It has arrived! A true ENG style zoom made for S35 PL mount cameras. I’m very excited about this development but unfortunately this beauty will only be a rental for me since it cost an estimated $38K. Still its a first of its kind and I’m sure more companies will follow. This sweet lens comes in at 6 lb. Remember its made for S35. That’s a big sensor. Much larger than a 2/3 chip camera so at 6 lb. it’s actually light. I believe if you used a 2/3 B4 broadcast lens on a S35 camera it would vignette so in order to use it you would have to use the doubler or push in losing the wide side.
The lens will be displayed at AbleCine’s NAB booth so if you’re going defiantly check it out. I know I will.
To learn more about this new lens check out Mitch Gross’s Blog at AbleCine
PRESS RELEASE FROM FUJINON.
NEWEST FUJINON PL MOUNT ZOOM FEATURES A FIRST FOR CINE-STYLE LENSES
Lightweight and compact PL 19-90 CABRIO (ZK4.7×19) zoom features detachable drive
Wayne, N.J., April 9, 2012 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Optical Devices Division will introduce the newest member of its PREMIER PL Mount Zoom family during the NAB convention (Booth #C7525), running from April 14th-19th in the Las Vegas Convention Center. The PL 19-90 Cabrio (ZK4.7×19) features an exclusive detachable servo drive unit, making it suitable for use as a standard PL lens or as an ENG-Style lens. The ZK4.7×19 also features flange focal distance adjustment, macro function, and is LDS (Lens Data System) and /i metadata compatible. With a 19-90mm focal range and weight of only 2.7kg including servo motors, this lens has the longest focal range available in a light weight zoom.
“We’re very excited to bring this new lens to NAB this year. It bridges the gap between film- and news-style shooters, it affords a new level of flexibility to all,” explained Thom Calabro, Director, Marketing and Product Development, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Optical Devices Division. “Someone more accustomed to shooting feature films or commercials may not want a servo attached to the lens, but an operator used to shooting video in a typical ENG-style will be very comfortable with the servo. Cinematographers will be right at home with this lens. The lens is set to accept industry standard cine motors and matte boxes. Plus, the lens has all the lens data output that appeals to a Cine-style shooter. LDS and /i metadata compatibility is very useful when you want to record the position information of zoom, iris and focus for computer animation and other uses.”
The digital servo on the PL 19-90 has 16-bit encoding, so operators can be assured that all lens data output is extremely accurate.
The PL 19-90 covers 31.5mm sensor size on a digital cinema style camera. While sensors on standard broadcast cameras are all the same size, sensors on digital cine cameras vary greatly. This new zoom ensures the image captured will cover large sensors for optimal, full-frame resolution. A nine-blade iris part of the design as well, creating the most natural-looking imagery possible.
Barrel markings are luminous for visibility in dark shooting situations. Distances are listed in feet or meters and can be changed in the field.
The PL 19-90 can be controlled using cinema industry standard wireless controllers, as well as existing FUJINON wired and wireless units. Whether you are from a film background or a video one, the Premier PL 19-90 offers uncompromising quality and unprecedented flexibility.
The other Premier PL Mount Series lenses are available in 14.5-45mm T2.0, 18-85mm T2.0, 24-180mm T2.6, and 75-400 mm T2.8-T3.8.
Not directly related, or maybe yes, I have to questions about the two “affordable” zoom lenses that have been receiving quite a fuzz and high prized opinions. Although the Duclos Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 and the RED Pro Zoom 17-50mm T2.9 are labeled as proper cine products do both have parfocal ability? I ask this because there are a few so called PL cine lenses that actually do not maintain focus while zooming, so they should not be called cine lenses. Is this the case of the Duclos and RZP?
By the way, can you point me to some videos shot with these lenses? I can’t seem to find test footage or video reviews showing the actually lenses in action…