Three interesting lens patent applications were just published. The first one 20110109974 is for a 10mm f/4 full frame lens:
F0 = 17.11 FNO = 4.08 .omega. = 63.03.degree. Y = 33.00 TL = 188.30 BF = 53.036
F0 = 10.3 FNO = 4.17 .omega. = 64.84.degree. Y = 21.6 TL = 132.78 BF = 38.10
Patent application 20110109979 is for a collection of full frame macro lenses. Note β, “where β (negative) denotes an available shooting magnification“. All these have a maximum 1:1 (β = -1). This also explains why so many elements. The current 105 micro is a 14/12 design.
Patent application 20110109977 contains 10 different lens examples, most are for a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DX, but examples 3 and 4 are for a FX ~28-90mm f/4-5.6, 10/7 design. Sounds like an FX kit lens, maybe for the D700 replacement or another low end full frame camera? Example 10 is a fixed 18mm f/3.5 DX lens.
Thanks Brian!