Patent: Switchable 1.4x & 2.0x teleconverter

    By 24 Comments1 Min Read Canon Patents
    patenttcswitch 728x462 - Patent: Switchable 1.4x & 2.0x teleconverter

    A patent showing a new style of teleconverter from Canon has appeared at the Japanese Patent Office this week and translated by Canon News.

    Canon is showing off a teleconverter that can switch between 1.4x and 2.0x, which would be a great way to increase the usability, flexibility and efficiency of using teleconverters.

    If you're on location with both Canon teleconverters, it adds to the risk of dust getting inside the camera body. If you're switching between 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, you may also miss the shot.

    Adding teleconverters to big lenses increases the size, weight and bulk of lenses as well, so simply putting built-in teleconverters into every super telephoto lens probably isn't the answer either. Canon has been working very hard to reduce the size and weight of their big white lenses.

    I couldn't figure out in this patent if you could also switch to 1.0x, so you could, in theory, leave the teleconverter attached to your favourite lens if you so desired.

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    24 comments

    4. Adding teleconverters to big lenses increases the size, weight and bulk of lenses as well, so simply putting built-in teleconverters into every super telephoto lens probably isn’t the answer either


      Nah, the rear end of the f4 superteles ( even the IIIs ) is empty space. A TC would add some lateral bulk for the switch and insertion mechanism, but the weight would be near the mount end and so less noticable.

    7. Maybe I would buy it with an EF 2.0 200 - if it has 1x / 1.4x / 2x it would become an 2 - 200 / 2.8 - 300 / 4 - 400 in a moderately compact package! But I think it will be "only" 1.4x <-> 2x as compromise for IQ / size / prize
    8. It's be neat to add a bulge like the 200-400 has for the extender, and make a R to EF adapter that can swing the elements out of the way to make a 1.0 with no loss as well.
    10. picture shows there is 1x ,1,4x and 2x
      I guess there are 2 converter you can turn to sides. Other left and other right.
      There must be lens what makes room for 1x?
      Or its just 1,4x 2x converter what is good too :)
      Or maybe that main objective got collapsing rear end construction?
      would be nice bonus for RF super teles on those cases what got room for that.
    12. Seems to me like Canon is considering one of two options:

      1. A 1.0x/1.4x/2.0x made as an integral part of a super tele lens, like the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x.

      2. A standalone 1.4x/2.0x tele extender. As this is two-for (with added convenience & mechanical complexity) and has no competition, it would be significantly more expensive than combined price of 1.4x & 2.0x extenders.

      Oh, and it would prove Canon is ******* due to lack of innovation.
    13. Both 1.4x and 2x extend the length of the tele lens (look at the image plane in the three diagrams). That means it won't do 1x unless there is some glass to do that in the TC which may lose definition to some extent. So this has to be a stand alone 1.4 or 2x only. The option of two TC's in a lens would work as the lens/TC's would be designed together.
      If the new tele RF lenses (for example) could be designed to work with a longer space then 1x might be doable, but there again that would negate the purpose of moving the back elements nearer the sensor!
    14. I am frequently switching between 1.4x, 2x TCs and bare 400mm prime, but I am not sure I would want this unit. One of the problems with extenders is that the bare lens is the sharpest, the 1.4xTC degrades IQ by about 10% and the 2xTC by 20-30%. What I would prefer would be a zoom optimised for the longest length, and I wish Canon would make some more telephoto zooms.
    15. I am frequently switching between 1.4x, 2x TCs and bare 400mm prime, but I am not sure I would want this unit. One of the problems with extenders is that the bare lens is the sharpest, the 1.4xTC degrades IQ by about 10% and the 2xTC by 20-30%. What I would prefer would be a zoom optimised for the longest length, and I wish Canon would make some more telephoto zooms.
      yep but zoom lenses got nearly double amount of lenses . Theoretically it never can be as good as prime. Even big money is turning things better for zooms.
      Or could they optimize to longest focal lenght and reduce amount of lenses to minimum.
      Or hrm tele converter got lot of lenses nowadays too ,so i guess you right Alan.
      How about crop sensor camera and 600mm f8 full frame lense with inbuild 2x speedbooster for bif?
    16. yep but zoom lenses got nearly double amount of lenses . Theoretically it never can be as good as prime. Even big money is turning things better for zooms.
      Or could they optimize to longest focal lenght and reduce amount of lenses to minimum.
      Or hrm tele converter got lot of lenses nowadays too ,so i guess you right Alan.
      How about crop sensor camera and 600mm f8 full frame lense with inbuild 2x speedbooster for bif?
      My Canon 100-400mm II zoom lens at 400mm is hardly worse than my 400mm DO II and very sharp at the edges too. It's only when you put on TCs that the prime pulls ahead. A new lightweight native 300mm f/4 would be more attractive to me than a 600mm f/8 that doubled down.
    17. My Canon 100-400mm II zoom lens at 400mm is hardly worse than my 400mm DO II and very sharp at the edges too. It's only when you put on TCs that the prime pulls ahead. A new lightweight native 300mm f/4 would be more attractive to me than a 600mm f/8 that doubled down.
      Yep native 300mm f4 is good enough when high resolution sensor . With RP i wishing something with inbuilded TC or speed booster :p Or i could just buy d90
    18. Yep native 300mm f4 is good enough when high resolution sensor . With RP i wishing something with inbuilded TC or speed booster :p Or i could just buy d90
      It's just for ease of carrying etc, I'd prefer to use 300, 300+2xTC than 600, 600`+0.5xTC
    19. I'd probably buy a multi-TC like that, especially if it does 0/1.4X/2X. It really comes down to what type of images you want to make. Some people, myself definitely included, try to get as close as possible for the more static detailed portrait shots and are relatively screwed when the subject takes flight because wings get clipped. If you know the species you are shooting, you figure out most of the tell tales of impending flight and could back off the TC if it is a lever activation like the 200-400. Just tired of cleaning the dust off the sensor from multiple swaps each outing.

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