Canon Patent: RF 100-300mm F2.8 Telephoto Zoom Lens

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Here is a new Canon patent application, yet for another RF mount lens. A rather interesting one, although it refers to ab already released lens: the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM.

Canon patent application 2023117937 (Japan, published 8/24/2023) discusses optical formulas for a fast telephoto zoom lens, a telephoto zoom that keeps f/2.8 over the zoom range.

Excerpt from the patent literature:

A zoom lens, an imaging device having the same, and an imaging system.

An object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight zoom lens that has high optical performance over the entire zoom range and all object distances.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, zoom lenses used in image pickup apparatuses are required to have high optical performance at all object distances from infinity to the shortest distance, and to be quiet during focusing. In order to meet these demands, a zoom lens has been proposed that performs focusing by moving two lens groups along different trajectories (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In a large-aperture telephoto zoom lens with a long focal length and a small F-number, if the focus group is arranged near the diaphragm or closer to the object side than the diaphragm, the lens diameter of the focus group increases, making it difficult to reduce the weight . As a result, the load on the actuator for driving the focus group increases, making it difficult to perform quiet and high-speed focusing. In order to reduce the weight of the focus group, it is important to appropriately set the arrangement of the focus group and the refractive power of the front and rear lens groups.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight zoom lens that has high optical performance over the entire zoom range and object distance.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 103.00-292.00
  • F-value: 2.89-2.91
  • Half angle of view: 11.86-4.24
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 334.46
  • Back focus: 32.73

Example 2

  • Focal length: 120.00-294.00
  • F-value: 2.91
  • Half angle of view: 10.22-4.21
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 350.00
  • Back focus: 37.47

As I said at the beginning, the Canon patent application refers to an already released lens. More Canon patent applications are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: Smaller Form Factor For Built-in Teleconverter

Canon Patent
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Here is a new Canon patent application. I rather interesting one.

Canon patent application 2023118490 (Japan, published 8.25.2023) discusses methods and technology for a built-in teleconverter with a smaller form factor, i.e. the miniaturization of the teleconverter.

From the patent literature:

A large space is required for inserting or retracting a conversion lens inside an optical device, making it difficult to miniaturize the optical device.

Description of the Related Art

In optical equipment such as digital cameras, video cameras, and interchangeable lenses, it is known that the focal length range can be changed by inserting a conversion lens into the optical path.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for moving a conversion lens built into a camera body between an insertion position inserted into an optical path and a retracted position retracted out of the optical path. The built-in conversion lens described here is retracted in the space between the prism that guides the subject image to the finder and the strobe that is stored above the lens barrel.

However, the built-in conversion lens described in Patent Document 1 is moved to the retracted position using a dedicated actuator. Therefore, a space for arranging the actuator inside the lens is required, and it is difficult to suppress the enlargement of the lens.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an optical apparatus that has a built-in conversion lens so that a space for inserting or withdrawing the built-in conversion lens can be secured while suppressing an increase in the size of the lens. for the purpose.

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Set To Release Up To 10 New RF/RF-S Lenses Within March 2024?

Nab 2023 Canon Eos R5 Mark Ii Canon Eos R8 Mark Ii Canon EOS Rf 24-50mm R6 Mark Ii Rf Mount Eos R6 Mark Ii Rf 300mm Rf 35mm Canon Eos R100 Rf 24mm F/1.8 Rf-s Canon Eos R7 Eos R100 Canon High Resolution Eos R R10 Eos C5 Canon Canon Eos R1 Eos R5c Canon Rf 16mm Rf 35mm F/1.2L EF Lenses Tilt-shift Lenses Rumor
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Another new Canon lens rumor by the usual suspects. Canon is now said to release 8-10 new RF/RF-S lenses before March 2024.

Absolutely no information about what lenses to expect. Says the source:

We expect at least 2 lenses to be announced later this month and possibly a second lens announcement later in 2023. We haven’t yet confirmed which lenses will be announced and when. Sources made it seem like there are a lot just waiting to be announced. We won’t pretend to fully understand the how’s, why’s and when’s of product announcements.

February 2024 is also the annual CP+ show in Yokohama, Japan, and Canon loves to show off new goodies on their home turf, a show we also expect Canon to show off a couple of new higher-end cameras.

We have been told to expect between 8-10 new RF/RF-S lenses between now and March of 2024.

It is clear to anyone who watches the industry that Canon will release a lot of new RF/RF-S lenses. They also said it in various interviews. So, not a real rumor, despite being sold as such.

Stay tuned.

Source: Canon Rumors

Is Meike Set To Announce The First Third Party RF Mount Lens With Official AF Support?

Meike
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It seems that Chinese manufacturer Meike is going to release the first RF mount lens with Canon-licensed AF implementation, the Meike AF 85mm F1.4.

The is said to get released to the public in August 2023, after the 30th Beijing International Radio, Film and Television Exhibition (BIRTV) on August 23-26, 2023. These are the specifications:

  • Multi-standard, Nikon Z, Sony E
  • 13 elements in 8 groups
  • 77mm filter diameter
  • 12 aperture blades
  • Shortest shooting distance: 0.98m
  • AF/MF selector switch
  • Fn button
  • Weight: 800g
  • E/Z/RF/L mount
  • L-mount AF lens from China
  • in the hands of some photographers
  • Scheduled to be released in August

In a recent interview, Canon execs indeed said they will open the RF mount to third party manufacturers.

[via asobinet]

This Is Nikon’s Retro-looking FF Mirrorless Camera, The Nikon Zf

Nikon Zfc
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Nikon is set to release a retro-looking full-frame mirrorless camera. Here are some leaked images.

The upcoming Nikon Zf looks rather similar to the Nikon Zfc. Some specifications leaked too:

  • August-September Announcements
  • Ship by end of 2023 for Q4 revenue
  • Color: Black
  • 24.4 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor
  • 700g
  • Size: 144×101mm
  • In-body image stabilization
    Shutter speed: ~1/8000 seconds
    Shutter method: Manual/Electronic shutter/
    Auto
  • Continuous shooting speed: ~30fps (JPEG/HEIF)
  • 4K 60p
  • USB-C PD compatible
  • ISO 100-64000
  • EN-EL15 battery
  • Z logo moved left
  • Dual memory card slots
    SD + Micro SD
  • Pixel shift shooting
  • Improved AF compared to Z5/Z6II
  • August-September announcement, launch by the end of 2023
  • Body only price: $1,999
  • One of the kit lenses is the Z 40mm F2 (SE)
  • Design/layout is very similar to Z fc
  • Equipped with a small LCD screen for aperture display on the top
  • Has a small grip/bump like Df
  • Better build quality compared to Nikon Zfc
  • vari-angle monitor
  • Codename N2137
[via asobinet]

Canon Interview: Opening RF Mount To Others, Retro Camera, New Lenses

Canon Firmware Updates Viltrox Eos R7 Eos R10 Reuters Canon Cameras Europe Canon Eos R1 Eos R Rf 14-35mm Olympic Games Ef-mount Rudy Winston
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During Photo & Imaging show in Shanghai, Canon executives gave interviews.

Here are some machine translated excerpts.

What are the advantages of Canon lenses?

  • Canon has an extremely well-developed research and development environment that contributes to the development of better camera and lens products. Specifically, we have three large environments: first, design, second, test, and third, production.
  • First of all, in terms of design, we have built our own optical design system and a very good simulation system, which allows us to design highly accurate camera and lens products in a relatively short time.
  • In addition, in the inspection and production environment, we have built Canon’s own thorough inspection system and production system. Since the technology in this field is becoming more and more mature, each product is carefully polished and specially processed according to the needs of the final realization, so Canon’s products are of high quality and high performance.

Other companies have released their lens roadmaps, but does Canon have plans to release similar roadmaps?

  • Canon currently has no plans to announce future lens roadmaps. The reason is that we always want to be able to surprise our consumers.
  • Being able to announce the roadmap in advance gives customers a predictable way of knowing that some of these lenses will come in the future. However, Canon wants to surprise customers.

RF-S lenses are still relatively few at this stage. Will more RF-S lenses be released? Is there a lens roadmap for the Tokyo head office?

  • I am very sorry that I cannot introduce it here because it is related to concrete future product planning.
  • However, it is certain that we will consider further enhancement of RF-S lenses in the future.

Are there any plans for Canon to open up the RF mount, and if so, after Canon has basically completed building the RF lens family?

  • As always, I cannot answer specific future research and development plans at this time.
  • Although still limited to a few companies, Canon has already opened up the RF mount to third-party lens manufacturers through licensing.
  • If we receive a request for an open mount from a third-party lens manufacturer, we will consider whether to license it according to Canon’s own business plan and strategy.
  • In fact, we are in contact with several third-party lens companies in this regard.
  • We separate whether or not to open the RF door to third parties and whether or not Canon’s own product line is complete.

Canon has a lot of bodies that go down in history, do you have any plans or ideas to release a retro camera? 

  • In conclusion, I can’t say yes or no, but you are right that some consumers prefer some of the best-selling models in the past, their design and appearance.

  • Also, you can see that we have listened to the voices and requests of our customers and made improvements to our EOS body, whether it be appearance or operability. It is very important to me that there is a consumer base that wants a retro body, but unfortunately I have no more information to share.

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