Canon Patent: Electric Tilt-shift Lens Operation (take #2)

Canon Patent

Here is another Canon patent for electric tilt-shift lens operation. The other one was published last week.

Canon patent application 2023-140195A (Japan, published 10/4/2023) discusses technology and methods for a tilt-shift lens with electronic controls.

From the patent literature:

An object of the present invention is to provide a control device that can establish a desired focus plane for a desired subject or object plane using a desired tilt effect in hand-held photography.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, an optical system has been proposed that has a tilt effect that tilts a focusing surface so that an object surface tilted with respect to the optical axis of an imaging optical system is brought into good focus over the entire surface. . Patent Document 1 discloses a surveillance camera system that includes a lens unit and a camera device that have a tilt effect, determines the amount of tilt for each specific area set as a shooting range, and focuses on a subject using a desired focus plane.

However , in the camera system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the position of the camera device changes, it is necessary to set the tilt amount for each specific area. Therefore, when hand-held photography is performed using the camera system of Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the desired tilt effect may not be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a control device that can establish a desired focus plane for a desired subject or object plane using a desired tilt effect during hand-held photography .

Means for Solving the Problems

A control device as one aspect of the present invention includes an imaging device including an imaging device, and at least one optical member for tilting a focusing surface with respect to an imaging surface of the imaging device. A control device used in a camera system having a lens device having an optical system including an acquisition unit that acquires information about a designated subject, and a subject for constructing a focus plane based on information about the designated subject. and a control unit that acquires information regarding the position of the.

The lens barrel 2 has an optical system, a zoom operation ring 6, a guide barrel 7, a cam barrel 8, a lens-side CPU 9, and an aperture mechanism 11 . The optical system includes a first group lens 21, a second group lens 22, a third group lens 23, a fourth group lens 24, a fifth group lens 25, a sixth group lens 26, a seventh group lens 27, an eighth group lens 28, a ninth group lens 29, and A 10-group lens 30 is provided. In this embodiment, by moving at least one lens (optical member) included in the optical system, at least a tilt effect that tilts the focus plane with respect to the imaging surface of the image sensor 1106 and a shift effect that moves the imaging range are achieved. You can get one. Each lens is held by a lens barrel with a cam follower. The cam follower engages with a straight groove parallel to the optical axis O provided on the guide tube 7 and a cam groove inclined with respect to the optical axis O provided on the cam tube 8. When the zoom operation ring 6 rotates, the cam cylinder 8 rotates, and the positional relationship of each lens in the Z-axis direction changes. As a result, the focal length of the lens barrel 2 changes. The focal length of the lens barrel 2 can be detected by a zoom position detection section (not shown) that detects the amount of rotation of the zoom operation ring 6. The lens-side CPU 009 changes the aperture diameter of the optical system by controlling the aperture mechanism 11. In this embodiment, by moving the sixth group lens 26 and the eighth group lens 28 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis O, a tilt effect or a shift effect can be obtained. Specifically, by moving the sixth group lens 26 and the eighth group lens 28 in opposite directions, a tilt effect can be obtained, and by moving them in the same direction, a shift effect can be obtained. The lens-side CPU 9 controls the sixth lens group 26 via a drive section using a signal from a detection section (not shown) that detects the amount of movement of the sixth lens group 26 . Further, the lens side CPU 9 controls the 8th group lens 28 via a drive section using a signal from a detection section (not shown) that detects the amount of movement of the 8th group lens 28. The drive unit that moves the sixth group lens 26 and the eighth group lens 28 is, for example, a stepping motor or a voice coil motor (VCM). Note that it is also possible to obtain a tilt effect by tilting (rotating) the lens.

In the camera system 1 of this embodiment, if three points to be focused are specified, the subject plane 500 is constructed as described above, and photography can be performed with the desired subject in focus . However, for example, in so-called “reverse tilt photography (miniature photography)” in which cityscapes and people are photographed by blurring the top and bottom of the photograph, the photographer may decide where to focus and what to blur. In that case, the vector OB is defined by the spatial coordinate points O and B designated by the photographer. The photographer instructs the surface 501 to rotate by an angle θctrl using the vector OB as the rotation axis. For example, the photographer can instruct the surface 501 to rotate by an angle θctrl by performing a touch operation of sliding a finger back and forth on the display unit 1108. Further, instructions may be given using line-of-sight input using the EVF, rotating operation of the aperture operation ring 20, and buttons or dials (not shown). Alternatively, it may be determined automatically according to the set shooting mode of the camera 3. The photographer aligns the object surface 500 with the surface 501 that provides the desired degree of blur while maintaining the desired object (spatial coordinate points O, B) in focus.

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon patent: 55mm F1.24 Lens With Double Gauss Element Arrangement

Canon Patent

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.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 53.80
  • F value: 1.24
  • Half angle of view: 21.91
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 78.46
  • Back focus: 29.83

Example 2

  • Focal length: 55.98
  • F value: 1.24
  • Half angle of view: 21.13
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 84.99
  • Back focus: 30.07

Example 3

  • Focal length: 56.00
  • F value: 1.24
  • Half angle of view: 21.12
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 79.92
  • Back focus: 30.00

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: In Camera Built-in Neutral Density Filter

Canon Patent

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.

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: 24mm F1.4, 35mm F1.4 And 50mm F1.4

Canon Patent

And yet another Canon patent application. Fast primes for the RF mount.

Canon patent application 2022024113 (japan, published 8/30/2023) discusses optical formulas for three fast prime lenses:

  • 24mm F1.4
  • 35mm F1.4
  • 50mm F1.4

From the patent literature:

Optical system and imaging device

A compact optical system capable of high-speed focusing with a wide angle of view and a large aperture ratio is provided.

Description of the Related Art

Imaging devices using solid-state imaging devices such as CCD sensors and CMOS sensors are required to have optical systems that have a wide angle of view, a large aperture ratio, a small size, and high optical performance. There is also a demand for high-speed autofocus in the optical system.

An optical system with a wide angle of view and a large aperture ratio has the problem that it is difficult to correct various aberrations. In particular, if the weight of the focus lens group is reduced in order to perform high-speed focusing (autofocus), it becomes difficult to suppress aberration fluctuations in focusing from an object at infinity to a close object.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a compact optical system capable of high-speed focusing while having a wide angle of view and a large aperture ratio.

Example 1 (24mm F1.4)

  • Focal length 24.36
  • F value 1.44
  • Half angle of view 41.61
  • Image height 21.64
  • Lens length 106.56
  • Back focus 12.72

Example 2 (35mm F1.4)

  • Focal length 34.09
  • F value 1.45
  • Half angle of view 32.40
  • Image height 21.64
  • Lens length 113.84
  • Back focus 13.67

Example 3 (50mm F1.4)

  • Focal length 48.50
  • F value 1.45
  • Half angle of view 24.04
  • Image height 21.64
  • Lens length 108.70
  • Back focus 11.47

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via Digicame Info]

Canon Patent: 10-20mm F2-2.8 And 10-30mm F2-2.8 Lenses

Canon Patent

A new Canon patent application was spotted. Two wide angle zoom lenses.

Canon patent application 2023120768 (Japan, published 8/30/2023) discusses optical formulas for two relatively fast wide angle zoom lenses:

  • 10-20mm f2-2.8
  • 10-30mm f2-2.8

From the patent literature:

A zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of wide angle of view, small size, high optical performance, and the like is provided.

Description of the Related Art

Zoom lenses used in imaging devices such as surveillance cameras, digital still cameras, video cameras, and broadcasting cameras are desired to have a wider angle of view and a smaller size. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a negative lead type zoom lens as a compact zoom lens with a wide angle of view.

The above zoom lens is also required to have high optical performance corresponding to high image quality such as 8K image quality.

An object of the present invention is, for example, to provide a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of wide angle of view, small size, and high optical performance.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 10.41-20.81
  • F-value: 2.05-2.84
  • Half angle of view: 59.1-29.7

Example 2

  • Focal length: 10.79-28.04
  • F-value: 2.00-3.17
  • Half angle of view: 58.9-22.3

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

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

Canon Patent

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]