MK18-55mm Lens with Zoom
In an announcement today, Fujifilm have launched their new MK series lens. The MK series is compact and light weight lens made specifically for the videographer consumer and prosumer markets.
Sample footage shot by Philip Bloom with the Sony A7S II, Sony PXW-FS7 and PXW-FS5 cameras and the FUJINON MK18-55mm T2.9 lens:
The MK18-55mm will be the first in the MK series to be released and will be available sometime in March, 2017. Later in the year we will also see the telephoto version, FUJINON MK50-135mm T2.9.
Some of the main features of the MK series:
- Advanced edge-to-edge optical performance
- Compact and lightweight
- High speed (T2.9)
- Great interchangeable lens for still digital cameras used in movie production
- Focus ring rotates a full 200 degrees for precise focusing capabilities
- Len has 3 independent manual rings for focus, zoom and iris
- Standardised design across the range making it easier with accessories
| 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 × 13.97mm(φ28.5mm) | 24.84mm × 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.) | 18mm ： 924mm × 520mm | 50mm ： 534mm x 300mm |
| [Horizontal × Vertical] 16:9 aspect ratio Sensor size: 24.84mm x 13.97mm | 55mm ： 291mm × 164mm | 135mm ： 196mm x 110mm |
| Angle of view [Horizontal × Vertical] | 18mm ： 69.2°× 42.4° | 50mm ： 27.9° x 15.9° |
| 16:9 aspect ratio* | 55mm ： 25.5°× 14.5° | 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 |
“The rapid growth in popularity of movies made by emerging cinematographers in recent years including corporate and commercial movies on the Internet and other venues has increased the opportunities of shooting movies using cinema and regular digital cameras, and it boosts demand for high-performance cinema lenses that deliver high resolution and advanced scene-depicting capability.
Cinema lenses are the optimal choice to achieve a shallow depth-of-field and a beautiful bokeh. However, since they are typically large, heavy and expensive, those involved in online and other lower cost movie production often opt for interchangeable lenses for digital cameras, which are more affordable and mobile. The problem is that interchangeable lenses for digital cameras are designed primarily for shooting still images, and therefore prone to focus shift and optical axis shift while zooming, and so on. In response, Fujifilm has been working on developing new cinema lenses that offer advanced optical performance with compact size and operability to meet the needs of creative emerging cinematographers.” – Fujifilm
These new lenses from Fujifilm is reportedly based on their “FUJINON cine lenses’ advanced edge-to-edge optical performance and low distortion.” But the difference with the MK series is that Fujifilm have also managed to pack these features into a compact, lightweight and cost effective product. The company hopes to break new ground in the area of conventional cinema lenses with the new MK series.
The MK series will be a fast lens with the T2.9 speed being standard across the zoom range. In terms of compatibility, the series will work with any camera supporting E-mount with Super 35mm/APS-C sensor and X-mount with APS-C sensor (e.g. Fujifilm’s X series). The X-mount lenses will have a later launch date in 2017.
