|
nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CANON'S NEW HD-EC LENSES AND ANAMORPHIC CONVERTER PROVIDE
CINEMATOGRAPHERS WITH NEW CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY AND CONTROL
New FJs Series of Prime Lenses Joins New HJ8x5.5 KLL-SC
Zoom Lens and ACV-235 Anamorphic Converter Introduced for
2/3" HDTV Format
LAS VEGAS (NAB2004, Booth # SU9649),
April 12, 2004 - Canon expands the art of High Definition
Electronic Cinematography (HD-EC) with six new prime lenses,
a new
HJ8x5.5B KLL-SC cine zoom lens, and a significant innovation
to support wide screen moviemaking; an anamorphic lens converter
for the 2/3" HD image size format.
"There are now even more ways to apply the excellence
of Canon optics to HD-EC productions," said Gordon
Tubbs, assistant director, broadcast and communications
division at Canon U.S.A., Inc, a subsidiary of Canon Inc.
(NYSE: CAJ). "The range of choices in both prime and
zoom lenses has been increased, and the new ACV-235 converter
promises to greatly streamline the HD cinematographers'
approach to wide screen movie production."
ACV-235 Anamorphic Converter
Canon's new ACV-235 Anamorphic Converter provides HD-EC
cinematographers with an extremely efficient path to the
big screen. The anamorphic lens converter fits easily between
any electronic cinematography prime or zoom lens and camera,
making it possible to easily record a CinemaScope™
size (aspect ratio 2.35:1) image with an HD cinematography
camera. This approach has the special advantage of preserving
the full vertical resolution of the HD camera.
Canon's anamorphic converter works by optically compressing
the CinemaScope™ image to a standard HD aspect ratio
of 16:9 (1.78:1), for a significant improvement over previous
methods of adapting HD cinematography to CinemaScope™
size. Other solutions have typically involved digital cropping
of the base image's upper and lower sides - decreasing vertical
resolution in the process. By providing HD productions with
this highly efficient path to full, theater-sized projection,
cinematographers using the ACV-235 converter can expect
significant time and cost savings in production, and portray
the full brilliance of their work on movie theater screens.
New Lenses for Electronic Cinematography
The new FJs series of HD-EC prime lenses from Canon has
been upgraded and expanded from five to six lenses, providing
cinematographers with increased flexibility during shooting.
The latest addition is the FJs55 lens, with a fast T1.6
capability and 2.4 lb. weight. It joins the FJs5, FJs9,
FJs14, FJs24, and FJs35 lenses in Canon's FJs line to meet
the specialized needs of HD-EC shooting. All six FJs prime
lenses feature a dramatically enhanced focus rotation angle
of 280 degrees (up from 180 degrees on the previous generation),
and improved optical and mechanical performance. These stunning
primes exhibit high MTF, high resolution, and high contrast
from the center of the image.
Other new features of the FJs prime lens series includes
a new design with standardized front-of-lens diameter of
95mm, enabling the same matte boxes or filters to be used
with all lenses. The highest optical performance is achieved
with consistent color balance across the series, and chromatic
flares are brought to a zero level.
Canon broadened its line of HD-EC zoom lenses, opening
up even more creative options to cinematographers with the
new HJ8ex5.5B KLL-SC lens. It represents an affordable wide
angle companion to the HJ21x7.5B KLL-SC and HJ21x4.7B KLL-SC
lenses, with a focal length of 5.5~44mm, and T2.1 capability.
It uses Canon's Power Optical System featuring the "X-Element"
to bring optical excellence to episodic TV, commercial and
motion picture production. As with all Canon HD-EC lenses,
it incorporates Hi-UD (Hi-Index, Ultra Low Dispersion) glass
and Fluorite for lower aberrations, and very high MTF.
All Canon HD-EC lenses have traditional film style feel
and operation. Focus and iris indications are engraved with
large luminous scales, focus distance is marked in feet,
while gear rings are compatible with studio focus rigs,
manual fluid zoom drives and motorized control systems used
for film lenses.
"At NAB2004, Canon's HD-EC leadership is on display,"
added Gordon Tubbs. "With the introduction of the and
FJs prime lenses, ACV-235 anamorphic converter, and HJ8ex5.5B
zoom lens, HD production of episodic TV, commercials and
motion pictures has truly arrived."
See the full line of Canon products throughout NAB 2004
at Booth # SU9649, Las Vegas Convention Center.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business,
and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed
as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and
is ranked #39 on the Business Week list of "Top 100
Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is
a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall
in the U.S. in 2003, with global revenues of $29.9 billion.
For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.
###
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks
of their respective owners.
|