A patent application showing an unusual f/2 zoom from Canon has appeared in Japan (Patent application: 2018-132675). It's possible that this zoom lens is related to a  mirrorless camera body with its short BF distance.

Canon News tells us that the patent itself deals with a floating focus system to help reduce the size of the lens.

Japan patent application 2018-132675:

Focal distance      90.00 125.01 145.99 109.96 130.49
F number             2.06   2.06   2.06   2.06   2.06
a half field angle  13.52   9.82   8.43  11.13   9.41
Image height        21.64  21.64  21.64  21.64  21.64
Whole length       242.35 242.35 242.35 242.35 242.35
BF                  16.70 1 6.70  16.70  16.70  16.70 

Focal distance      72.03 115.04 145.99  92.39 123.70
F number             2.06   2.06   2.06   2.06   2.06
a half field angle  16.72  10.65   8.43  13.18   9.92
Image height        21.64  21.64  21.64  21.64  21.64
Whole length       217.72 217.72 217.72 217.72 217.72
BF                  22.47 2 2.47  22.47  22.47  22.47 

Focal distance      72.00 114.84 146.00  92.60 123.41
F number             2.06   2.06   2.06   2.06   2.06
a half field angle  16.72  10.67   8.43  13.15   9.94
Image height        21.64   21.64  21.64 21.64  21.64
Whole length       210.32 210.32 210.32 210.32 210.32
BF                  21.80  21.80 21.80   21.80  21.80 

The optical formulas show a very short zoom range, but being an f/2 lens, that would make some sense.

Optical formulas in the application:

  • 90-130mm f/2
  • 70-125mm f/2
  • 70-125mm f/2 (shorter backfocus)
Some of our articles may include affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Go to discussion...

Share.

12 comments

  1. Boy, that’s a lot of elements.

    Now that Nikon has announced, they’re being criticized for the new Z mount lens selection. It would be nice if this (these?) lens(es) would be announced at the same time as Canon’s New cameras.
  2. This would seem to be a portrait zoom.

    Most definitely. And I would think it would be an ideal portrait zoom - essentially consolidating the 85mm F/1.8 USM, 100mm F/2 USM, and 135mm F/2L USM into one lens. For the 90-130mm F/2 at least. But the 70-125mm is an interesting focal length as well.
  3. This is likely just a technical demonstration to illustrate the floating focus mechanism, perhaps chosen because it shows a large size-reduction in the lens i.e. they've chosen a focal range and aperture that most clearly shows the size-reduction benefits of floating focus.

    Then again, why make things complicated with all those elements if it's just a paper exercise so maybe this is a lens that's being developed. As others have pointed out, it's perfect for portraits (though maybe I'd like it to be a little longer but that could just be because I've got a large, unflattering nose)
  4. Looks like you can actually get it now :D
    Hopefully it will be in the 2020 releases. :) I would take that over any 70-200 f/2.8. I had a feeling there might be something special to match the 28-70. Now I just hope it gets produced. Maybe, just maybe it will be internal zoom also. o_O

Leave a comment

Please log in to your forum account to comment