Fujifilm Intros New Fujinon MK Zoom Lens at ASC Clubhouse
Representatives from the Optical Devices Division of Fujifilm were welcomed to the ASC Clubhouse on February 22 to present and demo their new Fujinon MK 18-55mm T2.9 Cine E-mount zoom lens.
The Fujifilm event was attended by ASC members including Bill Bennett and Nancy Schreiber, who examined the new lens with interest. (Each are recent recipients of the ASC Presidents Award, in 2016 and 2017, respectively.)
The Fujinon MK 18-55mm is the first entry in the company’s unique series of lightweight optics in part designed for use with DSLRs and compact camcorders but featuring traditional cinema-style characteristics.
As noted in their marketing materials, “The entire MK series is designed with the ‘emerging’ cinematographer in mind, whether shooting a live event, online programming, documentary, corporate video, wedding, independent or short film production.”
Priced at $3,799 and weighing just 2.16 pounds, this 3x parfocal lens is currently offered only for use with Sony Super 35mm/APS-C sensor compatible E-mount cameras. The T2.9 holds across the entire zoom range.
Featuring nine iris blades, the lens has a minimum object distance (MOD) of 0.85m/2.78ft (0.38m/1ft 2.9in with built-in macro function). And, unlike DSLR-type lenses designed for still photography, it has no breathing or ramping and is fully geared and marked for professional-quality focal-length, follow-focus and iris-control functionality (with the gear pitch of 0.8M). The focus ring can rotate fully up to 200 degrees to facilitate precise focusing.
An E-mount MK-series 50-135mm T2.9 lens will be delivered this summer and be comparably priced. The MK 50-135mm’s MOD is 1.2m/3.93ft
Both lenses have front diameters of 85mm and lengths of 206mm. They also each contain a Flange Focal Distance adjustment function to achieve optimal camera and lens matching. The short flange focal distance contributes to the lenses’ compact size and light weight.
X-mount versions of the MK lenses — to be used in the Fujifilm X Series line of digital cameras (with APS-C sensors) — are being developed for launch by the end of 2017.
Additional details on the MK 18-55mm lens can be found in this PDF.
