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

Started 3 weeks ago | Discussions thread
bodeswell Senior Member • Posts: 1,378
Re: Canon: We are in talks with other [lens-]manufacturers

m100 wrote:

bodeswell wrote:

CamerEyes wrote:

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.

Just like that and Canon rained on the parade of those who continue to justify the absence of native RF lenses from third party manufacturers such as Sigma, Tamron, Samyang, etc.

On the other hand they bring out the sunshine for those who think Canon should walk tall, defend their intellectual property, and benefit from the RF mount that they created all by themselves with no contributions from Sigma et al.

Surely Canon engineers use, take apart and study Sigma lenses ?

On Sony bodies too ?

Do they take them apart? Why would they do that? They already know how to make cameras and lenses. I would not be surprised if they used them, though.

They might observe behavior from the outside (black box, perfectly legal) but it would be risky to do anything that might smack of infringement by, say, copying "internal" details - especially of firmware - that would be protected by patents and copyrights and so forth.

The RF protocol is a matter of firmware. That's what Canon is protecting. I don't think they copied their firmware from Sony or Sigma. I am sure Sony or Sigma would sue if they had any evidence of that. That's what Canon suspected when they sent Viltrox their letter.

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