Fujifilm Announces FUJINON HZK25-1000mm F2.8-5.0 PL Mount Box Lens

VALHALLA, N.Y., October 19, 2022 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the development of its new, ground-breaking FUJINON HZK25-1,000mm F2.8-F5.0 PL Mount Box Lens ("HZK25-1000"). This box lens features a native PL mount and achieves a zoom ratio of 40x with a telephoto focal length of 1,000mm, the highest combination of magnification and telephoto reach¹ available to date for large cinema sensors².

"In actively observing and gathering feedback from professionals in the emerging world of cinema-sized imagers in live production, we identified a very clear customer desire for a long cinema lens to facilitate capture quality of a live show," said Stosh Durbacz, national sales manager, Optical Devices Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. "With a pedigree that hails from the highly respected FUJINON Premier Series, HZK25-1000 provides production with unmatched flexibility and reach while maximizing the highly sought-after cinema look to live audiences."

HZK25-1000 deploys a dual-format system that supports two single sensor sizes: a camera with a sensor equivalent to the large format size³ and a traditional super 35mm sensor. The use of the newly developed 1.5x expander shifts the focal length of the telephoto side, enabling super telephoto image capture of 1500mm (1000x1.5)⁴. Additionally, when paired with a large format sensor, operators can shoot with a field of view equivalent to that of a super 35mm sensor while maintaining maximum optical performance, providing a true dual format lens. HZK25-1000 enables shooting with the same field of view in both large format and super 35mm formats, and produces rich image expression by taking advantage of the camera's cinematic look.

Digital cinema cameras with image sensors larger than existing B4-mount cameras have been increasingly used in sports and live event broadcasting. The use of large-sensor cameras enables the expression of immersive images by offering smooth bokeh and high dynamic range for live broadcasting. While traditional lenses for single sensor cameras may be optimal for filming movies and commercials, the zoom ratio is considerably lower than that of a B4 mount lens, and lens characteristics when zooming and focusing are different from those applicable to lenses used in live broadcasting.

To address this, HZK25-1000 utilizes optical design technology to achieve a maximum aperture of F2.8 and 40x zoom ratio. This ultra-high zoom ratio lens is compatible with the large sensors of digital cinema cameras yet provides a brightness of F2.8 at the wide-angle. Not only does it enable filming in low-light environments such as indoor concerts or nighttime events, but the shallow depth of field also provides the advantage of beautiful bokeh, bringing a cinematic look to live event production.

Fujifilm’s proprietary optical technology suppresses aberrations by using a large-aperture aspherical lens and a fluorite lens⁵ that have been precisely polished. By eliminating unnecessary ghosting, flare, and color fringe, the lens delivers high optical performance and natural image expression.

The out-of-focus bokeh is controlled through repeated simulations using Fujifilm’s proprietary optical design application, "FOCUS" (Fujifilm Optical Class Library and Utilities System), which determines optimal glass materials from the infinite combination of possibilities. The texture of each layer in the out-of-focus area is verified to achieve a bokeh that softens and naturally melts the background. Furthermore, camera operators can operate the lens in a setup specialized for live broadcasting, since existing FUJINON box lens accessories can be used in support of multi-camera operation. Wireless controllers from Preston Cinema and ARRI are compatible with HZK25-1000 and can also be connected.

The lens is the first commercially available box-type zoom lens compatible with large sensors equipped with optical image stabilization, enabling stable shooting while precisely compensating for vibrations in the venue. The latest anti-vibration mechanism and firmware utilizes Fujifilm's unique ceramic ball roller system. This mechanism provides a high level of anti-vibration performance against shaking caused by unstable platforms.

In addition to stabilization, HZK25-1000 features all of the latest technological advancements that are now standard in most of Fujifilm's FUJINON broadcast lenses:
•    Automatic Restoration of Illumination Attenuation (ARIA)
•    Remote Back-Focus
•    Automatic Chromatic Aberration Correction

Pricing and Availability:
FUJINON HZK25-1000mm F2.8-F5.0 is expected to be available in Spring 2023. For more information, visit www.fujinon.com.   

About Fujifilm

FUJIFILM North America Corporation, a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation, consists of five operating divisions and one subsidiary company. The Imaging Division provides consumer and commercial photographic products and services, including: photographic paper; digital printing equipment, along with service and support; personalized photo products; film; one-time-use cameras; and the popular INSTAX™ line of instant cameras and accessories. The Electronic Imaging Division markets consumer digital cameras, lenses, and content creation solutions, and the Graphic Systems Division supplies products and services to the graphic printing industry. The Optical Devices Division provides optical lenses for the broadcast, cinematography, closed circuit television, videography and industrial markets, and also markets binoculars and other optical imaging solutions. The Industrial and Corporate New Business Development Division delivers new products derived from Fujifilm technologies. FUJIFILM Canada Inc. sells and markets a range of FUJIFILM products and services in Canada.

For more information, please visit https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/about/region, go to www.twitter.com/fujifilmus to follow Fujifilm on Twitter, or go to www.facebook.com/FujifilmNorthAmerica to Like Fujifilm on Facebook.

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, leverages its depth of knowledge and proprietary core technologies to deliver Value from Innovation in our products and services in the business segments of healthcare, materials, business innovation, and imaging. Our relentless pursuit of innovation is focused on providing social value and enhancing the lives of people worldwide. Fujifilm is committed to responsible environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information about Fujifilm’s Sustainable Value Plan 2030, click here.

For the year ended March 31, 2022, the company had global revenues of approximately 2.5 trillion yen (21 billion $USD at an exchange rate of 122 yen/dollar). For more information, please visit: www.fujifilmholdings.com.

*1 As a box-type broadcast zoom lens compatible with a sensor size equivalent to Super 35mm. Availability claim based on FUJIFILM Corporation market research and market offerings as of October 19, 2022.
*2 "Large cinema sensor" as referenced means a sensor size that exceeds the super 35mm sensor size.
*3 Covers a 41.3mm diagonal sensor in the entire zoom range.
*4 The image circle is enlarged by 1.5 times while maintaining maximum optical performance. The focal length is shifted 1.5 times toward the telephoto side, thereby covering a sensor size that is 1.5 times larger than the magnification ratio.
*5 Lenses incorporating fluorite typically have low wavelength dispersion of the refractive index of light. Accordingly, fluorite lenses can achieve optical design with extremely small chromatic aberration.