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.
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