Patents roundup (Sony liquid lens, Sigma NEX lens)
Looks funny but could be the future: Sony liquid lens technology.
The japanese blog Egami posted the latest Sony patents:
1) Sony liquid lens patent (Click here).
This is not the first Sony patent we found that describes the liquid lens technology. With such technology you can change the curvature of the lens by changing the voltage of the liquid. The advantages are:
-non-movement glasses for zoom or AF
-less glasses inside the lens
-faster electrical response
-non-motor on the glass
-silence AF mode
2) Sigma filed a patent in Japan (2011-059293) for what appears to be a 18-48mm lens for NEX cameras (via Photorumors). I really hope Sigma will make fast primes instead of this one 
AlphaPro
3 years ago |WOW!! Makes me laugh at all the recent Alpha deserters who spend most of their time now trying to convince other Alpha users on forums of their idiotic panic buying decisions. Listen up Canikon trolls..Sony is the future, no doubt, they have some massive things on the horizon that can change the way we work/photograph completely! I agree with Admin though, more fast primes from Sigma rather than more average zooms for both E mount and A mount would be very welcome!
Mistral75
3 years ago |Liquid lenses are primarily meant for photophones and smartphones, aren’t they?
Daemonius
3 years ago |Yup they are, cause they can be really small. I dont think theres same solution for regular lens, cause such technology would create more problems than use (chromatic aberation, distortion etc. that lens would have pretty much every fault possible).
Although lens part with complete control of its shape could actually reduce CA to near zero and even adapt different enviroment. But thats very distant future..
Mike
3 years ago |This is not a patent for a lens used for imaging. It is related to control of strobe light output i.e. flash. See the parabolic reflector, the xenon flash tube etc.
Steve
3 years ago |Sony makes a solid profit each year on research and development and the patents that come from this effort.
Sony then sells or licenses the effort to other companies for use.
The Nikon DS3 uses the same sensor as Sony put in the Alpha 850 and 900, but Nikon’s DS3 has better IQ and less noise at higher ISO than the Sony top of the line products.
Now, I understand that Nikon uses its own firmware and tweaks, but really….
The a850 selling for $2k should equal the IQ of the $7k Nikon
You see this all the time in Sony, and throughout the many Sony divisions, products not as good as the competition but using Sony sensors, AD converters and other chips and stuff with Sony’s name stamped on them.
Sony is a consumer electronics company and Sony seldom has the best product on the shelf.
Good products, good value and a “safe” purchase choice but if you did down and look, not the best.
Now, about lenses!
Much of Sony’s alpha lens selection is rebadged Minolta or direct knockoffs of third party products. Zeiss licenses Sony to manufacture products using its name.
If you don’t believe me go to the acknowledged Minolta/Sony lens expert Kurt Munger web page at kurtmunger.com and read his lens reviews.
So, the fact that Sony has a patent for a liquid lens, doesn’t do anything for me an Alpha A-mount user.
Are the cameras and lenses good consumer cameras and lenses ….you bet, but as we move from the 16 to 24MP sensor most of the lenses top-out in resolution and as we go above 24MP lenses and lens sharpness become a real problem.
PhotoNut
3 years ago |You mean the D3x. The D3s (and D3) use Nikon designed sensors. But otherwise your right.
Daemonius
3 years ago |Lens will be ok up to 40 mpix. Then you will be right and it will be problem for Sony (not mentioning Canon lol).
D3X vs A900 isnt that different, actually when it comes to fine detail, A900 is bit better due lighter AA and it doesnt tend to smear fine detail. Theres quite a lot of comparsions on net and usually D3X isnt exactly up to its price. Though I guess part of it is that Sony sold them that sensor really expensive.. (and A900 are even supposed to be “supported” by selling lower models, but thats just rumor).
john
3 years ago |“D3X vs A900 isnt that different, actually when it comes to fine detail, A900 is bit better due lighter AA and it doesnt tend to smear fine detail. Theres quite a lot of comparsions on net and usually D3X isnt exactly up to its price.”
The difference in price between the D3X and A900 is…
Built in grip…………………………$225.00
15 more silicone weather seals…………… $1.25
Having the name Nikon on the camera……..$4500.00
Carl
3 years ago |Let’s not forget the non-defective scroll wheels.
Richard
3 years ago |18-48mm seems an odd range, so I can only assume it’s noticably smaller than the 18-55 which would be good… but as it’s Sigma, it probably won’t be made as well…