According to Seven Network Head of Broadcast Engineering and Development, John Albiston many of Seven’s lenses used in the field have provided over twenty years’ excellent service.
After a comprehensive assessment and evaluation Albiston and the Seven team chose multiple FUJINON UA14x4.5BERD-S10, UA18x5.5BERD-S10 and UA23x7.6BERD-S10 4K lenses.
“The initial aim of the new lens purchase was to ensure the same extended life of reliability with the same excellent results,” Albiston said.
“The new lenses also had to be 4K, extremely high quality and work seamlessly under robotic control.”
“We purchased FUJINON 4K models with an S-10 drive specifically designed for these lenses to be used with robotics. The S-10s have well and truly fulfilled our requirements and worked seamlessly both in the field and in our metropolitan studios under robotic control.” he said
Seven has achieved seamless compatibility with major robotics systems such as Shotoku, MRMC, Ross Video, Vinten/Radamec, Telemetrics, and KXWELL by incorporating the new S-10 drive unit and FUJINON 4K lenses.
These advanced components offer enhanced focus and zoom functionality and come equipped with standard breathing compensation technology (BCT).
Through this compensation mechanism, the zoom movement is synchronised with the focus movement, automatically adjusting for changes in the angle of view. This ensures minimal breathing effect and maintains a consistent image size.
Moreover, this feature eliminates the need to readjust the angle of view after focusing, enhancing operational efficiency.
The S-10 drive unit also allows for remote 2x extender changes using the ECU-2C Extender Change Unit, making it particularly well-suited for crane usage in a studio setting.
Additionally, Seven’s S-10 drive units and FUJINON lenses prove effective for CG synthesis. With a 16-bit encoder, these components can produce high-resolution lens data, including zoom and focal position information.
They can also be seamlessly integrated with various systems, such as virtual studio setups, enabling the combination of CG images with live-action footage.
“Our FUJINON 4K S-10 capable lens field application involves general news acquisition where they give us robust service and superb operational features including great zoom range and speed. The FUJINON 4K glass is, notwithstanding the many HD applications in which they are used,” said Albiston
These new lenses also excel in the studio under Mosart control room automation where high accuracy digital servos eliminate any discernible dither when zooming.
Albiston contiuned “These lenses are a major step forward for our crews. All in all, the FUJINON UA14x4.5BERD-S10, UA18x5.5BERD-S10 and UA23x7.6BERD-S10 4K lenses with S-10 drives are excellent and the best lenses in the market for our requirements.”
FUJIFILM Australia’s General Manager, Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices Division, Shaun Mah, said, “The Seven Network is at the leading edge of programme production and quality,”
”They expect only the best from their technology and the results they achieve speak for themselves,”
The success of the FUJINON UA14x4.5BERD-S10, UA18x5.5BERD-S10, and UA23x7.6BERD-S10 4K lenses with S-10 drives brings great joy, especially considering their meticulous design and construction tailored specifically for broadcasters like Seven.
These lenses have proven to be a remarkable achievement and continue to serve as a valuable asset for the Seven Network.
