Introduced in April during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in April, the Optical Devices Division of FUJIFILM North America Corporation has announced that the first two lenses in its 4K Ultra HD Series for sports and entertainment applications are available for delivery. The UA22x8 is the first portable zoom lens in the series, and the new UA80X9 is the first field lens.
   

“Since their debut at NAB, these lenses have gotten a lot of attention because of their 2/3-inch design, extended focal length and 4K optical performance,” said Thom Calabro, director of Marketing and Product Development for the Optical Division of FUJIFILM. “From long-form programming DPs to sports and news camera operators, everyone is excited about the range and resolution now offered in a 2/3-inch lens. 4K UltraHD productions can be produced with equipment that has the same ‘look and feel’ capabilities of HD, but with a premium picture quality. We can’t wait to hear the feedback from customers after they’ve used them in the field.”

With a compact and lightweight design, a 22× zoom ratio and a focal length from 8mm in wide angle to 176mm in telephoto, the UA22x8 excels in capturing a broad range of applications, including live sports, program production and news reporting.

Utilizing cutting-edge optical simulation technology, the UA22x8 achieves both its 22x zoom and advanced optical performance. Its floating focus system controls multiple lens groups according to the shooting distance and delivers high image quality and high contrast images from close-up to infinity. It comes standard with a 16-bit encoder capable of high-resolution output of lens data, such as zoom and focal position information. Zoom and focus position data is divided in 16-bit resolution and output as electric signals. This lens can also be linked with other systems like virtual studio systems when combining CG images with live action footage.

With an 80x zoom and optical image stabilization, the UA80x9 is ideal for coverage of large-scale live events, such as concerts and sports. In addition to its advanced optical performance, the lens covers focal lengths ranging from 9mm in wide angle to 720mm in telephoto.

Designed using the latest proprietary optical simulation software, the UA80x9 offers exceptional optical performance in the center of the image through to the corners of the frame. The digital servo’s 16-bit encoding assures operators that all lens data output—including the position of the zoom, iris, and focus—is extremely accurate. It can be linked with other systems, such as a virtual studio system for combining CG images with live action.

Fujifilm’s proprietary multi-layer coating processing “High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating” (HT-EBC) is applied to the lens for enhanced transmission and color reproduction. The lens also features the company’s unique “optical stabilization mechanism” as standard, which provides optimum adjustment to image shakes caused by vibration and wind. This makes the lens well suited for any application where the camera operator must maintain a rock-steady close up shot for long periods, such as sporting events, houses of worship, corporate presentations, or concerts.