Patent: Coating for ND Filter from Canon

[Canon Rumors]

Is Canon getting further into the filter business? A patent for a new coating on an ND filter has been published. The coating is to help minimize ghosting.</p>
<p><strong>Patent Publication No. 2015-200805 (Google Translated)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Published 2015.11.12</li>
<li>Filing date 2014.4.9</li>
<li>On the surface of the transparent substrate made of synthetic resin, deposited the inorganic hard film of fine uneven periodic structure</li>
<li>The refractive index changes toward the surface layer side from the transparent substrate side</li>
</ul>
<p>Canon could potentially find some value getting into the filter business, they probably have a good margin and Canon knows a things or two about optics.</p>
<p><em>As <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=28435.0">noted in the forum</a>, this could also be for internal ND filters that are in some video cameras and point & shoots.</em></p>

 

[Loswr]

They use internal (optical) m ND filters in some video and still (P&S) cameras, so presumably this could be applied there rather than threaded filters.

 

[Canon Rumors]

They use internal (optical) m ND filters in some video and still (P&S) cameras, so presumably this could be applied there rather than threaded filters.

Good point

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

While ND filters are indeed used in video cameras, including high end ones, I'd expect Canon will license a patent if that brings in money. Filters are probably made for them by someone else in any event.

 

[wsmith96]

Regarding screw in filters, a while back I had asked if Canon protection filters and CPL's were comparable to company's such as Hoya or B+W. It was suggested they were rebranded Tiffen filters, but I was never able to verify that. There isn't a lot of data regarding the quality of Canon filters compared to the leaders in the business, but they price them like they are gold. I'm not in a position to test them out myself either and the camera store closest to me in Austin doesn't carry the Canon CPL's, so I went with B+W.

Personally, I would like to see Canon more active in that market. I may be alone in this, but I don't mind having a single company provide an end to end solution, as long as the components are quality and not a cheap solution with the company name on them.

 

[privatebydesign]

Regarding screw in filters, a while back I had asked if Canon protection filters and CPL's were comparable to company's such as Hoya or B+W. It was suggested they were rebranded Tiffen filters, but I was never able to verify that. There isn't a lot of data regarding the quality of Canon filters compared to the leaders in the business, but they price them like they are gold. I'm not in a position to test them out myself either and the camera store closest to me in Austin doesn't carry the Canon CPL's, so I went with B+W.

Personally, I would like to see Canon more active in that market. I may be alone in this, but I don't mind having a single company provide an end to end solution, as long as the components are quality and not a cheap solution with the company name on them.

Canon branded CPL's are complete garbage. I bought one once as it was the only make the store had in the thread size I needed, but it was a disaster, it scratched very easily and PL film delaminated after a while, it was, without doubt, the worst filter I have ever seen, used or owned in my entire life.

 

[jeffa4444]

Canon dont make their own filters they are made by "ghost" suppliers including AA/OPLF filters. As others suggest these are likely for Cinema EOS cameras where they will be IRNDs.
The resin will almost certainly be either Rav 7 by Acomon AG or Thiourethane by Mitsui Chemicals both of which are widely used in prescription glasses.

 

[wsmith96]

Canon branded CPL's are complete garbage. I bought one once as it was the only make the store had in the thread size I needed, but it was a disaster, it scratched very easily and PL film delaminated after a while, it was, without doubt, the worst filter I have ever seen, used or owned in my entire life.

It's a shame that the CPL's are junk. You would think that a company that designs lenses would put the same time and effort into their lens accessories, but I see a lot of different companies do similar things. I guess they shoot for as much margin as possible using their brand on their accessories and let the quality slide.

 

[Random Orbits]

Canon branded CPL's are complete garbage. I bought one once as it was the only make the store had in the thread size I needed, but it was a disaster, it scratched very easily and PL film delaminated after a while, it was, without doubt, the worst filter I have ever seen, used or owned in my entire life.

It's a shame that the CPL's are junk. You would think that a company that designs lenses would put the same time and effort into their lens accessories, but I see a lot of different companies do similar things. I guess they shoot for as much margin as possible using their brand on their accessories and let the quality slide.

How about the drop in CPL's on the supers? Are they only available from Canon and how is their quality?

 

[privatebydesign]

Canon branded CPL's are complete garbage. I bought one once as it was the only make the store had in the thread size I needed, but it was a disaster, it scratched very easily and PL film delaminated after a while, it was, without doubt, the worst filter I have ever seen, used or owned in my entire life.

It's a shame that the CPL's are junk. You would think that a company that designs lenses would put the same time and effort into their lens accessories, but I see a lot of different companies do similar things. I guess they shoot for as much margin as possible using their brand on their accessories and let the quality slide.

How about the drop in CPL's on the supers? Are they only available from Canon and how is their quality?

Good point, I suspect Canon themselves actually make the drop in CPL's. I used to use one but never owned one so don't know the long term durability, but I suspect there would be no issues, I have certainly never heard of any.