Canon KJ22EX7.6B IRSE 2nd Generation HDgc 2/3" Telephoto Lens

The KJ22ex7.6B IRSE is a portable HDTV production lens within the 2/3-inch image format sector of the new HDgc family. This particular lens is intended for users whose foremost priority is an affordable HD lens that delivers a generous range of focal lengths combined with a wide field of view in a lightweight mobile package. It was specifically designed for the many new cost-effective but remarkably high-performance 2/3-inch acquisition systems that appeared in 2008-2009.

In the KJ22ex7.6B lens 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 7.6 mm focal length translates to a 64.6 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 7.6mm to 168mm (and 336mm with extender) this lens offers unsurpassed operational capabilities in a compact package. Focus breathing has also been significantly reduced over the predecessor lens.

The KJ22ex7.6B is part of a new family of second generation 2/3-inch HDgc portable HD lenses.

The new design reflects design refinements to the first generation line of HDgc lenses originally introduced in 2006.

The HDgc line of lenses had been specifically developed to achieve a price performance ratio that was commensurate with the new line of cost-effective HD camcorders being introduced by all major camera manufacturers in response to the broadcast industry’s rapidly growing interest in transitioning to HDTV newsgathering, HD reality shows, and other lower-budget HD productions. They also directly address the increasing adoption of HD digital origination by the growing independent filmmaking market sector. In addition, they are anticipated to foster growing interest in HD within the broad B2B market sectors. To support this extensive flexibility in HD acquisition systems, the HDgc family includes 2/3-inch, 1/2-inch, and 1/3-inch lenses.

About This Lens

The new KJ22ex7.6B is a telephoto lens covering a generous range of focal lengths while also providing a modest wide-angle of almost 65 degrees in the 16:9 HD image format. This provides a very flexible image framing range especially for outdoor applications. The central design criteria for this new lens sought an excellent balance between size, weight, and HD optical performance intended for HD News and many HD production applications. Customer recommendations based upon experiences with our first generation HDgc telephoto lens combined with the harnessing of new optical design strategies and new advanced optical materials to produce an excellent overall price performance ratio for the new KJ22ex7.6B.

The optical performance of the KJ22ex7.6B has been improved on a number of fronts compared to its predecessor KJ21ex7.6B. The new lens deploys Large Diameter Aspherical lens elements that contribute to a better control of comatic aberration, geometric distortion, and corner resolution. Curvature of field and chromatic aberrations have been reduced by use of special optical materials that include Fluorite and Hi-UD glasses. Computer optimization of both the optical and optomechanical designs contributed to achieving a high-performing telephoto lens within a compact and lightweight body.

Coupled with innovations in optical performance, is a totally new design of the digital drive unit. Refined by long-term market research and worldwide experience, Canon utilized the latest in 3D CAD-CAM design to significantly improve the human tactile interface to the control of zoom, iris, and focus.

Optical Technologies 

Newly developed 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 HDgc lenses contributing to the improved MTF performance New Multilayer Optical Coatings combined with new deposition processes produce an improved optical contrast ratio Three-part Internal Focus is a Canon design innovation that reduces changes in aberrations when focusing to different object distances while also exercising improved control over any tendency for focus breathing New and 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 empowers 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 a design that paid high attention to operator comfort and attendant lowering 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.