Patent: New Canon 0.82x Optical Viewfinder

[Canon Rumors]

Canon has patented an 0.82x optical viewfinder for a DSLR. Canon uses a few different viewfinder magnifications for their DSLRs. For example, the EOS-1D X Mark II uses a 0.76x viewfinder, the EOS 5D Mark IV a 0.71x viewfinder and the EOS Rebel T6s a 0.82x viewfinder.</p>
<p>Patent Publication No. 2016-191760 (Google Translated)</p>
<ul>
<li>Published 2016.11.10</li>
<li>Filing date 2015.3.31</li>
<li>Diopter -1 -3 +1</li>
<li>Focal length 61.30 58.73 64.32</li>
<li>Eye point 20.0 20.0 20.0</li>
<li>Magnification 0.82 0.85 0.78</li>
</ul>
<p>If I had to guess, I’d say this is for an upcoming EOS Rebel DSLR.</p>
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[Larsskv]

A 0.82x viewfinder in a FF camera would be a strong selling point for me. The larger viewfinder in the 1DX vs 5D makes a significant difference. It is much more inspiring and joyful to work with.

 

[AvTvM]

if T6 already has a 0.82x OVF, what is patentworthy?

I was hoping for *EyeControl-AF v2.0* to be patented by Canon and to appear in a mirrorless FF body EVF soon. ;D 8)

 

[rrcphoto]

CanoIf I had to guess, I’d say this is for an upcoming EOS Rebel DSLR.</p>

it could certainly be for the rebels - right now they don't use a pentaprism - they use a pentamirror.


the Gist of the patent seems to be a way to increase the eyepoint without increasing the size of the pentaprism.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

This is a pentaprism viewfinder, a replacement design for a ~.75X finder, as I read the patent. I believe that the Rebels have a pentamirror type finder, so its probably not for a rebel. The more complec lens configuration points to a higher end model. The 1DX series seems like the closest to the description.

From the patent:

However, in the prior art disclosed in above-mentioned patent documents, the focal distance of an eyepiece is around 65 mm, and it becomes about 0.75 time as finder magnification when it equips with the standard lens whose focal distance is 50 mm as a taking lens.
[0008]
Then, the exemplary object of the present invention is to provide the finder which can secure an eye point for a long time, though observing power is enlarged maintaining high optical performance.

All the working examples have a penta prism, below is just one description as they are all similar.

Hereinafter, with reference to Fig.2, it describes about the finder optical system by the first working example of the present invention. The finder optical system comprises a condenser lens, a penta roof prism, ...

The patent basically involves the lens group between the penta-prism and your eye. They have found a way to provide more magnification while keeping the eye point distance the same.

 

[Jack Douglas]

Mt Spokane Photography, interesting comments.

Jack

 

[stefang]

Let's not forget that to compare viewfinders for different formats, you have to be aware of the crop factor.
A .82 magnification of the Rebel may look better than the .76 of the 1Dx, but the size of the viewfinder is actually smaller. (relatively .51 vs .76) (And size matters in this case)

Of course, when looking through the viewfinder of the rebel, your subject will be more magnified, but you see only part of it compared to the viewfinder of the 1Dx.

 

[Larsskv]

The viewfinder in the 7D and 7D II has a 1.0x magnification. My understanding is that this equals to a 0.625x size viewfinder on a FF body (1:1.6=0.625). Compared, the 6D and 5D has a 0.71x magnifaction and the 1DX a 0.76 magnification.

0.82x on FF would be wonderful. Fingers crossed for that to happen!

 

[vscd]

>0.82x on FF would be wonderful. Fingers crossed for that to happen!

Yes. And introduce it to the next 6DM2 and of course later 5D/1D