The KJ20x8.2B is Canon's widest (8.2 mm) lens in the affordable 20x zoom class, and it covers a generous range of focal lengths, particularly when combined with its built-in 2x extender expanding its 8.2mm-164mm focal length to 16.4mm-328mm.

Canon first introduced its HDgc series of HD portable lenses five years ago to provide high optical performance at competitive prices for the then-emerging generation of lower-cost portable HD video cameras designed for ENG and other types of programming. The HDgc product line has since grown into a broad range of portable HD lenses engineered to meet a wide range of production applications for lower-cost HD cameras and camcorders having either 2/3-inch, 1/2-inch, or 1/3-inch imagers. Now, the introduction of the KJ20x8.2B marks a price-performance breakthrough for the many production applications seeking cost-effective HD acquisition systems based upon a new generation of low-cost 2/3-inch camcorders.

ABOUT THIS LENS

The outstanding optical performance of Canon's new KJ20x8.2B portable HD lens is the result of Canon's world-leading design tools, including cutting-edge optical-simulation and 3D-design technologies, novel optical glass materials and coatings, and extraordinary dispersion glass (which Canon also uses for its flagship HDxs series lenses). Collectively these technologies and materials have facilitated an unusually high degree of optimization of the cost-performance ratio of the new KJ20x8.2B. The lens has minimized axial and lateral chromatic aberrations, coma aberrations, and geometric distortion. The new optical materials and multilayer optical coatings used for the KJ20x8.2B effectively attenuate optical artifacts such as ghosting, flare, and veiling glare that might be stimulated by strong light sources (for example, sun in daytime and car headlights at nighttime). The KJ20x8.2B exhibits a high MTF (modulation transfer function) at picture center that is also well controlled out to picture extremities. This high MTF is well sustained even with operational adjustments of focal length and object distance. The KJ20x8.2B's optical performance is well-balanced for both near and distant subjects, and its rendering of distant subjects at wide angles - frequently required for landscape and cityscape shots - surpasses previously available lenses in this price range.

The new lens features an enhanced macro function that effectively reduces the minimum object distance (from the front of the lens) to only 10mm.

In addition to its optical sophistication, the new KJ20x8.2B portable HD zoom lens also features Canon's latest improvements in Advanced Drive Unit technology. This technology is famous for the convenience and control it affords to camera operators using Canon portable HD lenses. On the new KJ20x8.2B, Advanced Drive Unit technology includes Shuttle Shot, a Canon-exclusive technology that enhances production capabilities. At the touch of a button, Shuttle Shot allows the operator to rapidly zoom back and forth between any two positions. Shuttle Shot can be used to zoom to the telephoto position to check focus and almost instantly return to the original position, or users can "shuttle" between any two zoom-positions at any time. Users can set specific Shuttle Shot zoom positions using a simple "Memo" push switch; the switch enables more reliable Shuttle Shot set-up in the field, where more consistent functioning of the controls is required. The KJ20x8.2B's zoom can travel end-to-end in as little as 1.0 second, an improvement over the speed of previous models; although faster, new noise suppression on the servomotor inside the Advanced Drive Unit ensures very quiet operation.

• Widest Angle
  

  8.2mm Angle of View is widest angle of any lens in its class.

• Built-in 2x Extender
  

  Previously, only relatively high-end HDTV lenses featured built-in extender. However, the recent arrival of many new lower-cost HD camcorders has created a strong market demand for more affordable HD lenses with built-in extender. This is especially important for journalism and production applications seeking cost-effective HD acquisition systems within limited budgets.

• Outstanding Optical Performance
  

  New design tools, encompassing cutting-edge optical simulation and powerful 3D design technologies, combined with new optical glass materials and new optical coatings produced a novel optimization of the cost-performance ratio of this new lens. The KJ20x8.2B IRSD exhibits a high MTF at picture center that is also well-controlled out to picture extremities. The design optimization maintains that high MTF with operational adjustments of focal length and object distance. Longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations have been minimized as well as monochromatic aberrations like coma and astigmatism. Geometric distortion at wide angle settings is imperceptible.

  The new optical materials and multilayer optical coatings have effectively attenuated optical artifacts such as ghosting, flare, and veiling glare, that might be stimulated by strong light sources in the scene (for example, sun in daytime and car headlights at nighttime).

• Newly Developed Advanced Drive Unit
  

  Various companies have rolled out cameras with lens aberration correction functions in recent years. For this reason, the KJ20x8.2B IRSD is fitted with a camera-communication interface to support these separate aberration correction functions.*1

  The KJ20x8.2B IRSD's zoom can travel end to end in 1.0 seconds, an improvement over the KJ20x8.5B KRS's speed. The servomotor has a noise-suppressing construction to ensure there is no corresponding increase in noise. The drive unit features the same ergonomically designed shape of the KJ20x8.5B KRS and others in the family that users have loved for its handling and grip.

  On the newly developed advanced drive unit, the Memo switch, which sets specific zoom positions for the Shuttle Shot function, has been changed to a push switch. On previous drive units, to memorize the zoom position, the operator had to adjust its position by a volume switch. The memo switch enables more reliable Shuttle Shot setup in the field where more consistent functioning of the controls is required.

  *1. Check with the camera manufacturer to see whether the KJ20x8.2B IRSD is compatible with the camera's aberration correction functions.