Patent: EF 20-45mm f/2.8-4

[Canon Rumors]

A patent for an optical formula of 20-45mm f/2.8-4 has appeared. <a href="http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/Canon_new_lenses.html" target="_blank">As suggested at Northlight</a>, this sort of optical formula could end up being a 17-40 type of replacement, or even part of the new EF 16-35 f/2.8L II development.</p>
<p>Patent Publication No. 2015-197593 (Google Translated)</p>
<ul>
<li>Published 2015.11.9</li>
<li>Filing date 2014.4.1</li>
<li>Zoom ratio 2.25</li>
<li>Focal length f = 20.00 23.60 45.00</li>
<li>Fno. 2.75 2.90 4.16</li>
<li>Half angle of 47.25 42.51 25.68</li>
<li>Image height 21.64 21.64 21.64</li>
<li>Overall length 158.28 156.32 173.36</li>
<li>BF 42.05 46.10 73.14</li>
</ul>

 

[Maximilian]

Interesting zoom range. Would be even more interesting on crop as a general purpose zoom (32 - 72 mm eq.).

I don't expect this to become a product but if so I#d be really interested in the sales numbers.

 

[NancyP]

This is a very useful range. I find myself using the Shorty Forty a LOT as my "normal" lens. I still haven't mastered the art of UWA (20mm and shorter on FF) composition. My favorite landscape length is pretty much 24mm to 50mm.

 

[siegsAR]

A much "useful" focal length than Sigma's 24-35 atleast on paper. Siggy's got better aperture though.

 

[TeT]

would a 20 45 2.8 - 4 patent separately cover a 20-45mm 1:2.8 &/or a 20-45mm 1:4, although I would expect a 20 45mm 1:4 to include IS


I would probably buy a 20 45 L lens if it had consistent IQ along the full zoom range

 

[Antono Refa]

Is there anything in the patent which says it must be EF? Or could it be FF mirrorless?

Image height says it's FF.

 

[privatebydesign]

Is there anything in the patent which says it must be EF? Or could it be FF mirrorless?

Yes, BF of 42mm means it is for an EF flange distance. It is not a mirror less lens.

 

[mb66energy]

Hopefully it will result in a similar product with Image Stabilization ... for me this range is a no brainer if IQ is stellar. I really like the 2.8 40 but sometimes need a little bit wider ...

The just 10 lens group config allows for very low flare if combined with modern anti reflective layers. Maybe that is one part of this patent: Reduce glasse-air surfaces to increase contrast under extreme lighning conditions ...

Hopefully it is complemented by a f/4.0 40(50)-200 L IS USM with 1:2.5 max reproduction ratio. This would be my understanding of a very versatile 2 lens 2 body combo.

 

[moreorless]

You could argue this wouldn't be an entirely "new" focal length for Canon as I'v heard a few ASPH shooters say they loved the range a 16-35mm gave them on that format which would be near identical to a 20-45mm FF lens.

 

[Frodo]

The specs look similar to the EF20-35 f/3.5-4.5 (non-L) I had previously.
Great little lens. Sharper than my EF20 f/2.8. I found the f/4.5 limiting at 35mm.
I'm enjoying 20mm again with the Voigtlander. Wider than 24mm and more usable than 14mm.

 

[privatebydesign]

You could argue this wouldn't be an entirely "new" focal length for Canon as I'v heard a few ASPH shooters say they loved the range a 16-35mm gave them on that format which would be near identical to a 20-45mm FF lens.

My 16-35 f2.8 MkI practically lived on my APS-H cameras, mainly because that was as wide as I could go with 2.8 zooms and it didn't use the weak corners. But the range from an effective 21-45 is pretty limiting and the 24-70 was too long at the wide end. I am so glad that bastard sensor size is dead.