NAB 2011: Fujinon To Feature TRACE Facial Recognition

An improved facial-recognition system heads the list of products that Fujifilm North America’s Optical Devices Division (Fujinon) will showcase during the NAB Show April 9-14. Also on display will be a new lens for the half-inch format, an updated digital control system, and other recently released lenses.

The TRACE facial-recognition system allows a camera operator to set automatic-focus parameters on one person’s face in a frame. When a subject walks into the frame, a box appears around that person’s face, and, if the operator touches that box, the lens automatically focuses on the face throughout the scene. To switch focus to another subject, the operator touches another box.

The system features increased processing speed this year, ensuring that objects can be tracked more reliably. Now, when a tracked subject turns his or her back to the camera, the system maintains facial tracking. TRACE is expected to be available at the end of this year.

The system is used in conjunction with the company’s Precision Focus Assist technology, which is built into a lens and ensures fast, accurate focusing of HD images under varying conditions. Now in its third generation, it features improved focusing response, lower light loss, and reduced size. The PF system is the only focusing system that can maintain focus in any zoom position from the narrowest to the widest angle.

Fujinon will also demonstrate its XA88x8.8BESM/PF telephoto field lens with Precision Focus Assist and the XA50x9.5BESM HD field telephoto lens. The XA88x8.8 combines the industry’s widest angle in class with an 88x zoom. Fujinon’s Aspheric Technology and newly developed EBC coating reduce ghost and flare and increase light transmission. Designed to work with ENG-style ⅔-in. HD cameras, the cost-effective XA50X9.5BESM is ideal for regional, minor-league, and collegiate sports coverage, as well as houses of worship, corporate events, and other venues requiring longer-focal-length lenses. The 45-lb. lens features a camera supporter that requires no additional camera lens support.

The Fujinon series of PL-mount lenses will be on display featuring the fastest T speeds available in a family of zooms, with color-matched 4K and solid optical performance. All four PL-mount zooms are similar in size and weight, and uniform gear placement and front-barrel diameters enable quick and efficient lens changes.

Fujifilm will also roll out its latest products in 3D sports production.