Fujinon lenses for TV journalism and TV production

By Aleksey Naydanov

Review contents:
Television lenses of the third millennium beginning Television lenses Lenses from “Optics-Elite” Lenses from Angenieux New lenses from Canon E-cinema lenses from Fujinon Fujinon lenses for TV journalism and TV production

With increasing of shooting techniques quality noticeably increased of the television projects amount, realized with use the inexpensive cameras. As a result the demand for inexpensive lenses giving high-quality picture increased. For satisfaction of the demand in this market sector the Fujinon Company is issuing the lenses for TV journalism and TV production (ENG). A lens is the first and very important section in technological circuit of TV production. Aside from possibility of the reception of the qualitative picture, the modern lenses must provide the high reliability and service control level. So it is necessary the choosing of TV optics particularly carefully and well through-out. The Fujinon Company is one of leading world producers of TV optics. The lenses of this company have already deserved the high estimation on Russian broadcasting market. In this article the Fujinon lenses of broadcasting and professional class, used in ENG will be considered.

Lenses for broadcasting

All lenses of this series are executed on digital technology Digi Power. Nearly all of these have a built-in internal system of the focusing, double multiplexer, mechanism for macro shooting, as well as completely automatic control system for scaling, focus and diaphragm. For each value of the focal length and distances of the shooting the built-in microprocessor on special program controls by displacement of compensating lens element, located in constant glass group of the lens. This helps to reach efficient correction a lump and curvatures of the field. The focusing component “sails” between lens, and frontal lens group remains still. Due to this the rotation of light filters is absent and the hermetic of the lens is saved. Appearing at focusing the chromatic aberrations do not increase that, in turn, does not reduce the modulation transmission ratio MTF and does its more stable during sharpness induction. Besides, internal system of the focusing provides the broader view angle on minimum distances to object of the shooting, as well as allows reducing the amount of the lenses and, consequently, sizes of the lens casing. All mechanisms are protected by special protein cover, protected against dust and humidity.

The majority of the models of this series are equipped by built-in picture format converter Vformat, located in turrets of the built-in multiplexer.

Built-in Vformat converter

This converter allows operative switch from format 16:9 to format 4:3 and back that much comfortable, since nearly all modern television cameras are double-formatted. In a converter the compensation of the shooting angle is provided narrowing it when switching the CCD camera with format 16:9 to 4:3 aspect ratio. Vformat is switched on by the signal, controlling CCD.

Nearly all broadcasting lenses Fujinon are issued in two versions: the first, BERM, in which an adjusting the focus is carried out manually only, but scaling control is carried out automatically, the second, BERD, with full servo control of focus and scaling mechanisms.

A13×4.5 BERM/BERD lens

The wide-angle lens A13×4.5 BERM/BERD is intended for cameras with 2/3" matrix. This lens has a vision field angle equal to 88°43’. The focal length of the lens can be changed in the range from 4.5 to 59 mm. On frequency 7 MHz the13×4.5E lens have a high value of modulation ratio MTF, required for functioning in TV format 16:9. Besides, this model is characterized by broader band of the color signal transmission, than previous models of the lens. Distortion is less than 1%. The breathing effect (i. e. the reduction of the vision field angle under induction on sharpness) is practically imperceptible even under wide-angle shooting. The A13×4.5 BERM/BERD lens has an ergonomic design with the control button located comfortably. The QuickFrame function enables quickly to install the necessary frame at manual scaling. This system can be switched from automatic scaling on manual scaling, to install the necessary frame with necessary sharpness, and then switched back in mode of the automatic scaling. This lens well suits for shooting of the big group of the people, residing in limited space.

A17×7.8 BERM/BERD

A22×7.8 BERM/BERD

Standard A17×7.8 BERM/BERD lens provided by an internal system of the focusing and has a completely digital interface. Due to application of fluorite glasses the level of longitudinal and transverse chromatic aberrations in lens is vastly reduced. A17×7.8 BERM/BERD lens is a single model amongst standard lens, which has the smallest focal length (7.8 mm) under enough high multiplicity value (which is equal to 17). The minimum distance to object of the shooting (M. O. D.) is 0.6 m. This lens well suits for shooting of interview and for reporter job.

The standard A22×7.8 BERM/BERD lens with multiplicity of 22 is designed in accordance with Digi Power technology. Due to new laminated covering EBC the lens provides contrasting and clear picture practically under any illumination. The lens has a 4:3/16:9 format converter and an internal system of the focusing. Digital control has allowed realizing the new functions. The Quickframe function allows quickly going from manual control scaling on automatic (without switching in corresponding mode) with the help of special Z-mechanism. Reliable protection from dust and humidity guarantees the long period of its service. In positions “tele” value of the focal length is 172 mm. For standard lens the model has it is enough wide view angle (58°51’ in horizontal direction).

A36×10.5 BERD (left) and A36×14.5 BERD lenses

A36×10.5 BERD and A36×14.5 BERD lenses are the most long-focusing lenses from broadcasting lenses for ENG. They have a high relative aperture: the level of luminosity is not changed even under 21-x increase! The Quick Zoom function provides the quickest version of focus and scaling control with the help of one-single button. The Button Quick Zoom also allows to return to wide-angle shooting quickly, having chosen any corresponding position on scale. After choice of the frame and sharpness inducing the lens can instantly switch to mode “tele”, and then automatically return to former scene. The Quick Zoom function is the standard component of all broadcasting Fujinon lens of new generation. The A36×10.5/14.5 BERD lenses are optimum suitable for shootings of the news and TV clips.

Professional lenses

All professional Fujinon lenses is equipped by internal focusing mechanism. This has allowed making their light and compact. Provided by some advantages (high resolution, in particular), these lenses allow to provide the high resolution when applying with the latest professional camcorders. Breathing effect and chromatic aberrations in them are reduced to minimum (to broadcasting lenses level). The models of this series are provided by some useful functions, which advance them to broadcasting lenses with service level. The high-quality optics, small size and low weight, high reliability and suitable user interface are effectively combined in professional Fujinon lenses.

A13×6.3 BERM (top, with multiplexer) and A13×6.3 BRM (without multiplexer) lenses

The A13×6.8 BERM lens is intended for cameras with 2/3" matrix. Having 13-x increase and very wide vision field angle (70° in horizontal direction), as well as built-in double multiplexor, enlarging focal length to 164 mm, this lens is a more powerful instrument in operator’ hands, than previous models of this class. Besides, this model has the smallest (in his categories) minimum distance value to object of the shooting, which is equal to 0.4 m. One of the main tasks during its designing was a maximum comfort and high mobility under functioning. The result is compact, light and suitable lens. This model is issuing as well as in A13×6.8 BRM modification (without multiplexer).

The standard A20×8.6 BERM lenses (for 2/3" CCD camcorders) continue the known series of high-quality Fujinon lenses of professional class, which began with A19×8.7 and S19×6.5 models. As previous models, A20×8.6 lens combine the high quality optics with reliable and strong design, which well suitable for daily using, including the application for the most complex shooting conditions. Earlier such combination was possible in broadcasting lenses only. The A20×8.6 BERM lenses have the highest resolution amongst professional lenses. As A20×8.6 BRM modification, this model is issued also without multiplexer.

A20×8.6 BRM multiplexer

Also the Fujinon Company is issued a several professional lenses for 1/2" matrix camcorders. They have a low weight and small size and nearly all are equipped by internal focusing system. In all lenses the focus adjusting is carried out only manually, but scaling control is carried out automatically. The S13×4.6 BERM and S20×6.4 BERM models are equipped by built-in double multiplexer. In S13×4.6 BRM, S16×7.3 BRM, S16×7.3 BRM-SDA, S20×6.4 BRM lenses a multiplexer is absent.

In conclusion I should like to note that Fujinon company constantly improves its production in accordance with requirements of TV-operators and technical specialists.