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    Canon Patent Application: Some Amazing Super Telephoto optical designs

    By Updated:80 Comments Canon Patents 3 Mins Read

    In this patent application (2024-101302), Canon discusses some unique telephoto lenses. Most of the lenses in here would be eye-watering priced, so hold onto your credit cards. Just in case.

    The primary purpose of this patent application is to explore designs that are reduced in size and weight for the given large aperture.

    According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a zoom lens that is small in size and has a large aperture, yet has high optical performance.

    It should be noticed that even though the back focus distance is fairly relaxed, this is most likely so that these lenses can support teleconverters.

    Canon RF 400-600mm F2.8-4.0

    This is an inner zoom design showing a variable aperture from F2.8 to F4.0, which of course allows it to be a smaller size and weight than a constant aperture F2.8 would be, while still giving you 600mm of telephoto capability. I could see this lens coming to Canon if it wasn’t for the next 300-600mm F2.8-4L embodiment.

    WideMediumTelephoto
    Focal length409.335 505.051 582.738
    F-Number2.880 3.5534.100
    Half Angle of View3.025 2.453 2.126
    Image Height21.635 21.635 21.635
    Lens Length475.002 475.002 475.002
    Back Focus Distance39.500 39.500 39.500

    Canon RF 300-600mm F2.8-4.5L

    I could certainly see Canon making this focal length and aperture as a nice continuation from the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM. However, there’s another embodiment that I think is a little better near the bottom of this article.

    WideMediumTelephoto
    Focal length306.239 400.502 582.535
    F-Number2.900 3.284 4.600
    Half Angle of View4.041 3.092 2.127
    Image Height21.635 21.635 21.635
    Lens Length475.001 475.001 475.001
    Back Focus Distance41.785 41.785 41.785

    Canon RF 70-300mm F4L

    This is an interesting lens, that expands on the typical 70-200 F4L range and gives it an extra 100mm in focal length. If this was a reasonable price, given the size of only 250mm in your kit bag, and teleconverter capability – Canon would have a very difficult time making enough of these. Consider that this lens is only around 100mm longer than the legendary Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM. There is still a lot of “space” at 70mm in the optical design, so it’s entirely possible that mechanically, Canon could shrink this lens down even further for storage, and have a twist “unlock” to 70mm.

    WideMediumTelephoto
    Focal length71.997 136.486 291.389  
    F-Number4.120 4.120 4.120
    Half Angle of View16.725 9.007 4.246  
    Image Height21.63521.635 21.635
    Lens Length276.801 306.083 332.801  
    Back Focus Distance39.493 58.857 64.844  

    Canon RF 300-600mm F2.8-4.5L

    Of the two 300-600mm designs I like this one a bit more because the back focus distance is a little longer. That allows for more space for a teleconverter assembly.

    WideMediumTelephoto
    Focal length305.975 400.455 582.520  
    F-Number2.900 3.300 4.600  
    Half Angle of View4.045 3.092 2.127  
    Image Height21.63521.635 21.635
    Lens Length475.001 475.001 475.001
    Back Focus Distance47.95747.95747.957

    Canon RF 100-300mm F4L

    If the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L is too big, heavy, or expensive this could be a compelling option.

    WideMediumTelephoto
    Focal length101.052 149.599 291.652
    F-Number4.120 4.120 4.120   
    Half Angle of View12.0848.229 4.242
    Image Height21.63521.635 21.635
    Lens Length279.187 298.229 308.962  
    Back Focus Distance39.496 46.458 52.523  

    While we are never sure which patent applications will make it into production there is some variability between when we see it and if a product is going to appear. However, most times, unless there are serious delays we tend not to see lens applications before the lens comes out.

    So while I would love to say one or all of these are coming, this is simply a look into Canon designs that they are researching at this time.

    Japan Patent Application 2024-101302

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    80 comments

    2. WOW!

      Will be really interesting, IF any of those will become a real product.
      I would vote for the 70-400/4. 70-300/4 (post corrected)
      I think the 70-400mm patent in the article is actually a 70-300mm design.
      You are right. The table in the CR article shows numbers of a max. FL of 291.389mm.
      Maybe @Canon Rumors Guy did a copy & paste failure from the patent.
      I coudn't find the right numbers in the (translated) patent.
      @Richard CR, could you check the numbers again, please. Thanks!
    4. I can see the 300-600 being the ultimate long telephoto zoom. Replace 6 lenses with 1 (300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1200)! Would be scared of the price though and it would be the first big white without a constant aperture.
    5. Good thing they changed the title. They’re not “that amazing”. The 300-600mm would be interesting, but the others are just regular lenses.

      I don’t know what the deal is, but recently it looks like Canon Rumors has gone full fanboy with their publications. This rumors website used to be very cautious with the way they talked about things, but now it’s like “this would be better because it’s Canon” (I can’t find right now the post where that one is), and many publications are like everything from Canon is amazing. That kind of writing is not very professional, and just discredits the website.
    7. In this patent application (2024-101302), Canon discusses some unique telephoto lenses. Most of the lenses in here would be eye-watering priced, so hold onto your credit cards. Just in case. The primary purpose of this patent application is to explore designs that are reduced in size and weight for the given large aperture. According to

      See full article...
      IIRC, Sigma made a 100-300 f/4 about 20 years ago, simultaneously with their first 70-200 f/2.8. I don't think it sold all that well. On the Sigma USA website, they still list their 120-300 f/2.8 but say it is discontinued.
    8. Many interesting designs. It will be interesting to see which become actual products in the years ahead. Frankly, I am still waiting on the rumored 200-500 mm f4 L lens as a replacement for my 500 mm f4 L, which was one of my favorite lenses and way overdue for an update.
    9. I think the 70-400mm patent in the article is actually a 70-300mm design.

      An actual 70-400/4 would be the size of the 100-300/2.8 and would cost just as much.

      derp! my eyes got crossed writing it! thanks for the heads up.
    10. Good thing they changed the title. They’re not “that amazing”. The 300-600mm would be interesting, but the others are just regular lenses.

      I don’t know what the deal is, but recently it looks like Canon Rumors has gone full fanboy with their publications. This rumors website used to be very cautious with the way they talked about things, but now it’s like “this would be better because it’s Canon” (I can’t find right now the post where that one is), and many publications are like everything from Canon is amazing. That kind of writing is not very professional, and just discredits the website.

      that's a strange take, it's simply a title.

      400-600 F2.8-F4 is a "normal lens" to you?

      a 70-300 F4L - a normal lens?

      And there are certain things in which Canon will do better than say a Sony.

      But okay thanks for the feedback. we have been dutifully notified of your editorial concerns.
    11. WOW!

      Will be really interesting, IF any of those will become a real product.
      I would vote for the 70-400/4.

      You are right. The table in the CR article shows numbers of a max. FL of 291.389mm.
      Maybe @Canon Rumors Guy did a copy & paste failure from the patent.
      I coudn't find the right numbers in the (translated) patent.
      @Richard CR, could you check the numbers again, please. Thanks!

      I wrote it up, and got messed up in the numbers. Craig was still sleeping at the time, and relatively blameless.
    12. I wrote it up, and got messed up in the numbers. Craig was still sleeping at the time, and relatively blameless.
      Now that you've corrected it, everything is fine. Thanks for doing so.
      We're all human and that's good ;)
    13. Good thing they changed the title. They’re not “that amazing”. The 300-600mm would be interesting, but the others are just regular lenses.
      ite.
      I think 400-600 f/2.8-4 would be pretty amazing.
      No zoom close to that exists today
    15. Now that you've corrected it, everything is fine. Thanks for doing so.
      We're all human and that's good ;)

      I'm a victim of my lens patent application formatting. it's a surprising amount of work and it's easy to get numbers messed up

      But maybe i just WANTED a 70-400 F4L
    16. Also, the 300-600 is f/2.8-4.5.

      Canon is pretty liberal about the aperture they advertise with. So so am I. I usually write the titles up to how i think canon could sell them as, but i corrected it - thank you.
    17. Years away from being years away but damn
      Why would you assume that?
      They would be expensive but I do not think they require some far away technology.
      Now, if you are referring to how slowly Canon is filling out their lineup or how long it takes them to fulfill preorders then years away is probably an understatement.
    18. The 70-300mm would spark my interest given weight, size and price.

      I’ll never be in the market for a super L Telezoom (besides my 100-500mm) but I’d love to see a 300/400-600mm zoom which can take teleconverters
    19. The 70-300mm looks very interesting to me. I currently use an EF 70-200 f/4L with a 1.4 extender most of the time. But the RF 70-200 doesn\'t work with extenders and this would basically give me the same reach.

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