Canon has patented a bunch of fast(ish) portrait-length 70-100mm RF prime lenses

A new Canon patent application has popped up on the Japan Patent Office website detailing six new RF mount prime lenses ranging in focal length from 70mm up to 100mm. With the exception of an 85mm f/1.8, all of the lenses sport an f/2 aperture. So, they’re not super fast (with perhaps the exception of one), but they’re faster than zooms, yet slow enough to potentially be relatively low budget lenses.

The patent describes the optical formulas for six prime lenses in total.

70mm f/2

• Focal length: 70.50mm
• F Number: 2.06
• Half angle of view: 17.06°
• Image height: 21.64mm
• Lens length: 94.86mm
• BF: 17.89mm

80mm f/1.8

• Focal length: 82.48mm
• F Number: 1.86
• Half angle of view: 14.70°
• Image height: 21.64mm
• Lens length: 98.50mm
• BF: 16.84mm

80mm f/2

• Focal length: 82.45mm
• F Number: 2.06
• Half angle of view: 14.70°
• Image height: 21.64mm
• Lens length: 104.87mm
• BF: 17.60mm

82mm f/2

• Focal length: 82.50mm
• F Number: 2.06
• Half angle of view: 14.69°
• Image height: 21.64mm
• Lens length: 102.08mm
• BF: 14.92mm

85mm f/2

• Focal length: 85.00mm
• F Number: 2.06
• Half angle of view: 14.28°
• Image height: 21.64mm
• Lens length: 100.82mm
• BF: 16.76mm

100mm f/2

• Focal length: 99.80mm
• F Number: 2.06
• Half angle of view: 12.23°
• Image height: 21.64mm
• Lens length: 118.38mm
• BF: 21.99mm

The f/2 aperture would tend to put the 70-85mm lenses well into the “entry level” range, but 100mm f/2 would be very nice indeed. Sure, it’s not the Nikon 105mm f/1.4 or the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art, but it’s a stop faster than the Canon 100mm f/2.8 and Nikon 105mm f/2.8 macro lenses. So, it sits somewhere in between two pairs of rather expensive lenses. 100mm f/2 could turn out to be a good low budget compromise!

Canon still has some way to go in fleshing out their RF mount lens lineup, particularly when it comes to more budget-friendly lenses. So while a patent doesn’t guarantee creation, it’s possible that one or two of these might pop up in the next year or two. But, a parent doesn’t guarantee creation, so don’t hold your breath.

[via Canon Watch]