Canon Patent: Improved IBIS For Shooting HDR Photos

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Here we are with another rather interesting Canon patent application: better IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation) for shooting HDR photos.

Canon patent application 2021-089387 discusses how to improve IBIS during automatic exposure bracketing, for instance to take HDR pictures. This is to compensate differences between the single images because of movement. From the patent literature:

The present invention relates to a technique for performing a plurality of times of photographing for acquiring images used for image synthesis while suppressing image blurring of an image.

Background of invention:

In the dynamic range expansion processing of an image signal, for example, a plurality of signals having different output conditions are combined to generate a high dynamic range (hereinafter, also referred to as HDR) image signal. In an imaging apparatus, a photographing for synthesizing a plurality of images having different still image exposure periods is known, and is referred to as HDR photographing hereinafter. Since a plurality of photographing operations are performed in HDR photographing, a time required for completing all photographing operations becomes longer than a time required for photographing 1 images.

When HDR photographing is performed by an imaging device having an image blur correction function for correcting image blur of a captured image due to camera shake or the like, HDR photographing is possible while performing image blur correction. In this case, since it is necessary to perform image blur correction for a long time, a limit of a correction range related to an image blur correction lens (hereinafter, also referred to as a correction lens) becomes a problem. In other words, when the drive control of the correction lens in the imaging optical system is performed on the basis of a detection signal such as camera shake, it is impossible to perform the image blur correction beyond the movable range of the correction lens. Thus, when the image blur correction amount reaches the limit of the movable range (correction stroke limit), no further image blur correction effect is obtained.
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More Canon patents are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

Canon Patent: More RF mount lenses, RF 27mm f/1.4 And RF 35mm f/1.4

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And yet another Canon patent for RF-mount lenses spotted by asobinet.com. An RF 27mm f/1.4 and an RF 35mm f/1.4.

From the patent abstract:

In recent years, image pickup devices such as digital still cameras, video cameras, surveillance cameras, broadcasting cameras, and silver halide photography cameras using a solid-state image sensor have become more sophisticated. As an optical system used for this, the entire focus group is required to be miniaturized. Further, there is a demand for an optical system capable of satisfactorily correcting chromatic aberration, curvature of field, etc. at the time of shooting at the nearest distance while increasing the shooting magnification when focusing from infinity to the nearest distance. Further, with the shift to mirrorless large format cameras, there is a demand for a lens having a short back focus, a small size, and a large aperture. As an optical system that satisfies these requirements, a lens group having a positive refractive power, a focus lens group having a positive refractive power, and a focus lens group having a positive refractive power, which are arranged in order from the object side to the image side, are used.

It seems keeping thing small and light-weighted is a major topic in Canon’s R&D department.

Optical formulas for the 27mm lens:

Example 1

  • Focal length 26.79
  • F number 1.44
  • Half angle of view (°) 38.93
  • Image height 21.64
  • Lens overall length 134.78
  • BF 13.00

Example 2

  • Focal length 26.62
  • F number 1.44
  • Half angle of view (°) 39.10
  • Image height 21.64
  • Lens overall length 131.96
  • BF 20.00

Example 5

  • Focal length 26.70
  • F number 1.44
  • Half angle of view (°) 39.02
  • Image height 21.64
  • Lens overall length 133.24
  • BF 20.00

Optical formulas for the 35mm lens:

Example 3

  • Focal length 33.73
  • F number 1.44
  • Half angle of view (°) 32.68
  • Image height 21.64
  • Lens overall length 143.92
  • BF 20.00

Example 4

  • Focal length 33.87
  • F number 1.44
  • Half angle of view (°) 32.57
  • Image height 21.64
  • Lens overall length 131.26
  • BF 16.49

Canon Patent Shows What Might Be The Canon EOS R1 (with special grip)

Canon Eos R1
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Here is a very interesting patent. It describes a special, ergonomic grip on a camera that might well be the Canon EOS R1 flagship mirrorless camera. Oh, and don’t get fooled: the patent was spotted by asobinet.com. Edit: as reader Ross E. Forp correctly states in the comment section, it might also be the Canon EOS R5c.

From the patent application abstract:

To secure good grip in any of a horizontal position and a vertical position, and to perform imaging without a risk of dropping the device when changing from a vertical position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

The special grip has the function to allow to hold the camera more firmly.

the shape of the grip is very special, and it seems that good handling is realized despite the thin design by opening a cavity in the camera

But there is more. The camera depicted in the patent drawings seems to have intake and exhaust openings that could point to an active cooling system (120a and 120b in the drawings). However, the patent literature appears to describe them as toiuch sensor (some kind of touch bar?).

asobinet.com made a quick size comparison with the EOS R3, and it shows the camera in the patent is bigger.

Image courtesy of asobinet.com

What do you think, is this the Canon EOS R1?

Canon Patent: RF 100-400mm f/5.0-7.1, RF 100-300mm f/5.6-8.2

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Here is another Canon patent application, as usual spotted by asobinet.com. Two more RF-mount lenses are discussed.

The Canon patent application discusses optical formulas for RF 100-400mm f/5.0-7.1, RF 100-300mm f/5.6-8.2 and RF-S 55-250mm f/4.5-7.1 lenses. Note that the last one has an “RF-S”.

The RF 100-400mm f/5.0-7.1 and RF 100-300mm f/5.6-8.2 seem to be inexpensive telephoto lenses for a full frame mirrorless camera, i.e. the EOS R. The RF-S 55-250mm f/4.5-7.1 is clearly designed for an APS-C sensor, according to asobinet.com. Hence, it might be for the EOS M system, or for the fabled EOS R with crop sensor.

Embodiment 1:

  • Wide-angle intermediate telephoto
  • Focal length 103.00 200.00 388.50
  • F number 5.00 6.26 7.10
  • Half angle of view (degrees) 11.86 6.17 3.19
  • Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64
  • Lens overall length 215.58 255.38 293.58
  • BF 38.40 58.61 78.01

Embodiment 2:

  • Wide-angle intermediate telephoto
  • Focal length 103.01 200.00 388.50
  • F number 5.00 6.45 7.10
  • Half angle of view (degrees) 11.86 6.17 3.19
  • Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64
  • Lens overall length 207.99 243.96 285.99
  • BF 45.82 78.95 112.66

Embodiment 3:

  • Wide-angle intermediate telephoto
  • Focal length 103.00 200.00 388.48
  • F number 5.18 6.70 8.24
  • Half angle of view (degrees) 11.86 6.17 3.19
  • Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64
  • Lens overall length 203.50 243.44 273.50
  • BF 41.10 76.59 114.00

Embodiment 4 (for APS-C sensor):

  • Wide-angle intermediate telephoto
  • Focal length 56.66 120.00 242.50
  • F number 4.66 6.45 7.10
  • Half angle of view (degrees) 13.55 6.49 3.22
  • Image height 13.66 13.66 13.66
  • Lens overall length 129.73 155.54 184.73
  • BF 19.19 43.59 64.21

Ideas and comments are welcome.

More Canon patents are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

Canon Patent: 22mm, 24mm, 33mm, 35mm, all f/1.4, For The RF Mount

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And here is a new Canon patent application for lenses for the RF mount: 22mm, 24mm, 33mm, 35mm, and all are f/1.4.

Canon patent application 2021-113905A (spotted by High Lows Note) discusses optical formulas for the following RF-mount lenses:

  • RF 22mm f/1.4
  • RF 24mm f/1.4
  • RF 33mm f/1.4
  • RF 35mm f/1.4

Here they are:

Embodiment 1

  • FOCAL LENGTH (MM): 35.00
  • F NUMBER: 1.42
  • HALF ANGLE OF VIEW (DEGREE): 31.73
  • IMAGE HEIGHT (MM): 21.64
  • LENS LENGTH (MM): 126.05
  • BACK FOCUS (MM): 11.06

Embodiment 2:

  • FOCAL LENGTH (MM): 35.00
  • F NUMBER: 1.42
  • HALF ANGLE OF VIEW (DEGREE): 31.72
  • IMAGE HEIGHT (MM): 21.64
  • LENS LENGTH (MM): 128.31
  • BACK FOCUS (MM): 11.06

Embodiment 3

  • FOCAL LENGTH (MM): 34.99
  • F NUMBER: 1.43
  • HALF ANGLE OF VIEW (DEGREE): 31.73
  • IMAGE HEIGHT (MM): 21.64
  • LENS LENGTH (MM): 123.63
  • BACK FOCUS (MM): 11.06

Embodiment 4:

  • FOCAL LENGTH (MM): 24.17
  • F NUMBER: 1.42
  • HALF ANGLE OF VIEW (DEGREE): 41.83
  • IMAGE HEIGHT (MM): 21.64
  • LENS LENGTH (MM): 124.64
  • BACK FOCUS (MM): 11.06

Embodiment 5:

  • FOCAL LENGTH (MM): 33.11
  • F NUMBER: 1.42
  • HALF ANGLE OF VIEW (DEGREE): 33.17
  • IMAGE HEIGHT (MM): 21.64
  • LENS LENGTH (MM): 126.01
  • BACK FOCUS (MM): 11.06

Embodiment 6:

  • FOCAL LENGTH (MM): 33.03
  • F NUMBER: 1.42
  • HALF ANGLE OF VIEW (DEGREE): 33.23
  • IMAGE HEIGHT (MM): 21.64
  • LENS LENGTH (MM): 125.39
  • BACK FOCUS (MM): 11.06

Embodiment 7:

  • FOCAL LENGTH (MM): 34.99
  • F NUMBER: 1.43
  • HALF ANGLE OF VIEW (DEGREE): 31.73
  • IMAGE HEIGHT (MM): 21.64
  • LENS LENGTH (MM): 122.18
  • BACK FOCUS (MM): 11.06

Embodiment 8:

  • FOCAL LENGTH (MM): 22.00
  • F NUMBER: 1.42
  • HALF ANGLE OF VIEW (DEGREE): 44.52
  • IMAGE HEIGHT (MM): 21.64
  • LENS LENGTH (MM): 125.60
  • BACK FOCUS (MM): 11.06

More Canon patents are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

Canon Patent: Imaging Sensor Protection Mechanism

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Here is an interesting Canon patent: a mechanism to protect the sensor from dust and dirt while no lens is attached.

Canon patent application P2021-103248A discusses a technology able to protect the imaging sensor of a camera from dust and dirt when no lens is mounted (e.g. while changing lens). From the patent literature:

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup apparatus with a barrier mechanism capable of being arranged in a small space while avoiding interference with components other than the barrier mechanism.

When the interchangeable lens is removed from the interchangeable lens type image pickup device (camera), dust may enter the camera through the opening of the mount and adhere to the image pickup element. Therefore, the image pickup device may be equipped with a barrier mechanism that protects the image pickup element by closing the opening of the mount. Patent Document 1 discloses a barrier mechanism configured such that a barrier closes an opening of a mount when the lens is not attached and the barrier is opened by rotation when the lens is attached.

As asobinet.com rightfully notices, the patent is not for a “compact shutter unit”, as wrongfully stated by some sites:

Some overseas information sites misrepresent it as a “compact shutter unit”, but it is just a shutter mechanism for “sensor protection” and a technology to prevent dust from adhering to the sensor when changing lenses. is. The compact sensor barrier seems to be a space-saving design that suppresses interference with other parts.

More Canon patents are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these: