Fujifilm has launched a new line of lenses designed specifically for consumer and prosumer videographers and emerging cinematographers.

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The new Fujinon MK18-55mm T2.9 lens, shown on a movie camera. (Source: Fujifilm.)
The new MK series of lenses claim ‘advanced optical performance’ and are compact and lightweight in design. Offering a fast T2.9 speed across the entire zoom range, the new The lenses will be compatible with Sony’s E-mount cameras with the Super 35mm / APS-C sensor and the X Mount used in Fujifilm’s “X Series” of digital cameras (APS-C sensor). According to Fujifilm, they will provide ‘excellent cost performance’. The short flange focal distance of mirrorless cameras enables the optical design to be optimised to minimise focal shift and optical axis shift while zooming and focus/zoom ‘breathing’.The lenses feature three rings to enable manual and independent adjustment of focus, zoom and iris (aperture), all with the gear pitch of 0.8M (module). The focus ring can rotate fully up to 200 degrees to facilitate precise focusing. This design makes the lenses comfortable to operate.

The first lens to go on sale will be the Fujinon MK18-55mm T2.9 (MK18-55mm), a standard zoom lens, which is due for release for E-mount cameras in early March 2017. It will be followed by the Fujinon MK50-135mm T2.9 (MK50-135mm) telephoto zoom lens which is scheduled to become available, also in the E-mount, mid-year. Together these lenses will cover the most frequently-used range of focal lengths from 18mm to 135mm. The X Mount versions of both lenses (focal lengths of 18-55mm and 50-135mm) are being developed for launch by the end of 2017.

To see footage shot by filmmaker Philip Bloom using an MK18-55mm lens and Sony A7S II, Sony PXW-FS7 and Sony PXW-FS5 cameras, click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cx66LKDPTc. The latest latest lens roadmap for the X Series can be found at http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/xf_lens/roadmap/index.html.

Main specifications

Model name

FUJINON MK18-55mm T2.9

FUJINON MK50-135mm T2.9 (under development)

Focal length

18-55mm

50-135mm

Zoom ratio

3.0 x

2.7 x

F-No.

F2.75

F2.75

T-No.

T2.9

T2.9

Image size

24.84mm ø— 13.97mm(φ28.5mm)

24.84mm ø— 13.97mm(φ28.5mm)

Minimum Object Distance (M.O.D.)

0.85m/2ft 9in

(0.38m/1ft 2.9in in the macro mode)

1.2m/3ft 11in

(0.85m/2ft 9in in the macro mode)

Object dimensions (at M.O.D.)

[Horizontal ø— Vertical] 16:9 aspect ratio*

18mm: 924mm ø— 520mm

55mm: 291mm ø— 164mm

50mm: 534mm x 300mm

135mm: 196mm x 110mm

Angle of view [Horizontal ø— Vertical]

16:9 aspect ratio*

18mm: 69.2 °ø— 42.4 °

55mm: 25.5 °ø— 14.5 °

50mm:27.9 ° x 15.9 °

135mm: 10.5 ° x5.9 °

Number of iris blades

9

9

Filter diameter

82mm

82mm

Front diameter

85mm

85mm

Length

206.3mm

206.3mm

Weight (approximate)

980g

980g

Lens mount

E-mount

E-mount

*Sensor size: 24.84mm x 13.97mm