Additionally this one's a bit confusing to read but I think it's for a Z DX 10-20 f/4.5-5.6 type lens
2021-033247
A noted about 2021-033004, I came across a thread by Bill Claff (Photons to Photos) who entered the patent designs into this optical bench. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64913567
It appears these are all 1:1 macros.
A whole bunch of 'normal' external zoom f/2.8-4 or f/2.8-4.5 designs.
For FX: ranges from around 24mm - 70/85mm
For DX: ranges from around 16/17/18mm - 50/60/70mm
Here's the interesting bit: there're designs for CX too around 12.4-40mm or 9-35mm.
Also depending on the desgins, the FX total length comes as low as 110mm (94mm barrel), DX as low as 72mm (56mm barrel) and CX as low as 65mm (49mm barrel) assuming a Z mount flange back distance.
This one surfaced recently for bonding of stacked sensors.
I'm aware the bonding tech for stacked sensors is licensable and already widely used in the industry so it may not be necessary for Nikon to develop their own techniques but it's interesting this one popped up recently since they've announced a stacked sensor in the Z9.
chambeshi wrote:
Thanks for posting. Searched https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp but no joy. OPD search lists a
JP.2021124804.A but cannot access documentation ?
The patent describing 4 different designs of PF zoom; with its respective diffraction element in a different position. Each design reduces the total length of the zoom to different respective length(s). Both versions of a 200-500 f5.6 are variable length and rather long at full zoom.
The Third Example is indeed intriguing. A ~300-600 f6.4, its PF design delivers a fixed length zoom in a noticeably compact telephoto.
Approx 94 x 330mm dimensions, ~100mm longer than the 500 f5.6E PF [106 x 237mm]
For comparison the 600 f4E FL is 160 x 432mm (3.8kg). The 4th example of a 400-800 f8 is also of fixed length at approx 100 x 435mm. Not that much shorter than thr 800 f5.6E FL (160 x 461mm, 4.59kg).
excerpts
[0002]
Conventionally, it is known that providing a diffractive surface in an optical system has an achromatic effect (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In particular, in a telephoto lens, by arranging the diffraction surface as far forward (object side) as possible in the lens group, a larger achromatic effect can be exhibited, which makes it possible to shorten the overall length and reduce the weight of the optical system. However, on the other hand, when strong light is incident on the diffractive surface from outside the imaging screen, the diffracted light may flare and reduce the contrast of the entire screen. Therefore, it is required that the diffraction surface be arranged at an appropriate position where the contrast decrease due to flare can be reduced while sufficiently exerting the achromatic effect.
[0086]
(Table 1) First Example
[Overall specifications]
Wide-angle end state Intermediate focal length state Telephoto end state
f = 205.000 to 300.000 to 400.000 to 486.800
FNO = 5.80 to 5.80 to 5.80 to 5.80
2ω (°) = 12.20 to 8.10 to 6.10 ~ 5.00
Ymax = 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700
TL (length in air) = 309.985 ~ 346.860 ~ 371.010 ~ 386.088
Bf (air conversion length) = 46.220 to 46.220 ~ 46.220 to 46.220
[0099]
(Table 4) Second Example
[Overall specifications]
Wide-angle end state Intermediate focal length state Telephoto end state
f = 205.000 to 300.000 to 400.000 to 486.800
FNO = 5.80 to 5.80 to 5.80 to 5.80
2ω (°) = 12.20 to 8.10 to 6.10 ~ 5.00
Ymax = 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700
TL (length in air) = 309.991 ~ 348.121 ~ 376.459 ~ 395.024
Bf (air conversion length) = 53.850 to 53.850 ~ 53.850 to 53.850
[0112]
(Table 7) Third Example
[Overall specifications]
Wide-angle end state Intermediate focal length state Telephoto end state
f = 306.000 to 375.000 to 450.000 to 588.000
FNO = 6.40 to 6.40 to 6.40 to 6.40
2ω (°) = 8.10 to 6.40 to 5.30 ~ 4.10
Ymax = 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700
TL (length in air) = 329.948 ~ 329.948 ~ 329.948 ~ 329.948
Bf (air conversion length) = 52.139 to 52.139 ~ 52.139 to 52.139
[0125]
(Table 10) Fourth Example
[Overall specifications]
Wide-angle end state Intermediate focal length state Telephoto end state
f = 407.999 to 499.999 to 599.999 to 783.998
FNO = 8.10 to 8.10 to 8.10 to 8.10
2ω (°) = 6.10 to 5.00 ~ 4.10 ~ 3.10
Ymax = 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700
TL (length in air) = 435.067 ~ 435.067 ~ 435.067 ~ 435.067
Bf (air conversion length) = 73.106 to 73.106 ~ 73.106 to 73.106
chambeshi wrote:
The patent describing 4 different designs of PF zoom; with its respective diffraction element in a different position. Each design reduces the total length of the zoom to different respective length(s). Both versions of a 200-500 f5.6 are variable length and rather long at full zoom.
The Third Example is indeed intriguing. A ~300-600 f6.4, its PF design delivers a fixed length zoom in a noticeably compact telephoto.
Approx 94 x 330mm dimensions, ~100mm longer than the 500 f5.6E PF [106 x 237mm]
For comparison the 600 f4E FL is 160 x 432mm (3.8kg). The 4th example of a 400-800 f8 is also of fixed length at approx 100 x 435mm. Not that much shorter than thr 800 f5.6E FL (160 x 461mm, 4.59kg).
excerpts
[0002]
Conventionally, it is known that providing a diffractive surface in an optical system has an achromatic effect (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In particular, in a telephoto lens, by arranging the diffraction surface as far forward (object side) as possible in the lens group, a larger achromatic effect can be exhibited, which makes it possible to shorten the overall length and reduce the weight of the optical system. However, on the other hand, when strong light is incident on the diffractive surface from outside the imaging screen, the diffracted light may flare and reduce the contrast of the entire screen. Therefore, it is required that the diffraction surface be arranged at an appropriate position where the contrast decrease due to flare can be reduced while sufficiently exerting the achromatic effect.
[0086]
(Table 1) First Example
[Overall specifications]
Wide-angle end state Intermediate focal length state Telephoto end state
f = 205.000 to 300.000 to 400.000 to 486.800
FNO = 5.80 to 5.80 to 5.80 to 5.80
2ω (°) = 12.20 to 8.10 to 6.10 ~ 5.00
Ymax = 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700
TL (length in air) = 309.985 ~ 346.860 ~ 371.010 ~ 386.088
Bf (air conversion length) = 46.220 to 46.220 ~ 46.220 to 46.220
[0099]
(Table 4) Second Example
[Overall specifications]
Wide-angle end state Intermediate focal length state Telephoto end state
f = 205.000 to 300.000 to 400.000 to 486.800
FNO = 5.80 to 5.80 to 5.80 to 5.80
2ω (°) = 12.20 to 8.10 to 6.10 ~ 5.00
Ymax = 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700
TL (length in air) = 309.991 ~ 348.121 ~ 376.459 ~ 395.024
Bf (air conversion length) = 53.850 to 53.850 ~ 53.850 to 53.850
[0112]
(Table 7) Third Example
[Overall specifications]
Wide-angle end state Intermediate focal length state Telephoto end state
f = 306.000 to 375.000 to 450.000 to 588.000
FNO = 6.40 to 6.40 to 6.40 to 6.40
2ω (°) = 8.10 to 6.40 to 5.30 ~ 4.10
Ymax = 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700
TL (length in air) = 329.948 ~ 329.948 ~ 329.948 ~ 329.948
Bf (air conversion length) = 52.139 to 52.139 ~ 52.139 to 52.139
[0125]
(Table 10) Fourth Example
[Overall specifications]
Wide-angle end state Intermediate focal length state Telephoto end state
f = 407.999 to 499.999 to 599.999 to 783.998
FNO = 8.10 to 8.10 to 8.10 to 8.10
2ω (°) = 6.10 to 5.00 ~ 4.10 ~ 3.10
Ymax = 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700 ~ 21.700
TL (length in air) = 435.067 ~ 435.067 ~ 435.067 ~ 435.067
Bf (air conversion length) = 73.106 to 73.106 ~ 73.106 to 73.106
...Show more →
The TL is measured from the sensor plane I believe so when comparing to existing lenses you gotta add in the flange back distance for the mount (46.5mm for F-mount) or alternatively minus 16mm from the patent TL for the lens length if we assume it’s for Z mount.
The 300-600 is interesting but I guess the Sony 200-600 is the reference here and after accounting for flange distance, it’s more or less the same size. However the Sony adds 200-300mm range although by 320mm the Sony is at f/6.3 already so comparable to this patent design. Looking at the schematics the lens groups are actually also a bit similar to the Sony except for the PF group in the Nikon patent seems much more complicated. I’m not well versed enough in optics design nor patent reading for that matter to work out what difference this may make.
As for the 400-800, there’s not much to compare to. You got the f/5.6 exotics or the f/11 consumer that reaches 8 but neither are zooms.
Seems PF doesn’t appear to make as big a difference in zooms. I seem to remember there was a 200-400 f/4 PF patent previously but was similarly sized to the F-mount non-PF actual production lens.
A mixed bag in this one including (approximately):
400mm f/2.8
200-400mm f/5.6-8 PF
28mm f/1.8
70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 DX
16-35mm f/4
550mm f/4
400mm f/4
On a quick glance, the 400mm f/2.8 and 70-300DX are the actual F-mount designs.
The 28mm is pretty close to the current F-mount design and the 16-35 is somewhat similar too.
The first example looks to be the eventual Noct 58mm f/0.95 design.
Interestingly there are designs for a 56.6mm f/0.87 (probably rounded to 58mm f/0.85) and a 51.6mm f/0.98 (probably rounded to 50mm f/0.95) too.
A bunch of 24-xx zooms.
Nothing unusual it seemed until I spotted a 41-131mm f/1.46-2.43.
I’m not certain for which format when trying to read the patent body description but in the lens distortion charts, the graphs go to 21.6mm so that would imply FF although I have noted mistakes in past patent publications before.
More amazingly the total length is only about 130mm.
Perhaps if it’s ever released, it might be rounded to a 40-130 f/1.4-2.4 and would pair pretty well with a 16-35 f/2.8 that also has quite a number of design patents but doesn’t appear on the roadmap.
Maybe someone can verify that I didn’t make a huge reading error. Search on the Patentscope database.
For curiosity sakes, on DX it’d be a 60-195 f/2.1-3.5 FF equivalent and on CX it’d be about a 110-350mm f/4-6.7 FF equiv with some rounding. Both would be very interesting considering the 130mm total length.
A bunch of 12-40mm f/1.9-2.8 and one 12-40 f/1.4-2.2
What makes it even more interesting is that the AOV implies these are for a 2X cropped sensor, which Nikon doesn't make.
This one should be interesting but I haven’t the time now to go through it properly.
A bunch of teles from 300 f/4 to 800 f/8 and practically everything in between.
Will have to revisit it in detail later.
This one should be interesting but I haven’t the time now to go through it properly.
A bunch of teles from 300 f/4 to 800 f/8 and practically everything in between.
Will have to revisit it in detail later.
Examples listed include (rounded):
1. 300 f/4 TL = 190mm
2. 400 f/4 TL= 267mm
3. 400 f/4.5 TL= 243mm
4. 400 f/5.6 TL= 221mm
5. 500 f/5.6 TL= 270mm
6. 600 f/5.6 TL= 305mm
7. 800 f/5.6 TL= 395mm
8. 800 f/5.6 TL= 383mm
9. 800 f/6.3 Tl= 399mm
10. 800 f/8 TL=351mm
11. 800 f/8 TL=399mm
Curiously there’s a DSLR image in one of the diagrams but at least the 300’s BF is too short for DSLRs.
These don’t seem to be PF designs.
For reference Nikon’s current 300 f/4 PF is 147.5mm + 46.5 = 194mm TL approximately.
Nikon’s 500mm f/5.5 PF is 237mm + 46.5 = 283.5mm TL approx.
Nikon’s Z 100-400 is 222mm + 16 = 238mm TL approximately.
