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.

• Four significant technologies converged to produce the HJ14ex4.3B portable HD production lens system that has been tailored to partner with the most contemporary of high-end 2/3-inch HD production cameras:
  
• Optical Technologies
  

  Newly developed high index optical glass materials, each having unique dispersion characteristics, allowed improved control over chromatic aberrations and geometric distortion. Lens element surface accuracy has been improved two-fold over those in the earlier HJ11ex4.7B lens contributing to the enhanced MTF performance New Multilayer Optical Coatings combined with new deposition processes produce an unsurpassed pristine imaging system for the most discerning production team Aspheric Lens Elements are deployed to a greater extent in the larger diameter elements and they contribute to far greater control over geometric distortion and aberrations especially at the very wide angle settings Three-part Internal Focus is a Canon design innovation that reduces changes in aberrations when focusing to different object distances while also exercising tight control over any tendency for focus breathing New, more powerful computer design tools facilitated a greater degree of optimization of multiple optical variables in the lens design

• Digital Technologies
  

  New, fourth-generation digital servo systems further empower the camera operator in terms of operational creativity: Enhanced Digital Drive technology based upon a totally new software platform provides precision microcomputer control of the three servo systems for zoom, iris and focus while also facilitating new developments in lens-camera correction of lateral chromatic aberration Unique Information Display and extended memory within the digital drive unit extends user-defined digital functionality Canon's patented Micro Roofmirror Array (MRA) technology underlies the unique miniature 16-bit rotary encoders that are used for each of the zoom, iris, and focus position detection (each with a positional accuracy of 0.1 micrometer) Dynamic Zoom Speed Range can be adjusted from 0.5 seconds to 5 minutes (from wide to telephoto extremes)

• Optomechanical Technologies
  

  Extensive use of 3D CAD-CAM design facilitated an imaginative ergonomic design that paid high attention to operator comfort and lessening of fatigue during protracted shooting: Digital Drive Unit was totally redesigned to take into account the curved human hand that encompasses the unit, with a view of shaping the unit for greater comfort and to better facilitate the actuation of lens controls. The unit shape also provides a wider separation that allows the other hand to more easily adjust the focus control. Finally, the drive unit was narrowed and its mounting angle on the lens set to allow the operator's elbow to settle close to the body thus providing an important reduction in fatigue when operating a shoulder mounted lens-camera system Special Magnesium alloy body for light weight and exceptional durability Computer simulation of the optomechanical design allowed examination of optimized anti-reflection internal barrel coatings, and structural techniques (light blocking grooves and knife edges) that produced greater control over harmful light reflections within the lens barrel that can be stimulated by strong light sources

• 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 from all components comprising the composite lens system.