What the heck? Canon files patent application for “28-105mm F4” and “24-35mm F2” optical systems using plastic lenses!

Asobinet spotted a new patent that describes a couple of Canon zoom that make use of PLASTIC lenses!

In the patent, Canon explains that this is done ‘to reduce the weight’ of the zooms. Canon also says that the problem with these plastic lenses is that they normally absorb moisture and therefore change shape. Apparently, Canon has found a way to fix this.

It’s a patent, and it could be years before we actually get ‘plastic’ lenses like this. But I’m up for a lightweight 24-35mm f/2.0 full frame zoom!

Nikon patented the design of a never seen before 85-135mm f/1.8-2.8 Full Frame lens!

Nikon patented the design of a never seen before 85-135mm f/1.8-2.8 Full Frame lens. Nikon Japan writes:

Conventionally, variable magnification optical systems suitable for photo cameras, electronic still cameras, video cameras, etc. have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such variable magnification optical systems, it is difficult to obtain bright and good optical performance while making them compact.

So basically Nikon’s goal here is to offer an ultimate portrait zoom lens that still has reasonable size. In this design the lens of the length is 119.454mm up to 149.236mm when fully extended. That’s truly compact if you consider the 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Lens is 139.5mm long!

Of course, this is a patent and there is no guarantee that they will ever make this lens. But damn… I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this beast will be made!

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via Asobinet

New OM-3 camera announced…. is it enough to save the company?

Today OM digital announced the OM-3. OM absolutely has to hit a home run with it to get back in the black. What do you think… Is that enough?

Preorders
OM-3 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, OM store USA.
OM-3 in Europe at Amazon DE, FotoErhardt, Fotokoch, WexUK, Amazon UK. OM store Europe. Amazon IT, Amazon ES, Amazon FR, Amazon NL.
100-400mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama.
17mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama.
25mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama.

Full leaked OM-3 specs and images!

Here are the specs of the OM-3!

Features:

  • Creative Wheel: 4 color profiles, 4 monochrome profiles, Color Creator and Art Filters
  • Computational photography button: Quick access to 6 calculation photography functions
  • Still, Video and S&Q Video Wheels: Switch between still, video and Slow & Quick Motion video
  • Absolute reliability: IP53 certified weather resistance
  • Professional quality – compact form: Lightweight metal body, 7.5EV In-Body IS (Built-in image stabilization), 20 MP Stacked BSI Live MOS sensor

SENSOR EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION / TYPE 20.4 megapixel 4/3 Stacked BSI Live MOS
PROCESSOR TruePic™ X Dual Quad Core processor
IMAGE STABILIZATION SYSTEM 5-axis image stabilization with up to 7.5 shutter stops of compensation*
DUST REDUCTION Super Sonic Wave Filter
WEATHER PROTECTION Dust, splash and freeze proof (IP53 rated)
VIEWFINDER Eye-level OLED electronic viewfinder, approx. 2.36 million dots
REAR SCREEN 3.0-inch angle screen (electrostatic capacitive touch panel), approx. 1,620,000 dots (3:2)
FOCUSING SYSTEM High-speed Image AF: Image phase detection AF and image contrast AF used in combination
FOCUSING POINTS Cross-type phase detection AF (1,053 points)
AI DETECTION OF Humans, Formula cars, rally cars, motorcycles / Airplanes, helicopters / Express trains, standard trains, steam locomotives / Birds / Dogs, cats
CREATIVE FEATURES Color wheel available Color filter effect: None/8 colors (Red, Orange, Yellow, Yellow-Green, Green, Cyan, Blue, Magenta) with 3 steps Shadow effect: 11 steps (-5 ~ +5) Film grain effect: Off/Low/Medium/High Monochrome color: Normal/Sepia/Blue/Purple/Green *Settings can be saved individually to MONO1/MONO2/MONO3/MONO4. Highlight and Shadow Control settings can also be saved. Color profile control: Saturation of 12 colors can be adjusted in 11 steps (-5 ~ +5) Shadow effect: 11 steps (-5 ~ +5) *Settings can be saved individually to COLOR1/COLOR2/COLOR3/COLOR4. Highlight and Shadow Control settings can also be saved.
CONTINUOUS SHOOTING [Continuous Shooting] approx. 6 frames per second with selectable 1-6 frames per second [Continuous Shooting SH1] approx. 120 frames per second with selectable 30, 60, 100, 120 frames per second [Continuous Shooting SH2] approx. 50 frames per second with selectable 12.5, 16.7, 25, 50 frames per second
WEIGHT Body only: 413 g
DIMENSIONS Approx. 139.3 mm (W) × 88.9 mm (H) × 45.8 mm (D) *Based on CIPA standards: does not include protruding parts
BOX INCLUDES Camera body, CB-USB13 USB cable, Shoulder strap, Instruction manual, Warranty card, BLX-1 Li-ion battery

Preorders
OM-3 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama.

1 Nikon and 3 OM lenses to be announced this week…and Sigma 800mm f/6.3 coming by end of February?

Lot’s of new lenses to be announced ahead of the CP+ show! Here is the list:

  • Nikon 35m f/1.2 Z for $2999 and with 82mm filter size
  • OM 17mm f/1.8 and 25mm f/1.8 with better dust and splash protection and updated looks
  • OM 100-400 lens now also gets update to 5 Axis lens sync IS.
  • Sony 16mm f/1.8 G
  • Sony 400-800mm f/6.3-8.0 G
  • Sigma 28-45mm T2 Cine Zoom Lens with AF (listed here at BH and “pre announced” in autumn)
  • Sigma 800mm f/6.3 (UNCONFIRMED)

PetaPixel lists his favorites “WEIRD Zooms”

In an ever-changing world, it’s important to offer new and different solutions for creatives. Chris and Jordan from PetaPixel have listed their favorite ‘weird’ lenses: