Canon Patent Application Roundup (dual sensor cam, shrinking MILCs, RF 50mm f/1.8, RF 14-28mm f/2)

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Some new Canon patent applications, all spotted by Canon News.

Canon Patent Application 2019-184921 discusses how to further shrink the size of a mirrorless camera:

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for suppressing an increase in the size of an image pickup apparatus due to the arrangement of a motor for driving a shutter.

Canon Patent Application 2019-186594 deals with the idea of a camera with dual sensors. Might produce some pretty cool HDR photography:

The half mirror 103 splits the imaging light beam (subject light beam) that has passed through the imaging optical system 102 into a first light beam and a second light beam. The first image sensor 104 and the second image sensor 105 receive the first light beam and the second light beam, respectively. The first image sensor 104 and the second image sensor 105 are constituted by a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like. The first image sensor 104 and the second image sensor 105 have an image pickup pixel and a focus detection pixel for autofocus using a phase difference detection method. The MPU 106 includes a CPU and a memory that stores a program executed by the CPU, and functions as a control unit that controls the overall operation of the camera body 101. Further, the MPU 106 controls the driving of the photographing lens 102b via the lens driving motor 108.

Can the Canon EOS R system miss a Nifty Fifty lens? It looks like this has not to happen. Canon patent application 2019-184748 discusses optical formulas for an RF 50mm f/1.8 lens. Here comes the Nifty Fifty:

  • F-number 1.85
  • half angle (in degrees) 23.95
  • image height 21.64
  • total lens length 58.55
  • BF 20.94
  • Focal length 48.70
  • F-number 1.85
  • field angle 23.95
  • Image height 21.64
  • total lens length 58.55
  • BF 20.15
  • Focal length 48.70
  • F-number 1.85
  • half angle (in degrees) 23.95
  • Image height 21.64
  • total lens length 58.55
  • BF 16.48
  • Focal length 48.70
  • F-number 1.85
  • half angle (in degrees) 23.95
  • Image height 21.64
  • total lens length 58.55
  • BF 19.38

Canon patent application 2019-0324229 discusses optical formulas for an RF 14-28mm f/2 lens for the EOS R system

  • Focal length 14.42 19.78 27.16
  • F-number 2.06 2.06 2.06
  • Half angle of view 56.32 47.56 38.54
  • Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64
  • Total lens length 164.32 150.29 146.47 
  • BF 16.13 16.13 16.13

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

Canon EOS M6 Mark II Review (particularly good for street & travel, Photography Blog)

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Photography Blog posted their full Canon EOS M6 Mark II review. The EOS M6 Mark II is Canon’s latest APS-C mirrorless camera.

From the conclusion of the Canon EOS M6 Mark II review:

If you’re looking to get into interchangeable lens photography to exert a little more control over image functions and settings than your smartphone will allow, then the Canon EOS M6 Mark II is a good and straightforward enough place to start.

It allows you to begin your photographic ‘journey’ by pointing and shooting, before then gradually work your way around more precise manual controls as your understanding of the camera and personal skillset improves.

This camera is particularly good for street and travel photography, where its swift auto focusing, subject tracking, compact size and unobtrusive looks work in the photographer’s favour.

Read the review at Photography Blog

They gave the Canon EOS M6 Mark II a rating of 4/5 stars. More Canon EOS M6 Mark II reviews are listed here.

Canon EOS M6 Mark II: [shoplist 58198]

There’s A High-end Canon EOS R In Consideration, Says Canon Exec, And It Will Have IBIS

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Not the first time that a Canon exec suggests there will be a high-end Canon EOS R model, but it’s nice to hear it again.

The Canon exec is David Parry, Canon UK’s product intelligence consultant, interviewed by the folks at Digital Camera World. And what you can read below about the high-end Canon EOS R is marketing department language at its finest:

There’s a high-end EOS R in consideration […] So we are considering bringing a high end EOS R to the market.

If we do, it will have dual card slots, it will be that sort of level, and under development is in-body image stabilization. So we are looking at this technology, it is in development with us.

I think in-body IS is really exciting for us, if we do bring it to market and it does come across, I think it could be really good and I think it says something about our [EOS] R series.

So, just to get it straight.

  • Canon is considering to release a high end EOS R body
  • If they do (if!) then it will have dual card slots
  • If they do it then it will have IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation)
  • IBIS is exciting and would be good for the EOS R lineup

There is no reason to doubt that Canon is working on IBIS, given the remarkable collection of patent applications dealing with it and the fact that another Canon exec told the world about. It’s likely that the first Canon camera to feature it will be a mirrorless.

Stay tuned

The Canon EOS Ra For Astrophotography Is The Next Canon Camera To Get Announced

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The Canon EOS Ra already leaked some weeks ago.

The Canon EOS Ra most likely is the next Canon camera to get announced. We expect an announcement within the next weeks.

The leaked product leaflet states:

  • This camera has approximately four times the transmittance of hydrogen-alpha light (656 nm) as the EOS R. Photographs of subjects that reflect a lot of infrared light will therefore appear redder than they actually are. Also, as it may not be possible to obtain an appropriate color balance or uneven colors may result, shooting normal subjects with this camera is not recommended.
  • Camera operations are essentially the same as for the EOS R. Refer to the included EOS R Getting Started Guide (booklet). Additionally, you can download the EOS R Advanced User Guide (PDF file) from the Canon website.

So far we only know that the Canon EOS Ra will have a full frame image sensor.

Announcement soon, stay tuned for more to come.

[via Nokishita]

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and RF 85mm f/1.2L DS Officially Announced

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
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Known to come since long, here is the official announcement of the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and RF 85mm f/1.2L DS lenses for the Canon EOS R system.

The RF 85mm f/1.2L DS features a new optical technology named Defocus Smoothing, see here how it works.

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and RF 85mm f/1.2L DS lenses are scheduled to be available late November 2019 and December 2019, respectively for an estimated retail price of $2,699 and $2,999 respectively. Preorders are open:

  • Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
  • Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
  • Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
  • Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
  • Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
  • Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

Canon press release:

The RF Family Grows By Two: Canon RF 70-200MM F2.8L IS USM Lens Is The World’s Shortest And Lightest Lens In Its Class And RF 85MM F1.2L USM DS Is The First Lens To Feature Defocus Smoothing

New RF L-Series Lenses Aim to Provide Impeccable Performance, Handling and Unique Features to Photographers Shooting with EOS R and EOS RP Cameras

MELVILLE, NY, October 24, 2019 – Completing the “trinity” of RF lenses for the EOS R Full-Frame mirrorless camera system, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM telephoto lens. Additionally, the company also announced its first lens to feature Defocus Smoothing lens coating, the Canon RF 85 F1.2L DS. The ninth and tenth lenses in the RF family are both powerful tools for photographers using the EOS R or EOS RP cameras, in particular, those shooting sports or wildlife photography with the RF 70-200mm F2.8L or portrait photography with the RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS. 

Short and Light With All The Might: Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

The new lens features a large and bright f/2.8 aperture, which, along with the 70-200mm focal zoom ranges, presents an ideal workhorse lens for professional and amateur photographers shooting sports, wildlife, wedding and event action. The new RF lens is 27 percent shorter and 28 percent lighter than its EF counterparti with a large portion of the lens element arrangement closer to the camera body. This arrangement is designed to provide photographers with a more balanced feel and experience even at telephoto end of the zoom range. Additionally, the shorter and lighter design allows the lens to be more easily stowed away in a camera bag when not in-use.

A first for Canon lenses, the new RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM features two Nano USM motors providing an even greater level of high-speed autofocus for still image shooting and quiet and smooth autofocus for video shooting. The lens also incorporates a floating focus control, another Canon first, that drives the two lens groups individually while using the two aforementioned Nano USM motors. The floating focus lens element shortens focusing distance and help reduce breathing, providing users with fast, consistent and reliable performance. 

Additional Features of The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Include: 

  • Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO
  • 17 lens elements in 13 groups including two aspherical lenses, one super UD lens and four UD lenses, that help to reduce chromatic aberration
  • CIPA standard five stops of image stabilization (IS) including three IS modes with dual-sensing and combination IS
  • 12-pin communication system
  • L-Series dust and weather resistant build with fluorine coating
  • Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) helps minimize lens flare and ghosting

Teaching an Old Dog a New Trick: Canon 85mm F1.2L USM DS

Canon has a rich history spanning over 40 years of producing 85mm lenses with f/1.2 apertures, and the new Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS is no different, or is it? The lens ushers in a new lens coating from Canon, Defocus Smoothingii, designed to enhance the appearance of bokeh in the images captured with the lens. DS coating is a vapor-deposited coating technology that is applied to the front and rear surfaces of a specific lens element inside the lens. The coating allows off-axis flux to pass through the periphery of the lens that gradually decreases the transmittance of light, which results in images with beautifully blurred backgrounds. 

In addition, the new lens features a bright f/1.2 aperture which, along with the 85mm focal length, encompasses an ideal lens for portrait photographers. 85mm is often the preferred focal length selected by photographers when shooting portraits because it provides an appropriate depth and perspective of the subject relative to the background, helping to capture high-quality imagery with beautiful and desirable bokeh. The focal length also allows for the photographer and subject to maintain optimum distance apart to support strong communication, while not being too close.

Additional Features of The Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS Include:

  • Minimum focusing distance of 2.79 feet/0.85 meters
  • Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO
  • One Aspheric lens and one UD Lens, along with BR optics that help to reduce chromatic aberration
  • 12-pin communication system
  • L-Series dust and weather resistant build with fluorine coating
  • Air Sphere Coating (ASC) that helps minimize lens flare and ghosting
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