Here is a new Canon patent application, for a bunch of fast primes for the RF-S mount.
Canon patent application P2023130885 (Japan, published 9/21/2023) discusses optical formulas for RF-S mount prime lenses:
11mm F2
13mm F2
22mm F2
30mm F2
From the patent literature:
An object of the present invention is to provide a rear focus optical system that is compact and capable of good aberration correction.
BACKGROUND ART
In imaging, it is required to suppress the generation of noise during zooming and focusing. In order to suppress noise during focusing, the rear focus (inner focus) method, in which focusing is performed by moving the lens group closest to the image side than the lens group closest to the object side, is recommended because it provides the best sound isolation effect from the object side lens. suitable.
Rear focus type optical systems are also required to be compact and have good aberration correction. In order to realize such an optical system, it is necessary to appropriately set the lens arrangement and the focal length of each lens.
The present invention provides a rear focus type optical system that is compact and capable of good aberration correction, and an imaging device equipped with the same.
Canon might be set to release a mark II version of the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens. Might be.
A new rumor surfaced from the interweb of wishes and desires. It says Canon might soon release a new version of the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens for the EOS R camera system.
Says the source of the rumor:
[…] have been told that a lot of Canon sports shooters have stuck with their EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II or III for its internal zoom, even if they’re not in love with using an adapter. We have learned since yesterday that a lot of sports shooters find the current RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM quite unbalanced and lacks a “consistency in feel”. A few mentioned that the locations of the rings were difficult to get used to, and felt “cramped”.
So, that would be the reason for Canon to release a new version of the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. Why not.
Nijkon announced the Nikon Z f, a retro-looking full-frame mirrorless camera.
The new Nikon Z f will be available in mid- October 2023 for a suggested retail price of $1999.95* for the body only, with the retro-styled NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2.0 SE for an SRP of $2239.95*, or with a NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F/4 S lens for an SRP of $2599.95*. The additional color options will be available as body-only for an SRP of $2099.95* exclusively from the Nikon Store.
The Nikon Z f is the Beautiful Convergence of Groundbreaking Technology + Iconic Design
Today Nikon announced the release of the Z f, a full-frame mirrorless camera that harmonizes a timeless aesthetic with the best of Nikon’s next-gen camera technology, derived directly from the acclaimed Z 8 and flagship Z 9. At first glance, the Z f is a definitive statement in functional design that ignites the desire to craft an image. Looking closer, it’s a veritable powerhouse of modern performance fueled by the EXPEED 7 processing engine that enables an enhanced AF system, impressive speed and astounding low-light capability. The new processing power also adds incredible new features such as pixel-shift shooting, the most advanced in-body stabilization of any Z series camera, plus the addition of a dedicated monochrome mode.
“It’s exciting to see the leaps in innovation that propelled the Z 9 trickling down, making the latest technology and features more accessible than ever before inside the Z f, a camera which is a beautiful marriage of form and function,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The Z f is more than a means to simply capturing an image; using the camera is an experience unto itself, one which not only sparks creativity, but also elevates the user’s intent with its advanced performance and feature set.”
Technology Forward The Z f is equipped with the EXPEED 7 image-processing engine, enhancing response time, burst speed and AF performance, while adding new features to create an entirely new category of Z series full-frame mirrorless. The 24.5-megapixel full frame BSI CMOS sensor effortlessly captures stunning colors and incredible definition with minimal noise and stellar dynamic range, even in challenging light. This well-balanced sensor is paired with an AF system that offers 3-D Tracking plus subject detection developed with Deep Learning technology, detecting and locking on to 9 different types of subjects. Similar to the Nikon Z 8, the camera finds people, dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains and planes. It can even detect the world’s smallest1 size of a face in the frame — approx. 3% of the frame’s longest side. The AF system uses 299 AF points in Auto Area AF, covering 96% of the horizontal axis of the frame, making it easy to lock on and track a subject, even near the edge of the viewfinder. When the inspiration hits to go fully manual, the Z f uses Eye/Face-Detection in MF mode, recognizing the eye and allowing users to magnify the area on the screen to nail critical focus.
With the additional processing power, the Z f achieves 5-axis in-camera vibration reduction (VR) image stabilization equivalent to an 8.0-stop2 increase in shutter speed, the best among Nikon Z series cameras. The Z f is also the world’s first camera3 to support focus-point VR4, which minimizes blurring at the focus point rather than the center of the frame, even when subject is positioned near the edge of the viewfinder. The camera is also capable of high-speed continuous shooting at approx. 14 frames per second, or up to 30 frames per second5, when High-Speed Frame Capture+ (C30) is set. To ensure no shot is missed, the camera is also capable of using the Pre-Release function to start recording before the shutter is fully pressed.6 What’s more, the additional processing power in combination with the BSI sensor improves low-light performance, raising the standard ISO range from 100 to 64,000. In challenging light, even fine details and textures come out sharp and clear with rich saturation, while mid-tones, where noise tends to increase, come out much cleaner than before.
For those who want the ultimate in fidelity while reducing moiré, false colors and noise for immersive depth, the Z f is the first Nikon camera capable of pixel-shift shooting7 to create images up to 96 megapixels. Ideal for landscape, architecture and commercial artists, the system works by subtly shifting the image sensor position when capturing between 4, 8, 16 or 32 RAW (NEF) files, acquiring more accurate color information and massive resolution.
Forever Iconic The heart of the Z f is “fusion”- an idea embedded in the name while paying homage to important models through Nikon’s history. It represents the fusion of past, present and future. With an iconic exterior design reminiscent of the FM2, the Z f links Nikon’s heritage of innovation and precision craftsmanship. The magnesium-alloy body is durable and features a glossy finish, which is adorned with a classic Nikon logo. The characters on the mechanical dials for shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation are all etched, and provide the user with satisfying tactile response, while the feel of the shutter-release button was given meticulous consideration.
Black and white capture is an ageless medium, one that lets the user see a different perspective and explore the principles of light in new ways. The Z f includes a physical switch to engage a dedicated B&W photo mode, which enables multiple monochromatic Picture Controls. In addition to the sharp, dynamic and higher-contrast “Monochrome” mode in Picture Control, the new “Flat Monochrome” mode reproduces tones with a smooth gradation from shadow to light, rich in mid-tones for a warm, soft impression. The new “Deep Tone Monochrome” mode expresses high-contrast and highlights by bringing more emphasis to dark tones, keeping mid-tones dark and with fewer blocked shadows.
Primary features of the Z f
Full-frame 24.5-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor combined with the new EXPEED 7 Processing engine for amazing fidelity and image quality paired with stellar processing power.
Excellent AF tracking capability with 3D-tracking mode for photographers and dedicated Subject-tracking AF in video mode.
With up to 299 points in Auto-area AF, the range of coverage and number of focus points used in Auto-area AF mode have been increased for better focus acquisition performance with distant or moving subjects.
The first full-frame Z-series mirrorless camera to be equipped with a vari-angle touchscreen
Starlight view mode boosts display brightness for users to visually confirm composition in extremely dark scenes. It also achieves sharp focus with the low-light limit extendable down to -10 EV.8
Video frame rates and resolutions up to 4K UHD 30 oversampled from 6K,9 as well as 4KUHD 60P (DX-mode) and 1080/120P with recording times up to 125 minutes.10
The first Nikon camera to feature video recording in shutter-priority auto mode, letting the user select the shutter speed, while the camera adjusts the aperture and ISO.
In-camera, 10-bit H.265 recording, allowing users to record full-scale video directly to the camera without the need for an external recorder.
The first Z-series camera to support Touch Fn for adjustment of camera settings while framing pictures in the viewfinder. The user is now able to move the focus point via the LCD screen while looking through the viewfinder.
Supports the merging of NEF (RAW) images shot with pixel shift shooting to create a highly detailed image up to 96 megapixels.
Fast shooting, with up 14 fps bursts plus High-Speed Frame Capture+ (C30), which achieves high-speed continuous shooting at up to 30 fps. Pre-Release Capture is also available, buffering the images before the shutter is fully depressed.
Advanced features for dedicated portrait photographers include the skin softening function and a portrait impression balance function for users to better achieve the portraits they intended. Rich Tone Portrait Picture Control is a new setting that better captures details of the subject’s complexion.
Equipped with two memory card slots, one compatible with widely available UHS II SD cards and the other compatible with Micro SD cards.
Rugged and reliable construction, with magnesium alloy on the front and top covers, for maximum durability with minimal weight. The camera is engineered with high dust- and drip-resistance,11 effective sealing on the exterior cover joints, shutter-release button and vari-angle mechanism. Additionally, an electro-conductive coat that keeps the surface clean from dust and a fluorine coat that makes for easier cleaning.
In addition to the basic black body, the Z f lets users express their own style through six different color options. These premium exteriors render the embossed artificial leather sections of the camera — covering the grip and all around to the rear of the folding camera monitor — in three rich, expressive standard colors (Indigo Blue, Sepia Brown, Bordeaux Red) and three deep, warm natural colors (Sunset Orange, Moss Green, Stone Gray), rendered with individually matching surface textures. These colors will be sold in limited quantity and will be sold exclusively through the Nikon Store.
Price and Availability The new Nikon Z f will be available in mid- October 2023 for a suggested retail price of $1999.95* for the body only, with the retro-styled NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2.0 SE for an SRP of $2239.95*, or with a NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F/4 S lens for an SRP of $2599.95*. The additional color options will be available as body-only for an SRP of $2099.95* exclusively from the Nikon Store. Nikon is working with SmallRig to develop a custom grip bracket, which will be available at a later date. For more information about the latest Nikon products, including the vast collection of NIKKOR Z lenses and the entire line of Z series cameras, please visit Nikonusa.com.
Another Canon patent, although we doubt that this one will ever hit the market.
Canon patent application 2023127280 (Japan, published 9/13/2023) discusses optical formulas for a 55mm F1.24 lens with a double Gauss element arrangement.
From the patent literature:
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical system that has a bright F number, is compact, has high optical performance, and also suppresses fluctuations in various aberrations associated with focusing.
Background Art
In recent years, photographing optical systems with a standard angle of view, where the half angle of view is about 20 degrees to 30 degrees, used in imaging devices have a bright F number and have high optical performance despite the small size of the entire system. That is required. A so-called double Gauss type optical system is known as a standard angle of view photographing optical system. In a Gauss type optical system, the lenses are arranged symmetrically around the aperture, and with a small number of lenses, it is possible to obtain high optical performance despite being compact.
However, in the optical system described in Patent Document 1, the back focus tends to become long and the total length of the lens becomes long, so it is difficult to suppress the increase in size of the imaging device.
In order to achieve a compact lens with a high F-number, high optical performance, and suppression of fluctuations in various aberrations associated with focusing, it is important to appropriately set the structure and material of the lens.
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical system that has a bright F number, is compact, has high optical performance, and also suppresses fluctuations in various aberrations associated with focusing.
That’s an interesting Canon patent that was spotted in japan: a built-in ND (Neutral density) filter.
Canon patent application 2023128236 (Japan, published 9/14/2023) discusses methods and technology for an ND filter that is built-in on the camera body.
Excerpts from the patent literature:
An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device in which an optical filter can be easily switched between a used state and a non-used state, and can appropriately control foreign matter removal from the surface of an imaging unit.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventionally, imaging devices capable of capturing images using optical filters such as neutral density filters (ND filters) have been known. Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that includes a plurality of ND filters and can move up and down. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration including a through hole for blowing gas to blow away dust attached to the ND filter.
In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to hermetically seal the ND filter and the imaging device, so there is a possibility that dust and the like may enter the interior of the imaging device. Although the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2 can remove dust etc. attached to the ND filter, it is not possible to properly control the function of removing dust etc. attached to the surface of the image sensor unit, so that the captured image may not be affected. Dust, etc. may be reflected.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device in which it is possible to easily switch between a state in which an optical filter is used and a state in which it is not in use, and in which foreign matter removal from the surface of an imaging unit can be properly controlled. purpose.
Effects of the Invention
According to the present invention, an image pickup device in which it is possible to easily switch between the use state and the non-use state of the optical filter, and it is possible to properly control foreign matter removal from the surface of the imaging unit. equipment can be provided.
Coming from our friends at Mirrorless Comparison, here is a neat Canon EOS R7 vs EOS R8 comparison review. The 10 main differences are:
Sensor: The R7 offers higher resolution, but the larger sensor of the R8 delivers greater dynamic range and less noise at high ISO.
Video: Sharpness and dynamic range are very similar, but the R8 provides better quality in 4K 50/60p due to oversampling, while the R7 employs line-skipping. The full-frame camera also exhibits less rolling shutter and noise at high ISO. On the other hand, the APS-C model excels in internal heat management.
Stabilisation: The R8 lacks in-body stabilization, requiring reliance on lenses with optical stabilization. This gives the R7 and its IBIS mechanism an advantage in scenarios involving slow shutter speeds, or when walking during video sequences. Surprisingly, the R8 paired with an IS lens performs better when recording static shots.
Shutter Mode: The R8 doesn’t feature a full mechanical shutter, utilizing only the EFCS (Electronic-First Curtain Shutter), which can introduce limitations under specific conditions and settings.
Continuous Shooting Speed: With the electronic shutter, the R7 operates at up to 30fps, while the R8 achieves a faster 40fps. The full-frame camera exhibits less rolling shutter, a weak point in the R7. The buffer performance is more or less comparable.
Autofocus: The R8 employs more advanced software, resulting in better detection of humans, animals, and vehicles. It also offers greater consistency in keeper rate and focus precision, especially in low-light conditions and when capturing birds in flight.
Design: The R7 boasts a larger grip, an AF joystick, and additional buttons. The EVF and LCD screen remain the same.
Battery Life: The R7 employs a larger battery and can last significantly longer, particularly in video mode.
SD Cards: Only the R7 comes equipped with two card slots.
Price and Lenses: The cost is relatively close in the U.S., but the R8 is pricier in Europe. Currently, there are only three native RF lenses designed for APS-C cameras. R7 users must rely on full-frame EOS R lenses or adapt Canon’s DSLR lenses. Support for third-party brands remains uncertain at the moment.
Read the full and exhaustive Canon EOS R7 vs EOS R8 review at Mirrorless Comparison, it comes with charts, ISO comparison and everything your pixel peeping heart might wish. Or you can watch the video below.
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