HJ14ex4.3B Overview

The HJ14ex4.3B is the new successor to the long-acclaimed wide angle HJ11ex4.7B portable HDTV production lens offered by Canon. The enthusiastic acceptance of the latter all over the world since its introduction in 2001 encouraged Canon to pursue a further expansion of creative capabilities with a new-generation lens that facilitated an even wider angle of view, while also extending the focal range. Imaging performance has been significantly advanced by mobilizing the most contemporary of optical glasses, optical coating materials and processes, and powerful new optical design tools. Customer feedback also spurred a total redesign of the digital drive unit that further optimized both the ergonomic aspects and the performance of the digital electronic control of zoom, iris, and focus.

The short 4.3mm focal length translates to a 96.3 degree horizontal angle of view for the 16:9 HD image format. Combined with a focal range that has been extended to now cover a range from 4.3mm to 60mm (and 120mm with extender) this lens offers unsurpassed operational capabilities in a compact package weighing less than 4.5lbs. Additionally, focus breathing has been significantly reduced over the predecessor lens.

The HJ14ex4.3B is a design directly responding to the ever-increasing creative aspirations of broadcasters and HD producers for a truly versatile HD acquisition system.

ABOUT THIS LENS

The HJ14ex4.3B represents an entirely new level of optimization in meeting the demands for mobility in a handheld HDTV camera system and the imaging excellence sought in high-end HDTV production. The maximum relative aperture is F1.8 - a modest but important enhancement over the stellar F1.9 optical speed of the predecessor HJ11ex4.7B. The image performance strategies of this new lens sought a tighter control of MTF across the entire image plane and with operational variations of zoom, iris, and focus. Minimization of monochromatic and chromatic aberrations and further maximization of image contrast combine with the improved MTF to produce superb picture sharpness.

Relative light distribution over the mid-to-long focal lengths has been more tightly controlled and this better uniformity of brightness across the image plane combines with the higher contrast and excellent MTF to produce vividly clear HD pictures. Contrast was enhanced by excellent control of black reproduction using new multilayer anti-reflective optical coatings and new optomechanical design innovations that significantly reduced flare, veiling glare, and any internal reflections. Of special note is the further minimization of ghosting artifacts and other highlight-related chromatic distortions caused by strong light sources on-axis and off-axis that further extend the operational contrast ratio of the lens.

Despite the extension of the wide angle of view capability of the HJ14ex4.3B, the critically important geometric distortion at wide-angle settings has been tightly controlled. The lens spectral transmittance characteristic was closely coordinated with that of all of the major portable HD cameras to ensure adherence to the international HDTV colorimetric standard.