Patent: A zoom teleconverter, 1.0x-1.5x-2.0x
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What an absolutely fascinating, innovative patent.
I was just having a conversation in another thread about how an external swing-in/swing-out teleconverter that works like the 200-400 isn't possible for all lenses, since when the optics swing out it changes the backfocus distance. This patent would solve that problem, since the optics don't simply just swing out of the optical path, but instead are always there to correct the backfocus change.
This is a great example of Canon looking into truly innovative and groundbreaking solutions in ways we haven't really thought of before.
I was just having a conversation in another thread about how an external swing-in/swing-out teleconverter that works like the 200-400 isn't possible for all lenses, since when the optics swing out it changes the backfocus distance. This patent would solve that problem, since the optics don't simply just swing out of the optical path, but instead are always there to correct the backfocus change.
This is a great example of Canon looking into truly innovative and groundbreaking solutions in ways we haven't really thought of before.
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My money is on this patent becoming a product.
The RF 70-200mm f/2.8 being incompatible with TC is ridiculous to the point I'm considering a switch to Nikon Z, rather than Canon RF.
I don't use the focal lengths over 200mm often enough to justify buying even a used EF 100-400mm, nor stuffing my bag with another big lens. The classic case for a TC. I don't see Canon releasing another RF 70-200mm f/2.8 any time soon either.
It might be wishful thinking on my side, but an innovative twofer, like the EF 8-15mm, seems like a reasonable plan.
The RF 70-200mm f/2.8 being incompatible with TC is ridiculous to the point I'm considering a switch to Nikon Z, rather than Canon RF.
I don't use the focal lengths over 200mm often enough to justify buying even a used EF 100-400mm, nor stuffing my bag with another big lens. The classic case for a TC. I don't see Canon releasing another RF 70-200mm f/2.8 any time soon either.
It might be wishful thinking on my side, but an innovative twofer, like the EF 8-15mm, seems like a reasonable plan.
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Factors that will matter:
1) What is the t-stop loss with the adapter on. Without a swing-out mechanism, we're adding lots of glass between sensor and subject.
2) Image quality reduction rate, especially on the 1x setting, where there is no magnification benefit.
This could theoretically make buying EF glass into the future more attractive, unless the mechanism was included in new RF big whites.
1) What is the t-stop loss with the adapter on. Without a swing-out mechanism, we're adding lots of glass between sensor and subject.
2) Image quality reduction rate, especially on the 1x setting, where there is no magnification benefit.
This could theoretically make buying EF glass into the future more attractive, unless the mechanism was included in new RF big whites.
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Interesting idea. When I first read the headline I missed that this was from Canon, and thought that these might be exactly what some cheap Chinese manufacturer would make, and so it couldn’t possibly be any good.
but then I realized it was from Canon, and it got more interesting. I doubt Canon would release junk. But this could simply be one of those patents that’s defensive in nature. So, a product category that they’ve investigated, and so feel others might investigate too. So getting a patent would prevent others from getting there, or at least slow them down.
the problem is, how good could a zoom tele converter really be, considering that unless it’s designed with just one lens in mind, it has to contend with light rays entering from different back elements of different sizes, at different distances, at different angles. It’s hard enough to make a general purpose teleconverter, and this must be considerably more difficult, and expensive.
but then I realized it was from Canon, and it got more interesting. I doubt Canon would release junk. But this could simply be one of those patents that’s defensive in nature. So, a product category that they’ve investigated, and so feel others might investigate too. So getting a patent would prevent others from getting there, or at least slow them down.
the problem is, how good could a zoom tele converter really be, considering that unless it’s designed with just one lens in mind, it has to contend with light rays entering from different back elements of different sizes, at different distances, at different angles. It’s hard enough to make a general purpose teleconverter, and this must be considerably more difficult, and expensive.
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Cool idea but will cost at least $2K IMO and weigh 400g. Too bad you'll never be able to use it on the 70-200's. I wonder if they'll make their new 135mm not take a TC too.
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Please work with TS-E lenses! Please work with TS-E lenses! Please work with TS-E lenses! Please work with TS-E lenses!
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The same applies to any existing 1.4x and 2x TC. The raison d'etre for TCs is trading off image quality for size and price.
The EF 8-15mm's price settled on about twice the price of the EF 15mm. Reasonable, as it gives the functionality of two fisheye primes, if not more. Same with this extender. The RF 1.4x & 2x extenders cost $1,100 together, so Canon could charge as much for it.
I plan to buy an RF 70-200mm f/2.8. I don't want to buy a big 100-500mm for $2,700. As long as image quality doesn't take too big a hit, a small vari-extender for $1,350 sounds like a good deal.
And as Mark3794 wrote, this could be turn any prime into a zoom, e.g. it could turn an RF 35mm f/1.8 into a 35-70mm f/1.8-3.6. Sounds like a nice normal zoom.
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No. 3 step zoom. Like Leica Tri-Elmar. 35/1.8 have 3 position. 35mm (1.0), 52.5mm (1.5), 70mm (2.0).
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A better idea is a 1.4x TC / EF-RF converter that fits into same or smaller space as the current EF-RF converter. Are you listening Canon?
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Not exactly. Those can be optimized to their magnification. A zoom can’t. The IQ will always be lower.
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