FUJIFILM Corporation (President and CEO, Representative Director: Teiichi Goto) announces the launch of the “FUJINON HZK24-300mm” (Nickname: Duvo Portable), the first portable model of the Duvo series of broadcast zoom lenses that provide both cinematic visual expressions and the operating style of broadcast lenses.
The FUJINON HZK24-300mm is a dual-format lens supporting two types of large image sensors*1. The lens is equipped with a 12.5x zoom lens that covers the focal length range of 24-300mm frequently used in the field, yet it is compact and lightweight with a length of 270.5mm and a weight of 2.95kg, providing high portability.
In addition to the box-type "FUJINON HZK25-1000mm," nicknamed "Duvo Box" which was released last March, Fujifilm has added the portable type "FUJINON HZK24-300mm" to the lineup to accommodate a wide range of shooting styles, including shooting with a steady cam*2 or crane as well as a tripod. The FUJINON HZK24-300mm enables cinematic visual expression by taking advantage of the bokeh effect created by the shallow depth of field in shooting sports, live music, reality shows, and various other genres.
Today, the broadcast industry is increasingly embracing cameras equipped with a large sensor typically used for cinematic applications, in order to produce immersive images with bokeh and high dynamic range. Accordingly, cinema camera lenses that support a large sensor are often used for shooting. However, such lenses are optimized for films and TV commercial applications and therefore have a limited zoom magnification range compared to broadcast lenses. They also require a dedicated focus operator, which is uncommon in the broadcast industry. Fujifilm’s Duvo series of broadcast zoom lenses employ a dual-format system compatible with two large sensors, offering both cinema-like image expression and the operability of a broadcast lens.
The newly released “FUJINON HZK24-300mm” will be showcased at the 2024 NAB Show, one of the world’s largest international broadcast equipment trade shows, to be held in Las Vegas, USA from April 14 to April 17, 2024 (Booth #C5325). Also on display will be the third Duvo, “HZK Wide,” a portable wide-angle zoom lens with a focal length of 14-100mm.
Fujifilm will continue to leverage its advanced optical technology nurtured over many years to develop and supply high-performance broadcast lenses, cinema camera lenses and accessories to address the diversifying needs of frontline video professionals.
*1 Super 35mm sensor and sensors equivalent to the 35mm full-frame sensor
*2 Equipment used to suppress camera shake during hand-held shooting in order to produce stable video
Broadcast zoom lens “FUJINON HZK24-300mm” (Nickname: Duvo Portable)
(1) 12.5x zoom covering focal lengths of 24mm-300mm despite compact and lightweight design
- The lens boasts 12.5x zoom, covering focal lengths of 24mm-300mm, while maintaining compact and lightweight design, measuring just 270.5mm and weighing 2.95kg, making it a perfect choice for live coverage of sporting events and music concerts.
- The use of the built-in expander*3 shifts the focal lengths by 1.5 times to 36mm-450mm, allowing users to capture a distant subject at its intended size.
*3 The expander can expand the image circle (circular area where light that passes through lens or lens elements forms an image) and extend the focal lengths to the telephoto side.
(2) Using the dual format to support two types of large sensors
- The lens normally works with the Super 35mm sensor, and even supports a sensor equivalent to 35mm full frame by way of activating the built-in expander to expand the image circle by 1.5 times*4.
- When mounted on a camera equipped with a sensor equivalent to 35mm full frame, the lens delivers its outstanding optical performance to the fullest extent while maintaining the angle of view equivalent to that of the Super 35mm sensor.
*4 Capable of covering an image circle measuring 28.5mm across the entire zoom range when combined with a camera equipped with a Super 35mm sensor, and covering an image circle measuring 41.3mm across the entire zoom range when combined with a camera equipped with a sensor equivalent to 35mm full frame
(3) Cinematic visual expressions with beautiful bokeh
- With the use of large-diameter aspherical elements and Super-ED lenses, polished at advanced precision, various forms of aberration are controlled thoroughly to achieve optical performance equivalent to 8K. Ghosting, lens flair and color bleeding are also suppressed to deliver natural yet high-definition footage.
- While the lens has a high magnification to accommodate a large sensor, it offers T2.9 brightness from 24mm to 207mm at the wide-angle end. This enables filming in low-light conditions, such as an indoor concert.
- Out-of-focus areas were separated into several layers to examine bokeh textures and achieve bokeh that gradually goes out-of-focus from the focal plane into the background. This produces the cinematic visual expression which makes the subject stand out.
(4) Support for a variety of accessories
- The lens is equipped with a drive unit identical to that used in portable broadcast zoom lenses. This facilitates the operation style of broadcast lenses using zoom and focus demands.
- It also supports multi-camera operations, filming with multiple cameras at the same time, to support efficient video production.
- The lens can be connected to a wireless lens controller, used at the frontline of movie and TV commercial production, to remotely control focus, aperture and zoom. This also supports focusing by a dedicated focus operator, which is a mainstream shooting style in the cinema industry.
- The focus ring has the gear pitch*5 of 0.8M (module), enabling the use of standard peripheral accessories in video production, such as a follow focus and external motor.
- The front frame diameter is 114mm, so in addition to the supplied lens hood, a matte box*6 commonly used in film and commercial photography can also be used.
*5 Distance between gear teeth
*6 Large lens hood with easy filter attachment and flexible light shielding adjustment
(5) Functions for ease of shooting and editing
- The lens features “Breathing Compensation Technology” which automatically compensates focus breathing. This produces natural footage, as the size of the subject does not change during filming.
- The Remote Back Focus is also featured to enable remote adjustment of the Flange Focal Distance*7 via the control panel of a camera or robot. The Flange Focal Distance can be adjusted precisely while users see a large monitor in a studio or satellite truck.
- The lens also supports “ZEISS eXtended Data”, developed by Carl Zeiss in compliance with the “/i® Technology*8” communication standard. It allows users to output lens metadata for filmed footage externally to streamline post-shooting editing.
*7 Distance from the lens’s flange to a camera’s image sensor
*8 /i is a trademark or registered trademark of Cooke Optics Limited.
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