According to a new open patent, Canon is looking into the resin (plastic) lens elements as a way to make the professional camera lens lighter. Patent creates designs outline for zoom lenses that use plastic optical elements to cut weight, potentially revolutionize the construction of heavy telephoto lenses.
Patent Zoom Lenses reveals resin optics in design
The Japanese patent application especially describes several zoom lens formulas (example includes a 28–105 mm F/4 and a 24–35 mm F/2) where some lens elements are made of resin instead of traditional glasses . In the patent text, the canon notes the major motivation: using the resin elements can reduce the weight of the lens significantly.
Large-aperture zoom lens usually requires several glass elements, which makes them heavy. By swapping some for plastic, the overall lens can be very light and more compact. For example, this approach may be enabled, a large 70–200 mm or 300 mm prime reduced the weight in noticeable amounts-a change that would definitely welcome busy professionals during long shoots. The idea is not completely new; Some consumer-grade lenses and compact cameras have used plastic optics in the past to save cost or weight. But this performance is rare in high-end professional lenses due to trade and closure.
Plastic elements’ challenges
The canon’s patent accepts the famous downside of plastic elements. Ral lenses are sensitive to temperature and humidity, which can cause them to expand, contract, or even slightly distort them, leading to an increase in focus or optical disaster on shifts. In other words, a lens that works fine on a cool dry day, if the plastic element changes shape, can lose sharpness in warm or humid conditions. However, Canon continues this passage of research to make plastic viable for serious use.
According to the patent, Canon’s engineers propose novel methods to stabilize the performance of resin lenses despite environmental changes. An approach focuses on using high-fruit plastic materials that are less prone to moisture expansion. One and one optical configuration trick is: for example, plastic element in a group with both positive and negative power lenses to balance any focus change with plastic elements if plastic element swells or shrinks. Essentially, if the focal length of the plastic element changes, another element in the group counter-shift for compensation. Designs have been described in the patent for the purpose of keeping the focus of the lens constant in temperature.
The patent especially refers to addressing the absorption of moisture. Plastic can absorb water from air over time, which not only change its shape slightly, but can change its refractory index (how it bends light). Canon’s documents suggest strategies such as special coatings or sandwiches the resin element among the glass elements to separate it from the environment. The target is a “light, small size zoom lens that maintains continuous optical quality despite environmental changes.”
Implications for photographers
For photographers, the possibility of lighter telephoto or zoom lens is exciting. Take Canon’s popular 70-200 mm f/2.8 lensFor example – an animal for sports and wildlife shooters to carry a head but throughout the day. A lighter version with the same optical quality would be a relief (literally). Wedding and event photographers, who often revolve around many heavy lenses, will also benefit. If Canon increases this technique to super-talephoto prime (300 mm, 400 mm, etc.), it can reduce fatigue for those on safari or shooting field sports.
He said, it is important to keep in mind that it is just a patent at this stage. Camera companies patent many ideas that never become commercial products. Canon is probably using and prototype to see if the resin elements can actually match the performance of all-glass designs in the real world. The image quality is paramount – no one will accept a lighter lens if it produces soft or deformed images. The canon must ensure that the disaster, whether light passes through plastic or glass. In addition, professionals can worry about long -term durability: will plastic elements scratch more easily in clouds, yellow, or years of heavy use? These are questions that canon will need to hit the plastic hit market before any RFL lens.
The patent, however, reflects Cannon’s intention to intention. In an era where mirrorless cameras are shrinking the camera’s body, the size and weight of the lens has become the next frontier. Other brands have faced weight with methods such as defrected optics or fluorite glass to reduce the element count. Possible solution of canon: Use a separate material completely. If successful, resin-infected lenses can maintain top-oriented performance when it is quite light. Although we cannot see a plastic-element lens on the shelf this year, if in a few years, the canon announces an ultralight professional lens, not surprised, proudly avoids some advanced polymer optical elements. This will be a concrete result of this research, and an indication that the process of making respectful lenses can still develop in search of portability.
