Nikon Adds to Z-Mount Range and Canon Apply for Groundbreaking Patent

It's becoming common knowledge that the traditional 'Big Two' in the camera world are struggling a bit at the moment.

Nikon and Canon's late adoption of mirrorless technology has seen their market share get eaten up by the likes of Sony and Fuji, but both companies are working hard to reclaim this lost ground.

Nikon's New Z-Mount Lens

Nikon lovers the world over rejoiced when the camera giant finally announced their first serious foray into the world of mirrorless cameras.

The Nikon Z6 and Z7 boast impressive spec sheets and a brand new lens mount, marking the birth of the Nikon Z-Mount. They're already looking to add another flagship body to their range with a Nikon D5 equivalent.

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  Nikon Z7 FX-Format Mirrorless Camera Body w/ NIKKOR Z...

  • New larger Z mount for revolutionary optical performance
  • Nikon-designed 45.7MP backside Illuminated image sensor with no optical low pass filter (OLPF)
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However, the time is nigh to start expanding their rather limited Z Lens selection.

Nikon's most recent announcement confirmed the imminent release of the new Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S.

The pleasing focal length and fast maximum aperture make this a perfect lens for portrait photographers, with the extra low dispersion elements and Nano Crystal Coating minimising aberrations, flare, and ghosting.

Coming along in September 2019, the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S will be priced at £799.

Canon Apply for Groundbreaking Patent

Looking to the more distant future, Canon have recently been spotted applying for an interesting looking patent.

The patent, spotted by Northlight Images, hints at Canon's plans to release a range of 50-80mm zoom lenses with fast apertures. The fastest of these is a ridiculous f/1.1 beast.

Canon are no strangers to ultra wide apertures. They currently offer the fantastic Canon 50mm f/1.2 L lens, and this was actually a replacement for the Canon 50mm f/1.0 lens that was discontinued at the start of the millennium.

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  Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens + 72mm 3 Piece Filter Set...

  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens With all Canon Accessories + Full USA Warranties PREMIUM RITZ CAMERA BUNDLE INCLUDING: Ritz Gear Lens Pouch, 5pc Lens Cleaning Kit, 3pc Filter Kit, Lens Cap Keeper
  • LENS: The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens features a particularly large maximum aperture for effective low-light and shallow depth of field capability. It as an AF with full-time manual focus adjustment and a closest focusing distance of 1.48ft. Filter size of 72mm. (Includes: Canon Front and Rear Lens Caps, ES-78 Lens Hood and Lens Case). + Canon Limited 1-Year Warranty
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However, a zoom lens with such a wide fixed aperture would be truly groundbreaking.

Canon did tell us that we should expect some 'crazy' lenses for their RF Mount, and this certainly hits the mark with that!

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