06-08-2012, 07:26 PM
[quote name='Brightcolours' timestamp='1339064316' post='18737']
The STM motor may be s sign that Canon has developed a hybrid AF system. Meaning, the new 650D may sport fast contrast AF, and the new version has a motor and electronics that can handle fast contrast AF and phase detect AF. Olympus is not using USM motors for the very same reason... They are not the right type of motor to implement fast contrast AF with.
As for Canon doing the "Pentax thing", that is not going to happen. Canon is said to work on a mirrorless system with its own lenses, AND with full EF compatibility. That then means a compact camera without mirror box, but with an EF adapter that allows AF/IS/aperture control.
[/quote]
I think Canon doing the "Pentax thing" is exactly what is happening. The new sensor is a good clue to that. I think they might still do another mirrorless system with their smaller 4/3 sized sensor, but I think Canon was one of the companies that hinted at a mirrorless SLR style camera in the first place.
As for motors, the USM motors are still useful in lenses with larger focusing groups. In my Samsung NX20, the 85mm f/1.4 and 60mm f/2.8 macro both use USM equivalent motors. However, the Samsung 18-200mm uses a voice coil motor (VCM) for fast and nearly instant auto focus that is silent. I imagine this is similar to the Canon STM? Hard to say, I haven't looked at the Canon technology, but I know the VCM doesn't work well for large element groups.
Eric
The STM motor may be s sign that Canon has developed a hybrid AF system. Meaning, the new 650D may sport fast contrast AF, and the new version has a motor and electronics that can handle fast contrast AF and phase detect AF. Olympus is not using USM motors for the very same reason... They are not the right type of motor to implement fast contrast AF with.
As for Canon doing the "Pentax thing", that is not going to happen. Canon is said to work on a mirrorless system with its own lenses, AND with full EF compatibility. That then means a compact camera without mirror box, but with an EF adapter that allows AF/IS/aperture control.
[/quote]
I think Canon doing the "Pentax thing" is exactly what is happening. The new sensor is a good clue to that. I think they might still do another mirrorless system with their smaller 4/3 sized sensor, but I think Canon was one of the companies that hinted at a mirrorless SLR style camera in the first place.
As for motors, the USM motors are still useful in lenses with larger focusing groups. In my Samsung NX20, the 85mm f/1.4 and 60mm f/2.8 macro both use USM equivalent motors. However, the Samsung 18-200mm uses a voice coil motor (VCM) for fast and nearly instant auto focus that is silent. I imagine this is similar to the Canon STM? Hard to say, I haven't looked at the Canon technology, but I know the VCM doesn't work well for large element groups.
Eric