Canon has filed various patents over the years. Each time, the patent showcased a new and innovative lens that would, if it became a reality, be the world’s first in its respective field. For instance, the patent for a macro lens that could be the world’s first. Similarly, the company has filed new patents recently for varied lenses, which could be truly different if they manage to reach the development stage. What could they be? Scroll down to know more.
Reflective and Transmissive Surface Wide Angle Lenses
In a new article by Asobinet, the publication shared that Canon has filed a patent for an optical system that uses reflective and transmissive surfaces. Published on March 26, the patent states this will help to create compact and high-performance wide-angle lenses. The focal length example of these lenses includes a 24mm f0.7 lens and a 12mm f1 lens. The bright aperture is one of the key points that will help photographers, especially those using smaller sensors. Here are the specs:
24mm f0.7 lens:
- Half Angle of View: 42.04°
- Total Length: 85.00mm
- Back Focus: 5.00mm
12mm f1 lens:
- Half Angle of View: 50.23°
- Total Length: 76.50mm
- Back Focus: 11.50mm
At the moment, the lens is not only limited to the use of digital cameras. The company states that compactness is one of the reason they wish to make it more useful for drones as well as in-car cameras. This comes during a time when more and more photographers are looking for compact lenses, one that can make it easy for them to carry for outdoor shoots.
Lenses Using Polarizing Elements and Half-Mirrors
Yet another patent, Canon, is again looking at ways to create bright aperture lenses. The patent, per Asobinet, states that the lenses are 50mm f1.5 and 32mm f0.75, which will use polarizing elements and a half mirror. The first one will help in controlling the direction of light waves, while the latter splits light into two parts. and half-mirrors help split light into two parts. The patent does not share many details other than the following:
50mm f1.5 lens:
- Half Angle of View: 24.26°
- Image Height: 21.64mm
- Back Focus: 0.10mm
32mm f0.75 lens:
- Half Angle of View: 24.37°
- Image Height: 14.50mm
- Back Focus: 0.10mm
However, Asobinet also states that these bright lenses are not for photographers but for the company’s cinema lineup. The aim is to offer high performance in a compact body, especially such bright apertures, helping people shoot in really low light with pleasing bokeh.
A New Wide-Angle and Zoom Lenses Patent
Canon’s last set of patents focuses on creating a zoom lens and wide-angle lens that is not only compact but also has controlled lens aberration. Asobinet says the patent was filed on March 26 with examples of 18-70mm f2.8 and 16-60mm f2.8. However, considering how the lenses go from extremely wide to the telephoto end, it seems like they are designed for travel photographers or those who need an all-in-one lens. Here are its specs:
18-70mm f2.8 zoom lens:
- Half Angle of View: 46.11°-17.68°
- Image Height: 18.23-21.64mm
- Back Focus: 18.22mm
16-60mm f2.8 zoom lens
- Half Angle of View: 47.94°-20.14°
- Image Height: 18.19-21.64mm
- Back Focus: 18.76-23.16mm
The lenses have too many elements, so we do hope this L class will allow them to have fast autofocus and pro-grade weather sealing. Furthermore, the design means this could be a collapsable lens.
Furthermore, with each patent, it is possible that Canon never really develops them. These lenses could be their way of improving their research, and that’s about it. One thing each of these patents proves is the need for fast aperture lenses, which are also compact and lightweight. This means we are truly in our mirrorless era, and we may see more innovation that will become smaller and lighter with time.