Canon Just Came Up With a Weird Idea for Lighter Lenses

Canon is looking into resin (plastic) lens elements as a way to make professional camera lenses lighter, according to a newly uncovered patent. The patent outlines designs for zoom lenses that use plastic optical elements to cut down on weight, potentially revolutionizing the build of heavy telephoto lenses. Patent Reveals Resin Optics in Zoom Lens Design The Japanese patent application specifically describes several zoom lens formulas (examples include a 28-105mm f/4 and a 24-35mm f/2) where some lens elements are made of resin rather than traditional glass​.