Patent: Canon Patents New Type of Focusing Screen

[Canon Rumors]

<p>Canon appears to be developing a new type of brighter focusing screen according to a recent patent.</p>
<p>Keith <a href="http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-camera-rumours-and-info/">over at Northlight</a> appears to have done the legwork in breaking down the patent.</p>
<blockquote><p>A Canon patent looks at making less regularly spaced micro lenses for, amongst other things, a brighter view</p></blockquote>
<p>Improved brightness in a viewfinder will always be a welcomed feature.</p>
<p>If you’re so inclined, you can read the <a href="http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=09557451">full patent text at the USPTO</a>.</p>
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[Maximilian]

Interesting 8)

[quote author=Keith]
The DSLR focus screen isn’t being left behind.
...
[/quote]
Bad news for all mirrorslapper haters

Let's see if this becomes reality...

 

[Loswr]

The current stock focusing screens trade DoF for brightness with slower lenses, and thus don't show the true DoF of lenses faster than ~f/2.8. If this new screen is even brighter, does than mean more loss of viewfinder DoF?

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

They need to work on lighting the AF points.

 

[sanj]

I need a PROPER focusing screen for manual focus lenses.

 

[Zeidora]

I need a PROPER focusing screen for manual focus lenses.

+10000 YES! And bring back user interchangeable focusing screen on 5D series.

 

[scastle]

I went and looked at the patent, and it appears to me that Canon is trying to turn the entire focusing screen into an array of microprisms, with randomization of the layout to reduce moiré and diffraction effects. This is intended not only to increase the brightness of the image but also to enhance critical focusing reliability. Way cool, and long overdue. But, it might extend the life of DSLR technology some.

 

[Bernard]

I need a PROPER focusing screen for manual focus lenses.

Yes! The current 5D screens are useless for focusing. Makes one wonder why bother with an SLR if you can't see through the lens properly.

 

[TAF]

I need a PROPER focusing screen for manual focus lenses.

+10000 YES! And bring back user interchangeable focusing screen on 5D series.

Agreed as well. I've been tempted to buy one of the kits you can find on line for a split image...but I'm too chicken to make the exchange myself (would Canon service do it for a fee?).

When I asked at the Canon booth at CES why the 5D series doesn't have an interchangeable screen, I got a long explanation of how it has to do with the complexity of the auto focus module. After the person completed their explanation, I asked why, if that was the case, the 1DX2 managed it; was it's AF system less sophisticated?

End of conversation.

 

[AshtonNekolah]

I need a PROPER focusing screen for manual focus lenses.

Yes! The current 5D screens are useless for focusing. Makes one wonder why bother with an SLR if you can't see through the lens properly.

For real.