NAB 2017: Event Producer LMG Adds Five New Fujinon UA18X 4K Zoom Lenses

The Optical Devices Division of Fujifilm (Booth C7225) has announced the first sale and delivery of the company’s recently introduced UA18x5.5B 4K-compatible UHD handheld zoom lens. Orlando-based event-production and systems-integration firm LMG, purchased five UA18x’s for use within its expanding Touring and Show Technology divisions.

From left: LMG VP of Technology Neil Morrison, Fujifilm Optical Devices Division President Shingo Harada, and LMG CEO/President Les M. Goldberg with the new Fujinon UA18x5.5B lens.

The new zooms will complement Sony HDC-4300 4K/HD cameras and Panasonic AK-UC3000 4K studio cameras and will be used to shoot large-scale music concerts and corporate events.

The UA18x, UA14x4.5B, and UA27x6.5B were introduced this month and are the latest in the Fujinon Premier UA Series of 4K ⅔-in. lenses. The UA18x5.5B has a focal-length range from 5.5 mm in wide angle to 100 mm in telephoto and a zoom ratio of 18X. The unique zoom range of the UA18x5.5B makes this a two-in-one lens, offering both wide-angle and telephoto capability.

LMG was looking for a cost-effective, shorter ⅔-in. lens that could shoot in both UHD and HD.

“We were attracted to the price and performance of this lens,” says Neil Morrison, VP, technology, LMG. “It definitely fills an unmet need for us. We have an upcoming tour that needs the zoom length to accommodate longer shots as well as up-close, wide-angle work. We do several shows in the round that this lens will be perfect for. Because of its wide-angle and zoom capability, the UA18x is a great hybrid lens. It’s long enough for long slash-style shots and wide enough for handheld work.”

The first projects on the docket for LMG’s newest Fujinon zooms will be the SAP Sapphire and EMC World corporate events. In addition to its five new UA18x’s, LMG also bought three Fujinon UA80x9 4K field lenses to handle growing demand for its high-end production services. These acquisitions follow the addition of four UA80x’s and two UA13x4.5 4K wide-angle lenses in December.

“This selection by LMG reaffirms our belief in our new UA lens series,” says Tom Fletcher, director, sales, Optical Devices Division, Fujifilm. “It’s the world’s first designed specifically for UHD broadcast applications. And our design team really delivered with these lenses. They provide exactly what our customers have been asking for: sharp 4K imaging in a lightweight and affordable package.”

The Fujinon UA18x and UA14x are available for delivery now.