FUJIFILM Announces FUJINON HZK25-1000mm F/2.8-5.0 PL Mount Box Lens

Lens News

by Jeff LochOctober 19^th, 2022

FUJIFILM has just announced the development of a new broadcast zoom lens: the FUJINON HZK25-1000mm F/2.8-5.0. This box lens has a 40x zoom ratio and features a native PL lens mount, compatible with large cinema sensors. This lens is expected to be available in Spring 2023.

FUJINON is well-known for creating high-quality lenses for mirrorless cameras, such as their latest XF18-120mm F/4 and XF150-600mm F/5.6-8 zoom lenses. Furthermore, the company also produces state-of-the-art cinema zoom and broadcast lenses.

FUJIFILM has just announced the development of a new broadcast lens with a PL mount that covers large cinema sensors: the FUJIFILM FUJINON HZK25-1000mm F/2.8-5.0.

FUJINON HZK25-1000mm F/2.8-5.0 features

The FUJIFILM FUJINON HZK25-1000mm F/2.8-5.0 has an ultra-high 40x zoom ratio. The lens covers a 41.3mm diagonal sensor in the entire zoom range, larger than full-frame sensors. Furthermore, the HZK25-1000 deploys a dual-format system that supports two single sensor sizes thanks to a built-in 1.5x expander. Here is what FUJINON says about this feature:

The use of the newly developed 1.5x expander shifts the focal length of the telephoto side, enabling super telephoto image capture of 1500mm (1000×1.5). Additionally, when paired with a large format sensor, operators can shoot with a field of view equivalent to that of a super 35mm sensor while maintaining maximum optical performance, providing a true dual format lens. HZK25-1000 enables shooting with the same field of view in both large format and super 35mm formats.

FUJINON

Most broadcast lenses have a B4 mount, like the recent Canon UHD DIGISUPER 122 AF. However, FUJINON decided to take a different road with this new HZK25-1000mm by going with a PL mount. PL mount is an industry-standard lens mount and is much more versatile. Furthermore, most cinema cameras like the Sony VENICE 2 feature a native PL mount and will be compatible with FUJINON’s latest mount box lens.

Lens design, image stabilization, and technology

At the time of writing this article, there is little information on the precise lens design of the FUJINON HZK25-1000mm. However, we know that FUJIFILM’s proprietary optical technology suppresses aberrations by using a large-aperture aspherical lens and a precisely polished fluorite lens. As a result, according to the company, there will be no ghosting/flare/color fringe across the entire zoom range.

The HZK25-1000mm has several built-in features like Automatic Restoration of Illumination Attenuation (ARIA), automatic chromatic aberration correction, and remote back-focus adjustment. Furthermore, existing FUJINON box lens accessories can be used in support of multi-camera operations. Wireless controllers from Preston Cinema and ARRI are compatible with HZK25-1000 and can also be connected.

Lastly, the HZK25-1000 is the first commercially available box-type zoom lens compatible with large sensors equipped with optical image stabilization. The latest anti-vibration mechanism and firmware utilize FUJIFILM’s unique ceramic ball roller system. This mechanism provides a high level of anti-vibration performance against shaking caused by footholds and wind and also suppresses shaking of the hands to ensure stable image capture.

Price and availability

The FUJIFILM FUJINON HZK25-1000mm will be available in Spring 2023. We don’t have pricing information yet. However, don’t expect it to be affordable, as most box-type lenses are rental-only.

For more information, please visit FUJINON’s website here.

What do you think about this impressive PL-mount box-type zoom lens? Did you already shoot with broadcast lenses? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!