Canon U.S.A has announced that a substantial majority of broadcast lenses utilized during NBC”s live coverage of the Big Game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks were Canon products. This notable event took place on Sunday, and it underscores Canon”s longstanding commitment to sports broadcasting.
“We are thrilled that Canon”s gear and expert support could contribute to the success of the image capture of the Big Game,” stated Kiyoshi Oka, executive vice president and general manager for Canon U.S.A., Inc. “It is a distinct honor to empower the creators who preserve these historic cultural milestones. At Canon, we are incredibly proud to play a part in the joy and inspiration that this event delivers to fans everywhere.”
According to the announcement, more than 98 percent of the lenses employed by NBC during the championship event in Santa Clara were Canon lenses. This included 47 broadcast lenses used for various pre- and post-game studio activities throughout the Santa Clara metro area. A highlight among these was the CINE-SERVO 11-55mm T2.95-3.95 lens, which features an impressive ultra-wide angle of 100 degrees and was prominently used on the concourse and on-field studio sets.
Additionally, Canon had a significant presence among the credentialed photographers at the event, thanks to the support provided by the Canon Professional Services (CPS) team, which is celebrating 30 years of assistance at the Big Game. The CPS team brought over 200 pieces of Canon equipment, including camera bodies and lenses, to support photo agencies, freelancers, and other credentialed photographers.
“Testing Canon”s new glass at the Big Game was the perfect opportunity to see how the RF7-14mm F2.8-3.5 L Fisheye STM and RF14mm F1.4 L VCM prime lens could handle the massive scale of the stadium,” remarked Terrell Lloyd, Canon Explorer of Light and director of photography for the San Francisco team. “My goal was to capture wide, high-intensity shots from a top-down perspective, and the synergy between these lenses and the EOS R1 camera delivered exactly that. The sharpness and dynamic range allowed me to bring my home stadium into the global spotlight with more clarity than ever, once again pushing the boundaries of what I can create in a fast-paced, in-game environment.”
As the New England Patriots made their way to the Big Game, the team relied heavily on Canon for their photographic coverage. Boston Globe staff photographer Danielle Parhizkaran used Canon EOS R3 bodies, along with an RF15-35mm, RF70-200mm, and an EF400mm 2.8 lens, to document her first Big Game experience. “There”s really no pressure quite like a major sporting event and Canon really came through for us in the clutch,” said Kevin Martin, deputy director of photography. “A huge storyline in the game was the Seattle defense pressuring New England”s offensive line. Using her Canon EOS R3 camera, Parhizkaran was able to capture the exact moment a Seattle defensive tackle reached over a New England offensive lineman to sack the quarterback.”
