It's been a slow month patent application-wise, unless, as I told Craig earlier, I start to talk about printer patent applications. No one wants to do that – including yours truly.
In this patent application (JP2024-042622), Canon talks about some Ultra-wide full-frame zooms. Now, this is one area of Canon's lens portfolio that is pretty top-notch – so any lens in this patent application would have a difficult time justifying its purpose – but an F2.0 ultra-wide would certainly have its uses if coma was tightly controlled.
All the embodiments are pretty decent with a full image circle even at the ultra-wide end, and while they sit into the camera mount, not excessively so with a 6mm ingress into the mount.
Canon RF 14-20mm F2.0
Wide Intermediate Telephoto Focal length 14.30 18.00 21.50 F number 2.06 2.06 2.06 angle of view 56.54 50.24 45.18 Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 Lens length 148.04 141.94 139.46 BF 13.87 16.78 20.30
Canon RF 12-24mm F2.8
Wide Intermediate Telephoto
Focal length 12.29 18.00 23.80
F-number 2.93 2.93 2.93
Angle of view 60.39 50.25 42.27
Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64
Lens length 138.05 132.29 134.83
Back Focus 13.86 17.55 19.48
Canon RF 11-24mm F2.8-4.0
Wide Intermediate Telephoto Focal length 11.30 18.00 23.80 F number 2.93 3.49 4.09 Angle of view 62.42 50.24 42.27 Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64 Lens Length 138.04 131.89 136.22 BF 13.87 19.38 22.14
As with all patent applications, this is a look into Canon's research – it may or may not end up in an actual patent or product.
Japan Patent Application JP2024-042622
For some this is a niche lens ofc. For me, it's the dream astro landscape lens. And it finally might have the resolving power that the 45MP sensor deserves in UWA
Canon did surprise with the weight /size of the rf10-20/4 so who knows what might be released.
Canon's last announcement was November 2nd 2023, so I would expect some announcements in April.
Otherwise, I believe they have announced an ILC or lens in January/February/March every year since 2010 except this year and 2021.
"Canon does not care and you will see" was his response...
First... bad customer service (journey) at an fair Canon... bad! Not the answer he should have given (and before people write, I am aware he maybe gets this a dozen times asked before, doesn´t make the answer better)
second... if really not this year: even worse!
Judging by the use of the word "Canon" instead of "we", I am guessing not much.
Was this in the Moscow camera fair? ;)
For those that haven't followed the Russian Canon Reps always gave the most bizarre, head-scratching commentary.
But I am very much interested in the optical performance of such a lens.
So Canon, please bring it just for my curiosity and - of course - for all those wanting it ;)
No need for an f/2 UWA. Now…an f/2 short tele, 70-150 or 70-200, to pair with the 28-70/2, that I’d buy.
What official Canon rep would say such a thing?