The latest Nikon patent shows us how Nikon wants to protect the sensor from “dust contamination”. The mount itself will have a shutter that is closed while changing lenses. Smart idea or not?
Publication number: Patent 2011-13399 (P2011-13399A)
Source: Egami
11 Responses
Smart idea!
Wouldn’t shutting the regular shutter be smarter way, since that protective shutter looks fragile.
Maybe they have removed the shutter and plan on using a fully electronic shutter. If that’s the case; this is a smart idea.
The Panasonic sensor cleaning system has worked well for me, and only once have had a dust speck in an image, which disappeared soon after. However, a curtain or diaphragm closing would we comfort in windy conditions, and the Nikon arrangement shown makes sense as it is closed by spring power on removing the lens, and opened by pushing the lens barrel in. However, the multiple leaves themselves could aggravate dust collection problems and would themselves be hard to clean.
Nothing new here. A Nikon patent for the mount protection system was already published ages ago…
Well, the Mamiya 6 medium format rangefinder has this feature so it is is far from a new idea.
Mark
I like it. My Mamiya 7II rangefinder and most medium format cameras for that matter use a dark curtain when changing lenses or camera backs to protect from exposing film inadvertently. Can’t see why we can’t do something similar to protect sensors.
Just so you know Panasonic use the Olympus super sonic wave filter for dust reduction
It’s a great idea. I don’t care if it is an old idea or not. I wish my Oly and Pany 4/3 and m4/3 bodies had something like this dust curtain—AND continued to have their existing supersonic wave dust reduction system.
In the meantime, I have a seperate body for each of my most-used lenses and only remove a lens when I really, really need one of my “legacy” lenses. (I’m grateful I can use Legacy lenses on my Pany, but I await the moment when Oly and Pany finally deliver the full lineup of modern AF lenses-with good MF capabilities-that allow me to dump the Legacy lenses).
Having said all that, one of the reasons I moved to 4/3 and m4/3 was to be able to afford a seperate body for each lens. I hate changing lenses and I hate exposing a sensor to the environment.
Still, it’s a great idea. Viva Nikon!–but double Viva m4/3 because m4/3 still rules mirrorless at the moment. If competitors overtake them in the future, so be it.
What about the tiny mist droplets blown in by the strong wind?
I was writting about the issue and my remarks fell mostly on deaf ears. I simply could`t understand, why all but one mirrorles systems leave the sensor exposed. It`s a major ommitance, easy remedied by few lines in software. The moment you remove the lens, sensor is capped by the shutter. This cameras even don`t do it when powered off! Dust removal mechanism is a joke when you get a tiny mist drop on the sensor. Nikon idea is not so bad one, as it hinders dust and other matter enter the cavity of camera. Okey, it`s fragile. How about a simple and time proven slide like those in film backs. Strong and simple. Up to date, the only one that takes care of the problem is RICOH! On their M-module you power it off and the shutter caps the sensor. They could go further on next GRX m-module. A little contact in bayonet mount causes the shutter close the moment m-mount lens is lifted off. Thus you wouldn`t have to power it off. DO IT RICOH! (for cleaning purpose you go use a menu function to uncover the sensor).
Piell