Canon patent for a lens with two mounts, can be reverse mounted for macro

We may soon see Canon lenses with mounts on both ends. Such a lens could easily be “reverse mounted” on a DSLR, something you usually do with adapters. By reverse mounting a lens you get a strong macro lens.

However, when using reverse mount adapters, you loose all connectivity and hence all electronic settings like AF or automatic aperture and exposure settings are not working. Canon’s patent shows a lens with electric contacts on both ends and that can be mounted in two ways. One lens could thus be used as standard lens and as a very powerful macro lens. Pretty cool, I think. Really hope this patent goes into production soon.

• Patent publication number 2016-206568
  • Release date 2016.12.8
  • Application date 2015.4.28
• Canon patent
  • Reversibly attachable lenses
  • Reverse attachment detection switch
  • Switch control according to installation position

An interchangeable lens switching the aforementioned lens control information according to a place of contact which had the lens control information according to a place of contact attached to two or more places at a camera in a lens which has contact with a camera, and was attached to a camera.
[Claim 2] A camera system switching the aforementioned lens control information according to a place of contact which had the lens control information according to a place of contact attached to two or more places at a camera in a lens which has contact with a camera, and was attached to a camera.

 

[via Egami]