Canon Patent: 400-600mm F2.8-4, 300-600mm F2.8-4.5 And 70-300mm F4

Canon Patent
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Here is the next Canon patent application.

Canon patent application 2024101302 (Japan published 7/29/2024) discusses optical formulas for three telephoto/zoom lenses:

  • 400-600mm F2.8-4
  • 300-600mm F2.8-4.5
  • 70-300mm F4
  • A zoom lens that is small in size and has a large aperture while still providing high optical performance.
  • [Background Art]In recent years, there has been a demand for a telephoto lens with a zoom function, which is small and has a large aperture, yet has high optical performance. Patent Document 1 discloses an optical system having a plurality of converter lenses, which is composed of a first to third lens group with positive, negative, and positive refractive powers, and a subsequent group including one or more lens groups, which are arranged in order from the object side to the image side, in order to achieve weight reduction and telephotography. Patent Document 2 discloses an optical system having a first and second lens group with positive and negative refractive powers, and a subsequent group including one or more lens groups, which are arranged in order from the object side to the image side, in order to achieve both size reduction and high image quality, and the first lens group is composed of a plurality of subgroups. Patent Document 3 discloses an optical system having a first lens group with positive refractive power, a second lens group, and a subsequent group including one or more lens groups, which are arranged in order from the object side to the image side, in order to achieve both improved optical performance and weight reduction, and which ensures an air gap in the first lens group.
  • However, in the optical system of Patent Document 1, the refractive power of the first lens group and the second lens group are optimized to achieve compactness, and it is also possible to achieve telephotography using multiple converter lenses, but it is difficult to achieve compactness when the image sensor is large. In the optical system of Patent Document 2, the spacing between the main variable magnification groups can be changed during zooming, or the number of lenses in the main variable magnification groups can be increased to achieve high image quality, but it is difficult to achieve a large aperture. In the optical system of Patent Document 3, the configuration of each lens group is optimized to achieve both weight reduction and suppression of chromatic aberration, but it is difficult to achieve compactness when the aperture is large.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens which is small in size and has a large aperture, yet provides high optical performance .

Example 1

  • Focal length: 409.335-582.738
  • F-number: 2.880-4.100
  • Half angle of view: 3.025-2.126
  • Image height: 21.635
  • Total length: 475.002
  • Back focus: 39.500

Example 2

  • Focal length: 306.239-582.535
  • F value: 2.900-4.600
  • Half angle of view: 4.041-2.127
  • Image height: 21.635
  • Total length: 475.001
  • Back focal length: 41.785

Example 3

  • Focal length: 71.997-291.389
  • F-number: 4.120
  • Half angle of view: 16.725-4.246
  • Image height: 21.635
  • Total length: 276.801-332.801
  • Back Focus: 39.493-64.844

Example 4

  • Focal length: 101.052-291.652
  • F-number: 4.120
  • Half angle of view: 12.084-4.242
  • Image height: 21.635
  • Total length: 279.187-308.962
  • Back Focus: 39.496-52.523

Canon Patent: RF 70-300mm f/4.5-7.2 & RF 250-600mm f/6.3-11

Canon Patent
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A new Canon patent, and once more more for RF mount lenses (what else?).

Canon patent application 2022178447 (Japan, published 12/2/2022) discusses optical formulas for two zoom lenses for the RF mount:

  • RF 70-300mm f/4.5-7.2
  • RF 250-600mm f/6.3-11

From the patent literature:

A compact and lightweight zoom lens that has high optical performance over the entire zoom range is provided.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, zoom lenses used in image pickup apparatuses are required to have high optical performance and to be compact and lightweight.

As a zoom lens that meets these requirements, Patent Document 1 discloses a zoom lens having first to fourth lens groups with positive, negative, positive, and positive refractive powers arranged in order from the object side to the image side, A zoom lens is disclosed in which the spacing between adjacent lens groups changes during zooming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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

Example 1

  • Focal length: 103.01-387.98
  • F-value: 6.30-8.24
  • Half angle of view: 11.86-3.19
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 183.99-280.00
  • Back focus: 32.00-122.21

Example 2

  • Focal length: 103.01-347.20
  • F-value: 5.13-8.24
  • Half angle of view: 11.86-3.57
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 198.72-267.94
  • Back focus: 32.86-136.99

Example 3

  • Focal length: 70.00-300.00
  • F-value: 4.40-7.20
  • Half angle of view: 17.17-4.12
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 165.01-231.87
  • Back focus: 27.80-102.92

Example 4

  • Focal length: 250.00-600.00
  • F-value: 6.24-11.33
  • Half angle of view: 4.95-2.07
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 305.44-336.20
  • Back focus: 29.45-163.77

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

[via asobinet]

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II review (impressive performance, D. Abbott)

EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II
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Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
At a glance:

  • EF-Mount/Full-Frame Format
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4-5.6
  • One Ultra Low Dispersion Element
  • NANO USM Autofocus System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Lens Information Display
  • Full-Time Manual Focus
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Photographer Dustin Abbott reviewed the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II, a “consumer lens” that’s getting a lot of positive reviews.

In the conclusion he writes:

I was impressed by the overall handling and performance of the new Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM during my review period. It has a nice build (consumer grade, yes, but nice), and quality handling. The new LCD screen has a few debatable aspects, but I applaud Canon doing something to help eliminate what has been one of the main shortcomings of STM type lenses (no distance window) […] I’m also impressed with the image quality from the lens in terms of sharpness, contrast, and control of things like chromatic aberrations and flare. Where I think the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS most stands out (outside of the build) is the overall rendering from the L series lens, which is unquestionably more special. Nice bokeh, smoother transitions, and special color rendition that shows off its premium optics. […] What matters most is that in most every way the EF 70-300 IS II is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, and well worthy of your consideration if you are looking for a quality telephoto lens for either your full frame or APS-C camera body.

And here is the video-review of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II.

If you prefer reading the review instead of watching the videos, then head over to Dustin Abbott’s site, you’ll find a lot of sample pictures and a in-depth discussion of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD officially announced (updated)

SP 70-300mm
Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD

Update: it seems Tamron announced the SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD only for the Japanese market.

As anticipated, Tamron today announced the  new Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD lens. More information on the product page (machine translated!).

SP 70-300mm
Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD

Press release:

Release Announcement
External design completely revamped and Fluorine Coating now applied
improved AF speed and responsiveness,
with VC system achieving image stabilization performance level of 4.0 stops

SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A030)

February 3, 2017, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Ajisaka), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of a new telephoto zoom lens product, the SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A030) (hereinafter called “Model A030”), for 35mm full-frame DSLR cameras. Model A030 was developed by substantially enhancing the features of the popular SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) (hereinafter called “Model A005”), which has enjoyed high acclaim since its launch in 2010 as a telephoto zoom lens with outstanding performance. With the external design completely revamped, a Fluorine Coating with outstanding durability is applied to the front element surface of the lens. Improvements have also been achieved in AF speed and responsiveness and VC (Vibration Compensation) functions. Model A030 will be sold only in the Japanese market.

Product name
SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD
(Model A030)
Date of Launch (in Japan)
February 23rd, 2017The Canon and Nikon mount models will be launched simultaneously.
(Launch only in the Japanese market）

※Model A030 is not compatible with either the Tamron TELE CONVERTER 1.4x (Model TC-X14) or Tamron TELE CONVERTER 2.0x (Model TC-X20), which are optional accessories. It is also not compatible with the optional TAMRON TAP-in ConsoleTM that enables a lens’s firmware to be updated and features to be customized.

Product Highlights

Improvements in AF speed and responsiveness

  • Improvements in the control circuit and AF algorithm of the previous Model A005 have enhanced both focusing speed and accuracy, which enables a moment to be captured without letting the photo opportunity slip away, and which makes the A030 a suitable lens for photographing fast-moving subjects.

Improved VC functions

  • Improving Tamron’s unique VC (Vibration Compensation) functions has improved the responsiveness of the VC lens elements, and Model A030 achieves a higher image stabilization performance level of 4.0 stops according to the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) standard.

External design renovated

  • The zoom ring and focus ring using linear-based grid patterns and the brand ring in tungsten silver create an external design with a high-grade feel.

Equipped with Fluorine Coating to improve user-friendliness for the lens

  • The front surface of the lens element is coated with a protective fluorine compound that is water- and oil-repellant. The lens surface is easier to wipe clean and is less vulnerable to the damaging effects of dirt, dust, moisture and fingerprints.

Specifications

Model A030
Focal Length 70-300mm
Maximum Aperture F/4-5.6
Angle of View (diagonal) 34°21′ – 8°15′
Optical Construction 17 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Object Distance 1.5m (59.1 in)
Maximum Magnification Ratio 1:4 (f=300mm : MOD 1.5m)
Filter Size Φ62mm
Maximum Diameter Φ82.2mm
Length* 142.7mm (5.6 in)**
Weight 765g (26.9 oz)**
Aperture Blades 9 (circular diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture F/32-45
Image Stabilization Performance 4.0stops (CIPA Standards Compliant)
(For Canon : EOS-5D MKIII is used / For Nikon : D810 is used)
Standard Accessories Lens hood, Lens caps
Compatible Mounts Canon, Nikon

Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD image and specs leaked

SP 70-300mm
Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD

An image and specifications for the upcoming Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD lens leaked at Nokishita Camera.

Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD specifications (machine translated)

  • Renewed the appearance design of A005 and newly adopt antifouling coat
  • Improvement of AF speed and accuracy, Improvement of hand vibration reduction function VC
  • Mount: For Canon · For Nikon
  • Expected release date: February 23, 2017
  • Suggested retail price: 60,000 yen + tax
  • Mass retailer price: 45,900 yen (tax included)

The announcement for Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD is expected tomorrow, February 3, with shipping starting at the end of February.