Category Archives: Nikon Patents

Nikon patents a 200-500mm f/4-5.6 lens

By [NR] admin | Published: January 13, 2011

Nikon patent application 20110007403 is for a new full frame 200-500mm f/4-5.6 lens: “The present invention is made in view of the above described problem, and has an object to provide a zoom optical system capable of coping with the problem of variation in aberrations upon zooming and obtaining excellent optical performance, an optical apparatus […]

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Nikon’s solution to prevent condensation in underwater camera housings

By [NR] admin | Published: January 5, 2011

Nikon currently doesn’t have any underwater housings in their product line. Here a is a patent* (2010-197939) for an underwater housing that can connect to an external tank of compressed air in order to prevent condensation inside the camera housing:

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Nikon files a patent for optical communication between lens and body

By [NR] admin | Published: January 4, 2011

Japanese patent application 2010-282101 is for an optical communication between lens and camera body. The optical link will be added on the mount in addition to the regular electrical contacts (all Google translations): “It is a camera accessory with which a camera body provided with the 1st communications department which communicates by contact, the 2nd communications department which communicates […]

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Nikon mirrorless interchangeable lens camera

By [NR] admin | Published: January 2, 2011

DSLR magazine has a whole article on the upcoming Nikon mirrorless camera. The two interesting bits of information are the expected release date (March 2011) and  the statement that the “The new Nikon mirrorless system would be more professional than what’s offered by other companies“. Here is a list of patents filed by Nikon that […]

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Nikon patents a lens that can be zoomed manually and electronically

By [NR] admin | Published: December 23, 2010

The next interesting Nikon patent filed in Japan is for a zoom that can be controlled manually and through a zoom button on the camera body: The idea is to use motorized zoom while video recording (for a smoother, controlled transition) and manual zoom for still photography. This patent could potentially be implemented in the upcoming Nikon mirrorless camera.

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Nikon patents interchangeable sensor for mirrorless camera

By [NR] admin | Published: December 21, 2010

Nikon filed a patent in Japan for interchangeable sensor solution in mirrorless cameras. According to the patent application, the interchangeable sensors will have different AF system, speed (fps) and pixel count in order to suite different shooting preferences: AF Rate Image quality Remarks Contrast AF Slow Good All pixels and therefore can be used for […]

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New Nikon patent: Nikkor 100-400mm f/4-5.6G VR ED lens

By [NR] admin | Published: December 13, 2010

Nikon filed a patent application in Japan for a AF-S 100-400mm f/4-5.6G VR ED lens. Here is the lens design: Rumors about this lens have been floating for a while. At one point it was expected that this lens will be the replacement of the current Nikkor 80-400mm, but later Nikon filed two different designs […]

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Nikon’s latest patent: a rotating mount

By [NR] admin | Published: December 7, 2010

Nikon filed a patent application in Japan for a rotating mount that will allow for a quick and easy switch between portrait and landscape mode. The camera body will basically rotate around the lens at 90°. It is not clear from the patent drawings above, but in order for this to work, the sensor must rotate with […]

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