Canon has enhanced the advanced image quality and superior operational capabilities of its eHDxs line of portable lenses to design the new line of HDgc lenses, five of which were already introduced at NAB 2006.
KH16ex5.7 IRSE lenses for portable HD cameras employing 1/2-inch CCD joined the HDgc family at the IBC 2006 event, along with the KT20x5B KRS lenses for portable 1/3-inch CCD HD cameras. As with the other members of the new HDgc lens line, these recent additions include technological innovations that reduce chromatic aberration, offer excellent contrast performance, compact and lightweight size (as a direct response to the innovative compact designs of the new and economical camcorders). of HD), and the digital operational characteristics previously found only in high-performance lenses. Canon's HDgc lenses also incorporate special, lead-free elements to minimise the impact on the environment, including fluorite with extraordinary dispersion characteristics and the newly developed Hi-UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion High Index) crystals.
The new KH16ex5.7 IRSE, designed for 1/2-inch lenses, offers zoom capability up to 16X and wide-angle 5.7mm for a focal length of 5.7-92mm (11.4-184mm with a built-in 2X extender). As well as its 1/2-inch HDgc line equivalents – the KH21ex5.7 IRSE and THE KH10ex3.6 IRSE – they also include built-in 2X extenders, the KH16ex5.7 IRSE includes eDrive, Canon's revolutionary innovation that provides nine user-definable function profiles, a choice of manual control, digitally assisted, or fully programmed, and instant Shuttle Shot to zoom in to the longest focal length for quick focus and return focus check. These settings can be programmed into the lenses via a display with easy-to-use menus, soft buttons for assignable functions, and the rocker switch built into the lens grip. Users can schedule multiple settings or none at all, depending on their personal needs and preferences. Employing Canon's three ultra-high-precision microprocessor-driven digital servos with miniature 16-bit optical encoders, eDrive it's a whole new way to control portable lenses.
Other 1/2-inch HDgc lenses include the KH20x6.4 KRS and KH19x6.7 KAS. The KH20x6.4 KRS offers the exclusive feature of Canon's Shuttle Shot, an advanced servo system that makes it easy to zoom in and out between two focal lengths, bringing an entirely new range of value-added creativity to portable systems. The KH19x6.7 KAS lenses are the only HDgc lenses that offer autofocus technology, which is achieved through a serial digital connection that allows communication with the camera and determines the appropriate focus point. The lenses also offer 19X zoom range and a 6.7mm wide-angle for a focal length of 6.7-127mm.
Another novelty presented during the last IBC are the KT20x5B KRS HDgc lenses. They offer a zoom range of
20X and a wide angle of 5 mm for a focal length of 5-100 mm; they are designed for portable 1/3-inch HD cameras and are switchable for 16:9 and 4:3. Similarly, the 1/2-inch KH20x6.4 KRS lenses, the KRS KT20x5B (and the KJ20x8.5B KRS lenses for 2/3-inch cameras) also include the Canon Shuttle Shot option.Canon's line of HDgc lenses combines high image quality, ease of use, sophisticated operation, light weight, compact size and price performance, making it suitable for new, inexpensive HD cameras from manufacturers such as Grass Valley Group. Hitachi, Ikegami, JVC, Sony and Panasonic. These lenses are manufactured in order to expand the universe of economical products for hdTV production.
