Canon broadens their market segment

With rising production costs, lower margins and stiff competition in the consumer digital camera sector, Canon has now began to offer their expertise in lens manufacturing by modifying and adapting their line of super telephoto lenses, mainly used by professional sports and wildlife photographers, to be used as long range, high powered scopes instead.

The dynamic shift and broaden range of their current products to new and innovative ways make Canon a global leader in all facets of lens development. While the current models being tested are only mock-up prototypes and are far from polished products, results are tantalizing to say the least with such a daring product for military applications.

The outlandish and overweight super telephoto's, such as the 300mm f/2.8 dubbed Canon 300x2u, will not only be a functional long range scope, but will feature a built-in switchable 1.4, 2x and 4x tele-converters, a smart laser range finder, the latest night vision technology, and a custom ballistics computer that automatically changes scope's setting for dead accurate targeting with little user intervention.

The system can also wirelessly sync with satellite telemetry to not only broadcast video back to a command station, but it can recieve weather reports and data used to help model the correct flight path with the on board ballistics computer. Other wireless capabilities include communications with fighters and bombers to coordinate air strikes.

Canon doesn't have any plans yet on the market availability of the 300x2u as the product is in development stages currently. Prices start at 10,000 per scope with upgrades such as a bullet resistant front element, Kevlar shield cover and usb/firewire port. Longer ranged scopes may follow suit, but representatives at Canon have said that would be unlikely due to weight constraints.

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In other news Sigma immediately "fired back" with an announcement of a rifle adapter for their upcoming 200-500 zoom lens. Unlike Canon's model (pictured above), Sigma will offer mounts for a number of different weapons, including assault rifles made in the U.S., Israel, China, and Russia, large machine guns, bazooka, mortars, and (by special order only) MX missiles.

The first 100 purchasers of the Sigma offering will receive a free tripod and an unarmored Humvee for carrying their goodies.

Very funny. I guess that brings a new definition of "shoot" to photographers.

I heard compition has gotten worse in the DSLR market but this is a bit much. LOL

Casio had one that didn't get past R&D at 60FPS the barrel melted. Gitzo is developing a new carbon fiber barrel for them though so all is not lost.

LOL! That's great.

Does the rifle come with a red ring as well?

Just remember not to mount a camera with the capability of holding more than 10 images or you will be in violation of federal gun laws about large capacity magazines. I also would predict that Motor drives and Digital SLR's with a burst capability would also come under regulatory scrutiny. (so much for mounting one of these on my 40D with its 6 fps capability)

Wayne

Looks like Ronald has been leaving his toys around again!

Haha! Nice mate nice!

Now where can I get me one of those assault rifles