In Broadcast - June 2015 - 26


26

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 5 - Issue 6 | June 2015

InGear

Fujinon 2/3 Inch 4K Ultra
HD Zoom Lens Launched
FUJIFILM Corporation introduces 2/3 inch Fujinon 4K Ultra High Definition Television Zoom Lenses ...

A

s the gateway to light and first
element in the production
chain, the lens demands the highest
optical performance. Ever since the
first colour television content aired
in 1962, FUJIFILM has pursued the
development of broadcast-quality
lenses for the television industry. Then
as now, their mission is to provide
production professionals with "high
performance, high quality lenses." This
Fujinon lens commitment to quality has
won the acclaim and trust of both the
broadcasting and cinema industries.
With the full-scale shift to 4K
broadcasting on the horizon, FUJIFILM
are polishing the cutting edge of their
high-precision optical technology
and paving the way for the future of
imaging production.
Back in 2009 the "HK-Series" cine
zoom lenses with 8K-class optical
performance was introduced. The
HK-Series have since become popular
visual tools in major movie productions
around the globe. In 2012 on the back
of the success of the HK-Series, Fujinon
launched the 4K-class "ZK-Series" cine
zoom lenses which are much lighter
in weight. They were hailed as the
world's first PL-mount cine lenses
which incorporated detachable full
servo 16-bit drive units. Both the HK
and ZK lens series played a major role
in the 4K test broadcasts of numerous
global sporting events including the
Confederation Cup and World Cup,
further raising both Cinematic and
TV Broadcast industry recognition of
FUJINON as synonymous with 4K (+)
ultimate optical performance.
The demand for 4K video contents
are surging amidst a seven-fold yearon-year increase in the shipment
of 4K-compatible television sets to
approx. 11.6 million units last year,
and the launch of a dedicated 4K
channel (CS satellite broadcasting)

4K imaging expression rich in colour
reproduction is realised by the increased
red and blue transmittance ratio - a
benefit of the HT-EBC coating

in Japan in March this year. Fujifilm's
lineup of cine lenses has included
the "HK-Series" which offers optical
performance approximating to 8K
systems, and "ZK-Series", which
combines 4K optical performance
and electric drive units. With a solid
reputation not only from the film
industry, but also from broadcasters
producing 4K content. Fujinon lenses
in both "HK" and "ZK" series are
frequently used in 4K broadcasts at
international sporting events.
Nonetheless,
the
broadcasting
industry generally uses cameras
equipped with 2/3-inch sensors now
including 4K cameras with the same
sensor size, and is therefore seeking
compatible broadcast lenses that can
deliver advanced ultra-high definition
optical performance. Based on that
requirement Fujifilm developed the
recently launched "UA-Series" 2/3"
4K U-HDTV lens models UA80x9 BESM
and UA22x8 BERD which have now
bridged the gap between the Cine
& TV industry segments. Ultra-high
resolution 4K imaging demands a
higher dimension of lens performance,
and Fujinon responded with a new line
up of 4K U-HDTV broadcast lenses.
Honed by decades of development
and enhanced by cutting-edge optical
technology, the acclaimed "High
Resolution", "High Contrast" and "High
Dynamic Range" of Fujinon lenses
ascends to new heights to conquer the
4K pinnacle of optical performance
demanded by imaging professionals.
Minimal aberrations over the
entire zoom range with extreme
high contrast, high dynamic range
and image purity are achieved by
FUJINON's newly developed zoom
group approach and floating focus
system
(variator/compensator).
True 4K imaging expression rich in
colour reproduction is realised by the
increased red and blue transmittance
ratio which is a benefit of the HT-EBC
(Electron Beam) coating with the
highest transmittance and lowest
reflectivity ratios that can be achieved
with current production technologies.
The graphic illustrates the optical
performance values which can be
achieved by the type and degree

of
coating
layers which is
applied to the
glass
(crystal)
elements.
Excellent
4K
imaging quality
of even distant
detail is faithfully
conveyed
to
the camera by
Roadmap for the Advance of Broadcasting Services (4K/8K)
Japan Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
elevating
the
optical performance in the frequency contrast. An image reproduced with
bands that carry the vast majority of an optical transfer function (OPT) that
imaging. High-fidelity transmittance 'rolls off' at high spatial frequencies
of "blacks" to the camera is essential will appear 'blurred' in everyday
to imaging expression, and FUJINON language. A perfect lens system will
achieves this with advanced optical provide a high contrast projection
material and the latest in lens coating without shifting the periodic pattern;
technology.
hence the optical transfer function is
Optical loss is reduced to new identical to the modulation transfer
extremes to achieve 4K-class imaging function. Typically the contrast will
expression rich in colour gamut reduce gradually towards zero at a
reproduction. The 4K image quality not point defined by the resolution of the
only displays suppression of a variety optics*.
of aberrations, but also remarkable
Fujifilm will continue to tap into
sharpness and clarity. The UA-Series its optical, high precision forming
has integrated 16-bit encoders that and assembling technologies that
can provide high-resolution lens have been nurtured over many years
data output including extremely to develop and supply innovative
accurate zoom, iris and focus data. products that address the diversifying
This capability and interface promise needs of broadcasting production.
enhanced compatibility with virtual Fujifilm has been engaged in the
systems for composing CG with live development and production of
broadcast images.
Fujinon TV&Cine lenses for over 50
In optics, modulation transfer years, enabling exceptional image
function indicates the capability of creation around the globe.
optical contrast transmission. Often
the contrast reduction is of most
interest and the pattern translation
can be ignored. The relative contrast
is given by the absolute value of
the optical transfer function, a
function commonly referred to as the
modulation transfer function (MTF).
While optical resolution, as commonly
Visualisation of HD MTF
(Modulation Transfer Function Profile)
used with reference to camera
systems, describes only the number
of pixels in an image, and hence the
potential to show fine detail, the
transfer function describes the ability
of adjacent pixels to change from black
to white in response to patterns of
varying spatial frequency, and hence
the actual capability to show fine
detail, whether with full or reduced
Visualisation of 4K MTF
*Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modulation_transfer_function
http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.fujifilm.eu/eu/products/optical-devices/cine-lenses/ http://www.fujifilm.eu/eu/products/optical-devices/cine-lenses/ http://www.fujifilm.eu/eu/products/optical-devices/cine-lenses/ http://www.fujifilm.eu/eu/products/optical-devices/cine-lenses/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modulation_transfer_function
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