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Latest member of Canon's "Second-Generation" HDgc product line combines cost-effective design innovations with high-end performance.

(Lake Success, NY) Continually advancing its product line with world-renowned optical expertise, Canon U.S.A., Inc. has introduced the KJ22ex7.6B, the newest member of its "second-generation" line of cost-effective HDgc portable HD lenses. First introduced in 2006, the HDgc lenses were specifically intended to work with the emerging wave of cost-effective HD camcorders from all major manufacturers that were targeted at HD news-gathering and budget-conscious HD productions. These lens families encompass the 2/3-inch, 1/2-inch, and 1/3-inch HD image format sizes.

"Since Canon's introduction of our HDgc lens series, we have received enthusiastic feedback from our worldwide community of users," stated Larry Thorpe, national marketing executive, Broadcast and Communications division, Canon U.S.A. "Those end-user experiences have helped guide the design of our second-generation line of cost-effective HDgc portable HD lenses, starting with the KJ17ex7.7B portable 2/3-inch HD zoom lens, which was introduced earlier this year at NAB. The new KJ22ex7.6B is the second in this 2/3-inch family of lenses. These lenses retain the robust magnesium optomechanical design of our higher-end lenses, as this cannot be compromised in ENG applications. Canon's mobilization of contemporary design tools and optical materials have facilitated a significant cost reduction, while still maintaining an impressive overall HD imaging performance."

The Canon KJ22ex7.6B is designed as a multi-purpose telephoto lens. Striking an excellent balance between size, weight, and exceptional optical performance, the lens encompasses a generous range of focal lengths while also providing a modest wide-angle of almost 65 degrees in the 16:9 HD image format. This feature provides camera operators with ?exible image- framing options, especially for outdoor shooting. Additional design optimizations include Large Diameter Aspherical lens elements that contribute to a better control of comatic aberration, geometric distortion, and corner resolution. Curvature of field and chromatic aberrations have also been reduced by use of special optical materials that include Fluorite and Hi-UD glasses. Extensive computer optimization of both the optical and optomechanical designs contributed to achieving a high-performing telephoto lens within a compact and lightweight body.

Ease of use and reduced operator fatigue were specific design imperatives of the new Canon KJ22ex7.6B, with particular emphasis on a re-designed Digital Drive unit for greater operator comfort and convenience. The Digital Drive unit enables users to program precise and repeatable settings into the KJ22ex7.6B lens for zoom position and speed, focus, and iris. An information display built into the Digital Drive unit makes precise customization quick and convenient. Users can program as many features as they wish, or, if they prefer, none at all. This new unit was designed to improve the tactile interface for the control of zoom, iris, and focus functions. Improvements include widening the spacing between the focus ring and the Digital Drive unit so operators are less likely to accidentally change settings while manipulating the focus control. Of particular importance, Canon incorporated a new software platform within the Digital Drive unit that allows the KJ22ex7.6B to work with the different chromatic aberration correction systems developed by various camera manufacturers.

Resources:

Canon USA: www.usa.canon.com/kyosei