Seven Network chooses FUJINON 4K lenses
The Seven Network (Seven) is one of five main free-to-air television networks in Australia and the largest commercial network in terms of population reach and as of 2022 Seven is the highest-rated television network in Australia. Seven’s Sydney-based news operations currently continue at Martin Place and are soon to relocate to a purpose-built high-definition television production facility at the Australian Technology Park in Eveleigh. The network had a recent requirement for the highest quality 4K barrel lenses to use under robotic control and for those they turned to FUJIFILM Australia and FUJINON.
Seven Network Head of Broadcast Engineering and Development, John Albiston, explained, “Many of Seven’s lenses used in the field have provided over twenty years’ excellent service. The initial aim of the new lens purchase was to ensure the same extended life of reliability with the same excellent results. The new lenses also had to be 4K, extremely high quality and work seamlessly under robotic control.”
After a comprehensive assessment and evaluation Albiston and the Seven team chose multiple FUJINON UA14x4.5BERD-S10, UA18x5.5BERD-S10 and UA23x7.6BERD-S10 4K lenses.
Albiston continued, “We purchased FUJINON 4K models with an S-10 drive specifically designed for these lenses to be used with robotics. The S-10s have well and truly fulfilled our requirements and worked seamlessly both in the field and in our metropolitan studios under robotic control.”The new S-10 drive unit and FUJINON 4K lenses used by Seven achieve a perfect compatibility with major robotics system such as Shotoku, MRMC, Ross Video, Vinten/Radamec, Telemetrics and KXWELL.
They provide improved focus and zoom operability and include breathing compensation technology (BCT) as standard. This compensation mechanism synchronises the zoom movement with the focus movement to automatically correct for changes in the angle of view, thereby minimising breathing and keeping the image size constant. This function also eliminates the need to reset the angle of view after focusing, providing a high level of operability.
The S-10 also enables the user to change a 2x extender remotely by using an ECU-2C Extender Change Unit and thus, is ideally suited for crane use in a studio.
Seven’s new S-10 drive units and FUJINON lenses are also effective for CG synthesis and come with a 16-bit encoder, capable of making a high-resolution output of lens data including zoom and focal position information. They can be linked with various other systems such as a virtual studio system for combining CG images with live action footage.
Albiston concluded, “Our FUJINON 4K S-10 capable lens field application involves general news acquisition where they give us robust service and superb operational features including great zoom range and speed. The FUJINON 4K glass is, notwithstanding the many HD applications in which they are used. These new lenses also excel in the studio under Mosart control room automation where high accuracy digital servos eliminate any discernible dither when zooming. These lenses are a major step forward for our crews. All in all, the FUJINON UA14x4.5BERD-S10, UA18x5.5BERD-S10 and UA23x7.6BERD-S10 4K lenses with S-10 drives are excellent and the best lenses in the market for our requirements.”
FUJIFILM Australia’s General Manager, Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices Division, Shaun Mah, said, “The Seven Network is at the leading edge of programme production and quality. They expect only the best from their technology and the results they achieve speak for themselves. The FUJINON UA14x4.5BERD-S10, UA18x5.5BERD-S10 and UA23x7.6BERD-S10 4K lenses with S-10 drives are designed and built with broadcasters like Seven very much in mind and I’m delighted they are such a success for this great network.”
