Canon Casts EF Cinema Lenses In Starring Role For New Cinema EOS System

New Lens Series Debuts with Seven Models and more in the wings

HOLLYWOOD, California, November 3, 2011/TOKYO, November 4, 2011 – Canon Inc. and Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced the introduction of seven new 4K EF Cinema Lenses, an all-new series of video cinematography lenses that, in addition to the company’s current lineup of interchangeable EF lenses for EOS single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, form the core of Canon’s new Cinema EOS System. The launch of the Cinema EOS System marks Canon’s full-fledged entry into the digital high-resolution production industry. The new professional digital cinematography system spans the lens, digital cinema camera and digital SLR camera product categories.

Canon’s new EF Cinema Lens lineup includes four top-end zoom lenses covering a zoom range from 14.5 mm to 300 mm-two models each for EF and PL lens mounts-and three single-focal-length lenses for EF mounts. All seven new lenses are capable of delivering exceptional 4K optical performance and offer compatibility with the Super 35 mm-equivalent image format. The three single-focal-length EF lenses can be used with cameras equipped with 35 mm full-frame sensors.

The seven new lenses represent the starting cast of Canon’s new EF Cinema Lens series, a star-studded lineup that will continue to grow in the future with the introduction of new A-list zoom and fixed-focal-length lenses.

Wide-Angle and Telephoto Cinema Zoom Lenses for EF and PL Mounts

• CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L S / CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L SP *
• CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S / CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L SP *

The four new Canon zoom cinema lenses comprise the CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L S (for EF mounts) and CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L SP (for PL mounts) wide-angle cinema zoom lenses, and the CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S (for EF mounts) and CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L SP (for PL mounts) telephoto cinema zoom lenses. Each lens supports 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) resolution, which delivers a pixel count four times that of Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), and offers compatibility with industry-standard Super 35 mm-equivalent cameras as well as APS-C cameras.i

Cine 14.5-60 for EF & PL

Cine 30-300 for EF & PL

Employing anomalous dispersion glass, effective in eliminating chromatic aberration, and large-diameter aspherical lenses, the zoom lenses achieve high-resolution imaging from the center of the frame to the outer edges. Each lens is equipped with a newly designed 11-blade aperture diaphragm for soft, attractive blur characteristics, making them ideally suited for cinematographic applications.

The focal length range of 14.5-300 mm covered by the new zoom lenses represents the most frequently used focal lengths in theatrical motion picture production, a range that often requires a combination of three or more separate zoom lenses. Canon’s new wide-angle and telephoto cinema zoom lenses, however, offer a wider angle and powerful zooming to provide complete coverage across this range with just two lenses. The new wide-angle cinema zoom lenses will offer the industry’s widest angle of view among 35 mm digital cinema lenses with a wide-angle-end focal length of 14.5 mm.ii

Zoom, focus and iris markings are all engraved on angled surfaces for improved readability from behind the camera. With a focus rotation angle of approximately 300 degrees and a zoom rotation angle of approximately 160 degrees, the lenses facilitate precise focusing performance while making possible smooth and subtle zoom operation.

The new top-end cinema zoom lens lineup can be used with standard manual and electronic movie industry accessories, as well as matte boxes. Featuring a unified front lens diameter and uniform gear positions, the lenses do away with the need to adjust or reposition accessory gear when switching between other lenses in the series.

Pricing and availability
Both the Canon CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L S (EF mount) lens and the Canon CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L SP (PL mount) lens are scheduled for late January 2012 availability for an estimated list price of $45,000 each. The Canon CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S (EF mount) and Canon CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L SP (PL mount) lens are scheduled for late March 2012 availability for an estimated list price of $47,000 each.

Single-Focal-Length Cinema Lenses for EF Mounts

• CN-E24mm T1.5 L F
• CN-E50mm T1.3 L F
• CN-E85mm T1.3 L F

Like their wide-angle and telephoto cinema zoom lens co-stars, Canon’s new CN-E24mm T1.5 L F, CN-E50mm T1.3 L F and CN-E85mm T1.3 L F cinema lenses deliver 4K optical performance. The three lenses, designed for use with EF mounts, are compatible with not only industry-standard Super 35 mm-equivalent cameras, but also 35 mm full-frame, APS-H and APS-C sensor sizes. The trio incorporates anomalous dispersion glass and large-diameter aspherical lenses for high resolution imaging throughout the frame, and features a newly designed 11-blade aperture diaphragm for gentle, attractive blurring.

Cine 24 for EF

Cine 50 for EF

Cine 85 for EF

With focus and iris markings that are easily visible from behind the camera, Canon’s three new fixed-focal-length lenses support convenient film-style operation and, offering a focus rotation angle of approximately 300 degrees, facilitate precise focusing performance.

The CN-E24mm T1.5 L F, CN-E50mm T1.3 L F and CN-E85mm T1.3 L F support standard manual and electronic industry accessories and matte boxes, and have a unified front lens diameter and uniform gear positions, eliminating the need for adjustments when switching lenses.

Pricing and availability
The Canon CN-E24mm T1.5 L F (EF mount) and CN-E50mm T1.3 L F (EF mount) lenses are scheduled to be available in late July 2012. The CN-E85mm T1.3 L F (EF mount) lens is scheduled to be available in late August. The Canon CN-E24mm T1.5 L F (EF mount) lens will have an estimated list price of $6,800. The Canon CN-E50mm T1.3 L F (EF mount) lens will have an estimated list price of $6,800. The Canon CN-E85mm T1.3 L F (EF mount) lens will have an estimated list price of $6,800.

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Mobius in 1080P
If playback is choppy for you at 1080P, please try the 720P version.

Vincent Laforets Blog

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Is this what’s coming today?
Received some information about the new video camera that is being announced today in Hollywood.

• Name: Canon EOS 300C
• EF and PL Versions
• Dual CF Card Slots
• Built in ND
• Super35 Sensor
• HDMI and HDSDI out
• Hot shoe mounted monitor w/ 2 XLR ins
• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• Also is able to record out of SDI

Almost there!
The “historical” announcement is a day away. We have heard nothing else in regards to what’s coming.

Canon didn’t send me an invite after I asked for one, I think they had a good laugh at my request judging by the smiley faces in the email.

Expectations?
I expect a Super35 4K capable camera with PL and EF mount options. 2 to 3 lenses are also expected.

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*UPDATE*
I was also told that we’ll see at least two compact cine lenses, and possibly a third. No focal lengths were mentioned.

More hints?

• Price: sub $15,000 – possible down to $10,000
• Image quality: Alexa good
• SDI outs
• XLRs (audio)
• Piviting & detachable monitors and grips
• PL mount and EF mount options
• Resolution – 4k capture, 2k recording

Source: PhotoLifeToys

CR’s Take
There will be no DSLR announcement on November 3, 2011. This is a video only announcement. However, there could be “EF” and “EOS” branding involved.

I was told Vincent Laforet has been shooting promo material with the new camera in the Los Angeles area. However, he was NOT shooting with a DSLR.

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Another rumor
Received a brief bit of information in regards to the November 3, 2011 announcement in Hollywood.  It’s another person pointing to a video camera related release.

• Compact Super 35mm sensor video camera
• Records onto CompactFlash
• 3 accompanying lenses

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Oh no!
I can hear the collective tears hitting the floor.

The recent rebates on the 5D Mark II have nothing to do with an imminent release of an updated camera. They have more to do with selling lots of 5D Mark IIs. I’d expect rebates to be extended right through to Christmas (Dec 25).

What is coming?
Two new video cameras are coming to us on November 3, 2011.

What I think I know about them
One will be EF mount, the other will be PL mount.  They will be both be higher end cameras, and could reach the price point of $10000+. It has also been suggested that the EF mount camera could fall under the “EOS” banner.

Other crazy things I’ve heard about them?

One of them would have a square sensor and take 48mp still images. I’ll [CR1] that one.

Noooooo, What about the 5D Mark III?
There is absolutely nothing, I mean nothing about a 5D Mark III being imminent. I have received the “no new DSLR in 2011″ line from 7-8 different sources. One source said if something is announced in 2011, it would be near the end of December for CES/PMA, but that was merely conjecture.

So no 1Ds4, 5D Mark III or the rumoured 6D (name guess) in 2011.

A curveball could still come, announcements for products can change. Just because they announce, it doesn’t mean they have to ship anything.

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From a forum post
Below is a post that appeared on the GTC forum in the UK.  Apparently they will be appearing in November, as we’ve reported previously.

“They will be badged as EOS, despite the fact they are video cameras, and there will be two versions – one for EF lenses, the other with an PL mount. I’m guessing here but the PL mount camera may offer more options than the EF version – e.g. SDI out and genlock… etc in the same way that the XF300/305 cameras have differentiated themselves.

“Its a Super35 4K sensor, but from what I have seen only records 1080 in-camera, using the same XF codec – i.e. 4:2:2 @ 50mbps. Perhaps the PL version will output 4K thru SDI?

“The size of the camera looks similar to that of the FS100, but more rounded/ergonomic. It has a similar LCD screen on top, but it seems more flexible – i.e. allowing for greater viewing angle/for versatility.

“This could be a killer camera, and one well worth waiting for if any of you guys are thinking of buying a F3/FS100 or AF100…”

A wish list, or something to it?

Via [HDM]

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EF & PL Mount Cameras
I’ve received more contact that EF and PL mount camcorders are coming from Canon over the next 6 months or so.  We’d see the EF mount camera most likely before the end of 2011 and the higher end PL mount version sometime before Q2 in 2012.

The source said the EF mount camera looks to be “affordable” and would be extremely popular, the PL mount camera would be a higher end professional solution.

No mention of sensor size or specs on either camera. That is usually a good sign this far ahead of any sort of announcement.

Take any rumor of an EF mount video camera with a large grain of salt. This is a product that does not exist yet and has a potential to be a wishlist product.

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Video camera rumors are floating around.
I have now heard from two different people that a new Canon video camera will be coming down the pipe soon.

They differ in the capability of the camera, below is the different information.

Camera Rumor 1
- Video style body
- APS-C Sensor
- EF Mount

 Camera Rumor 2
- Video style body
- PL & another mount (Not EF).
- APS-C Sensor

I was also told there would be a “group” of October announcements from Canon.

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Sooner than Later?
Received an email talking about an EF mount compatible video camera in testing. There are 2 prototypes making the rounds of higher up testers for Canon.

Announcement would be in mid 2012. It was suggested it could be another one of those “in development” announcements.

No word on resolution or specs.

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4K For Real?
Various mentions lately that Canon is working on a real production 4K camera. This is beyond the concept they have shown previously at Canon Expo’s.

Lots of people would be obviously interested.

Most information seems to state it won’t be a DSLR, but instead a standard video camera.

More info is promised to me soon.

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Cost-Effective 20x Portable 2/3-Inch HD Zoom Lens With Built-In 2x Extender Introduced by Canon U.S.A.

Newest Member of Canon’s HDgc Series of Cost-Effective Portable HD Zoom Lenses Provides Superb Optical Performance and Operational Features, and a Redesigned Advanced Drive Unit

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 7, 2011 – Utilizing the latest optical technologies to deliver high performance at an attractive price point, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, has introduced the newest member in its cost-effective HDgc Series of portable HD zoom lenses. The new KJ20x8.2B portable HD lens is specifically designed to support low-cost image acquisition systems for a wide range of applications and users, from broadcast ENG to professional freelance HD shooters. Leading the list of advanced features of the new lens is its built-in 2x extender, an important imaging feature previously seen on higher-end HD lenses. As a result, the KJ20x8.2B offers ENG shooters and other camera operators greatly improved subject-framing flexibility. The new KJ20x8.2B is also Canon’s widest (8.2 mm) lens in the affordable 20x zoom class, and it covers a generous range of focal lengths, particularly when combined with its built-in 2x extender expanding its 8.2mm-164mm focal length to 16.4mm-328mm. The new KJ20x8.2B portable HD zoom lens will be on display at the 2011 NAB Show along with many other Canon HD lenses and advanced imaging products in booth # C-4325 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 11-14.

““Given its remarkable affordability, great flexibility, and innovative operational features, the new KJ20x8.2B is set to become the next generation’s standard 2/3-inch portable HD zoom lens,” noted Larry Thorpe, national marketing executive, Broadcast and Communications division, Canon U.S.A. “Canon first introduced its HDgc series of HD portable lenses five years ago to provide high optical performance at competitive prices for the then-emerging generation of lower-cost portable HD video cameras designed for ENG and other types of programming. The HDgc product line has since grown into a broad range of portable HD lenses engineered to meet a wide range of production applications for lower-cost HD cameras and camcorders having either 2/3-inch, 1/2-inch, or 1/3-inch imagers. Now at NAB 2011, the introduction of the KJ20x8.2B marks a price-performance breakthrough for the many production applications seeking cost-effective HD acquisition systems based upon a new generation of low-cost 2/3-inch camcorders.”

The outstanding optical performance of Canon’s new KJ20x8.2B portable HD lens is the result of Canon’s world-leading design tools, including cutting-edge optical-simulation and 3D-design technologies, novel optical glass materials and coatings, and extraordinary dispersion glass (which Canon also uses for its flagship HDxs series lenses). Collectively these technologies and materials have facilitated an unusually high degree of optimization of the cost-performance ratio of the new KJ20x8.2B. The lens has minimized axial and lateral chromatic aberrations, coma aberrations, and geometric distortion. The new optical materials and multilayer optical coatings used for the KJ20x8.2B effectively attenuate optical artifacts such as ghosting, flare, and veiling glare that might be stimulated by strong light sources (for example, sun in daytime and car headlights at nighttime). The KJ20x8.2B exhibits a high MTF (modulation transfer function) at picture center that is also well controlled out to picture extremities. This high MTF is well sustained even with operational adjustments of focal length and object distance. The KJ20x8.2B’s optical performance is well-balanced for both near and distant subjects, and its rendering of distant subjects at wide angles – frequently required for landscape and cityscape shots – surpasses previously available lenses in this price range.

The new lens features an enhanced macro function that effectively reduces the minimum object distance (from the front of the lens) to only 10mm.

In addition to its optical sophistication, the new KJ20x8.2B portable HD zoom lens also features Canon’s latest improvements in Advanced Drive Unit technology. This technology is famous for the convenience and control it affords to camera operators using Canon portable HD lenses. On the new KJ20x8.2B, Advanced Drive Unit technology includes Shuttle Shot, a Canon-exclusive technology that enhances production capabilities. At the touch of a button, Shuttle Shot allows the operator to rapidly zoom back and forth between any two positions. Shuttle Shot can be used to zoom to the telephoto position to check focus and almost instantly return to the original position, or users can “shuttle” between any two zoom-positions at any time. Users can set specific Shuttle Shot zoom positions using a simple “Memo” push switch; the switch enables more reliable Shuttle Shot set-up in the field, where more consistent functioning of the controls is required. The KJ20x8.2B’s zoom can travel end-to-end in as little as 1.0 second, an improvement over the speed of previous models; although faster, new noise suppression on the servomotor inside the Advanced Drive Unit ensures very quiet operation.

The new Advanced Drive Unit also features an ergonomically re-designed, tilted shape for user comfort, convenience, and balance. The operator’s tactile connection with the lens is enhanced by a ribbed surface on the bottom of the Drive Unit to ensure a firmer grip and better overall operational control. A new grip support allows users to securely grasp the drive Unit without inadvertently pressing on the VTR or Shuttle Shot buttons.

Various companies have recently introduced portable HD cameras with lens-aberration correction functions. The KJ20x8.2B portable HD zoom lens is fitted with a camera-communication interface to support these separate aberration correction functions.*

* Check with the specific camera manufacturer to determine whether their camera is compatible with KJ20x8.2B lens-aberration-correction functions.

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LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 7, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today introduced two advanced-design PL-mount lenses that address the emerging 4K production standards. Designated as the Canon FK14.5-60 wide-angle cine zoom and the Canon FK30-300 telephoto cine zoom, these precision-matched lenses incorporate breakthrough Canon optical designs that simultaneously optimize and enhance multiple imaging attributes while minimizing optical aberrations and distortions. Both lenses are also more compact and lightweight than contemporary PL-mount lenses and both feature a totally new Canon optical design that virtually eliminates focus breathing. As digital cinematography continues to accelerate for theatrical motion pictures, TV movies, episodic dramas, commercials, and other forms of digital high-resolution production, professionals will require the very best in performance and image quality. By already performing in accordance with emerging 4K production image format standards, both of the new Canon PL-mount cine zoom lenses inherently ensure the very highest performance in contemporary 2K and HD digital motion imaging.

“Both the Canon FK14.5-60 wide-angle cine zoom lens and the FK30-300 telephoto cine zoom lens are engineered to meet the most demanding overall imaging requirements of the latest large-format single-sensor digital cinematography cameras, and the creative requirements of the most discerning cinematographers, producers, and directors. Canon’s new wide-angle FK14.5-60 and telephoto FK30-300 PL-mount lenses will be on display at the 2011 NAB Show along with many other Canon HD lenses and advanced imaging products in booth # C-4325 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 11-14.

“The 2K and HD digital production formats are firmly established in the global marketplace today, while 4K resolution is poised to further propel the imaging quality of digital cine production. Anticipating this exciting evolution in digital acquisition guided Canon’s developments of a new optical platform in recent years to meet the current and future imaging needs of high-resolution camera sensors,” explained Larry Thorpe, national marketing executive, Broadcast and Communications division, Canon U.S.A. “Canon has extrapolated a new optical platform – first seen during NAB 2009 on a working prototype 8K lens – to bring to market these two new PL-mount lenses. Advanced glass materials, exotic new optical coatings, and new computer-design techniques were all employed to achieve significant overall optical performance in these two lenses.”

Digital Cinematography for Feature Films
Canon’s new FK14.5-60 wide-angle cine zoom lens and FK30-300 telephoto cine zoom lens are both engraved with large, highly visible focus scales for convenient film-style operation. Both also have a common 136 mm front diameter for use with industry-standard optical accessories. The location, diameter, and rotation angle of the lens gears are also identical, which further facilitates convenience in exchanging lenses on-set.

The wide-angle FK14.5-60 maintains its T2.6 maximum aperture over the entire focal range, and with the virtual absence of focus breathing offers new freedom in exploring novel picture creation. The lens preserves a high MTF (modulation transfer function) at wide-open apertures, exhibits well-controlled light distribution across the image plane, and greatly curtails ghosting and veiling glare artifacts from strong light sources. These attributes combine to help ensure superb contrast under a wide range of scene-lighting conditions, help maximize the image-creation capabilities of the current top-of-the-line single-sensor digital cinematography cameras. The telephoto FK30-300 complements the wide-angle FK14.5-60 in larger studios while also servicing many outdoor shots with exceptionally vivid imagery.

TV Movies, Episodic Series, and Commercial Production
The focal ranges offered by the wide-angle FK14.5-60 and the telephoto FK30-300 cine zoom lenses are designed to flexibly address most of the needs of contemporary HDTV episodic program production. The short depth of field, high sensitivity, superb contrast ratio, and excellent picture sharpness of both lenses are designed to provide producers of TV movies, episodic (drama) series, commercials, and music videos with the creative imaging flexibility needed to fulfill a myriad of potential story-telling objectives. Both lenses are equipped with precision back-focus adjustments to expedite lens-camera set-up, which is especially useful in multi-camera TV production environments. The mechanism is concealed beneath a cover plate. In addition, both lenses provide superb control over geometric distortion to prevent visible anomalies when shooting at extreme wide angles on large studio sets that contain extended straight edges.

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