Canon Patent For RF 90mm f/2.8L IS Macro Lens (EOS R System)

Canon Patent

Hi Lows Note spotted a rather interesting Canon patent application (2017-108266).

The patent literature describes a 90mm f/2.8L IS macro lens for the Canon EOS R system. Two optical formulas are discussed in the patent literature.

Specification and lens arrangement of embodiment 1

  • Focal length: 97.00mm
  • F number: 2.92
  • Half angle of view: 12.57
  • Image height: 21.64mm
  • Lens length: 115.12mm
  • Back focus: 20.01mm

Specification and lens arrangement of embodiment 3

  • Focal length: 86.00mm
  • F number: 2.87
  • Half angle of view: 14.12
  • Image height: 21.64mm
  • Lens length: 115.07mm
  • Back focus: 15.93mm

Well, this is a patent application for a lens that may indeed hit the market (most patent applications never become a real product).

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production in the next few years are these:

Canon Patent For RF 28-70mm F/2-2.8 For EOS R (with no image stabilisation, sign for IBIS?)

Canon Patent

Hi Lows Note spotted a Canon patent application (2018-197774) for an RF 28-70mm F/2-2.8 lens for the EOS R system.

  • Focal length: 28.68 – 67.90mm
  • F number: 2.26 – 2.91
  • Half angle of view: 37.03 – 17.67
  • Image height: 21.64 – 21.64mm
  • Lens length: 149.69 – 174.43mm
  • Back focus: 20.57 – 35.45mm

The interesting fact: the lens literature does not refer to an image stabilisation group inside the lens. Some people is saying this is a sign for IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation) coming to future EOS R models (rumors already surfaced). We are not sure how to interpret this.

Canon always stated the superiority of image stabilisation in the lens. Never the less, Canon execs didn’t exclude the possibility of a future mirrorless camera with IBIS, and there are a few patents clearly discussing IBIS (patent 1 | 2 | 3).

Do you think this patent application is a clear sign of IBIS to be featured on future EOS R cameras?

Canon in an unusual move for the company already disclosed the the EOS R lens roadmap for the next years (also see this interview). The lens described in the patent application doesn’t seem to be on Canon’s immediate agenda. Keep in mind that patents are a way for companies to secure they research and development and hence their intellectual propriety. A patent application rarely means a product is coming to the market soon.

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production in the next few years are these:

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III Teardown (Lens Rentals)

Canon EF 400mm

Roger Cicala and Aaron Closz of Lens Rentals disassembled the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III lens, a lens that costs like a used car.

From their conclusion:

The spring-loaded adjustable collar collection is something of a mystery to us and will remain so until we can spend some days doing optical adjustments on one. The use of the same motor as the RF lens is very interesting in several ways. Only some more tear downs will tell us if this is just a superior motor type that Canon is going to use in all electrically focused lenses (I suspect this is probably the case), or just in lenses with a lot of glass in the focusing element (another likely thing).

Canon has really been very quiet about this lens, despite the known changes inside. I had a lot of trouble finding out which elements are fluorite (two of them are, apparently). There has been some talk about improved focusing speed and accuracy, which I assume has something to do with the new electronic focus system, but not much.

The teardown is explained step by step with a lot of pictures, see it here.

All images © lensrentals.com and used with permission.

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32
  • Super UD and Fluorite Elements
  • Super Spectra and Air Sphere Coatings
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
  • Customizable Electronic Focusing Ring
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Weather-Sealed Design, Fluorine Coating
  • Detachable, Rotatable Tripod Collar
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L Review And Sample Photos (by Alik Griffin)

Canon Rf 24-105mm

Photographer Alik Griffin posted a comprehensive field review of the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L lens, the kit lens for Canon’s EOS R full frame mirrorless system.

He used the RF 24-105mm f/4L mainly as a landscape lens while capturing Japan’s Fall colors.

In the conclusion Alik says:

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 is very sharp with great image stabilization, outstanding contrast and color rendering, nice pop with only some minor yet, easily correctable flaws. Build quality is also really solid and the lens isn’t too heavy either. The best part is the price.

For the landscape, travel photographer, the Instagrammer that wants to shoot a reflection the golden gate bridge through a chain link fence off his smart phone, or whatever it may be, this lens is outstanding for all casual shooting styles.

The lenses main weakness is the f4 aperture. You’ll notice most of [the photos in Alik’s review, editor’s note] are of landscapes and travel. I just haven’t been in love with any portraits I’ve shot. It’s fine for shooting portraits with an awesome backdrop where it’s all about the environment, but when it comes to shooting beauty portraits, you’ll most likely eventually want a faster lens ( faster lens means f2.8 or f2 something like that ).

However, if you’re in a studio shooting models against a backdrop where it’s all about fashion, production design and hair & makeup and less about bokeh, f4 is great. You’ll even get a little more pop if you’re using strobes, which means really stunning, high contrast punchy images. I haven’t tested yet, but I can almost bet you this lens has more pop than the 28-70mm f2 which will need massive glass to produce that aperture. Something to consider if you plan on shooting at f4 or f5.6.

I actually really love this lens, and it’s the first zoom lens I’ve used in a long time where I don’t feel like I’m really compromising quality for versatility. I usually don’t say this in my reviews, but if you’re stepping into the EOS R system, and you don’t have the EF 24-105mm f4, you should seriously consider this lens!

Alik Griffin’s complete review of the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 comes with a huge set of beautiful sample pictures, and examines thoroughly all aspects of this lens. Be sure to have a look.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4:

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

A New Pancake Lens is Coming, the ExperimentalOptics 35mm f/2.7 for FF Cameras

Experimentaloptics 35mm F/2.8

A new lens got a funding campaign at Kickstarter. The ExperimentalOptics 35mm f/2.7 full frame pancake lens claims to the “Smallest Fastest Pancake Lens in the World”.

About the mount type they say “the lens has a clever combined Leica M and M39 mount to make it universally adaptable to virtually any camera (apart from SLRs), especially any mirrorless present or future“. So not Canon DSLRs, but hopefully it will work with the Canon EOS R.

The ExperimentalOptics 35mm f/2.7 full frame pancake lens, 7mm thin, 40g light, stealth, sturdy and razor sharp. This is not just an engineering achievement, it is truly the perfect lens for photographers: it puts the least amount of glass and kit between you and your world. It’s a joy to handle and operate, a beautifully crafted object in itself, and creates absolutely stunning results. Our careful choice of focal length, aperture, design and handling allow photographers to capture the world exactly as they see it and truly express their creative vision.

This is not a toy lens. It is a special piece of equipment for professionals, aficionados and connoisseurs. We spent more than two years developing and testing it, and now it’s ready. Almost, that is, because it still needs to be produced… To bring this unique, uncompromising project to life, we’ve gone on kickstarter.

It all will be handmade and, as a result, in very limited quantities only. We expect to ship a first batch of 20 lenses in 2018 and a second batch of another 20 lenses in 2019. That should make this not only the tiniest, but also one of the rarest lenses in the world.