Canon Patent for a 2mm f/1.4 Weather-Sealed Lens (action camera coming?)

Canon Patent

I totally missed this patent. Found it on Action Camera Rumors while surfing the web.

The patent was spotted by Egami (translated). The patent is for a 2mm f/1.4, weather-sealed lens. Such a lens could be used in surveillance cameras, or, as Action Camera Rumors suggests, for an upcoming action camera made by Canon. I think the lens in the patent will go on some surveillance camera (since Canon is already active in this domain). However, not all patents make into a market product.

Given all the hype around action cameras, who can say Canon is not planning one? Egami also mentions the possibility that such a lens would fit well on an action camera.

Machine translated patent description:

  • Patent Publication No. 2014-197128
    • Published 2014.10.16
    • Filing date 2013.3.29
  • Example
    • Focal length f = 2.03mm
    • Fno. 1.44mm
    • Half angle ω = 59.18 °
    • Image height 3.00mm
    • Overall length of the lens 32.17mm
    • BF 0.51mm
  • Canon patent of
    • Focus position of the periphery of the screen is displaced When mounting the dome cover
    • And suppress the deviation of the focus by changing the air space of the lens, depending on the presence or absence of the dome cover
[Egami via Action Camera Rumors]

Canon’s Upcoming Multi-Layer, Foveon-Like Sensor Made By Sony? (Update)

Foveon-Like Sensor

Update: Jep, here too we got an email stating that “Canon will continue to use Canon sensors”, very soon after this rumor was posted. Since no email came from a known source I would normally not post this update. But then, since this new rumor is floating around…here was the update :-)

Original post:

A very good source told me that the upcoming multi-layer, Foveon-like sensors that was mentioned in a rumor weeks ago will be made by Sony. I give the rumor of a Sony-made Foveon sensor a good possibility to be true. This sensor is said to be featured in two new pro-grade cameras that will be announced in Q1 2015.

Beside that this rumor comes from one of my best sources, I think it is plausible. It would not be the first time that Canon mounts a sensor made by Sony on their cameras. Even if there is no evidence, it is almost sure that the new Canon [shoplink 22665]Powershot G7 X[/shoplink] sports a Sony sensor.

On the other hand, it is a bit disappointing. Canon has research labs and production facilities, and I would prefer if they go on making sensors on their own instead of getting them from others. Especcially if Canon makes more excellent sensors like the one featured on the EOS 7D Mark II.

A note: during a recent interview with DPreview, when asked about the G7 X sensor, a Canon representative said:

Q: […] we’ve learned […] that the sensor in the G7X is not made by Canon. Does this represent a new philosophy at Canon?

A: We select the best sensor, whoever the manufacturer is. That’s our policy.

What do you think?

 

CW Reader Contest – Most Liked Photo of the Week

Photo of the Week
Kelly Carter‎, taken in the Lawrenceville neighborhood with a 7D, 70-40 lens

Round-up of the most liked reader pics of the week. Thank you all for your great pics. 

How it works:

1) Submit your picture with a short description on Canon Watch’s Facebook page
2) Like and comment the pictures from other readers on the Photo Stream
3) A selection of the most liked pictures will be posted every Sunday here on Canon Watch

Show the world what you are able to do with a Canon camera! 


Diego Eidelman Foto‎, 5D Mk III + 16-35mm f/4L IS – Hidden gems @ Buenos Aires

Photo of the Week
John Banyard‎, Blanche Ellis, musician. Mime themed shoot. Kit: Canon 5D MkII, EF24-70mm f/2.8 USM. Shot: ISO 200, 1/160, f/9


Jessi Dunn Photography‎, Railroad tracks and autumn leaves. Photo taken with Canon 5D Mark III and EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II lens.

Photo of the Week
Andre Yabiku‎, Sunset view from Christ the Redeemer at Rio de Janeiro. Shot handheld with 60D + Sigma 17-50 f2.8.


Thomas Emberson‎, I was in Vienna this past Saturday. Took this picture with my 7D, 10-22mm lens, at 10mm, 1/8th second exposure, ISO160, and f/3.5. This was at the Donauisnsel stop on the U1 line.

Photo of the Week
Leanne Chow‎, Pelicans at Eden Wharf, New South Wales, Australia. Shot with Canon 6D, 24mm, f4, ISO100, 1/1250.

Canon EOS Utility, Tethering, and Mac OS X 10.10 (aka Yosemite)

Photofocus:

The current versions of Canon’s tethering software packages EOS Utility 2 and EOS Utility 3 (for the 1Dx, 5DMK3 and 7DMk2) and their RAW processor Digital Photo Professional are not compatible with the latest version of Mac OS X 10.10 aka Yosemite. I’ve spoken to several Canon technical representatives and public relations people who are quietly aware of the issue. They report they have no information about when these applications will be updated. The workaround for those who tether is to use [shoplink 13714]Lightroom[/shoplink].