As high-definition television production increases, the need for effective image stabilization grows, given that unintentional camera shake is made more noticeable by the HD format's greater picture detail and width. Addressing this need, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is proud to introduce the new HJ15ex8.5B KRSE-V portable HD zoom lens with a built-in Optical Image Stabilizer. Designed to maintain stable images even when the camera is subject to jolts and vibrations, the HJ15ex8.5B KRSE-V uses Canon's unique Vari-Angle Prism image-stabilizer (VAP-IS) technology to achieve a high level of image stability all the way from telephoto to wide-angle settings.

Canon's HJ15ex8.5B KRSE-V portable HD zoom lens is ideally suited for diverse and challenging outdoor shooting situations because it can stabilize a wide range of vibration frequencies. Examples range from the low-frequency vibrations encountered on a camera operator's shoulder in a jostling crowd situation, to tripod-mounted operation on shaky platforms, to the higher-frequency vibration that cameras are subject to when operated inside TV news helicopters, motor vehicles, motorbikes, and boats. The lens provides four selectable stabilization modes to allow operators to optimize the degree of correction under diverse, and sometimes unique, shooting conditions.

About This Lens

Canon's unique VAP-IS technology incorporates a novel optical group made up of two flat glass elements joined by sealed bellows containing a high-refractive-index liquid, selectively placed within the lens' overall optical system. Physical perturbations to the lens, in the form of jolts or vibrations, flex the bellows proportional to the amplitude of these disturbances. The associated distortion of the liquid instantaneously alters the direction of the transmitted light rays in a manner designed to counter the incoming light-ray displacements created by these disturbances. The system has been optimized to introduce a high-degree of real-time compensation for image instabilities arising from all forms of lens-camera operational unsteadiness.

A major advantage of Canon's unique VAP-IS system contained within the new HJ15ex8.5B KRSE-V portable HD zoom lens is that it totally relieves the camera operator of any concerns with respect to lens-camera stability, allowing full concentration on creative image framing, focusing, and capturing imagery of the subject being photographed. This is of particular importance, considering the extreme image detail and clarity associated with HD video acquisition.

• Four significant technologies converge to produce the HJ15ex8.5B KRSE-V 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. The HDxs logo identifies the deployment of these technologies in the lens.
• Power Optics
  Speaks to the combination of specialized materials, contemporary optical design, and multilayer coatings that produce the superb imagery HDxs Logo
• 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 Built-in Iris, Zoom, and Focus motors
• 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.