New Canon 300mm f/4 IS lens is in the works

Canon has patented three new lenses, including the 300mm f/4 IS, 24mm f/2.8, and 50mm f/1.3, with an integrated and updated refractive index distribution element, which reduces optical flaws, such as chromatic aberration.

One of the digital imaging companies that is expected to launch several new lenses in the near future is Canon. The company is already rumored to be working on a new 50mm f/1.8 lens along with a new 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS lens and a unique macro optic.

To this list, we can add a new Canon 300mm f/4 IS lens, which has just been patented in Japan bearing a refractive index distribution element. This unit has been patented along with the 24mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.3 optic, both employing the aforementioned lens element.

This is the internal design of the new Canon EF 300mm f/4 IS telephoto lens, which could replace the current generation sometime in the future.

Patent for a new Canon 300mm f/4 IS lens discovered in Japan

Canon is currently selling an EF 300mm f/4L IS USM super-telephoto lens for its EOS DSLR cameras. However, this model was released on the market back in 2004, which means that it is a strong candidate for being replaced in the not-so-distant future.

A patent for a potential replacement has just showed up in Japan. It was filed on July 30, 2013 and it was published on February 12, 2015.

The patent is describing a new Canon 300mm f/4 IS lens that includes an improved refractive index distribution element. The system is added to three groups and it is there to cut down some optical flaws, such as chromatic aberration. This way, the lens will provide a higher image quality than a regular lens.

The current generation is available for purchase at Amazon for about $1,450. Please note that, while a patent is an indication of what is next, it does not necessarily mean that this super-telephoto lens will be released on the market to replace the current version soon.

Canon also working on new 24mm and 50mm prime lenses

Alongside the updated refractive index distribution element in the new Canon 300mm f/4 IS lens, the patent application is mentioning a couple of other optics.

The first is a new EF 24mm f/2.8 version. The current version was released on the market in 2012 in the form of an EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM wide-angle prime lens.

The second unit consists of a 50mm f/1.3 version. It is unclear why it offers an unconventional maximum aperture (instead of f/1.2 or f/1.4). However, the company is rumored to launch a new 50mm lens soon, so it is likely that it has tested multiple units.

For now, there are no official details from Canon, so you should stick around to find out whether one of these lenses is coming or not!