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    Canon Patent Application: More Super Telephoto Zooms

    By 30 Comments3 Mins Read Canon Patents
    JPA 505135181 i 000002 1536x768 - Canon Patent Application: More Super Telephoto Zooms

    Canon has published a series of 3 patent applications at the same time dealing with super-telephoto zooms. I know we have recently covered a similar patent application not so long ago, and that usually precludes me from writing up yet-another-article on this. Personally, I'm always curious when they do multiple submissions at the same time. It takes a lot of time to create a patent application. Between the author, lawyers, and the skull-numbing bureaucracy of the various patent offices you need to deal with – it's usually not something you do without some kind of reason. Yes, it could be defensive which means they don't want anyone else from creating the item discussed in the patent application, but that's rarely a set of 3 patent applications.

    Not only that, all three patents combine to form a complete picture of these lenses. So I happen to think the series of patent applications is noteworthy.

    Japan Patent Application 2023-135180

    This patent application discusses the design of a small, lightweight telephoto zoom lens, in particular, it's focused (no pun intended) on the fourth element group to increase the optical performance while focusing.

    The lens design embodiments mentioned are;

    • Canon RF 200-800mm F5.6-9.0
    • Canon RF 200-1000mm F5.6-11.0
    • Canon RF 200-800mm F5.6-8.0

    Japan Patent Application 2023-135181

    This patent application discusses the optical element design of a super-telephoto zoom to have a small size and good optical performance. Given the focal ranges talked about in the embodiments I should mention that “small size” is relative here, but still impressive with the 300-1000mm zoom lens being 420mm in length.

    The lenses in the embodiments are as follows;

    • Canon RF 150-600mm F5.0-6.3
    • Canon RF 200-800mm F5.6-9.0
    • Canon RF 300-1000mm F6.3-9.0
    • Canon RF 300-800mm F5.6-9.0
    • Canon RF 200-500mm F5.6-6.3
    • Canon RF 200-400mm F4.0

    Japan Patent Application 2023-135182

    In this application, the addition of image stabilization is added to the lens designs. Good news for those who were worried about hand-holding a 300-1000mm lens without IS.

    The lenses discussed in the embodiments include;

    • Canon RF 200-800mm F5.6-9.0
    • Canon RF 200-1000mm F5.6-9.0
    • Canon RF 150-600mm F5.0-6.3
    • Canon RF 200-600mm F5.0-6.3
    • Canon RF 200-400mm F4.0

    In all a series of interesting patent applications. As with all patent applications, they may not end up in an actual patent, or products. However, it does give us an idea about what Canon is researching.

    Source: Japan Patent Application 2023-135180
    Source: Japan Patent Application 2023-135181
    Source: Japan Patent Application 2023-135182

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    30 comments

    1. The most reasonable thing would be to propose us a good 150-600, an excellent compromise for everyone.
      But I admit that a 200-800f/5.6-8 would tempt me too ! :D
      (not above $3000 please !!)
    6. Nice to read Canon is working on more supertelezoom lenses. I selfishly stated before a 250-750mm would make sense or that’d be room for a supertelezoom lens built like the RF 100-400mm.

      A Canon RF 200-800mm F5-6-9.0 or RF 200-1000mm F5.6-11 both sound like they could be consumer oriented lenses. 200-800 F5.6-8 sounds more like a L lens. I´d be in the market for either one depending on weight and size.
    10. Figure 25 of the 135182 patent showed a quite compact lens which had internal zooming. Following were a couple of more figures which seemed to show it to be very well corrected. Sounds like an Elle lens. The others were all external zooming, some appearing more compact than other and not as well corrected.

      The 135181 patent seems to be all about a internal zoom lenses but not quite as highly corrected as the lens in the 135182 patent.

      Apparently Japanese patents are interesting today. I keep running into server error problems so have not been able to see much other than the drawings.
    11. The RF100-400 is an absolute powerhouse for what it is. Light weight, great price, and optical performance well ahead of the pricepoint. For me, it's not a matter of whether I should've purchased that or saved up my pennies for a faster L series lens. I couldn't have afforded anything more expensive, but I am very pleased with what I've gotten out of it. A 200-800 cut from the same cloth would be very attractive to me. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
    12. The RF100-400 is an absolute powerhouse for what it is. Light weight, great price, and optical performance well ahead of the pricepoint. For me, it's not a matter of whether I should've purchased that or saved up my pennies for a faster L series lens.
      I have a bunch of faster L series lenses and I’m still very impressed with the performance of my RF 100-400.
    13. I have a bunch of faster L series lenses and I’m still very impressed with the performance of my RF 100-400.
      I bought an RF 100-400mm for wife as soon as it was released to go on her R7. I was so impressed I bought a second one for me. Yesterday we were out, she with the RF 100-400 on the R7 and me with the RF 100-500 on the R5, and both of us shot a small Nuthatch under dim conditions needing iso 5000-6000. Here are the small centre crops of the bird, the RF 100-400mm at the top. The RF 100-400 at f/.8 gives better depth of field and she has more of the bird in focus. I actually prefer the RF 100-400mm for shots near the mfd of insects - its better than the L lens 2.5x the weight and 5x the price.

      3R3A3811-DxO_Nuthatch.jpg309A8855-DxO_Nuthatch_side_down_tree_looking_forward.jpg
    15. The RF100-400 is an absolute powerhouse for what it is. Light weight, great price, and optical performance well ahead of the pricepoint. For me, it's not a matter of whether I should've purchased that or saved up my pennies for a faster L series lens. I couldn't have afforded anything more expensive, but I am very pleased with what I've gotten out of it. A 200-800 cut from the same cloth would be very attractive to me. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
      You and I and those who owned this gem loves it.

      Haters just look at f numbers and have the delusion that telephotos have to be f2.8 or brighter. And everyone shoots in low light, require high shutter speed.
    17. Haters just look at f numbers and have the delusion that telephotos have to be f2.8 or brighter. And everyone shoots in low light, require high shutter speed.
      Also, everyone needs a 45 MP stacked sensor.
    19. You and I and those who owned this gem loves it.

      Haters just look at f numbers and have the delusion that telephotos have to be f2.8 or brighter. And everyone shoots in low light, require high shutter speed.
      I wonder how many of those demanding f2,8 superteles or zooms could actually afford them.
      Criticising for the sake of criticising...:unsure:

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