Canon EF 28mm f/1.4L USM lens patent shows up online

Canon is working on a 28mm wide-angle prime lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4. The optic has been patented in Japan and, if it becomes available, it will be aimed at full-frame DSLRs.

Three new EOS-series DSLRs have already been unveiled by Canon in 2016. The 1D X Mark II, 80D, and 1300D are all official and more units are expected in the near future, including the follow-up to the 5D Mark III.

Nevertheless, the company is not forgetting about its lens line-ups and it is working on new products. While their announcement dates remain unknown, we have some details about what is coming next.

The latest product to be mentioned within the rumor mill is a Canon EF 28mm f/1.4L USM lens, which has just been patented in the company’s home country of Japan.

Canon EF 28mm f/1.4L USM lens patented in Japan

Canon is constantly patenting new products. Last week we spoke about a lens-style camera that would bring 3D photo support to a mobile device, but now it is time to get back to a more familiar sight: EF-mount optics.

The internal design of the Canon EF 28mm f/1.4L USM lens.

A patent for a Canon EF 28mm f/1.4L USM lens has surfaced on the web. It would be released for full-frame DSLRs, albeit it would be compatible with APS-C-sized models, too.

The optic will be aimed at landscape and indoor photographers, thanks to its wide-angle focal length. A huge advantage is the bright maximum aperture of f/1.4, which will come in handy in low-light conditions.

Its autofocus system will be based on an Ultrasonic Motor. This drive will offer quick, silent, and accurate focusing across all shooting scenarios. Another notable thing is the “L” designation. It usually means that Canon is using higher-quality optics to create the lens along with more durable materials.

Furthermore, the “L” designation tells us that there is a chance that the lens will be weathersealed, so it will offer protection against dust and water droplets when used in combination with a DSLR with similar capabilities.

The Japan-based company has filed for the patent on July 28, 2014. It took almost two years to get it approved, as the regulatory authorities published it on March 7, 2016. As usual, do not hold your breath over its launch.

Anyway, Canon is offering EF-mount 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm lenses with a maximum aperture of f/1.4, so it would not be surprising to see a 28mm coming to the market.