Canon Patent: 70-150mm f/2 and 70-200mm f/2.8 With Inner Zoom

Canon Patent

Here is a new Canon patent application, two lenses with inner zoom mechanism.

Canon patent application 2023176289 (Japan, published 12/13/2023) discusses optical formulas and methods for two zoome lenses with a not extending zoom mechanism:

  • 70-150mm f/2
  • 70-200mm f/2.8

From the patent literature:

  • An object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens that has a long focal length and a large aperture ratio, yet is both compact and lightweight and has high optical performance.
  • BACKGROUND ART
    Zoom lenses used in imaging devices are required to be small and lightweight, to satisfactorily correct various aberrations including chromatic aberration, and to have high optical performance. Furthermore, zoom lenses are required to have a long focal length at the telephoto end, a small F number, and a large aperture ratio. Furthermore, zoom lenses are required to have a large zoom ratio and be easy to manufacture.
  • However, the zoom lens described in Patent Document 1 tends to have large aberrations including chromatic aberration, making it difficult to have high optical performance. If the power of the lens groups making up the zoom lens is weakened in order to better correct the aberrations, the zoom lens will become larger. Furthermore, if aberrations are corrected by increasing the number of lens groups that make up the zoom lens, the mechanical mechanism will become complicated and the zoom lens will become larger.
  • The present invention provides a zoom lens that has a long focal length and a large aperture ratio, yet is both compact and lightweight and has high optical performance.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 72.10-146.49
  • F value: 2.05
  • Half angle of view: 16.70-8.40
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 217.31
  • Back focus: 13.71

Example 2

  • Focal length: 72.12-194.03
  • F value: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 16.70-6.36
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 217.47
  • Back focus: 37.98

Example 3

  • Focal length: 98.00-291.00
  • F value: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 12.64-4.25
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 317.42
  • Back focus: 38.00

Example 4

  • Focal length: 101.97-389.88
  • F value: 4.10
  • Half angle of view: 11.98-3.18
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 359.04
  • Back focus: 52.64

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Set To Release A New Version Of The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS?

Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS Review

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.

Your thoughts?

Source: Canon Rumors

Firmware Update: Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS

Firmware Update

Canon released a firmware update for the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS.

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS firmware update 1.1.0:

1. Adds an electronic full-time manual focus function (a function that enables constant manual focus adjustment in both One-shot AF and Servo AF), which is enabled when using the EOS R5, EOS R6, and EOS R3 cameras.

2. Improves an issue in which the background is not blurred when performing slow panning with the IS (Image Stabilization) mode set to Mode 2 or Mode 3.

Download Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS firmware update 1.1.0.

Canon Patent: RF 70-200mm f/2.8L (not the already released lens)

Canon Patent

A new Canon patent application, once more for a lens for the RF mount. The patent application might appear to point to an already released lens but it is not.

Canon patent application 2021-173892 (Japan) discusses optical formulas for what seems to be a RF 70-200mm f/2.8L lens. However, as asobinet.com points out, the patent does not refer to the already released RF 70-200mm f/2.8L. The lens described in the patent seems to have an entirely different optical design.

Embodiment:

  • Focal length: 73.00-195.00
  • F value: 2.88
  • Half angle of view: 16.51-6.33
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 178.20-216.21
  • Back focus: 19.12-33.67

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

Sony Released A New Pro Lens, The Redesigned Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II

Sony FE 70-200mm

A new Sony lens for professional photographers. The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II has been redesigned and comes with a new optical formula.

At a glance:

  • E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • One XA & One Aspherical Elements
  • Four ED Elements & Two Super ED Elements
  • Nano AR Coating II
  • 4 XD Linear AF Motors
  • Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization
  • Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Eleven-Blade Circular Diaphragm

Preorders are live at B&H Photo ($2,798).

Gordon from Camera Labs already had the chance to test the lens.

Sony press release:

Sony Electronics Continues to Redefine Excellence in Imaging with the Introduction of the new FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony Electronics – 10/13/2021

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ –Sony Electronics Inc. announced the newest lens in their G Master lineup – the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II, which delivers an extraordinary combination of resolution and bokeh as well as unequalled AF (autofocus) performance known to Sony’s G Master design.

“Sony is always listening to our customers. Thanks to feedback from users around the world, including leading professionals, Sony continues to develop and evolve the G Master lineup,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is lightweight and offers outstanding handling in any shooting situation. The newest addition to our G Master series will make a perfect telephoto zoom addition to any creator’s kit who is looking to maximize their gear potential for both stills and video.”

Designed to perfectly pair with Sony’s E-mount camera bodies, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II not only offers outstanding optical quality and advanced AF performance, but it is the lightesti F2.8 70-200mm zoom in the world and allows for unprecedented shooting freedom and flexibility. Sony continues to strengthen the Alpha system with this newest addition to the broadest selection of mirrorless lenses on the market as the 65th lens in its E-mount lens lineup.

New Levels of Performance
The new FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II delivers outstanding image quality with high resolution and clarity. Users can expect a clean and clear image from corner to corner throughout the entire zoom range, even when the aperture is wide open. Thanks to the two aspherical lens elements, including one XA (extreme aspherical) element manufactured to 0.01-micron surface precision, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II effectively controls distance-related aberration variations to ensure outstanding resolution throughout the image area.

The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II also employs two ED (extra-low dispersion) spherical glass elements and two Super ED spherical glass elements to significantly reduce chromatic aberration without color bleeding. This lens also includes an ED aspherical element for the first time in an Alpha system lens, which simultaneously suppresses chromatic and spherical aberration, common issues in other telephoto lenses.

Smooth, beautiful bokeh is made possible by a large F2.8 maximum aperture and a newly developed 11-blade circular aperture unit. In addition, the lens’ advanced optical design including an XA element thoroughly suppresses the unwanted ‘onion ring’ effect, further enhancing the bokeh. The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II also offers excellent close-up performance with deep bokeh. The minimum focusing distance is just 15.7 inches (0.4 meters) at 70mm and 32.3 inches (0.82 meters) at 200mm, with a maximum magnification of 0.3x. Moreover, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II can be easily paired with Sony’s high-performance 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverteriii to extend the lens’ focal length to 400mmiv at an F5.6 aperture, all while maintaining its G Master quality.

To avoid any unwanted flare and ghosting in challenging lighting conditions, Sony’s original Nano AR Coating II produces a uniform anti-reflection coating on the surface of the lens. In addition, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II’s optical design also effectively suppresses internal reflections to improve clarity.

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Canon RF 70-200mm F/4L IS Review (finely crafted and performs extremely well)

Canon RF 70-200mm

Here is a new Canon RF 70-200mm F/4L IS review. This is a rather interesting lens and it is getting many positive reviews.

At a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32
  • Four Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements
  • Air Sphere and Fluorine Coatings
  • Dual Nano USM AF System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Weather-Sealed Construction

ePhotozine posted their Canon RF 70-200mm F/4L IS review. From their conclusion:

The new lens is very finely crafted and performs extremely well in the field, the wider apertures being especially crisp, which is great because such lenses are often used at wide apertures. That way higher shutter speeds can be employed and the ISO kept within reasonable bounds. Focusing is spot on, very fast and virtually silent. The lower weight and compact size mean less fatigue from carrying the lens all day. All these things add up to a really useful optic that produces some fine results.

[…]

Definitely Highly Recommended.  

Read the review at ePhotozine…

More Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS review stuff is listed here.

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS:

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

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS description after the break.

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