Canon Patent: RF-S 33mm f/1.8 And Other Lenses

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Here is a new Canon patent application for a bunch of lenses, of which one might already have releases.

Canon patent application 2024082112 (Japan, published 6/19/2024) discusses optical formulas for three lenses:

From the patent literature:

  • [Background Art] With the miniaturization and high pixel count of image sensors, optical systems used in imaging devices are required to be small and have high optical performance. In order to satisfy these requirements, Patent Document 1 proposes an optical system consisting of a first lens with positive refractive power, a second lens with negative refractive power, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, and a sixth lens arranged in order from the object side to the image side. The lens surface on the object side of the first lens is convex near the optical axis. The lens surface on the image side of the second lens is concave near the optical axis. The lens surface on the object side of the third lens is convex near the optical axis. The lens surface on the image side of the fourth lens is convex near the optical axis. The lens surface on the object side of the fifth lens is convex near the optical axis. The lens surface on the image side of the sixth lens is concave near the optical axis.
  • In order to reduce the overall length of an optical system, it is effective to adopt a telephoto type power arrangement and strengthen the positive refractive power on the object side and the negative refractive power on the image side. However, when the power arrangement of a telephoto type is strengthened, a large pincushion distortion occurs, making it difficult to simultaneously correct distortion and curvature of field with a limited number of lenses. In addition, when the power arrangement of a telephoto type is strengthened, the back focus becomes shorter and the exit angle of the off-axis light beam becomes larger.
  • The optical system described in Patent Document 1 employs a telephoto power arrangement to reduce the overall length, and uses multiple aspheric lenses to correct distortion and curvature of field, but the Petzval sum of the entire system is large and the exit angle of the off-axis light beam is also large. Therefore, when attempting to apply the optical system described in Patent Document 1 to an imaging device with a large image sensor, the correction of curvature of field and the reduction in peripheral light amount become issues.
  • The present invention provides an optical system that is small, lightweight, and has high optical performance.
  • In the optical system L0 of each embodiment, the final lens Lp is preferably made of plastic. The diameter of the final lens Lp is generally large, and using glass as the material for the final lens Lp is not preferable because the lens weight becomes heavy.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 28.50
  • F-number: 2.86
  • Half angle of view: 37.20
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 42.64
  • Back Focus: 13.25

Example 2

  • Focal length: 28.50
  • F-number: 2.55
  • Half angle of view: 37.20
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 42.90
  • Back Focus: 12.46

Example 3

  • Focal length: 24.50
  • F-number: 2.88
  • Half angle of view: 41.45
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 47.90
  • Back Focus: 11.28

Example 4

  • Focal length: 33.08
  • F-number: 1.85
  • Half angle of view: 22.44
  • Image height: 13.66
  • Overall length: 41.00
  • Back Focus: 11.91

More Canon patents are listed here.

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Canon Patent: 15-60mm f/2.8 And 22-80mm f/2.8 With Inner Zoom Mechanism

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A new Canon patent for two lenses with inner zoom mechanism. Canon patent application 2024079936 (Japan, published 6/13/2024) discusses optical formulas for two (likely RF-mount) lenses with an inner zoom, i.e. they do not extend or retract when zooming:

  • 5-60mm f/2.8
  • 22-80mm f/2.8

From the patent literature:

  • A zoom lens that has a high zoom ratio and a large aperture ratio, yet is compact, lightweight, and provides high image quality, and that allows high-speed zoom operation.
  • Background Art
    There is a demand for a zoom lens that is compact and lightweight throughout its entire system, has excellent correction of chromatic aberration and other aberrations, and has high optical performance. There is also a demand for a zoom lens that has a short focal length at the wide-angle end, a large zoom ratio, a small F-number, a large aperture ratio, and is easy to manufacture. There is also a demand for a zoom lens that allows high-speed zoom operation.
  • However, the zoom lens described in Patent Document 1 has a tendency to have a large lens diameter due to its small F-number, and the large front lens diameter leads to an increase in size and weight. In addition, if the refractive power of the second lens group is increased in order to reduce the front lens diameter, it becomes difficult to achieve high image quality.
  • The present invention provides a zoom lens that has a high zoom ratio and a large aperture ratio, yet is compact, lightweight, and provides high image quality, and is capable of high-speed zoom operation.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 24.72-101.86
  • F-number: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 41.19-11.99
  • Total length: 212.40
  • Back Focus: 11.98-21.74

Example 2

  • Focal length: 15.45-58.20
  • F-number: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 41.5-13.2
  • Image height:
  • Overall length: 144.55
  • Back focal length: 13.62

Example 3

  • Focal length: 24.71-116.38
  • F-number: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 41.3-10.0
  • Image height:
  • Overall length: 231.23
  • Back focus: 11.38-23.01

Example 4

  • Focal length: 22.60-82.99
  • F-number: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 44.3-14.1
  • Image height:
  • Overall length: 216.25
  • Back Focus: 11.83-22.33

More Canon patents are listed here.

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Canon Patent: 28-70mm f/2.8 IS Lens

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Here is a new Canon patent application. Does the patent refer to the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS?

Canon patent application 2024078721 (Japan, published 6/11/2024) discusses optical formulas for a 28-70mm f/2.8 IS lens.

From the patent literature:

  • The present invention provides a compact zoom lens that has a high zoom ratio, good optical performance over the entire zoom range from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, and has a large aperture and an image stabilization mechanism.
  • Background Technology
    In recent years, zoom lenses used in imaging devices such as digital cameras using solid-state imaging elements and silver halide film cameras are required to be small in size, have high optical performance, have a large aperture, and be equipped with an image stabilization mechanism (anti-vibration mechanism).
  • In order to achieve this, it is important to appropriately set the zoom type of the zoom lens and the lens group that moves during zooming.
  • The present invention provides a compact zoom lens that has a high zoom ratio and good optical performance over the entire zoom range from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, has a large aperture, and has an image stabilization mechanism.

More Canon patents are listed here.

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Canon Announces Development Of RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM Dual Lens For EOS R7

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Canon press release:

Canon Developing New RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM Dual Lens for EOS R7 Camera for Recording Spatial Video For Apple Vision Pro

MELVILLE, N.Y., June 10, 2024 — Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced that its parent company, Canon Inc. is developing the RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens for its popular EOS R7 camera1, enabling users to capture life’s most precious moments in spatial video, and then relive those memories on Apple Vision Pro. The new STM DUAL lens is the latest addition to Canon’s EOS VR System lineup, and will be available later this fall2. Canon is the first3 camera manufacturer to introduce a dedicated, interchangeable lens that enables pro users to capture stunning spatial video to experience on Apple Vision Pro.

With the RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens, videographers can record gorgeous spatial video even in the most challenging lighting conditions. After capturing video with the interchangeable lens, the EOS VR Utility app transforms the video captured from the camera to spatial video, which viewers can enjoy on Apple Vision Pro.

The RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens features a field angle that is similar to a person’s field of view, which enables videographers to naturally capture memorable moments. The lens is also equipped with a high-speed autofocus mechanism, so users of all levels can record amazing spatial video.

Canon launched the EOS VR System for capturing immersive and VR video in 2021, and since then has met the needs for video production in diverse fields including entertainment, tourism, and education. The EOS VR System features dual lenses and utilizes the left and right lenses to produce beautiful content with incredible depth and dimension. To streamline the video production workflow, the light entering from the respective lenses is recorded on a single CMOS sensor, which eliminates the need for camera position adjustments or synchronization prior to shooting, or the need for piecing together footage after filming.

The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens is the latest example of how Canon is continuing to meet the creative needs of pro users who strive to produce stunning immersive video as they explore new ways of storytelling.

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Canon Announces New RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 Dual Fisheye Lens (VR content creation)

RF-S 3.9mm F3.5
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Pre-order the new RF-S 3.9mm f3.5 at $1,099 at B&H Photo.

Canon press release:

Canon Unveils the Future of Everyday VR Content Creation With New Dual Fisheye Lens

MELVILLE, NY, June 10, 2024 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced the new RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye lens, bringing ease, affordability and quality for social media creators interested in exploring VR content creation. The RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye lens is compatible with the EOS R7 camera* and will be available in June 2024.

The new RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye lens makes VR content creation with a mirrorless camera more accessible and efficient than ever. Engineered to empower creators of all types, this lens offers a perfect balance between clarity and usability for vlog-style VR creation. This APS-C Stereoscopic VR lens’ ability to achieve a 144º wide-angle view and utilize equidistant projection makes it ideally suited for every day, virtually hassle-free VR production. Also designed for versatility, this lens permits multiple methods of camera handling, from hand-holding, mounting on a gimbal, or tripod-mounting. Canon’s available EOS VR Utility software (separately available with a paid subscription) is designed for a smooth editing process.

“The RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye lens offers a solution to the growing demand for more affordable and accessible tools in the VR market,” said Brian Mahar, senior vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Whether you’re a social creator looking to expand your content into VR, or a filmmaker interested in making the jump from 2D to 3D content, this lens enables creators of all levels to comfortably explore VR content creation and generate amazing content.”

Get to know the RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye lens:

  • One-shot AF and Left/Right focus Adjustment with Focus ring, helping to create effortless and precise shooting in virtually any environment.
  • An Air Sphere Coating (ASC) is a first for Canon non-L Series lenses and helps to minimize ghosting and facilitate pristine image quality.
  • Rear filter holder that accommodates both 30.5mm screw-on filters and sheet-type filters, i.e. gelatin or polyester filters.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye lens is scheduled to be available in June 2024 for an estimated retail price of $1,099.00**. For additional information, please visit www.usa.canon.com.

RF-s 3.9mm
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Hot Deal: Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Art Lens (Canon EF) – $749 (reg. $1599)

Sigma 12-24mm
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Here is a hot deal for a Sigma lens for the Canon EF mount (but works fine on RF mount with adapter too), the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Art.

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
  • Five FLD Elements, One SLD Element
  • Three Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic Motor AF System
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Built-In Lens Hood

For limited time B&H Photo has a whooping $850 discount on the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Art lens for EF-mount, get it on sale at $749 (compare at $1599).

More selected deals:

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