Canon Patent: RF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS Lens For EOS R System

Canon Patent
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Canon is investing in their new EOS R system in a concrete and solid way. Here is a Canon patent application (2019-020679) for an RF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS lens. This lens is the EOS R version of a very common lens aimed at non professionals, for the consumer market.

Next week (2/14/19) Canon will announce the EOS RP, the company’s first entry level full frame mirrorless camera, and a lens like the RF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS is sure to hit the market soon (most patent application never do). I’m just not 100% sure it’s also image stabilised.

  • Zoom ratio: 4.11
  • Focal length: 71.40~136.34~293.23 mm
  • F number: 3.94~4.72~5.83
  • Half angle of view: 16.86~9.02~4.22
  • Image height: 21.64 mm
  • Lens length: 165.00~202.03~235.83 mm
  • Back focus: 12.14~31.67~72.45 mm

The Canon patent application was spotted by Hi Low Notes.

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 Empowers the Future as a Top U.S. Patent Recipient and Innovative Leader

Top 10 Cameras Canon Rumors Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Canon Eos R Pro Eos R Canon Lens Explorers Of Light
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Canon Empowers the Future as a Top U.S. Patent Recipient and Innovative Leader

Company Also Rises to Secure Second Place in New Ultimate Patent Ownership Analysis

Press release:

MELVILLE, NY, January 15, 2019 – Ranking third in the number of U.S. patents awarded in 2018, Canon Inc., the parent company to Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, proves it continues to empower future leaders with new and innovative technology solutions. While overall number of U.S. patents awarded is down, according to results issued by the leading producer of global patent databases IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, Canon maintained its standing in the top five spots by being awarded a total of 3,056 patents in 2018. 

This marks the 33rd consecutive year that Canon ranked in the top five for number of U.S. patents awarded and the 14th consecutive year that Canon was the top recipient of U.S. patents among Japanese companies.

Additionally, and new this year to IFI’s patent analysis, Canon ranks second in Ultimate Patent Ownership. This separate analysis tabulates the world’s largest current patent holders, which includes parent companies and their subsidiaries. Unlike IFI’s annual Top U.S. Patent Recipients*, the broader ranking measures the size of a patent owner’s global portfolio based on the number of active patent families around the world covering a single invention. Canon secured the second spot, outranking IBM, with 34,905 active patent families.

“The secret to the success behind Canon is that it is always reinventing its approach to innovation, as evident through our continually high rankings in the IFI’s annual patent reports,” says Seymour Liebman, executive vice president, chief administrative officer, and general counsel, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The IFI’s new patent analysis is further testament to that fact. We are proud of our strong standing among fellow tech giants and look forward to the future, as we continue to break molds and reimagine the impossible.”

This patent news also comes on the heels of Canon’s innovation showcase at CES 2019 where the Company joined forces with likeminded innovators in its booth to “Empower the Future” through its technology integrations in manufacturing, retail, sports, entertainment, and experiential marketing solutions.

For more information on Canon and its products, visit www.usa.canon.com.

Canon Patent Application For Speedbooster-like Focal Reducer

Focal Reducer
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Hi Lows Note spotted a Canon patent application 2019-003074 that describes a focal reducer.

A focal reducer does the opposite of a teleconverter, reduces the focal length and increases the lens aperture. You likely know that from the Metabone Speedboosters.

Specification and lens arrangement of master lens 1 (18-55mm, F2.8)
Zoom ratio: 3.05
Focal length: 17.50 – 53.35 mm
F number: 2.80 – 2.80
Half angle of view: 36.65 – 13.71 
Image height: 13.02 – 13.02 mm
Lens length: 148.81 – 172.70 mm
Back focus: 35.51 – 40.31 mm

Specification and lens arrangement of master lens 1 with reducer 1
Focal length: 11.36 mm
F number: 1.82
Half angle of view: 36.67 
Image height: 8.46 mm
Lens length: 142.26 mm
Back focus: 2.00 mm

Specification and lens arrangement of master lens 2 (34mm, F1.4)
Focal length: 34.20 mm
F number: 1.45
Half angle of view: 32.32 
Image height: 21.64 mm
Lens length: 129.16 mm
Back focus: 39.35 mm

Specification and lens arrangement of master lens 2 with reducer 5
Focal length: 23.92 mm
F number: 1.02
Half angle of view: 32.33 
Image height: 15.14 mm
Lens length: 125.59 mm
Back focus: 2.00 mm

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

Canon Patent
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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
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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: