Patent: Hybrid Viewfinder

[pierlux]

My, my, hey, hey, mirrorslap is here to stay,
Hey, hey, my, my, mirrorslap can never die.

Long live the mirrorslapper! ;D ;D ;D

 

[rrcphoto]

for starters.

this is only a Japan patent application - I don't even think it's global yet.

Could be years before legally canon can use this, or puts this into a camera.

So people shouldn't be penciling this in for the next 5D,etc.

while a patent application dictates the date of invention, canon would have to be extremely confident that there would be no hiccups globally to rush it onto a production camera.

if there's any competing patents, it could be a significant lawsuit.

 

[jolyonralph]

Also don't forget that patents are as much as stopping your competitors launching something with a clever new technology as it is about using the technology yourself. It would be interesting to go and do some analysis of past Canon patents in this field and see how many of them actually made it into real products, and after what delay.

 

[frankchn]

This is basically describing a better(?) implementation of the viewfinder system in the 1D X Mark II: http://media.the-digital-picture.com/Images/Other/Canon-EOS-1D-X-Mark-II/Canon-EOS-1D-X-Mark-II-Viewfinder.jpg

If you replace the current "AF points superimpose optical display system" with a full LCD and a backlight, you will get a full electronic VF that can optionally superimpose things onto the normal OVF path.

Its purpose is so you can see the image in the viewfinder when the mirror is up and the optical path is blocked. This would be used in live view. You can also play back images and view them in the viewfinder.

It would make the liveview of a DSLR more usable for someone who was outdoors in bright sunshine.

This is nothing like the 1DX MK II.

Sure, the 1DX2 system can't be used this way because you'll get nothing but some illuminated AF points visible with the mirror up. However, the optical system should be similar, since they both project an illuminated source into the viewfinder.

 

[FramerMCB]

I liken this development and possible implementation as to being similar to a HUD display for a fighter pilot. Where as you look through the viewfinder at the image being photographed, superimposed on this is settings/exposure data. A very interesting concept. Allowing for easier 100% viewfinder images (rather than cropped to afford space for setting information viewed along the bottom or sides of the viewfinder image...

 

[hubie]

Is it true that patents appear just before a product release?
Oooo.... 5D4 anyone

Ask Apple that very question. The answer is no.

 

[AshtonNekolah]

Lets make this happen instead of talking talking, make it happen fast and the fooling around with promises.

 

[TAF]

for starters.

this is only a Japan patent application - I don't even think it's global yet.

Could be years before legally canon can use this, or puts this into a camera.

So people shouldn't be penciling this in for the next 5D,etc.

while a patent application dictates the date of invention, canon would have to be extremely confident that there would be no hiccups globally to rush it onto a production camera.

if there's any competing patents, it could be a significant lawsuit.

It is usual practice for a global company like Canon to send out patent applications to all the major countries at the same time, to ensure maximum coverage for their IP.

Since the USPTO is about 2-3 years behind right now (an application I submitted in 2013 was just issued), I'd be confident that the US one will be appearing soon enough.

Not that Canon actually requires a patent to make and sell something.

And when you are big enough, the risk that someone might have beaten you to it is fairly small - if they put this in the 5D(?), and someone comes back and claims infringement, Canon can probably just buy them off. If it's a big company, they'll 'make a deal'.

So, we can have hope something new is coming.

Maybe.

 

[xps]

Canon patent for DSLR hybrid viewfinder design published


New patent postet:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1155069571/canon-files-patent-for-design-of-hybrid-viewfinder-aimed-at-dslr-cameras

 

[Maximilian]

Re: Canon patent for DSLR hybrid viewfinder design published

Sorry, was already posted and headline on March 23rd:
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=29415.msg586077#msg586077

Too many news lately already moved it to page 2 (older posts).

 

[moreorless]

Fuji have fitted an improved EVF into the old X100 body so I'd imagine it need to be THAT large plus you could argue that extreme EVF quality wouldn't be needed if you have the OVF, more something for checking focus