Patent P2026122516: The Blueprint Behind Canon’s Wild 7-14mm F2.8-3.5 Fisheye

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 3, 2026

Patent P2026122516: The Blueprint Behind Canon’s Wild 7-14mm F2.8-3.5 Fisheye

We’ve been digging into the optical research surrounding Patent P2026122516, which details the incredible engineering behind the Canon 7-14mm F2.8-3.5 lens. As we now know, this ambitious patent came to life as the groundbreaking Canon RF 7-14mm F2.8-3.5L Fisheye STM. Replacing the legendary EF 8-15mm f/4L USM, this lens is Canon’s widest full-frame zoom ever produced and marks a massive leap in ultra-wide optical design.

Here is a breakdown of the final specifications that blossomed from this patent:

  • Extreme Field of View: At the 7mm wide end, the lens delivers an astonishing 190° circular fisheye field of view—literally allowing it to see slightly behind itself. Zooming into 14mm transitions the image into a 180° diagonal fisheye.
  • Variable Aperture Design: The maximum aperture sits at a bright f/2.8 at 7mm. It shifts to f/3.2 at 8mm and maxes out at f/3.5 between 11mm and 14mm.
  • Advanced Optical Formula: The internal design utilizes 16 elements arranged in 11 groups. This includes two aspherical glass elements and five ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements to maximize sharpness.
  • Autofocus Technology: Canon implemented a lead-screw type STM motor for focusing. It also incorporates a position-detecting sensor derived from Canon’s Nano USM technology, ensuring quick and accurate AF for both video and stills.
  • Compact L-Series Build: Despite the extreme optics, the lens is incredibly manageable at just 4.3 inches (109.4mm) long and 16.8 ounces (476g). It maintains weather-sealed L-series build quality.
  • Creative Features: The lens includes a built-in rear slot for drop-in filters. It also boasts a minimum focusing distance of just 5.9 inches (0.15 meters).

What the Patent Tells Us Patent P2026122516 laid the groundwork for this exotic piece of glass. Our custom header image highlights some of the concepts explored during the research and development phase, including the L-Series build and Nano USM elements that eventually found their way into the STM’s position-detecting sensor. While the final production model opted out of Optical Image Stabilization—likely to keep the weight under 500g and let modern IBIS do the heavy lifting—the optical brilliance of the patent is fully realized in the RF 7-14mm F2.8-3.5L.

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via j-platpat

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Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5x & 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Parfocal Ultra Macro APO

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 31, 2026


Venus Optics announced the Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5x & 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Parfocal Ultra Macro APO, which can be purchased directly or through B&H Photo below for RF and EF mount:

Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO Lens
Create extreme close-ups in tack-sharp detail with the Laowa Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO Lens from Venus Optics. This compact ultra macro lens boasts a 1:1 to 5:1 magnification ratio, allowing you to photograph subjects larger than life. It offers a fixed 1.6″ working distance from the front of the lens and maintains sharp focus throughout the magnification range thanks to the internal parfocal zoom design. Thanks to the compact form factor, this lens is easy to use whether shooting handheld or on a motorized focus stacking rig.

Apochromatic Correction
The Aksen series is engineered to eliminate chromatic aberration, even at higher magnifications. The apochromatic correction effectively prevents color fringing, allowing you to capture more details and texture without distortion in your final image.

Parfocal Internal Zoom
Adjust your magnification without moving your camera or subject thanks to the innovative parfocal zoom design. The Aksen maintains sharp focus across the entire magnification range, while the internal zoom allows you to shift magnification without disturbing your lights or hitting your subject. Because the weight distribution also remains identical, this lens is ideal for videography as well as macro photography. Exposure changes are the only thing that needs to be compensated for as you magnify your subject.

Additional Details

  • Eleven-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing focus falloff when using shallow depth of field.
  • Standard focal length benefits the high magnification design by providing greater depth of field compared to telephoto or long lens designs.
  • When adapting the Aksen to medium format cameras, there will be varying levels of vignetting depending on the magnification.
  • Lightweight physical design makes the lens easier to use handheld and offers more room for illuminating subjects.

Venus Optics Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO Lens
Capture tiny subjects in tack-sharp detail with the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO Lens from Venus Optics. This compact ultra macro lens boasts a 5:1 to 10:1 magnification ratio, allowing you to photograph subjects larger than life. It offers a fixed 0.9″ working distance from the front of the lens and maintains sharp focus throughout the magnification range thanks to the internal parfocal zoom design. Thanks to the compact form factor, this lens is easy to use whether shooting handheld or on a motorized focus stacking rig.

Apochromatic Correction
The Aksen series is engineered to eliminate chromatic aberration, even at higher magnifications. The apochromatic correction effectively prevents color fringing, allowing you to capture more details and texture without distortion in your final image.

Parfocal Internal Zoom
Adjust your magnification without moving your camera or subject thanks to the innovative parfocal zoom design. The Aksen maintains sharp focus across the entire magnification range, while the internal zoom allows you to shift magnification without disturbing your lights or hitting your subject. Because the weight distribution also remains identical, this lens is ideal for videography as well as macro photography. Exposure changes are the only thing that need to be compensated for as you magnify your subject.

Additional Details

  • Eleven-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing focus falloff when using shallow depth of field.
  • Wide-angle design benefits the high magnification design by providing greater depth of field compared to telephoto or long lens designs.
  • When adapting the Aksen to medium format cameras, there will be varying levels of vignetting depending on the magnification.
  • Lightweight physical design makes the lens easier to use handheld and offers more room for illuminating subjects.








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BREAKING: Sony Moves to Acquire Tamron – Will This Kill the Future of RF-Mount Third-Party Lenses?

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 30, 2026


BREAKING: Sony Moves to Acquire Tamron – Will This Kill the Future of RF-Mount Third-Party Lenses?

Just when we finally started getting some third-party autofocus traction for the RF mount, a massive curveball has been thrown into the camera industry. According to a new report from Reuters, Sony has officially made a proposal to acquire the Japanese lens manufacturer, Tamron.

While this is obviously a massive headline for the industry as a whole, it carries some incredibly heavy implications for us here in the Canon ecosystem.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Why is Sony making a play for Tamron?

If you’ve paid any attention to the E-mount side of the fence over the past few years, the answer is pretty obvious. Tamron has been quietly eating Sony’s lunch. Tamron has released a barrage of incredibly desirable, innovative lenses—like the 35-150mm f/2-2.8, the 28-75mm f/2.8 G2, and the 50-400mm—that often outperform or equal Sony’s native glass in real-world use. The kicker? They do it at a fraction of the price of Sony’s incredibly expensive G and G-Master lenses.

For many shooters, it stopped making sense to pay the “Sony Tax” when a Tamron lens offered 95% of the performance for less than half the price. By absorbing Tamron, Sony isn’t just acquiring a partner; they are eliminating their most dangerous, cost-effective competitor and keeping all of those sweet lens margins in-house.

But what does this mean for CanonAddict readers?

As we all know, Canon famously kept the RF mount closed off to autofocus third-party manufacturers for years. It was only recently that Canon finally opened the gates, allowing Tamron to bring phenomenal, affordable lenses over to the RF and RF-S mounts. For Canon shooters who couldn’t justify dropping $2,500 on L-series “red ring” glass, Tamron was the beacon of hope. They promised high-quality, fast-aperture zooms that wouldn’t require a second mortgage.

If Sony takes full control of Tamron, it is highly likely that they will prioritize their own ecosystem. Best case scenario, RF-mount development gets put on the back burner. Worst case scenario? Sony locks Tamron down as an E-mount exclusive brand, entirely cutting off one of Canon’s most exciting new sources for affordable third-party lenses.

It feels like Canon shooters are finally getting a taste of the third-party lens freedom that other systems have enjoyed, only to have the rug pulled out from under us by Sony.

We will be watching this acquisition attempt very closely. If you’ve been eyeing a Tamron lens for your EOS R body, it might be wise to pick it up now before the company’s roadmap gets completely rewritten by Sony executives.

What are your thoughts on this? Is Sony just trying to stifle competition, and are you worried about the future of affordable RF glass? Sound off in the comments below!

via FujiAddict, Reuters

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Canon Q2 2026 Financial Results: EOS R6 Mark III and Compacts Drive Record Sales

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 29, 2026

Canon Q2 2026 Financial Results: EOS R6 Mark III and Compacts Drive Record Sales

Canon has officially released its Q2 2026 financial results, and if you’ve been watching the camera market lately, the numbers shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. Canon is having an incredibly strong year, fueled heavily by the ongoing success of the EOS R6 Mark III and a somewhat surprising resurgence in compact camera demand.

Overall, Canon Inc. posted record-high Q2 net sales, with operating profit blowing past market expectations. While some of the massive profit jump is tied to one-off factors like a weaker yen and a large U.S. tariff refund, the underlying strength of the Imaging division is undeniable.

Here is a breakdown of the key numbers and what they mean for the camera side of the business.

Q2 2026 Corporate Highlights (Entire Company)

  • Net Sales: ¥1,180.9 billion (+3.6% year-over-year) – A record high for a second quarter.
  • Operating Profit: ¥159.2 billion (+35.2% YoY).
  • Net Income: ¥122.9 billion (+46.9% YoY).

Imaging Division Highlights (Cameras & Network Cameras)

The Imaging Group was the star of the show this quarter. While other divisions like Printing and Medical faced some headwinds, the camera business easily picked up the slack.

  • Imaging Group Revenue: Increased by an impressive 17.7% YoY.
  • Camera Net Sales: ¥175.4 billion (+12.9% YoY).
  • Full-Year Camera Projection: Canon has revised its 2026 full-year camera sales forecast upward to ¥698.0 billion (+11.6% YoY).

What’s driving the growth?
According to Canon’s presentation, the higher average selling price (ASP) was largely driven by full-frame interchangeable-lens cameras. Specifically, the EOS R6 Mark III (launched late last year) saw sales actually grow compared to Q1 2026. It’s clear that the R6 Mark III has hit the exact sweet spot for enthusiasts and working professionals.

Interestingly, Canon also noted that strong demand for compact cameras continued from Q1 and acted as a primary sales driver, proving that the premium point-and-shoot market is still very much alive. Network cameras (surveillance/commercial) also had a massive quarter, with revenue growing over 20% due to data center and real estate installations.

The Macro Picture

It wasn’t all just camera sales. Canon’s massive 35.2% bump in operating profit was helped significantly by the financial environment. The weak yen provided a positive boost, but the real kicker was a massive ¥58.0 billion positive impact from refunds on U.S. tariffs.

This extra cash cushion helped Canon absorb some ongoing macroeconomic headaches, including rising memory prices and increased logistics/raw material costs linked to ongoing situations in the Middle East.

CanonAddict’s Take

Canon’s strategy of pushing high-margin, full-frame RF mount bodies is paying massive dividends. The EOS R6 Mark III is doing exactly what it needed to do—maintaining long-tail sales momentum well past its launch window. Combined with the upward revision for full-year camera sales, it’s clear Canon expects the second half of 2026 to be just as lucrative.

With profitability looking this healthy, Canon has plenty of R&D capital to play with. Hopefully, this means we’ll see some exciting lens announcements or perhaps that long-rumored high-megapixel body before the year is out.

You can read the full financial presentation materials over at Canon’s Investor Relations page.

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Pixboom Spark 4K Global-Shutter S35 Cinema Camera EF-Mount 1000 FPS in 4K and 1800 FPS in 2K

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 26, 2026


Pixboom Spark 4K Global-Shutter S35 Cinema Camera: B&H Photo

Pixboom Spark 4K S35 Cine Camera Overview

4K High Frame-Rate Capture
Capture stunning slow-motion imagery at rates up to 1000 fps in 4K and 1800 fps in 2K using the Spark 4K Global-Shutter S35 Cinema Camera from Pixboom. Ideal for revealing the details of fast-paced action, the Canon EF-mount Spark camera features a Super 35 BSI sensor with global shutter for crisp, distortion-free images, even in low-light capture. It has a 3.5″ touchscreen control panel and comes with a 2.5TB Pixboom Pro SSD card.

Global Shutter for Crisp Imaging
The Spark camera’s global shutter captures all the image sensor information at once, capturing clear, crisp images. It eliminates any “Jello” effect, distortion, and motion skewing that can occur with a rolling shutter camera, even with fast-paced motion and panning shots.

Interchangeable Lens Mounts
An interchangeable mount system enables you to select from a wide range of lenses with your Spark camera. The Canon EF mount included with this camera can be swapped out by the user with separately available ARRI PL or Sony E lens mounts, each offering full power and data transfer.

High-Speed BSI Sensor with Prerecord
Thanks to a BSI (back-side illuminated) sensor, the Spark can capture images using just 25% of the light normally required. The two-second prerecord function continuously buffers footage, preserving any spontaneous, unrepeatable moments that could otherwise be lost.

Customizable ROI
Customizable ROIs (regions of interest) enable you to capture high frame rates in various aspect ratios, including 3:2 Open Gate, 16:9, 2:1, 2.37:1, and ultrawide 4:1.

Durable Build with Multiple Interfaces
The Spark camera’s durable unibody aluminum design incorporates multiple professional interfaces, including 12G-SDI and HDMI with up to 4K output, LTC timecode, genlock, and USB-C for wired control. An active cooling system maintains an optimal operating temperature with minimal noise.

Pixboom Pro Card
In addition to the 12G-SDI and HDMI video outputs, the Spark camera can record to the included 2.5GB Pixboom Pro SSD card.

Dual Control with Touchscreen and Buttons
The Spark uses Pixboom OS for an intuitive control experience, using either the 3.5″ fixed touchscreen or the physical buttons for a more tactile feel. The versatile touchscreen also provides viewing and playback functions.

Wireless Control
The iOS/Android Pixboom Control app lets you monitor and adjust your Spark remotely via a Wi-Fi connection with 1080p video preview. Use your mobile device to adjust camera settings, start/stop recording, and monitor your composition – ideal for complex setups, remote positions, or when operating solo in challenging environments.

Anamorphic De-Squeeze
In-camera de-squeezing enables you to view your anamorphic capture in your chosen aspect ratio without any post-production processing.

Dual ISO
A 400/1600 dual-native ISO provides 13 stops of dynamic range at both settings, enabling clean image capture across all lighting conditions.

Power Options
Power your Spark camera using the power supply or the built-in plate and a separately available V-mount battery.

Samples

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Canon EOS R6 Mark III and Canon EOS R6 V Firmware 1.1.0 Released

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 22, 2026

Canon EOS R6 Mark III:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Canon EOS R6 Mark III with Stop Motion Animation Firmware:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Canon EOS R6 V:
B&H Photo / Amazon /Adorama

The Canon launched firmware 1.1.0 for the Canon R6 Mark III, which you can download here.

Firmware Version 1.1.0 incorporates the following enhancements and fixes:
1. Adds the ability to set [AF for close-up demos] during movie recording in [Movie manual exp.], [Movie auto exposure], and other Creative Zone modes to allow for its use in combination with exposure and AF area settings.
2. Adds the ability to set [grid display] during movie recording.
3. Adds support for the Wireless Remote Controller BR-E2.
4. Adds support for the Software Development Assistance Kit (EDSDK/CCAPI).
5. Fixes an issue that may cause image transfers to an FTP server to fail and for Err41 to be displayed.
6. Fixes an issue that may impact the camera’s shooting ability if the auto power-off function is activated during interval timer shooting.
7. Fixes an issue that may cause the camera to not be recognized when connected to a smartphone via USB.
8. Fixes an issue that may cause the movie digital IS metadata to be output incorrectly when recording movies at frame rates below 24 fps in [Slow&Fast Motion Movie] mode.
9. Improves operational stability. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.1.0, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Please perform the firmware update with only the firmware file to be updated stored on the memory card. Notes: Users manual in the WEB is updated accordingly. Please download the manual as well as the latest firmware. You can download it from the official WEB site. Preparations for a firmware update: After the downloaded compressed file (.zip) is extracted, a firmware folder is created. *Extracting the downloaded file: Right-click the zip file, and then select Extract All to extract the file. In the folder you downloaded are the firmware (R6311000.FIR / file size: 66,334,800 bytes) and instructions on the firmware update procedures (a PDF file in five languages: Japanese, English, French, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese). Before starting the firmware update operations, please be sure to carefully review the instructions to confirm your understanding of the firmware update procedures. (The following is the history of past firmware updates.)

Changes in version 1.0.2:
1. Improves stability during automatic sensor cleaning at power on.

Changes in version 1.0.1:
1. Fixes an issue that, in rare instances, may prevent certain CFexpress cards from being formatted in the camera.

The Canon launched firmware 1.1.0 for the Canon R6 V, which you can download here

Firmware Version 1.1.0 incorporates the following enhancements and fixes:
1. Adds the ability to set [grid display] during movie recording.
2. Adds support for external flash units.
・Flash firing
・E-TTL balance
・E-TTL II meter.
・Slow synchro
・Flash function settings
・Flash C.Fn settings
3. Adds support for the Wireless Remote Controller BR-E2.
4. Adds support for the Software Development Assistance Kit (EDSDK/CCAPI).
5. Fixes an issue that may impact the camera’s shooting ability if the auto power-off function is activated during interval timer shooting.
6. Fixes an issue that may cause the camera to not be recognized when connected to a smartphone via USB.
7. Fixes an issue that may cause the movie digital IS metadata to be output incorrectly when recording movies at frame rates below 24 fps in [Slow&Fast Motion Movie] mode.
8. Improves operational stability. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.1.0, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Please perform the firmware update with only the firmware file to be updated stored on the memory card.

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Posted in Canon EOS R6, Canon EOS R6 Mark III, Firmware | Tagged , | 16 Comments