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Canon: We are in talks with other [lens-]manufacturers

Started 3 weeks ago | Discussions thread
RDKirk Forum Pro • Posts: 16,545
Re: Canon: We are in talks with other [lens-]manufacturers

bodeswell wrote:

  1. The Stig Nygaard wrote:

Hi

On digicam-info.com I stumbled upon this coming from Canon developers interviewed at the recent CP+ 2023 venue in Japan. Via Google translate :

(Many people are waiting for the RF mount to become open. Will there be third-party RF lenses in the near future?)
Certainly, there have been many inquiries from third parties, and we have listened to their requests. However, we do not have direction or policy on this matter. I cannot give details, but if it is in line with our strategy, we will take necessary measures on a case-by-case basis. One example is the launch of Cosina's RF lenses. Cosina's Voigtlander 50mm F1 is the first 3rd party lens that can communicate with the body via an RF mount. We are in talks with other manufacturers.

It’s interesting that Canon says there have been inquiries and they are in talks. That’s movement. I expect that Canon will eventually license at least some of the RF protocol.

I still suspect the software integration of the cameras and lenses of Canon's (and Nikon's and Sony's) current mirrorless cameras is too tight to be reverse engineered without stepping on their IPs.

One of the problems Sigma had with the EF mount was that it had capabilities that were hidden until later EF bodies brought them into use. That's got to be true a thousand fold more when camera and lens firmware can be updated quickly at any time.

Nikon had never licensed a 3rd party before...now they have. But Nikon also has less internal lens-production prowess than Canon. And the same has been true for Sony.

Canon may--or may not--revise its no-license policy depending on how they forecast their ability to meet Canon market demand without creating market disengagement.

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RDKirk
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