Canon CJ15ex8.5B 2/3" 4K Midrange Lens with Image Stabilizer

CJ15ex8.5B 2/3" Midrange Lens

The portable CJ15ex8.5B is an important 4K UHD zoom lens that is part of Canon's 2/3-inch UHDgc series. Its compact size and low weight support the high mobility shooting often entailed in sports and many other genres of television field production. For those seeking a new lens for contemporary HDTV production - while also anticipating a future shift to 4K production - this lens enhances current HDTV optical imaging performance while potentially future-proofing for the longer term.

Key Features:

• 4K Optical performance
• Outstanding optical image stabilization performance
• Compact & lightweight
• BT.2020 & HRD/WCG Support
• HD Demand compatibility
• Advanced digital drive unit
• Digital functions

The 15x zoom ratio supports a focal length range of 8.5 - 128mm, and Canon's exclusive Vari-Angle Prism (VAP) technology provide outstanding optical image stabilization across the entire zoom range while maintaining 4K-compatible optical performance. Design strategies have extended the optical dynamic range to meet contemporary HDR imaging requirements. The lens also supports the wider color gamut specified in the international standard ITU-R BT.2020.

An advanced digital drive unit deploying 16-bit encoders is fully compatible with the zoom, focus and iris controllers used with established broadcast 2/3-inch HDTV cameras. Three 20-pin connectors on the drive unit interface with these controllers (such as the ZSD-300D and FPD-400D) while also providing a 16-bit interface to virtual systems. The unit empowers a variety of operational capabilities that are set up using the on-board display.

4K Optical Performance

The portable CJ15ex8.5B 4K UHD lens was developed using our exclusive optical design technology to achieve superb optical performance, with 4K resolving power and high contrast from the center of the screen to the edges. High index optical glass materials, each having unique dispersion characteristics, help minimize chromatic aberrations and geometric distortion.

Lens element surface accuracy has been improved significantly over HDTV lenses contributing to the enhanced Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) performance required of 4K imagery. Multi-layer optical coatings combined with strategic deposition processes help ensure a deep black reproduction that is central to HDR imaging.

Minimized Chromatic Aberration

An optimized arrangement of fluorite and UD glass help minimize chromatic aberration, increasing image clarity with reduced color fringing on edges.

Reduced Ghosting

Special coatings and an internal lens barrel designed to prevent reflection result in clean black reproduction, less ghosting and flaring, sustaining high-tonality images that support HDR.

Outstanding optical image stabilization performance

The portable CJ15ex8.5B 4K features dependable optical image stabilization for various shooting environments using Canon's exclusive Vari-Angle Prism (VAP) technology. This system provides excellent image stabilization across the entire zoom range, while maintaining 4K-compatible optical performance.

Vari-Angle Prism Technology

The Canon developed Vari-Angle Prism (VAP) technology is an innovative image stabilization system based upon a flexible prism intercepting the light rays entering the lens proper – known as the Vari-Angle Prism Optical stabilization (VAP-IS). This system is ideally suited to removing image blur due to vibration frequencies encountered in a variety of shooting situations. This is especially important for 4K lens-camera system where the far higher resolution makes such image blur more visible.

Activation and Shooting Modes

The Image Stabilization feature can be activated directly on the lens. When using the image stabilization function, the IS lever is set to ON, and a mechanical lock is released.

IS lever: Image Stabilization ON/OFF Lever
The stabilization function is turned on by moving the IS lever in the direction of the arrow until it locks.

IS OFF Button: Turns Image Stabilization OFF
After using the lens, be sure to press the OFF button to re-engage the mechanical lock.

Greater stabilization effects can be achieved by using two modes according to shooting situation and vibration. The switch is located on the relay part.

Image Stabilizer Correction/Direction Selector Switch

•       V Mode: Correction only in vertical direction
•       V＋H Mode: Correction for both vertical and horizontal vibration

Stabilization Mode Selector Switch

• Portable Mode: Mode optimized for portable shooting
• Tripod Mode: Mode optimized for tripod shooting

Panning Switch

•  If you push this switch during camerawork with stabilization on, the stabilization is temporarily turned off to prevent any shaking or fluttering effect on the screen.

IS Indicator Light LED

• Illuminates when stabilization is working

Compact & Lightweight

Weighing only 4.48 lbs. and measuring 6.7” (W) x 4.6” (H) x 9.4” (L), the portable CJ15ex8.5B 4K UHD lens is similar in size to our 2/3" HD lenses, while delivering 4K performance and offering the mobility demanded in the reporting and documentary fields. The lens features the optimum construction and high durability of a conventional HD lens, while offering the same shooting style as that of existing 2/3" HD lenses.

The center of gravity is close to the mount, lessening strain on the hands and elbows of the camera operator. The ergonomic form factor creates a user-friendly design, including an ergonomic grip design for a comfortable feel during operation, helping to reduce fatigue and make it easy to move the camera about. The lens is sure to satisfy with its high-level combination of excellent specifications, enhanced optical performance, and outstanding usability.

BT.2020 & HRD/WCG Support

The portable CJ15ex8.5B 4K UHD lens features correction data that supports BT.2020, which offers a wider color gamut than the conventional BT.709 broadcasting standard. This enables excellent color reproduction to the corners of the screen when attached to a 4K camera. Like our UHDxs series lenses, the CJ15ex8.5B provides optimized chromatic aberration correction based on BT.2020 correction data, enabling more lifelike high-resolution video shooting with outstanding tonality, realistic texture and depth.

HD Demand Compatibility

This feature allows for compatibility with a broadcast-use HD demand. It enables the use of the zoom and focus electrical drive system accessories (such as the ZSD-300D and FPD-400D) which are currently used by HD equipment.

Advanced Digital Drive Unit

The portable CJ15ex8.5B 4K UHD lens incorporates a digital drive unit, and the high-performance 16-bit encoder supports communication with compatible 2/3" HDTV/UHDTV cameras equipped with aberration correction functionality, without initializing the lens. Three 20-pin connectors enable high-definition lens output for virtual systems even during full-servo operation. In addition, the low power consumption and the simple display enhance operability. 

Improved Startup and Mobility

The drive unit of the CJ15ex8.5B 4K UHD lens can output accurate lens position data from the moment the power is turned on and does not require initialization, contributing to the quick start when shooting. This is possible thanks to the drive unit's 16-bit absolute value encoder. Eliminating initialization of the encoder at power-on simplifies calibration when composing virtual and live-action images, and helps to create more accurate composites. 

Aberration Correction and Virtual Functions Enabled without Lens Initialization

Aberration correction functions increasingly been employed on 2/3" HDTV/UHDTV cameras for broadcast use. The associated data files are immediately transferred to the camera, which implements digital correction for the lens aberrations. The lens also delivers digital positional data for external virtual systems. 

Advanced Virtual Operability and Precise Virtual Image Expression

The drive unit of the CJ15ex8.5B 4K UHD lens uses three 20-pin connectors. One of these connectors outputs 16 bit high precision lens positional data, allowing for output even while the zoom and focus servo controllers are in use. This high-performance encoder helps simplify calibration when composing virtual and live-action images, thus resulting in more accurate composites.

On-Board Display

Various digital features can be set, adjusted, and operated from the display on the drive unit.

Digital Functions

The Canon drive unit integrates a variety of operations, stored digitally, that can be manipulated using the display.

Shuttle Shot

By memorizing any two focal lengths, the Canon drive unit can automatically "shuttle" between two points, moving in either direction. As an example, this function is effective for shots in which an operator wants to start from a wide angle and then zoom in rapidly on to an object.

Frame Preset

An angle of view can be preset in either of two memories and the lens will zoom at the highest speed, or in a preset zoom speed, to the pre-set position with the push of a simple button. As an example, this function can be effective for situations such as interview programs, where it is necessary to switch between bust shot and wide shot.

Speed Preset

A specific zoom speed can be preset in memory making it possible to repeat the zoom speed as often as you like with the push of a simple button. Using a preset speed when zooming in and zooming out contributes to help create stable images, particularly with slow zooms.