Canon Unveils New CINE-SERVO Lens with Enhanced RF Mount Communication and Digital Drive Unit
Canon has announced the release of two new additions to its EF/RF Cinema Lens series, the CN7×17 KAS T/R1 and CN7×17 KAS T/P1, scheduled for early October 2024. These lenses, part of the “CINE-SERVO Lens” lineup, bring significant advancements in communication functions and operability.
Innovative Features
RF and PL Mounts: The CN7×17 KAS T/R1 introduces an RF mount, a first for the CINE-SERVO series, while the CN7×17 KAS T/P1 features the widely used PL mount, catering to diverse industry needs.
Enhanced Optics: Both lenses support 4K/8K high optics, continuing the legacy of the CN7x17 KAS S (released in August 2014), with added features like enhanced communication functions and improved operability via the new digital drive unit, e-Xs V.
Broad Applications: These lenses are designed to meet the evolving demands of live sports broadcasts, remote shooting, virtual production for movies, and other video productions, promoting efficient workflows.
Compatibility and Functionality
Advanced Camera Integration: Compatible with Canon EOS C400 (releasing in September 2024), EOS C70 (released in November 2020), and EOS R5 C (March 2022), the lenses offer lateral chromatic aberration corrections, light intensity adjustments, and dual pixel focus guide tuning. A new feature includes distortion correction support.
Metadata for Virtual Production: These lenses now provide metadata output suitable for virtual production, enabling real-time and post-production CG compositing when used with the EOS C400.
e-Xs V Digital Drive Unit
Improved Speed and Precision: The new e-Xs V digital drive unit enhances focus and iris speed, vital for capturing fast-moving subjects, such as in sports broadcasts. The design also minimizes changes in the angle of view during focusing and includes a focus breathing correction function linked with the zoom.
User-Friendly Features: A USB Type-C terminal allows users to export and import lens settings from a USB drive, facilitating easy firmware updates.
Versatile Design
Broadcast and Cinema Style: The lenses support both broadcast-style operation through servo control and cinema-style shooting with full manual operation.
Comprehensive Communication: They feature 12-pin serial communication, a standard for broadcast camera systems. The CN7×17 KAS T/P1 supports Cooke Optics’ /i Technology and ZEISS’s eXtended Data, allowing real-time external output of lens-related information to enhance shooting and editing efficiency.
Canon’s latest CINE-SERVO lenses represent a significant step forward in lens technology, combining high-performance optics with advanced communication and functionality, tailored for the dynamic demands of modern video production.