As soon as I read this patent, I immediately thought of someone. The Canon Rumors community knows who I'm talking about.
This patent covers the optical formula for an EF 50mm f/1.4 with an apodization filter, perhaps this could be part of a new line of “DS” lenses, first started with the RF 85mm f/1.2L DS.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 Japan Patent Application 2019-056780:
- Focal distance 52.43mm
- F number 1.49
- Field angle 22.42°
- Image height 21.64mm
- Length of the lens 88.51mm
- BF 39.71mm
The goal of this patent is to improve the bokeh of the lens using new apodization technology that Canon has developed.
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I don't think many people (even that one) were unhappy with the image quality of the old 50/1.4; it was the fragile micro-USM that could be damaged by bumping the extending front element. If this has ring- or nano-USM it would address that, at least. But doesn't the apodization filter heavily reduce the light transmission, making it less suitable for general use?
I'm not happy with the 50mm f/1.4's image quality, specifically
1. It's not that sharp. E.g. on 21mp sensors @ f/2, it isn't as sharp as the 35mm f/2 IS USM. At f/2.8 it isn't as sharp as the 40mm f/2.8.
Shouldn't it be easier to make a sharp 50mm lens than it is to make a 35mm or 40mm lens?
2. Having nearly three stops of vignetting wide open doesn't make me happy. I'd like under 2.
3. It's probably going to look worse on higher resolution cameras.
That too. IS would be nice as well.
Is it really that hard to make a 50mm f/1.8 IS USM with better IQ for $600?
- A
Meanwhile the 50/1.8 STM is still very sharp on the 5DsR...
http://www.martinmojzis.com/en/en-clanky-38-canon-ef-50-1.8-stm.html
With the RF mount begin a much better platform to make primes like this(and it will have built-in IS as well, which can be handy...), it is probably not worth bothering with any more EF 50mm primes other than doing some more minor tweaking like this one.
Better to see announcements :p
I've never heard good things about the 1.4, most reviewers say it's not really better than the 1.8.
The new RF 50 1.2 sets the bar for premium lenses and I expect the replacement for the 1.4 to be superb.
And somehow that doesn't happen at the 35mm focal length?
That's only an f/2 lens, the Tamron 35/1.8 VC is already somewhat bigger and the 35/1.4 lenses (no IS) are bigger still, especially the L II (and very expensive)
I'm not saying it is not possible, I am saying it might not be feasible to recoup the development cost (it just wouldn't sell that well if it needs to be priced high), especially with mirrorless where the distortion can be inherently lower with less elements, so basis is much stronger (but it still provides some challenges, seeing how big and heavy the RF 50/1.2 is).
Yes, AFAIK, it should be easier with 50mm.
Hence my question about 50mm f/1.8 IS USM.
Probably the real reason.
I was reading up on apodization this week and came across https://petapixel.com/2018/02/12/get-look-smooth-trans-focus-without-stf-lens/ , I wonder if the much touted speed increase in body to lens communications RF gives would make it possible to close the aperture a bit at the end of the exposure at normal shutterspeeds.
It is as sharp as I need.
I also think an f2 50 could be small and sharp.