Canon appears to be rather active in discontinuing their EF and EF-S lenses at fast speed. Latest reports state that more lenses have been retired.
asobinet.com reports a tweet by photographer Kimio Tanaka, stating that Canon is discontinuing EF and EF-S lenses (machine translated):
CANON’s EF / EF-S lenses for SLR cameras are “low in stock” and “discontinued” at a tremendous speed (that is, production has been discontinued, and the rest is only in market stock). Currently, about 70 are “on sale”, but about 25 of them are treated as discons. I don’t want to think of a single-lens reflex camera as a light in front of the wind, but the remaining expectation is PENTAX. I want you to do your best.
The EF 40mm F2.8 and EF 85mm F1.2L II show up as discontinued, according to asobinet.com (the latter is not in stock at B&H). it seems Canon’s stock of EF and EF-S lenses is shrinking pretty quickly. The future is the RF mount, that seems ascertained.
A new Canon patent application for an RF mount lens. The interesting fact here: it seems to be be made for a camera with APS-C sensor. Is the EOS R with crop sensor really coming?
Canon patent application 2021-162822 (Japan, spotted by asobinet.com) discusses optical formulas for a 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 lens. A kit lens you might add. From the patent literature:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lightweight zoom lens.
As a zoom lens used in an imaging device such as a still camera, a video camera, and a surveillance camera, Patent Document 1 discloses a negative lead type zoom lens in which the lens group on the most object side has a negative refractive power.
Embodiment 1:
Focal length: 18.53-43.65
F value: 4.54-6.50
Half angle of view: 33.78-17.38
Image height: 12.40-13.66
Overall length: 92.00-83.05
Back focus: 30.20-51.20
Embodiment 2:
Focal length: 20.01-43.64
F value: 4.60-6.50
Half angle of view: 31.79-17.38
Image height: 12.40-13.66
Overall length: 90.65-80.61
Back focus: 32.94-50.55
This definitely appears to be a lens for a APS-C sensors. asobinet.com notes that:
[…] the image height on the wide-angle side is 12.40 mm, which is a little too small, so it may be stretched by image processing. Since the back focus is longer overall, is it a mirrorless lens that uses a retractable structure? It’s similar to the patent application that appeared in 2019, but this time it’s different. The focal length at the wide-angle end is as low as 18.53mm, and you may feel that the angle of view is a little narrow for movie shooting.
The lens might also be for the EOS M system, although it seems less likely. Is an EOS R with an APS-C sensor really on Canon’s radar? We still have a somewhat hard time to believe it but there are signs it might be true. All comments welcome.
More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:
Here is a very interesting Canon patent application, once more for an RF mount lens. An RF 28-70mm f/2.8L with inner focusing and that does not extend might be in the works.
The Canon patent application spotted by asobinet.com (they did not disclose the patent number), discusses optical formulas for a RF 28-70mm f/2.8L lens. The interesting part, if I got it right from the machine translated Japanese text, is that the lens not only does all the focusing but also employs a design that is usually found on wide-angle lenses.
It sounds like a patent for a small and lightweight standard zoom. The characteristic of this optical system is that the total length is the longest at the wide-angle end and the total length becomes shorter toward the telephoto end. This is a common optical system for wide-angle lenses, but I don’t see this type of lens with standard zoom lenses, especially with large-aperture zoom lenses. If it is really put into practical use, it will be a very portable lens.
Did I get it right? The lens is indeed described to be shorter at the telephoto end (emphasis mine) in both embodiment:
Wide-angle intermediate telephoto
Focal length 28.84 36.81 67.90
F number 2.91 2.91 2.91
Half angle of view (°) 32.68 29.23 17.67
Image height 18.50 20.60 21.64
Lens total length 117.09 109.31 101.58
BF 9.99 13.47 21.59
Focal length 28.84 37.17 67.90
F number 2.91 2.91 2.91
Half angle of view (°) 32.65 28.90 17.67
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64
Lens total length 132.62 122.81 111.18
BF 21.92 26.79 39.84
Moreover, the lens uses a floating focus structure to achieve autofocus. That means it might have very fast and and highly responsive AF. The patent literature is very clear in what should be achieved:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a zoom lens having a short overall lens length, being compact and lightweight, and having high optical performance.
All comments welcome.
More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:
Today Canon announced the RF 5.2mm f/2.8L dual fisheye lens for VR. Here is a Canon patent for a head mounted display for VR applications.
Various Canon patent applications that deal with VR applications have been spotted by asobinet.com. Likely they are related to the RF 5.2mm f/2.8L lens.
Canon patent application 2021-89382:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device capable of more preferably displaying a VR image captured by using a plurality of optical systems.
[…] to obtain a wide-angle image with parallax using two optical systems, known technique for displaying a VR (Virtual Reality) image having a stereoscopic effect by displaying maps on the virtual sphere. A twin-lens VR camera for capturing an image with parallax has two optical systems oriented in the same direction, and captures two images with parallax by one imaging operation. As a twin-lens VR camera, a camera that captures a wide range of 180 degrees (hemisphere, 90 degrees in all directions from the center of an image) or more in each optical system is known. In addition, as a VR display method, “single-lens VR display” that displays one image by transforming the VR image into a virtual sphere, and VR images for the left eye and the right eye are displayed side by side in the left and right areas. “Binocular VR display” is known.
Canon patent application 2021-118415:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately dimm an external light entering between a head-mounted display (HMD) and a face.
In recent years, VR (Virtual Reality) technology that allows users to experience virtual reality and MR (Mixed Reality) technology that allows users to experience mixed reality by seamlessly fusing reality and virtual reality are known. .. There is a head-mounted display as one of the technologies that allows you to experience the above. If there is a gap between the head-mounted display and the face when the head-mounted display is attached to the head, the displayed image will be difficult to see due to the influence of external light, and the immersive feeling such as virtual reality experience will be reduced.
Canon patent application 2021-118426:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the compression rate of a moving image composed of a frame image having distortion of a lens and to suppress the processing amount.
Conventionally, a lens for stereoscopic photography has been used as an interchangeable lens system. By using a stereoscopic lens, a pair of left and right parallax images can be captured. When playing back a captured still image or moving image, the image for the right eye is displayed on the user’s right eye, and the image for the left eye is displayed on the left eye. As a result, an image having a parallax is projected on the right eye and the left eye, so that the user can visually recognize the image having a stereoscopic effect. As a related technique, a stereo adapter of Patent Document 1 has been proposed. The stereo adapter of Patent Document 1 has a left opening for capturing a left image and a right opening for capturing a right image, and is left in each region horizontally divided into two in the image pickup unit of the camera. The image and the right image are imaged at the same time.
The lens no rumor mill saw coming is here: the RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye lens for virtual reality applications. The Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye lens is scheduled to be available in late December 2021 for an estimated retail price of $1,999.
The RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye lens will be part of the EOS VR system and capture stereoscopic 3D 180-degree images. A firmware update to support the lens on the EOS R5 will follow and a software to edit the images and convert and process them for viewing on VR devices will also be released.
Canon press release:
Virtual Reality Through a New Lens: Canon Introduces Their First Dual Fisheye Lens for Stereoscopic 3D 180° VR Capture in 8K
MELVILLE, NY, October 6, 2021 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has introduced its first product designed to empower the next generation of immersive storytellers. The new RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye lens brings stereoscopic 3D virtual reality (VR) capture* to the EOS R5 camera as part of the EOS VR System, which also includes a future firmware update for the EOS R5 camera to support use of this lens with new VR shooting specific functions, as well as new upcoming Canon EOS VR software solutions for conversion and processing. As the world’s first digital interchangeable dual fisheye lens capable of shooting stereoscopic 3D 180° VR imagery to a single image sensor** the complexities of virtual reality production and the ability to view the content in full capacity, are greatly streamlined for seasoned professionals and newcomers to the craft. In order to truly experience the captured content by this system in its truest form, a compatible VR headset is recommended for use such as the Oculus Quest 2, allowing the viewer to immerse themselves in the content — by simply moving their head to provide a vivid, incredibly wide view.
“At Canon, we innovate so creators can push artistic boundaries, and this commitment to innovation is what led us to introduce the new RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye lens. As Canon’s first entry into the world of virtual reality image capture, the EOS VR System represents an important milestone in our company’s rich history as a lens manufacturer and welcomes a bright future for VR content creation,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of Canon U.S.A.’s Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “This new RF lens produces a stunning 8K virtual reality image and sets itself apart through its simplified workflow. Our goal is to make immersive storytelling more accessible for all.”
The RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye features high-quality L-series optics engineered with an interpupillary distance of 60mm for delivery of 3D imagery in VR with natural parallax closely resembling human vision when viewed through a compatible headset. With a 190 degree field of view captured from two separate optical systems they deliver outstanding results for 180° VR viewing platforms. With subwavelength coating technology offering impressive flare control in backlit conditions, VR creators can have freedom to shoot regardless the time of day, or position of the sun. The dual fisheye design provides versatile exposure control with a maximum aperture of a bright f/2.8 to a deep depth of field of f/16 with electronically controlled apertures allowing the dual fisheye lens to operate just like other RF mount lenses. Between the dust and water-resistant sealing and fluorine coating of the lens and the robust build of the EOS R5 camera, this System delivers peace of mind even in challenging weather conditions. Canon’s free Camera Connect app and Canon’s EOS Utility program both will be updated in the future to offer remote-control live view functionality for monitoring purposes while on-the-go.
The EOS VR System’s convenient workflow is a standout feature. Accomplished by recording left and right fisheye images to a single full-frame image sensor, this design helps to solve common VR challenges of stitching and synching, by outputting one single image file. Canon is currently developing two paid subscription-based software solutions as available options for completing the post-production process. Canon’s EOS VR Utility will offer the ability to convert clips from dual fisheye image to equirectangular and make quick edits, as well as select the resolution and file format before export. With the EOS VR Plug-In for Adobe® Premiere® Pro, creators will be able to automatically convert footage to equirectangular, and cut, color, and add new dimension to stories with Adobe Creative Cloud® apps, including Premiere Pro.
Compact, lightweight, and portable, the RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye is easily packed in a camera bag to help the creator tell unlimited virtual reality stories.
Additional features of Canon’s first interchangeable, stereoscopic 3D 180° VR 180 lens include:
Close-focusing distance of 7.87-inches/0.2m is possible – max magnification is 0.03x.
Aperture range of f/2.8 to f/16 with a 7-blade aperture and simultaneous electro-magnetic diaphragm for both left and right lenses.
Built-in Gelatin Filter Holder – allows ND gel filters to be used in bright environments if a bright aperture is desired.
Fluorine Coating on the front lens elements, with a dust and water resistant design.
Extremely compact size – allowing it to be used in different types of productions.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye lens is scheduled to be available in late December 2021 for an estimated retail price of $1,999.00***. In addition to the lens, both of Canon’s EOS VR Software solutions (EOS VR Utility and the EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro) are currently scheduled to be available in late December 2021. Both software solutions will be available as a paid subscription based model, but will offer free trial periods (details to be disclosed at a later date) as well as the ability to process still images and certain clip lengths for free. For additional information, please visit usa.canon.com.
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