How much improvement can Canon actually implement into the DO series?
July 30, 2014, 01:42:29 AM
Topic: Patent: EF 400 f/4 DO IS II (Read 7070 times)
Don Haines
- Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II
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- Posts: 2822
- Posting cat pictures on the internet since 1986
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Price it at $2999 and you'll have quite a few takers who can't quite make the financial leap to the f/2.8 version"new and improved" and "less than half the price of the old model" are probably not walking down the aisle hand in hand.....
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Don Haines
- Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II
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- Posts: 2822
- Posting cat pictures on the internet since 1986
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I just want a sub $3000 400mm F/4. Non-IS, non-DO, I don't care.sounds good to me....
A 400mm F/5.6 is just too slow, and a 300mm F/4 just doesn't get close enough. A 400mm F/2.8 is just too expensive.
Sigh.
I'd even like to see a sharper 400 F5.6 with IS...
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The best camera is the one in your hands
Mt Spokane Photography
- Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II
- Posts: 8276
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This is yet another with their particle in resin technology "DOE anomalous partial dispersion and bonding materials".
They keep churning out patents for lenses using the technology, but have also noted that they can't control the particle dispersion closely enough to make the process practical. The spacing and distribution of the particles is critical to bend the desired wavelengths of light.
Obviously, they believe that they can bring the process to production. If they do, it can reduce the length of lenses by a substantial amount, and potentially improve the IQ of DO lenses.
DO lenses can bend light waves larger amounts than glass and still not be plagued with CA's. The payoff of a successful particle in resin radial dispersion lens elements will be high. And expect the price to be breath taking, at least initially. They might only be able to use one of one hundred or less lens elements produced.
They keep churning out patents for lenses using the technology, but have also noted that they can't control the particle dispersion closely enough to make the process practical. The spacing and distribution of the particles is critical to bend the desired wavelengths of light.
Obviously, they believe that they can bring the process to production. If they do, it can reduce the length of lenses by a substantial amount, and potentially improve the IQ of DO lenses.
DO lenses can bend light waves larger amounts than glass and still not be plagued with CA's. The payoff of a successful particle in resin radial dispersion lens elements will be high. And expect the price to be breath taking, at least initially. They might only be able to use one of one hundred or less lens elements produced.
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CharlieB
- Canon 70D
- Posts: 302
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consider please, that sometimes patents are applied for, and granted, for designs that will never see the light of day, if only to thwart the competition rather than make actual products
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goulab
- Power Shot G16
- Posts: 10
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Just a question, is it the only DO tele patent ? You "heard" something for 300mm, 500, 600... ?
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TrumpetPower!
- 1D Mark IV
- Posts: 951
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Canon is in a bit of an awkward position, it seems.
First, I'm sure that, eventually, DO will be everywhere. I can easily imagine even moderate focal length lenses getting the DO treatment to turn them into fast pancakes.
But it's obviously not easy doing it with today's technology.
What's worse...well, anybody willing to blow big bucks on a Great White isn't interested in compromising image quality. The IQ hit the 400 DO takes...well, why bother if the 400 f/5.6 at a stop higher ISO gives better IQ with the same shutter speed for a fraction of the price and the weight?
So, until Canon can get the image quality of a DO lens not only on a par with their other Great Whites but even a step ahead, it's going to continue to be the redheaded stepchild of the imaging world.
But, in the mean time, they've still got to keep making the things and basically not selling them. Doesn't make for a very easy path from here to there.
Cheers,
b&
First, I'm sure that, eventually, DO will be everywhere. I can easily imagine even moderate focal length lenses getting the DO treatment to turn them into fast pancakes.
But it's obviously not easy doing it with today's technology.
What's worse...well, anybody willing to blow big bucks on a Great White isn't interested in compromising image quality. The IQ hit the 400 DO takes...well, why bother if the 400 f/5.6 at a stop higher ISO gives better IQ with the same shutter speed for a fraction of the price and the weight?
So, until Canon can get the image quality of a DO lens not only on a par with their other Great Whites but even a step ahead, it's going to continue to be the redheaded stepchild of the imaging world.
But, in the mean time, they've still got to keep making the things and basically not selling them. Doesn't make for a very easy path from here to there.
Cheers,
b&
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RGF
- 1D X
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- Posts: 1235
- How you relate to the issue, is the issue.
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I just want a sub $3000 400mm F/4. Non-IS, non-DO, I don't care.
A 400mm F/5.6 is just too slow, and a 300mm F/4 just doesn't get close enough. A 400mm F/2.8 is just too expensive.
Sigh.
Well it would most certainly be IS. DO or non-DO?
400 F5.6 IS (new lens) would probably be ~$2000. Add a stop which doubles that amount of glass (gross approximation), the cost gets closer to $5000. Add DO technology to get the lens lighter, 50% premium - close to $8000.
I just don't see Canon coming out with this lens unless the IQ is on par with traditional design.
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