Nikon files patent for 58mm f/1.4 lens

Nikon has filed for a new patent concerning a 58mm lens, following three other recent patents involving a similar 58mm lens.

Big companies constantly apply for new patents. This is natural because technology advancements cannot stop. As Nikon is trying to sell more equipment and cameras, the company needs to bring something different to the market. The latest patent involves a 58mm prime lens with an aperture of f/1.4 which may or may not become available in the near future.

Nikon 58mm f/1.4 lens performance described in the patent application

Nikon 58mm f/1.4 lens patent details

The original filing date was July 8th, 2011, while the application was unveiled on January 31st, 2013. The exact focal length of the new lens stands at 58.0216mm, while the aperture is 1.450. Furthermore, the lens is designed on nine elements divided into five groups with two aspherical elements. Image height is said to be 21.6mm, lens length is measured at 93.67772mm, while the backfocus is set at 38.71868mm.

Last but not least piece of information about the lens is that it features a half angle view of 20.82 degrees. The publication of the patent number 2013-19993, following three similar patent filings, does not necessarily mean Nikon will push the new Nikkor lens on the market in the near future, as the company has not made an announcement to lead us into that direction.

Nikon is juggling with 50mm and 58mm lens patents

There are several patents filed by Nikon concerning 50 and 58mm lenses. All of them have apertures of either f/1.2 or f/1.4. Nikon has begun filing for these patents since August 2007, when the 2009-058651 patent came to light. It consisted of a 50mm lens with f/1.4 lens. Six months after that, Nikon patented another Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens, though the difference between the two was unknown.

Eventually, Nikon started patenting 58mm lenses with F1.2 aperture. The first was in April 2011, the second came the same year in June and the last was filed in July 2011, and it is worth noting that all had the same aperture . Also in July 2011, Nikon filed a patent for a 58mm F1.4 lens. April 2011 was an important month for Nikon as two other large-aperture lenses were patented, including 50mm F1.2 and 60mm F1.2.