The recent discovery of a large number of counterfeit NSK bearings in Johannesburg, South Africa, highlights the need to remain vigilant in the face of criminals who look to put the safety and integrity of industrial machinery and humans at risk. Towards the end of April 2022, a Police search and seizure operation (initiated by NSK) led to the confiscation of thousands of replica bearings (98% industrial types) worth an estimated R5 million. Criminal and civil proceedings are now underway against the perpetrators, who will shortly receive a court summons. Due to its market reputation for quality, founded on over a century of engineering excellence, NSK has become a target brand for counterfeiters. However, the company’s Global Aftermarket department continues to protect the company’s brand image, working closely with local authorities around the world. Fake bearings not only ‘dupe’ end users into thinking they are purchasing quality products at reduced prices, they carry the risk of premature and potentially dangerous failure. In the current inflationary climate, budgetary pressures are driving many bearing users to shop around for irresistible bargains, but these often come at a far higher price. Low-quality counterfeit bearings will fail long before their expected service life, sometimes catastrophically, compromising the safety of expensive capital assets and humans. In almost all cases, using fake bearings leads to higher lifecycle costs, not to mention the costs associated with subsequent damage to company/brand reputation. Steel quality is often the differentiating factor, where a disparity in operating life of up to 20 times (between genuine and counterfeit) is not uncommon. Some bearing users also increase their vulnerability to counterfeits by employing subcontractors for equipment repairs on assets such as electric motors, pumps, gearboxes and fans. Unless subcontractors are vetted to check they understand the risks and have appropriate controls in place, they may inadvertently purchase and install counterfeit bearings during maintenance or refurbishment. In the interest of self-protection against the dangers of fake industrial bearings, the advice is to always buy from authorised NSK distributors. NSK only works with distributors who have the knowledge and experience needed to meet the expected standards, and act in accordance with NSK ethical and compliance policies. In short, only by purchasing from authorised distributors can customers get the expected premium quality of NSK products and services. PR Ref. S032022-N | 1/3 1/3 There are of course some tell-tale signs that can help customers to identify a fake bearing. Aside from a price that looks too good to be true, look out for packaging that features the incorrect logo, markings, branding, stickers, holograms, bar coding or manufacturer codes/dates. Also, check whether the bearing carries the correct part number etching. Poor machining quality is another giveaway of bogus bearings. As a further protective measure, why not download the free WBA (World Bearings Association) app from www.stopfakebearings.com. NSK is a proud member of the WBA and helped to develop the app in conjunction with other global bearing manufacturers. Simply scan the barcode on the packaging to confirm the authenticity of the bearings. If an NSK bearing does not carry a code (not all products have one yet), but there is a suspicion of counterfeiting, please contact NSK immediately. Although counterfeit bearings are rare in the market, NSK’s advice is clear: only buy from authorised distributors to ensure the receipt of factory-fresh, genuine, premium NSK bearings that provide optimum performance levels and negate the need for bearing checks. Press picture About NSK Europe NSK Europe Ltd. is the European organisation of the Tokyo-based bearing manufacturer NSK, which was founded in Japan in 1916 and today employs nearly 30,580 people in its worldwide operations. The products and solutions provided by the industrial and automotive supplier can be found wherever things move. In addition to nearly all types of rolling bearings, the company’s portfolio includes housed bearings, linear technology, wheel bearing units, transmission and engine bearings and steering systems. The company is oriented to perfection in all of its business activities. Its aim is quality leadership in its industry, which it strives for through a continuous process of improvement, excellent product development, optimised production processes and customer-oriented service processes. In fiscal year 2021, the more than 4,250 employees of NSK Europe Ltd. generated sales of over € 818 million.

Canon’s portable and versatile new RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM and RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM capture extraordinary detail, whether shooting macro photography or expansive environments

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Canon (www.Canon-CNA.com) today announces the launch of two new affordable full frame RF lenses, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM and RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM. The RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM is a lightweight, bright f/1.8 prime lens featuring a 24mm focal length, and the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM is an ultra-wide angle zoom lens covering a range of focal lengths from 15-30mm. Continuing the expansion of the RF series of lenses, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM and RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM feature the same advanced optical technology and superior handling for sharp, high-quality imagery, even when shooting on the go. Versatile lenses, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM and RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM are suited to a variety of genres of photography and vlogging, enabling users to unleash their creativity and instinctively capture each shot.

Introducing the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM; Sharp, light, wide

The RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM is a compact and versatile wide-angle 24mm prime lens, made possible by the intelligent design of Canon’s RF mount. A fast, bright, image stabilised lens, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM excels in low light scenarios with a f/1.8 maximum aperture and circular, 9-blade design. This also creates a beautifully soft background, that makes the subject stand out sharply in the image. When used with an APS-C sensor camera, this lens also gives an effective focal length similar to 35mm.

Weighing just 270g and featuring a gear type STM motor which enables fast and quiet focusing in a small form factor, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM is perfect for travel and landscape photographers wanting to shoot on the go. With a minimum focusing distance of 14cm (0.5x magnification), this lens offers huge creative potential, enabling photographers and vloggers to focus extremely close to their subject, while still being able to capture the wider environment around it.

The RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM offers superb optical performance and enhanced operation. Equipped with a customisable Lens Control Ring, photographers can easily fine tune ISO, aperture and switch between AF methods. With a dedicated focus ring, this model also gives greater control during manual focusing. When used with compatible cameras, the lens information is displayed to offer even greater focusing assistance with the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM. With 11 elements in 9 groups, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM employs super spectra coating to prevent ghosting and flare, for high-quality images every time. Offering super smooth and steady stills and videos, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM employs a 5-stop Optical Image Stabilizer which increases to 6.5-stops of IS when used alongside an EOS R series body featuring In Body Image Stabilizer.

Expand your view with the ultra-wide RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM

Providing the flexibility of a range of popular focal lengths, the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM boasts an incredible 15 – 30mm focal range which is perfect for capturing travel, landscapes or vlogs. This ultra-wide-angle lens means photographers and vloggers can get more into each shot, to capture the full context and scale of subjects such as buildings and stunning natural landscapes. The RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM has a 5.5-stop Optical Image Stabilizer which allows longer shutter speeds for hand-held shooting and slick video. When used with an EOS R System body featuring In Body Image Stabilizer, users can obtain up to an incredible 7 stops for steady, shake free stills and video. Perfect for shooting on the go, the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM weighs just 390g and offers a compact, robust design. Featuring a leadscrew-type STM focusing motor, the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM can quickly focus on fast moving subjects. This exceptionally quiet STM motor is also well suited for capturing video, giving vloggers and content creators the tools to film like a pro.

A versatile lens, the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM also has fantastic macro capabilities. Photographers can experiment with the manual focus to discover the world up close and in incredible detail, thanks to the 0.52x magnification of this lens [1]. The new optical design of the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM features aspherical and precision moulded elements and lens coatings, to capture every detail. A combined Focus and Lens Control Ring allows users to manipulate settings without ever taking their eye off the scene or subject.

Advanced technology for more creative freedom

Building on the RF series’ sophisticated design, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM and RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM feature advanced lens technology in a lightweight and easily portable size, to capture exceptionally sharp images anywhere. With its wide-angle and fast aperture, that lets photographers shoot high quality stills and video, even in low light, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM is the perfect choice for those wanting to explore the world around them through the quality of a fixed focal length lens. For those wanting more creative freedom, the ultra-wide zoom range and close focusing capabilities of the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM mean users can turn their lens to everything from vast landscapes to tiny details.

Compatible with the EOS R, EOS RP and EOS R6, these lenses will also be a great addition to Canon’s new APS-C models, the EOS R7 and EOS R10, thanks to the wide-angle focal lengths.

Click here to find out more about the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (https://bit.ly/3RxGMk6) and RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM (https://bit.ly/3ccLBPF)

RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM Key Features:
Compact 24mm prime lens
Large f/1.8 aperture with 9 blades
5-stop Optical Image Stabilizer (CIPA standards)
6.5-stop Combined Image Stabilizer with selected EOS R Bodies (CIPA standards)
Compact and lightweight at just 270g
Gear type STM motor
14cm minimum focusing distance with 0.5x magnification
RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Key Features:
Ultra-wide-angle zoom lens offering 15-30mm focal range
5.5-stop Optical Image Stabilizer (CIPA standards)
7-stop Combined Image Stabilizer with selected EOS R Bodies (CIPA standards)
Lightweight lens at 390g
Leadscrew type STM motor
Maximum magnification of 0.52x[1]
[1] At a 15mm focal length in MF mode.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

Media enquiries, please contact:
Canon Central and North Africa
Mai Youssef
E-mail: Mai.youssef@canon-me.com

APO Group – PR Agency
Rania ElRafie
E-mail: Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com

About Canon Central and North Africa:
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2015 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.

Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.

Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (https://bit.ly/3O3GZIY) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.