CTV Begins Network-Wide HD Upgrade With 50 Fujinon Studio and ENG Lenses

To kick-start its network-wide upgrade to HD, Canadian
Television Network (CTV) has purchased an extensive complement of Fujinon HD
lenses. CTV broadcasts 30 channels of network and specialty feeds across
Canada’s five
time zones through 23 affiliate stations. The HD upgrade launched first in
CTV’s
Toronto
location.
The
Toronto
facility is equipped with an array of 50 Fujinon HD lenses, including nine XA22x7ESM
compact studio lenses designed for ENG style cameras, three HA22x7.3ERD lenses,
two ZA12x4.5ERM Super Wide Angle ENG/EFP with 2X range extender and DigiPower
servo, one HA16x6.3ERD multi-use ENG-Style lens, and 36 ZA17x7.6BERM Select
Series Standard ENG-Style HD lenses.
The studio lenses are mounted on Sony HDC 1400 HD
Studio Cameras, and the ZA17x7.6 BERM ENG-Style lenses are mounted on Sony
XD-Cam PDW 700 camcorders.
In addition to being used to produce national and
local news in the studio and from the field, the lenses are also being used to
produce programming for The Sports Network (TSN) and Discovery Channel.
The capability of the nine compact studio lenses
stood out, according to Tom Bradbury, director of production engineering.
“Fujinon’s XA22x7BES HD is well suited for shooting
in tight locations and small studios,” Bradbury says. “Overall, we’re very
excited to produce the high optical quality we need at such a reasonable price
point.”
The XA22x7BES HD, a lightweight box lens, offers a
focal length starting at 7mm up to 154mm and excellent f-stop ramping characteristics.
It is designed for ENG-style cameras and features wide angle, high optical
quality, fast quiet and precise servo zoom and focus. A lightweight lens
support is standard for use with most ENG-style HD cameras, and ample space is
provided between the back of the lens and the front of the camera for access to
camera function switches.