Canon is wanting into resin (plastic) lens components as a solution to make skilled digital camera lenses lighter, in keeping with a newly uncovered patent. The patent outlines designs for zoom lenses that use plastic optical components to chop down on weight, doubtlessly revolutionizing the construct of heavy telephoto lenses.
Patent Reveals Resin Optics in Zoom Lens Design
The Japanese patent software particularly describes a number of zoom lens formulation (examples embody a 28-105mm f/4 and a 24-35mm f/2) the place some lens components are manufactured from resin relatively than conventional glass. Within the patent textual content, Canon notes the important thing motivation: utilizing resin components can considerably cut back the load of a lens.
Giant-aperture zoom lenses usually require many glass components, which makes them heavy. By swapping some for plastic, the general lens might be a lot lighter and extra compact. This method may allow, as an illustration, an enormous 70-200mm or 300mm prime to shed a noticeable quantity of weight – a change that busy professionals will surely welcome throughout lengthy shoots. The concept isn’t completely new; some consumer-grade lenses and compact cameras have used plastic optics up to now to save lots of price or weight. But it surely’s uncommon in high-end skilled lenses due to efficiency trade-offs.
Overcoming the Challenges of Plastic Components
Canon’s patent acknowledges the well-known downsides of plastic components. Resin lenses are delicate to temperature and humidity, which may trigger them to develop, contract, and even barely deform, resulting in focus shifts or elevated optical aberrations. In different phrases, a lens that works positive on a cool dry day may lose sharpness in scorching or humid circumstances if the plastic aspect modifications form. Nonetheless, Canon seems to be persevering with down this path of analysis to make plastic viable for severe use.
Based on the patent, Canon’s engineers suggest novel strategies to stabilize the efficiency of resin lenses regardless of environmental modifications. One method focuses on utilizing high-dispersion plastic supplies which might be much less vulnerable to enlargement from moisture. One other is an optical configuration trick: for instance, inserting a plastic aspect in a gaggle with each constructive and damaging energy lenses to steadiness out any focus modifications if the plastic aspect swells or shrinks. Basically, if the plastic aspect’s focal size shifts, one other aspect within the group counter-shifts to compensate. The patent describes designs aimed toward maintaining the lens’s focus fixed throughout a spread of temperatures.
The patent particularly mentions addressing moisture absorption. Plastic can take in water from the air over time, which not solely modifications its form barely however may even alter its refractive index (the way it bends gentle). Canon’s paperwork counsel methods like particular coatings or sandwiching the resin aspect between glass components to isolate it from the surroundings. The purpose is a “light-weight, small-sized zoom lens that retains constant optical high quality regardless of environmental modifications.”
Implications for Photographers
For photographers, the prospect of lighter telephoto or zoom lenses is thrilling. Take Canon’s popular 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, for instance – a staple for sports activities and wildlife shooters however a beast to hold all day. A lighter model with the identical optical high quality could be a aid (actually). Wedding ceremony and occasion photographers, who usually lug round a number of heavy lenses, would additionally profit. If Canon extends this tech to super-telephoto primes (300mm, 400mm, and many others.), it might drastically cut back fatigue for these on safari or taking pictures discipline sports activities.
That mentioned, it’s essential to notice that is only a patent at this stage. Digicam corporations patent many concepts that by no means develop into industrial merchandise. Canon is probably going experimenting and prototyping to see if resin components can really match the efficiency of all-glass designs in the true world. Picture high quality stays paramount – nobody will settle for a lighter lens if it produces gentle or distorted photographs. Canon must be certain that aberrations, whether or not the sunshine passes by plastic or glass. Furthermore, professionals may fear about long-term sturdiness: will plastic components cloud, yellow, or scratch extra simply over years of heavy use? These are questions Canon would wish to deal with earlier than any RF L lens with plastic hits the market.
The patent, nonetheless, exhibits Canon’s intent to innovate. In an period the place mirrorless cameras are shrinking digital camera our bodies, lens measurement and weight have develop into the subsequent frontier. Different manufacturers have tackled weight with strategies like diffractive optics or fluorite glass to cut back aspect rely. Canon’s potential answer: use a special materials altogether. If profitable, resin-infused lenses might preserve top-notch efficiency whereas being considerably lighter – a real win-win for photographers. Whereas we’d not see a plastic-element lens on the shelf this yr, don’t be shocked if in just a few years, Canon broadcasts an ultralight skilled lens, proudly touting some superior polymer optical components. It will be a tangible results of this analysis, and a touch that the venerable lens-making course of can nonetheless evolve within the quest for portability.
