Canon Releases CINE-SERVO Lens with Enhanced Communication Functions via RF Mount and New Digital Drive Unit for Improved Operability and Functionality
SINGAPORE, 6 June 2024 — Canon today announced the release of CN7×17 KAS T/R1 and CN7×17 KAS T/P1 as new products in the EF/RF Cinema Lens series lineup named “CINE-SERVO Lens”1 in early October 2024.
CN7×17 KAS T/R1 has an RF mount, a first in the CINE-SERVO Lens series, while CN7×17 KAS T/P1 has a PL mount which is widely used in the visual industry. Both cinema lenses inherit features from the conventional model CN7x17 KAS S (released in August 2014) such as high optics for 4K/8K support, while offering new features including enhanced communication functions through their respective mounts in addition to improved operability and functionality through the inclusion of the new digital drive unit e-Xs V. CINE-SERVO lenses meet a broad range of needs of expanding shooting methods from live sports broadcasts to remote shooting and virtual production for movies and other video productions, and demand for efficient workflows.
In compliance with RF mount communications protocol, the lenses can be combined2 with EOS C400 (scheduled for release in early September 2024), EOS C70 (released in November 2020), or EOS R5 C (March 2022) cameras to make lateral chromatic aberration corrections and light intensity corrections and adjust the dual pixel focus guide through camera operation just like previous models, in addition to supporting distortion correction as a newly added feature. Moreover, these lenses now enable metadata output suitable for virtual production. Combined with the EOS C400, they support highly accurate CG compositing in real time and post-production.
For the first time in the CINE-SERVO series, the lenses will come equipped with the new e-Xs V digital drive unit. The focus and iris are faster than previous models, allowing camera operators to shoot just as intended even when capturing rapidly moving subjects such as during sports broadcasts. The optical design limits changes in the angle of view that occur during focusing, while the lens features a focus breathing correction function linked with the zoom function to automatically make precise corrections. Additionally, the highly versatile USB Type-C terminal makes it possible to export and import lens setting data from a USB memory drive, thereby allowing users to update firmware on their own.
The new lenses boast not only broadcast-style operation through servo control by harnessing a digital drive unit, but also functions as a design suited for cinema-style shooting focused on full manual operation. They also feature 12-pin serial communication, a communication standard for broadcast camera systems. In addition, CN7x17 KAS T/P1 supports /i Technology from Cooke Optics, which is widely used in the visual creation industry, as well as eXtended Data3 from ZEISS. Enabling the external output of various lens-related information during shooting in real time through the lens mount interface will help to improve the efficiency of shooting and editing.
About Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Canon is a global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions. Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd. is the headquarters for South & Southeast Asia driving sales, marketing and service strategies. Besides handling the domestic market, the company covers 22 other countries and regions including subsidiaries in India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The parent company Canon Inc. has a global network of more than 300 companies and employs about 169,000 people worldwide. Canon is guided by its kyosei philosophy that focuses on living and working together for the common good.
More information is available at https://asia.canon.
1 General term for lenses that come standard with drive units which are compatible with cameras featuring large sensors.
2 Compatibility with EOS C70 and EOS R5 C made possible by updating to firmware scheduled for release in 2H 2024. Compatibility with EOS R5 C only guaranteed in Video mode.
3 Not supported if lens is equipped with PL-RF mount adapter (scheduled for release in early September 2024).
