Canon KH10ex3.6IRSE Lens

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Canon KH10ex3.6IRSE Lens

The KH10ex3.6 is the widest angle of view (capable of some 88 degrees horizontally) portable HDTV production lens within the 1/2-inch image format sector of the HDgc family. This particular lens is intended for broadcast and cable news photographers having as their foremost priority really wide angle shooting with minimum chromatic aberrations and low geometric distortion (at the widest angle) – contained within a lightweight mobile package. It was specifically designed for the new HD XDCAM camcorders of Sony, which utilize three 1/2-inch 1440-element CCD imagers. It is an important member of the emerging family in terms of facilitating HD imaging with equivalent operational capabilities as the established 2/3-inch SDTV systems.

The KH10ex3.6 utilized breakthrough technologies and powerful computer-aided design techniques to produce a very wide-angle HDTV lens with an excellent performance-cost optimization. It is a design directly responding to the expressed creative desires of broadcasters and HD producers for low-cost HD acquisition system.

The KH10ex3.6 represents a fine compromise between the demands for mobility in a handheld HDTV camera system and the high imaging performance requirements for HDTV production. The requisite optimization strategies to achieve this balance sought a high MTF over the entire image plane, minimization of chromatic aberrations, and maximization of image contrast. Preservation of a high MTF at the wider-angle focal lengths (where scene detail can be particularly high) was a special priority.

Relative light distribution was optimized for the more open aperture settings and this uniformity of brightness across the image plane combines with the high contrast and excellent picture sharpness to produce vividly clear HD pictures. Contrast was extended by careful control of black reproduction – with optical and mechanical design innovations that substantially reduced flare, veiling glare, and any internal reflections. Tight control of the geometric distortion at wide-angle settings constituted another central design imperative. The lens spectral transmittance characteristic was closely coordinated with that of all of the major portable cameras to ensure adherence to the HDTV colorimetric standards and to additionally support flexible creative control of color reproduction.

Four significant technologies converge to produce the KH10ex3.6 portable HD production lens system that has been tailored to partner with today’s highest performing HDTV portable cameras and camcorders:

• Optical Technologies – Newly developed optical materials combined with the very latest lens element design innovations and multilayer coatings – that produce an unsurpassed pristine imaging system for the most discerning production team.
  
• Internal Focus – a Canon design innovation that uses a floating optical system to better control chromatic aberrations
  

• Digital Technologies – new third-generation enhanced digital servo systems using Canon-developed 16-bit optical rotary encoder devices introduce entirely new value-added creativity to handheld acquisition systems.

• Enhanced Digital Drive technology – encompasses a microcomputer driven servo control that embodies position memory and user-defined digital functionality to significantly empower the camera operator charged with creative shaping of the image presented to the camera sensors

• 16-bit rotary encoder for aperture control reports to the associated camera Iris control system (10-bit compatibility)

• Maximum Zoom speed is 0.5 seconds and Focus is 1.5 seconds
  

• Mechanical Technologies – ergonomic mechanical design that produced this HD lens having the same size and weight as its SDTV predecessor

• Compact digital servo drive unit is mounted to the lens at a 12.5 degree angle for comfort and balance

• Magnesium alloy body for light weight and exceptional durability

• Ecological Design – All contemporary Canon lenses avoid the use of materials and substances potentially harmful to the environment. Lead has been removed from all optics, and other identified substances such as Cadmium, mercury, PBBS etc from all components comprising the composite lens system.