Canon News has uncovered an interesting optical formula patent for a small prime lens with image stabilization. The patent talks in-depth about making small prime lenses with IS.
There are two different embodiments for a Canon RF 19mm f/2.8 IS.
Canon RF 19mm F2.8 IS
- Focal length 19.50mm
- F-number 2.88
- Half angle (degree) 47.99°
- Image height 21.65mm
- Lens total length 96.33mm
- BF 18.34mm
Canon RF 19mm F2.8 IS
- Focal distance 19.29mm
- F-number 2.86
- Half angle (degree) 48.30°
- Image height 21.65mm
- Lens total length 96.59mm
- BF 18.43mm
This patent also includes an optical formula for an RF 85mm f/1.8, but I think it's safe to assume that this won't become a consumer product since we have the Canon RF 85mm f/2 IS STM.
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Canon thinks it could double as a general purpose ultra wide prime?
On another hand, could this be a cheaper lens? If it was cheap enough to have a bit of distortion, some auto correction could make this into effectively a cheap 20mm. Just throwing out ideas, though, not sure if they'd do that.
I believe the RF 24-105 STM is also employing this technique, although less intense.
But the 135/2 and 200/2.8 II adapted EF lenses both do the job just fine (in fact, better than they ever did with the IBIS + full area AF tracking) if one is looking at cheaper options.
Been waiting now for wide primes... anything from 18 to 24 will be an insta-buy for me.
Over two years in to the system now - and the only RF wider than 24 is a big and heavy $2500 monster.
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This patent also includes an optical formula for an RF 85mm f/1.8, but I think it’s safe to assume that this won’t become a consumer product since we have the Canon RF 85mm f/2 IS STM.
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I wouldn't count out additional versions as products, even with similar f-numbers. Canon has cleverly included value-added features in newer lenses, and an 85mm portrait lens at f/1.8 with SA control would be welcomed by some. Lenses that induce some people to buy new Canon bodies increase long-term profitability during this EF to RF migration phase. No one lens can do everything, so offer different models at different price points and see what works in the market! Canon ventured first into automated lens assembly, so their fixed costs per lens have likely dropped allowing them to diversify some lens products to explore consumers' interests. They can afford to cannibalize their own products rather than wait for a competitor to introduce a product with value-added features that lures buyers away.
So folks, PLEASE DO continue to suggest the products you want or the features you would like to see in Canon photo products. So far I'm enticed by autofocus TS-E lenses and SA control macro lenses. How about specialty astrophotography telescope lenses (maybe 25mm, 75mm, 250mm, 750mm, focusing only near infinity, but less expensive, single aperture, no coma, and carrying the RF mount)? How about a new full-frame RF astrophotography body with no Bayer filter, but with a filter adapter which allows one to quickly change to different Canon-made astro filters or no filter or other filters (and maybe built on a square sensor with broad light sensitivity and ultra-low dark current noise) and sold as a kit [ooo, imagine using this to photograph in daylight with ordinary lenses but substituting UV and infrared in place of blue and red color channels]? How about Z-design catadioptric lenses with no ring bokeh? How about lens feet with built-in Arca-Swiss compatibility? How about wildlife lenses offered with alternate digital camo paint (or Canon's own lens covers released with each super-telephoto lens, with better construction and Kryptek Highlander pattern)? How about a 50mm-ish lens close to the Zeiss 55mm Otus in optical quality, but in the $1500-2500 range? How about an ultra-sharp RF 160-200mm zoom microscope tube lens (comparable optically in visible spectra to Thorlabs tubes) with adapters for common microscope objectives and built-in Arca-Swiss lens collar (again sold as a kit)?
We might have more power than ever to suggest ideas that become products. I am excited to see what else folks here and Canon engineers dream up.