New Fujinon lens goes wide and long for sports coverage

Fujinon today introduced the new XA88x8.8BESM HD telephoto lens with 88x magnification which delivers a focal length of 8.8mm to 777mm telephoto, making it, according to Fujinon, the widest long lens available today. It is also available with Fujinon s Precision Focus Assist (PFA). It’s also only 258 (H) x 270 (W) x 625mm (L) with PFA, making it extremely compact.

“The XA88x is the perfect choice for large sporting events with its ability to capture stunning wide angle shots or long-range close ups in 16:9, 4:3 HD or SD,” said Dave Waddell, Marketing Manager, Fujinon. “There is no other lens available today that offers the wide angle performance in a long lens like the new XA88x with Fujinon s Precision Focus Assist Technology. The ability to capture images under extreme low light conditions is assured with an F number of 1.7 from 8.8mm to 348mm, and it only drops to F3.8 at 777mm.”
The lens is also equipped with Fujinon s exclusive GO- Technology that improves image resolution and chromatic aberrations at all focal lengths. Multiple aspherical lens elements are incorporated, with three zoom groups, enabling optimal optical quality over the entire zoom range. It ensures that all optical components in the composition of the lens are fully optimized, resulting in a 20-30 percent improvement in all optical features, when compared with conventional lenses without Fujinon s advanced GO- Technology.

A new shroud design incorporates a tightly sealed, dust-proof housing that provides advanced protection against dust contamination and quiet, smooth operation. A built-in moisture protection system keeps the lens operating even under the harshest conditions while improving long term reliability.

The XA88x8.8BESM offers all the advantages of Fujinon s DIGI POWER digital controls, featuring F number limit, Quick Zoom, two-shot presets and other digital functions increasing production flexibility. The lens employs optical encoders that increase reliability and provide extremely high positioning accuracy in virtual environments. A 32-bit RISC processor unit controls all major lens functions and ensures accurate operation of zoom and focus throughout the zoom range. The high-speed serial communication link between the zoom/focus demands and the lens gives the operator precise control. The zoom/focus mode provides three distinctive rotational curves for zoom and focus helpful when switching between different production styles such as drama and sports.