Patent: Optical Viewfinder for Mirrorless Camera

[Canon Rumors]

Here’s a strange patent application from Canon, an optical viewfinder adaptor for a mirrorless camera.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.canonnews.com/canon-applies-for-an-optical-viewfinder-patent-for-mirrorless-cameras">Canon News</a> breaks down Japan Patent Application 2018-005126:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>This adapter would provide the half mirror assembly that would split the optical path between the image sensor and the viewfinder, and allow for simutaneous use of the image sensor and that of the optical viewfinder.</p>


<p>The image sensor would be responsible for AF for one embodiment, the other embodiment has a seperate phase detect AF sensor.</p>
<p>There is a large group of photographers that just don’t like EVF’s and may never like EVF’s, so this could be a solution for them.</p></blockquote>
<p>Me personally? It wasn’t until the Leica Q that I got over my hate of EVFs.</p>
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[Canoneer]

It's an interesting concept. It may not be practical for a mirrorless system, as really the whole point is to cut down on bulk. But it would be useful way to retain the EF mount lenses with their flange distance requirement in a mirrorless body. Weather sealing might be an issue.

 

[Zeidora]

And you get a dark view finder (-1EV) plus more noisy images (-1EV). DOA IMHO.

 

[Loswr]

And you get a dark view finder (-1EV) plus more noisy images (-1EV). DOA IMHO.

Only if you accept the limitations of the laws of physics.

 

[rrcphoto]

And you get a dark view finder (-1EV) plus more noisy images (-1EV). DOA IMHO.

no you don't. the second embodiment is the same as a current DSLR.

 

[Cthulhu]

A mirrorless with a mirror...very innovative.

 

[Kuja]

Patent?!?

Leica Visoflex from the Fifties:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Visoflex

Canon in 2018!

 

[Zeidora]

And you get a dark view finder (-1EV) plus more noisy images (-1EV). DOA IMHO.

no you don't. the second embodiment is the same as a current DSLR.

Not quite. Fix mirror vs. movable mirror. That's the 50% difference in light levels in each pathways. Think camera lucida in microscopes.

 

[scyrene]

the whole point is to cut down on bulk.

Erm, no. Read any of the umpteen discussions on these forums - that's one style of mirrorless, it's not intrinsic to the technology.

 

[goldenhusky]

Sure enough it sounds strange but at the same time it sounds like the AF performance may be better than the mirror less cameras. IMO that is a real advantage over making the OVF lovers happy.

 

[masterpix]

As I recall, there was a camera, using a semi-transparent mirror that did just that with SLR. for example: http://ylovephoto.com/en/2010/08/27/why-sony-uses-a-semi-transparent-mirror-in-a33a55/ or even Canon did it once http://www.mwclassic.com/product/canon-pellix-ql-35mm-slr-non-moving-semi-transparent-mirror-50mm-f1-8-fl-breechlock-mount-lens-er-case/...

So what is the thing here? is it a SLR with non flipping mirror or mirror-less with mirror?

 

[privatebydesign]

As I recall, there was a camera, using a semi-transparent mirror that did just that with SLR. for example: http://ylovephoto.com/en/2010/08/27/why-sony-uses-a-semi-transparent-mirror-in-a33a55/ or even Canon did it once http://www.mwclassic.com/product/canon-pellix-ql-35mm-slr-non-moving-semi-transparent-mirror-50mm-f1-8-fl-breechlock-mount-lens-er-case/...

So what is the thing here? is it a SLR with non flipping mirror or mirror-less with mirror?

Canon have done it six times in production cameras (of varying quantities). They even made a couple of AF models, the most recent being the 1N-RS in 1994.

 

[RGF]

And you get a dark view finder (-1EV) plus more noisy images (-1EV). DOA IMHO.

Only if you accept the limitations of the laws of physics.

Let's impeach these laws. After all, the value of pi was legislated to be 3. Why can't the law of physics be over turned :-\

Would fit in perfectly with our current political system