Canon patents lens designs with variable and glass elements
It's not uncommon for a company to patent technologies that might be incorporated into products at some point, though the company might not have any plans to use it in the immediate future. Such a business move appears to be the case with a recent Canon patent, which details the use of variable lens elements in combination with traditional glass elements. Including a variable lens such as a liquid element potentially allows for smaller zoom lenses, and lenses that maintain the same overall length as they're zoomed.
The patent includes designs for a variety of lenses, from a 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 for APS-C to a 10x optical zoom for a compact camera. The patent was first spotted over at Egami, where a few illustrations are featured alongside what scant details exist. It appears the patent was filed last year and just recently published this past August.
 |
 |
| The patent also describes use of two different kinds of variable lens elements, including a liquid lens element as well as an elastic membrane element. |
These lens elements could be used in conjunction with glass elements as detailed in several examples in the patent. |
Liquid lenses are nothing new, and this isn't the first Canon patent we've seen which includes the technology. Back in May 2013, Egami found a similar patent detailing a liquid-based lens design. In that patent, Canon's design revolved around the use of electrodes in parallel around the lens' edges, making what are essentially individual pumps. Each pump can be independently used to adjust the lens' fluid levels, altering its shape. It's interesting to note that this particular patent includes a traditional mechanism for moving lens elements in addition to this variable magnification element.
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 18, 2017
|
Oct 20, 2017
|
Oct 22, 2017
|
Oct 18, 2017
|
Wacom's latest pro tablet can help take your editing workflow – and most importantly, the final image results – to the next level.
Many cameras today include built-in image stabilization systems, but when it comes to video that's still no substitute for a proper camera stabilization rig. The Ronin-S aims to solve that problem for DSLR and mirrorless camera users, and we think DJI has delivered on that promise.
The SiOnyx Aurora is a compact camera designed to shoot stills and video in color under low light conditions, so we put it to the test under the northern lights and against a Nikon D5. It may not be a replacement for a DSLR, but it can complement one well for some uses.
At its core, the Scanza is an easy-to-use multi-format film scanner. It offers a quick and easy way to scan your film negatives and slides into JPEGs, but costs a lot more than similar products without a Kodak label.
Canon's EOS R, the company's first full-frame mirrorless camera, impresses us with its image quality and color rendition. But it also comes with quirky ergonomics, uninspiring video features and a number of other shortcomings. Read our full review to see how the EOS R stacks up in today's full-frame mirrorless market.
If you're looking for a high-quality camera, you don't need to spend a ton of cash, nor do you need to buy the latest and greatest new product on the market. In our latest buying guide we've selected some cameras that while they're a bit older, still offer a lot of bang for the buck.
A question frequently asked on the Internet is 'what's the best DSLR?' In this buying guide we've answered that question – but also whether it's the right question to be asking in the first place.
What's the best camera for under $500? These entry level cameras should be easy to use, offer good image quality and easily connect with a smartphone for sharing. In this buying guide we've rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing less than $500 and recommended the best.
Whether you've grown tired of what came with your DSLR, or want to start photographing different subjects, a new lens is probably in order. We've selected our favorite lenses for Sony mirrorlses cameras in several categories to make your decisions easier.
Whether you've grown tired of what came with your DSLR, or want to start photographing different subjects, a new lens is probably in order. We've selected our favorite lenses for Canon DSLRs in several categories to make your decisions easier.
Comments