Canon Patent: Zoom Lens That Shrinks When Zooming To Telephoto

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A new Canon patent application. A lens that becomes shorter when you zoom to the telephoto end. Usually it is the opposite.

asobinet.com spotted this Canon patent application. The lens seems to have f2.8/f4 and covers the standard focal length. Interesting lens but I don’t think it will ever go into production.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY: A zoom lens and an image pickup device having the same.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a zoom lens having a large aperture ratio and a small size but having high optical performance, and an image pickup apparatus having the same.

In recent years, with the increasing functionality of image pickup devices, there is a demand for a compact and lightweight zoom lens having a large aperture ratio. As a zoom lens that satisfies this requirement, a negative lead type zoom lens in which a lens group having a negative refractive power is arranged on the most object side is known.

An object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens having a large aperture ratio and a small size but having high optical performance, and an image pickup apparatus having the same.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 28.84-67.90
  • F value: 2.91
  • Half angle of view: 32.65-17.67
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 149.46-115.94
  • Back focus: 13.48-27.78

Example 3

  • Focal length: 28.84-60.00
  • F value: 4.12
  • Half angle of view: 32.68-19.83
  • Image height: 18.50-21.64
  • Overall length: 141.33-104.61
  • Back focus: 19.70-35.51

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

Industry News: Zeiss Celebrates 175 Years Since Its Founding

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Could this be the oldest optics brand of the planet. Any expert out there?

Zeiss celebrates the 175 years anniversary of he company foundation. Lotsa years. Zeiss makes some fine lenses for Canon mounts but they are not inexpensive.

Zeiss press release:

ZEISS Celebrates 175 Years of Innovation, Passion and the Courage to Develop

ZEISS ran a virtual celebration to mark its 175th anniversary at its founding site in Jena.

  • German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: “Its interplay of entrepreneurial spirit, drive to research, and inventiveness make the ZEISS Group a pioneer of modern industry.”
  • After a 5-million-euro donation to the Deutsches Museum, the global initiative “A Heart for Science” will serve as inspiration for tomorrow’s discoveries

Jena/ Oberkochen, Germany | 17 November | ZEISS Group

175 years ago, on 17 November 1846, young mechanic Carl Zeiss opened his workshop for precision mechanics and optics in Jena, thus laying the foundation for what would become ZEISS.

To mark this special day, the company ran a celebration event, the highlight of a jam-packed anniversary year. The virtual event took place on 16 November 2021 at the Volkshaus, in the company’s founding city Jena. During the virtual event, Dr. Karl Lamprecht, President and CEO of the ZEISS Group, praised the company’s successful past, celebrated its present and shared his outlook on the future.

“ZEISS’ unique history and its exceptional achievements make it a truly extraordinary company. Its 175 years also demonstrate the company’s high level of resilience and its willingness to accept change. And, above all, ZEISS’ tremendous passion, coupled with its pioneering spirit and its pragmatism in challenging and pushing the limits of the technically feasible,” said Dr. Lamprecht. “175 years of ZEISS are more than just a historical milestone in our corporate history. It’s also what motivates us to look ahead and help contribute to a bright future shaped by technological innovations.”

In a video message, German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier congratulated all ZEISS employees around the world: “175 years of ZEISS is much more than an anniversary. Its interplay of entrepreneurial spirit, drive to research, and inventiveness make the ZEISS Group a pioneer of modern industry.” The President underlined ZEISS’ responsibility as a foundation-owned company: “Thanks to Ernst Abbe’s visionary realization that economic success, scientific progress and social cohesion all go together, he set up the Carl Zeiss Foundation and thus paved the way for the company to take entrepreneurial responsibility for the common good.” He also expressed his conviction that we most definitely need this collaboration between science and industry to achieve goals like climate neutrality as well as to safeguard jobs and ensure social welfare.

“As ZEISS’ sole shareholder, the Carl Zeiss Foundation benefits in particular from the economic success of its foundation company,” said Minister Theresia Bauer, Chair of the Carl Zeiss Foundation Administration, adding: “Upwards of 300 million euros have been invested in more than 700 research projects since 2007 alone. This makes it one of the largest private foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science. I’d like to thank all our employees for enabling us to promote science through their innovative power,” said Dr. Dieter Kurz, Chairman of the Carl Zeiss Foundation Council and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss AG and SCHOTT AG. He analyzed the reasons behind ZEISS’s success: “ZEISS 175 is the fascinating story of an evolution from a small workshop with just one employee in Jena to a global market leader for the optics industry that employs 35,000 people. However, it’s a success story that’s not as straightforward as it looks today. In fact, it’s a story packed with twists and turns, ups and downs. Its long-term success has been possible because core virtues, values and skills have always been protected, while plenty of other aspects have been reinvented time and again. This is part of ZEISS’ innovation culture.”

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Vehicle AF Coming To Canon EOS R5 and R6 With Next Firmware Update

Canon Firmware Canon EOS R6 Review Camera Sales
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It seems that Canon might add a new autofocus mode to the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 through a firmware update.

Canon latest press release tells the company will release a firmware update for the EOS R5 and EOS R6. Besides receiving updates to eye and face detection AF, both cameras will also get “vehicle AF”. Both cameras will also get “SMOOTH EVF”, a special mode for when you are shooting in dark settings. The firmware update is expected for the end of November or the beginning of December. All new features coming with the firmware update are described below.

Canon press release:

Canon brings the precision and simplicity of the EOS R3 to its range of professional cameras

London, United Kingdom, 16ᵗʰ November 2021 – Canon Europe today announces firmware updates for the EOS R5 (firmware v1.50), EOS R6 (firmware v1.50) and EOS-1D X Mark III (firmware v1.60). Following the recent launch of the EOS R3, a powerhouse for sport and reportage photography, Canon bolsters its professional range of cameras with enhanced detection, seamless file transfer and optimized support for lenses.

Unrivalled detection for subject tracking

Across both the EOS R5 and EOS R6, this update delivers enhanced recognition of subjects. Users of these cameras are now able to select “vehicles” as the main subject. Inheriting this abilty from the  EOS R3, the cameras can track racing cars and bikes. The update also enhances the overall AF tracking of people, with improved eye and face detection even when the subject is wearing a mask, as well as adding body detection. Strengthening detection within the EOS-1D X Mark III for winter sports, the firmware provides improved head detection for subjects wearing goggles and helmets.

Simplified operation for streamlined workflows

For professional photographers, their camera needs to operate as an extension of them, with seamless and intuitive functionality to help them capture the shot. This upgrade gives EOS R5 and EOS R6 owners the ability to set a custom white balance in Live View, streamlining manual white balance control. Across all models, the firmware ensures that photographers aren’t able to mistakenly transfer files by pressing the multi-controller when “Transfer with SET” is set for FTP transfer. Previously, the EOS-1D X Mark III employed separate buttons for voice memo and image rating, but with newly added settings users can use one button to do both functions simultaneously.

Enhanced support for lenses

As the RF lens range continues to grow, photographers are able to unlock new possibilities with their cameras. Thanks to this latest update, the EOS R5 is now compatible with Canon’s EOS VR SYSTEM and the RF 5.2mm F2.8L DUAL FISHEYE lens, enabling content creators to easily capture immersive footage for virtual reality. The update also offers full-time manual support for the RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM¹, even if AF is selected.

Firmware update summary:

No.UpdateEOS R5EOS R6EOS-1D X Mark III
1Change the settings for “simultaneous recording” and “current drive” during remote operationXXX
2Disable the multi-controller for FTP transferXXX
3Change the default from Active to Passive with the FTP Server Passive Mode SettingXXX
4Enhanced recognition of subjects, including vehicle and body detectionXX 
5Improved Face/ Eye Detection with masksXX 
6Added White Capture Mode in Live View (Manual White Balance)XX 
7Added EVF Smooth to suppress lower frame rates in low lightXX 
8Full-time manual focus support for RF 70-200 mm F4L IS USMXX 
9RF 5.2mm F2.8L DUAL FISHEYE supportX  
10Added settings to enable image rating and voice memo to be set at the same time  X
11Change the Default Power Saving Settings for FTP Transfers from “use” to “not use”  X
12Enhanced Head Detection for winter sports athletes wearing goggles  X

Save On Lexar Professional 1066x SDXC Memory Cards (2 options, today only)

Lexar Professional
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Only for today (11/16/2021) B&H Photo has some solid discounts on Lexar Professional 1066x UHS-I SDXC Memory Cards (SILVER Series, 2-Pack).

At a glance:

  • UHS-I / V30 / U3 / Class 10Max Read Speed: 160 MB/s
  • Max Write Speed: 70 MB/s
  • Min Write Speed: 30 MB/s
  • Records Full HD, 3D, and 4K Video
  • Water / Shock / Vibration / X-Ray Proof
  • Can Withstand Temperature Extremes
  • Built-In Write Protect Switch

Two options are avalaible:

Hand-picked deals are listed here.

Deal pages:

Refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store (best deals might be found here)

Save $10 on Luminar 4 and/or Aurora HDR 2019 using our code “WATCH” at checkout.

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Canon Says The EOS R3 Is “expected to take a lot of time”, Release On 27 November?

Canon Eos R3 Review Canon Cameras Eos R1
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Canon released a statement where they apologies for the upcoming delay in shipping the Canon EOS R3. And the say it will start sales on November 27, 2021.

Sounds conflicting, isn’t it? From the machine translated text below: “the camera body EOS R3 and RF lens RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM announced this year are expected to take a lot of time“. In our interpretation that means that not all EOS R3 order can be fulfilled in the expected time. Sales of the EOS R3 will start on November 27, 2021, according to asobinet.com. Guess it’s first in, first out, with a lot of orders on backorder.

Canon press release:

Apology and guidance regarding the supply status of products

Updated: November 16, 2021
Publication date: July 10, 2020

Thank you for your continued patronage of Canon products.

Currently, regarding the supply of each of the following products, we have received more orders than expected, and due to the influence of the worldwide supply of parts, we are causing a great deal of inconvenience to our customers. In particular, the camera body EOS R3 and RF lens RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM announced this year are expected to take a lot of time. Even if you are considering purchasing the following products, it may take longer than usual to deliver.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to customers who are looking forward to our products. We will continue to take measures to ensure a stable supply of products so that we can deliver our products as soon as possible. Thank you kindly look forward for your understanding.

Record

[Applicable products]

・ EOS R3

・ RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM

・ RF16mm F2.8 STM

・ RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM

・ RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM

・ Eye cup ER-hE

・ Lens hood EW-65C

Canon EOS R3 at a glance:

  • 24MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Sensor
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, Eye Control AF
  • 6K60 Raw and 4K120 10-Bit Internal Video
  • 30 fps E. Shutter, 12 fps Mech. Shutter
  • 5.76m-Dot EVF with 120 fps Refresh Rate
  • 3.2″ 4.2m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
  • Sensor-Shift 5-Axis Image Stabilization
  • Multi-Function Shoe, Built-In Vert. Grip
  • CFexpress & SD UHS-II Memory Card Slots
  • Wired LAN and 5 GHz Wi-Fi Support

You can download the Canon EOS R3 user manual from Canon. Or you might read it online.

A technical brochure about the EOS R3 is available. You can watch the EOS R3 live-stream again here. All EOS R3 coverage is listed here. We put together some interesting videos about the EOS R3, listed here. Be sure to check Gordon Laing’s in-depth review of the EOS R3, part 1 and part 2. Oh, and don’t forget to listen how the R3’s 30fps sound. Canon EOS R3 product description after the break.

Preorder in the USA ($5,999):
B&H Photo | Adorama

All Canon EOS R3 world-wide preorder links:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

[via CN]

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Sigma Might Soon Release RF Mount Lenses (maybe up to 5 in 2022)

Sigma Canon Eos R Art Prime Rf Mount
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A new RF mount rumor and I won’t hesitate to classify it under “good news”. Sigma will eventually address the RF mount.

Latest rumor has it Sigma might dedicate its resources to the design and production of RF mount lenses. Maybe already in 2022. Sigma in then past said that there is not enough demand for RF mount lenses for them to invest into it. In June 2021, Mr. Kazuto Yamaki (Sigma CEO) said that the RF mount is internally discussed and researched. To most of us this sounded like “we are getting into it”. So it doesn’t wonder that much that now Sigma is rumored to release RF mount lenses soon. However, be aware that “Sigma is going to release RF lenses soon”-rumors go back to 2019 (see here too). This time it might be reliable, though.

The source suggests that Sigma might release up to five RF mount lenses in 2022. I can only hope it will happen. Sigma lenses are exceptional performers for the money, I myself love the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 and wouldn’t want to miss it. But there are so many more awesome Sigma lenses for Canon cameras.

Stay tuned.

Source: Canon Rumors