Canon U.S.A. and Vinten Announce Collaboration to Maximize Image-Stabilization

From Broadcast Buyer's Guide

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 10, 2007 – Canon U.S.A., Inc.’s DIGISUPER 100xs and DIGISUPER 86xs long-field zoom lenses are world famous for their Optical Shift Image Stabilizer (“Shift-IS”) technology, which capture rock-solid images in crystal-clear HD even at telephoto distances. Now the capabilities of these advanced HD lenses have been further maximized by an exclusive technology collaboration between Canon and Vinten, a leading manufacturer of tripods, pedestals, pan/tilt heads, camera robotics, and other innovative camera-support solutions.

The Canon-Vinten collaboration integrates the advanced capabilities of Canon’s Shift-IS lens technology with the high-resolution optical encoders built into Vinten’s new Vector 950 Active pan/tilt heads. The special encoders in the Vector 950 Active provide output that is fully compatible with the Canon HD lenses. The result is the elimination of any trace of lag after fast pan or tilt shots – a great advantage in the production of fast-paced HDTV sporting and entertainment events.

“We are very excited to be collaborating with Canon’s Broadcast Division to once again bring the tools of the trade to the next level of technology,” said Ali Ahmadi, product and marketing manager for Vinten products for the Americas. “Just as Canon continually pushes the technology envelope to provide ever-greater product performance for its customers, so too does Vinten. Both companies emphasize quality and technology in their products.”

The Vinten-Canon technology collaboration debuted at this year’s Super Bowl when a Sony HD camera, supported by Vinten’s new Vector 950 Active pan/tilt head and outfitted with Canon’s DIGISUPER100xs (model XJ100x9.3BIE-D) long-field HD zoom lens, was used to capture the exciting, fast-paced action.

“The exclusive technology collaboration between Canon and Vinten takes Canon’s superior Shift IS Image-Stabilizer system and makes it an even greater tool for camera operators when combined with Vinten’s Vector 950 Active head,” said Gordon Tubbs, director, Broadcast and Communications division, Canon U.S.A. “We are honored to participate in this exclusive technology collaboration with Vinten, a company that is so highly respected in the broadcast and production industry.”

Currently two of Canon’s most popular field lenses – the DIGISUPER 100xs and DIGISUPER 86xs – are compatible with the new Vinten Vector 950 Active. This compatibility is a no-cost, built-in standard feature of Canon’s DIGISUPER 100xs and DIGISUPER 86xs lenses. “Canon’s Shift-IS Image-Stabilizer system is an important advancement that has been applauded by the broadcast community and this collaboration just makes it better,” noted Tubbs.

Vinten’s Vector 950 Active pan/tilt head offers camera operators improved picture control and better performance in a smaller and more robust package. The Vector 950 Active features infinitely adjustable TF drag, tilt-axis deadlock, an illuminated leveling bubble and pan-and-tilt brake levers positioned for ease of use. In addition, a new spring counterbalance system allows up to ±90° of perfectly counterbalanced camera tilt. The Vector 950 Active is relatively light and compact, allowing for easier set-up, repositioning and minimal storage space.

Canon’s DIGISUPER 100xs and DIGISUPER 86xs long-field HD zoom lenses are the most widely used lenses in HD sports and entertainment production. (The DIGISUPER 100xs was the world’s first triple-digit HD zoom lens). At NAB2007, Canon will add to its DIGISUPER product line with the introduction of the DIGISUPER 100AF and DIGISUPER 86AF* Auto Focus models. All Canon DIGISUPER lenses feature the HD optical precision and heightened long-range zoom capabilities that have made Canon a global leader. All of Canon’s DIGISUPER HD field lenses also feature Canon’s unique XS technology for improved optical performance and lighter weight.

Canon DIGISUPER 27 and 27AF HD Lenses

From Image-Acquire.com:

Canon unveiled its two new HD lenses for specific HDTV studio applications. Both DIGISUPER 27 and DIGISUPER 27AF integrate superior technology to deliver stunning results. The lenses feature newly developed multi-layer optical coatings resulting in reduced ghosting and flaring. Incorporating Digital Servo System the lenses achieves maximum servo-zoom speed of 0.5 seconds. The system helps the operator to get better focus and zooming control.

The DIGISUPER 27AF has been optimized to render benefits of auto-focus technology for creation of the highest quality HD video images to be used by HDTV studios. With Part-time, Full-time and off Auto Focus the operator gets flexibility to capture digital media in assisted or unassisted modes. Both models also feature a new, optional, remote-controllable macro-focus, enabling the operator to perform macro focusing from the pan bar.

Via: Canon

Canon XJ86 Lens Takes A Hit And Still Works At American League Championship Series

Covering Major League Baseball can be hard on HD broadcast lenses. Just ask Corplex Mobile Television, the Lake Bluff, IL-based production company responsible for producing live coverage of the American League Championship Series (on TBS) between the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.

In Game 4 during the bottom of the fourth inning, Yankee outfielder Brett Gardner hit a pitch and broke his bat, the end of which flew towards the Yankees dugout and hit a nearby $150,000 Canon XJ86x9.3B lens on a Sony HDC-1500 HD camera. The bat head broke the lens' protection filter and scratched the front element, causing the camera operator to frame his shots for the rest of the game through a tiny hole in the face of the lens. But the Canon lens and the Sony camera kept on working.

CANON HD TELEPHOTO LENSES WITH AUTO FOCUS AND IMAGE STABILIZATION ENHANCE “ARENA STYLE” WORSHIP EXPERIENCE

From Broadcast Engineering:

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., March 1, 2010 – Trinity Fellowship Church (TFC), in Amarillo, Texas, enhances its worship experience with large-screen HD video image magnification of services and sermons in the church’s new 4,000-seat “in the round” sanctuary. Essential to providing this video support are volunteer camera operators from the congregation who must capture tight, steady telephoto shots of dynamic preachers moving about the stage as they speak. Confronted with the challenge of maintaining razor-sharp focus while continually tracking these movements, TFC chose to outfit its four HD cameras with XJ86×9.3B AF long-zoom Auto Focus HD lenses with Image Stabilization from Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging.

“Video reinforcement is very important for an in-the-round environment,” explained Michael Wells, executive director of production at TFC. “In this configuration only a quarter of the crowd can see the face of the preacher at

Canon DIGISUPER Lenses Capture Live HD Images of Space Shuttle Launch

From Television Broadcast:

While very few humans get the chance to travel on the space shuttle, even fewer get to be near the launch pad when astronauts begin their historic journeys. An array of Canon HD lenses, however, enabled the 24-hour all-high definition television network HDNet to take viewers where few have gone before to witness the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, mission STS 115, on the morning of Saturday, September 9th.

HDNet, transmitting in 1080i HDTV to a wide range of cable and satellite television providers, relied on the triple-digit-zoom capabilities of the Canon DIGISUPER 100xs HD lens, as well as the superior HD optics of the Canon DIGISUPER 86xs and DIGISUPER 75xs long field HD lenses to ensure that the full power of the launch of the space shuttle—which could be the most complex machine ever built—was dramatically conveyed to television viewers. “A space shuttle launch is a magnificent thing to see, and there is no better way to see it than in HD,” says Philip Garvin, Co-Founder and General Manager of HDNet. “Our Canon lenses bring tremendous presence and resolution to HDNet’s coverage, and since NASA doesn’t allow people to be where they do allow many of the cameras and lenses, viewing it in HD is actually better than being there.”

Capable of a 1860 mm focal length and equipped with Canon’s innovative Shift-IS Image Stabilization technology, the DIGISUPER 100xs lens is charged with the special mission of tracking space shuttles as they accelerate into the cosmos for at least 176,000 feet, which amounts to 33 miles into the Earth’s atmosphere. “We have the Canon DIGISUPER 100xs lens deployed on a special rig that tracks the shuttle into the sky, and we switch to that camera and lens directly after liftoff,” Garvin explains. “When you combine the strength of that lens with the resolution of HD, it’s like you’re right up there with the space shuttle.”

The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS 115 was a significant one, marking NASA’s first addition to the International Space Station in almost four years. During three spacewalks, crewmembers of Atlantis installed the P3/P4 integrated truss and a second set of solar panels that will double the orbiting outpost’s ability to generate electrical power from sunlight and add 17.5 tons to its mass.

With the Canon DIGISUPER 100xs lens on hand, complemented by the Canon DIGISUPER 86xs and DIGISUPER XJ75xs HD lenses at various locations on or near the launch pad, HDNet knew it would provide the best possible imagery to cover the beginning of this critical mission . “Canon optics are excellent—they always compare favorably in our evaluations,” says Garvin. “We also feel that we enjoy a great relationship with Canon’s engineering and sales staff. They absolutely deliver on their promise of prompt support, whether the event is a shuttle launch, NASCAR race, basketball, or football.”

The DIGISUPER 100xs lens is the world’s first triple-digit zoom lens and is one of four in Canon’s line of DIGISUPER long field lenses intended for both HDTV and SDTV production. This product line also includes: the DIGISUPER 86x lens (offered in the XJ86x9.3BIE-D standard version and the XJ86x13.5BIE-D telephoto version); the DIGISUPER 75xs lens (XJ75x9.3BIE-D); and the DIGISUPER 60xs lens (XJ60x9BIE-D).

Canon’s unique second-generation built-in Image Stabilization (or Shift-IS) system enables directors and producers to capture rock-solid images from telephoto distances with crystal clarity and deliver them virtually shake-free to viewing audiences. The DIGISUPER lens line also features Canon’s XS technology for improved optical performance and lighter weight, courtesy of Canon’s exclusive Power Optical System. And all Canon DIGISUPER lenses incorporate the company’s second-generation Digital Servo System, which provides microcomputer compensation of lens focus breathing (the inadvertent alteration of field of view when operating the focus control) as well as a host of other improved digital operational features for focus and zooming control. Canon’s DIGISUPER lenses deliver precision HDTV and SDTV production performance and heightened long-range zoom capabilities, features that have made Canon a standard of excellence in sports, entertainment, and studio production.

On location from astronaut suit-up to launch with Canon HD lenses, HDNet is helping to enlighten a whole new generation of viewers on the importance and majesty of space flight. “We feel strongly that our coverage has renewed people’s passion for watching launches, simply because it’s so amazing to see in HD,” Philip Garvin observes. “When you embark on a broadcast mission this important, you look for suppliers that will really go to work for you—Canon is one that we can count on.”

For more information on HDNet, visit http://www.hd.net/.

CANON U.S.A. ANNOUNCES DIGISUPER 27 HD STUDIO LENS AT IBC 2007

From Broacast Equipment Guide:

As HDTV program production continues to accelerate, Canon U.S.A., Inc. continues to improve High-Definition lens technology with new and advanced features for enhanced performance and ease-of-use. Canon’s latest addition to its acclaimed line of HD lenses is the DIGISUPER 27 studio lens (model XJ27x6.5B IE-D), which is being introduced at IBC 2007, the International Broadcasting Conference held in Amsterdam, Holland, from September 7 to 11. This new HD lens along with Canon’s industry-leading HD studio, field, portable and cine lenses can be seen at Stand No. 11.431, at the RAI Convention Center.

“The DIGISUPER 27 is the successor to the DIGISUPER 25xs, which is the most popular HD studio lens in the world,” stated Gordon Tubbs, director, Broadcast and Communications division, Canon U.S.A. “This lens is the evolutionary ‘next step’ in HD studio lenses for Canon, and the broadcast industry. It’s wider, has a bigger zoom ratio and features newly developed multi-layer optical coatings that dramatically reduce ghosting and flaring.”

With the widest angle of any lens available, the DIGISUPER 27 has a focal length of 6.5mm to 180mm. The lens offers the optional BWA-271 0.9x Wide Attachment, the industry’s first wide-angle attachment for an HD studio lens. This “zoom-through” Wide Attachment enables users to begin with a wide shot and go telephoto without experiencing negative effects on light transmission. This feature alters the range of the zoom on wide settings by ten percent toward the wide side, making a new zoom range of 5.85mm to 162mm.

Improvements in the new Canon DIGISUPER 27 also include a servo-zoom speed of 0.5 seconds and a new optional remote-controllable macro-focus feature that allows the camera operator to perform macro focusing from the pan bar (a helpful tool for focusing on jewelry and other small objects).

As with Canon’s other DIGISUPER HD studio lenses, the new DIGISUPER 27 features the highest possible optical quality and is among the best HD studio lenses available today. Canon, a world leader in optics, utilizes advanced technologies in its lens design and manufacturing processes, including advanced computer-aided design techniques, special optical materials, and specialized multi-layer coatings on each optical element. All Canon DIGISUPER lenses incorporate the second-generation Digital Servo System, which makes zoom and focus controls precise and repeatable.

Canon’s Digital Servo System provides microcomputer compensation of lens focus-breathing (the inadvertent alteration of field of view when operating the focus control) as well as a host of other improved digital operational features for focus and zooming control. These include an information display that enables the camera operator to select and customize zoom-servo settings.

The DIGISUPER 27 is equipped with virtual output as a standard feature, thanks to unique Canon built-in encoders. This positional data output provides added versatility and allows for greater precision of both the zoom and focus controls.

Canon HDTV Lenses Chosen by Mobile Producer Game Creek Video to Capture Super Bowl XLII Action for Worldwide Telecast

From The Briefing Room,

As the final seconds ticked away on the thrilling action of Super Bowl XLII, in Glendale Ariz., the New York Giants were not the only team that would emerge triumphant from the contest. Game Creek Video, a leading mobile production company, had captured every moment of football’s greatest annual event in full HDTV (high definition television) for a worldwide audience. With so much riding on its coverage of this second-most-watched broadcast in U.S. TV history, the Hudson N.H.-based company chose only the best production equipment, and this included an array of HD lenses from Canon U.S.A., Inc.’s Broadcast and Communications division.

“This being our first Super Bowl, we wanted to make sure everything went right,” declared Pat Sullivan, president of Game Creek Video (and former general manager of the New England Patriots from 1985-91). “We feel very confident using Canon HD lenses with our reputation at stake for live events. Our camera operators love them, and we’ve had nothing but success dealing with Canon from a support standpoint. It is an outstanding company to work with.”

To cover the game, which was broadcast in both HD and SD (standard definition), Game Creek Video used 15 Canon DIGISUPER 100xs (XJ100×9.3B IE-D) long-zoom HD field lenses and four DIGISUPER 86xs (XJ86×9.3B IE-D) long-zoom HD field lenses, all of which feature Shift-IS, Canon’s unique second-generation built-in Optical Shift Image Stabilizer Technology. For the crucial “All-22 Camera” position, the wide-angle performance of Canon’s DIGISUPER 22xs (XJ22×7.3B IE-D) compact studio lens was used in the stadium to capture shots showing all 22 players simultaneously. Game Creek Video also employed four HJ11ex4.7B IRSE wide-angle portable eHDxs lenses and two HJ22ex7.6B IRSE portable eHDxs ENG zoom lenses. Handling the pre- and post-game telecast were three Canon DIGISUPER 25xs (XJ25×6.8BIE-D) HD studio lenses, as well as one HJ22ex7.6B IRSE lens and two HJ11ex4.7B IRSE lenses.

These same Canon HD lenses were on-hand two weeks earlier in Green Bay, Wis. to cover the NFC Championship Game. Temperature at kickoff was below zero, with the wind chill factor at -24°, but the lenses performed flawlessly, according to Sullivan. “We wrapped the cameras and lenses in heating blankets, and they performed without a hitch,” he said. “I think you always anticipate that there may be some kind of compromise in your equipment in those types of conditions, but the good stuff always holds up well.”

“We were extremely happy with the quality of all our Canon HD lenses, from the DIGISUPER 100xs to the 4.7x wide-angle hand-held lens,” commented Michael Davies, director of FOX Sports Field Operations, regarding Super Bowl XLII. “In the spirit of evolution and trying something new, we’re excited to probably be the first to use the DIGISUPER 22xs Compact Studio lens [model XJ22×7.3B IE-D] on our ‘All-22 Camera’ as well. Also, we were happy with the results of the Canon DIGISUPER 86xs on our [Vision Research Phantom V10] Inertia Unlimited Hyper Slow Motion camera, which had some of the evening’s most memorable and written-about replays. As usual, Canon came in with an army of support and good ideas on what was an exceptionally smooth and well-received Super Bowl for us.”

Canon’s DIGISUPER 100xs is the world’s first triple-digit long-zoom HD field lens. Both the DIGISUPER 100xs and DIGISUPER 86xs HD lenses used by Game Creek Video for Super Bowl XLII feature Canon’s exclusive Shift-IS built-in Image Stabilization system, which enables television directors to capture dramatic high-impact telephoto shots and deliver this video shake-free to the viewing audience. These advanced HD lenses also feature Canon U.S.A.’s XS technology for superior optical performance and lighter weight, as well as Canon U.S.A.’s second-generation Digital Servo System, which provides microcomputer compensation of lens focus breathing (the inadvertent alteration of field of view when operating the focus control) as well as a host of other improved digital operational features for focus and zooming control. Precision HD production performance and heightened long-range zoom capabilities are features that have made Canon U.S.A.’s DIGISUPER field zoom lenses the standard of excellence in HDTV sports production.

“We wanted to use mostly long-zoom HD lenses for the game production because we wanted to give the director maximum flexibility,” Sullivan explained. “Having so many powerful zoom lenses throughout the stadium allowed him to get close, dramatic shots of players, coaches, and important plays from any angle, which is especially important if a play has to be reviewed by the officials.”

The world-leading optical excellence of Canon’s portable HD lenses was also integral to Game Creek Video’s successful Super Bowl XLII coverage. Canon’s HJ11ex4.7B IRSE eHDxs lens is the widest angle-of-view portable HD production lens offered by the Company. The HJ22ex7.6B IRSE portable eHDxs ENG zoom lens is Canon’s longest-focal-length portable HD production lens (without an image stabilization system). Both lenses bear the designation “eHDxs,” which indicates not only Canon’s exclusive XS technology, but also the highly innovative control features of Canon’s unique eDrive technology. With eDrive, users can easily program such functions as zoom and focus settings into a lens for precise, automated repeatability via an easy-to-use LCD menu, assignable “soft” function buttons, and the rocker switch built into the lens grip. With the fast-moving action of professional football, this time-saving function can be critical for capturing that game-winning moment.

To cover pre- and post-game studio shows, Game Creek Video employed Canon’s DIGISUPER 25xs HD studio lens, which is the most popular HD studio lens in the world. Engineered to deliver the most demanding image quality for HD television production, the DIGISUPER 25xs is the product of advanced technologies and manufacturing processes, including supercomputer-aided design techniques and special optical materials. Like its long-zoom counterparts, the DIGISUPER 25xs also features Canon’s XS technology and second-generation Digital Servo System.

“Canon designs all of its HD lenses – portable, studio and field – to deliver superb video images with crystal clarity,” added Gordon Tubbs, director, Broadcast and Communications division, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “We are honored that a leading mobile production company and a leading broadcast network were both impressed with the results, which were seen by the second-largest audience in U.S. TV history.”

For Sullivan, knowing that over a billion people worldwide were watching the game through Game Creek Video’s Canon U.S.A. HD lenses provided him with confidence. “The Super Bowl is the most watched event in television every year, so we know how important it is that we put our best foot forward,” he concluded. “By exclusively using Canon lenses, we know that we did just that.”

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2007†, with global revenues of $34.9 billion, is listed as one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2007 BusinessWeek list of “Top 100 Brands.” To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/pressroom.