Canon has announced two new broadcast zoom lenses: the CN10x25 IAS S Cine-Servo lens; and the CJ18ex7.6B KASE.
The CN10x25 is a versatile, 8K-capable 25mm-250mm 10x power zoom lens that can extend up to 375mm using its built-in 1.5x optical extender. It is claimed to be ideal for use with the newly launched EOS C300 Mark III, but is compatible with both Super 35mm and full frame sensor cameras, so is suitable for use on a wide range of genres from drama and commercials to sports and documentary. It sits between the existing CN7x17 and CN20x50 zoom lenses.
It has an 11-blade aperture, which should produce a soft and appealing bokeh, with warm colour tones. If used with a PL mount it activates the built-in Cooke/i Technology – however, mount changes need to be done by a service centre. The ergonomic drive unit of the CN10x25 is also detachable, so that it covers both broadcast and cinema production ways of working. A 12-pin serial communication port is supported for broadcast standards, as well as a 20-pin connector which outputs accurate lens positional data for various virtual systems. The CN10x25 will be available from July.
The new CJ18ex7.6B KASE is a compact and lightweight 2/3in 4K broadcast zoom lens with B4 mount that is claimed to offer “exceptional performance, operability and affordability”, and is said to be ideal for HDR use.
The 18x zoom “is a high-performance 4K lens at a really good price point”, said David Parry, product specialist for photo and video products, Canon UK, which he believes will make it popular. It doesn’t have a built-in extender, but this allows it to be smaller, lighter and reduces its price. It should be suitable for studio productions where extended zoom ranges are not required.
The CJ18ex7.6B KASE is claimed to deliver clear images, with minimal chromatic aberration and colour fringing, thanks to its use of an optimised arrangement of fluorite and UD glass. With glass coatings and a carefully designed internal lens barrel which prevent reflections, it also experiences minimal flaring and ghosting.
It has three 20-pin connectors for integration with various virtual studio systems, even with a full servo setup of focus and zoom controllers connected, while a high-resolution 16-bit encoder ensures accurate positional information detection of the lens settings, for easy calibration when matching actual and virtual images. It should be available from June.
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