Canon’s Philosophy :
Canon has always developed new technology with four basic philosophies, "High Quality of Picture", "Ease
of Operation", "High Specifi cation" and "Minimize Environmental Impact". Canon's HDTV lenses are, so
to speak, a compilation of our basic philosophies. Now, Canon reassembles these philosophies in the
launching of a second generation HDgc lens series.
KT17ex4.3B
Superb performance in 1/3 inch HDTV lens series
The recent expansion of HDTV broadcasting has seen the range of HD
camcorders with interchangeable lenses increasingly encompass the
1/3-inch image format size. This format size offers a more compact,
mobile, and cost effective HD acquisition system. In support of these
1/3-inch systems, Canon had earlier released two lenses – the KT20x5B
high-performance model and the KT14x4.4B KRS multipurpose model.
They have proven popular in cost-effective HD program origination. Now Canon
introduces a new 1/3-inch lens specifically tailored to HD ENG and lower-budget
HD production. The KT17ex4.3B IRSE offers a modest wide-angle fi eld of view, and
generous focal range that is further augmented with a 2x extender.
Main Features
Excellent operational performance with 2x extender and ergonomic
Digital Drive unit
To meet the fl exible shooting needs of broadcast News and General HD production, it is desirable
that the lens combine high optical performance with rich operational features. The KT17ex4.3B
IRSE lens was designed to squarely meet these requirements. High attention to overall optical
performance is allied with excellent optomechanical ruggedness, an ergonomic digital drive unit
identical to that used in the highest-end Canon lenses, and the all-important 2x extender.
Outstanding Optical Performance
Canon mobilized the best in optical design and optical materials to produce a lens worthy of the
best in contemporary 1/3-inch camera systems. Advanced optical and optomechanical design
have produced a remarkably compact and lightweight lens. The KT17ex4.3B IRSE deploys large
aspheric lens elements design to enhance corner resolution while tightly controlling comatic
aberration and geometric distortion. A range of optical glass elements include the use of Fluorite
and Hi-UD glasses identical to those used in the high-end HD lenses. Lens contrast is extended,
flare and veiling glare reduced, chromatic aberration is lowered, center and corner resolution
elevated – all combining to produce a signifi cant enhancement to overall picture sharpness.
Improved Operability and Reduced Operator Fatigue
Coupled with innovations in optical performance, is a totally new design of the digital drive unit.
Refi ned by long-term market research and worldwide experience, Canon utilized the latest in 3D
CAD-CAM design to signifi cantly improve the human tactile interface to the control of zoom, iris,
and focus. Canon’s research produced the following physical enhancements:
Reduced Physical Stress
Ergonomic Design
Improved Ease of Operation
The size and curvature size have been optimized to
more comfortably fit in the palm of the operator’s
hand(a). Newly developed coatings improve the
tactile interface between the user and the drive unit
(b) together with the new Rubber Grip Support (c).
By reducing the width of the drive unit, the palm of
the camera operator's hand is positioned closer to
the optical axis, thus reducing the degree of arm
bend which in turn lessens physical stress during
prolonged shooting.
The spacing between the focus ring and drive unit
has been opened to avoid accidental interference
with the drive unit while manipulating the focus
control.
Specially designed optical lens elements
a
b
c
