Broadcast lens, what's the dif?

[PHX Shooter]

As I look at lenses, I see some are broadcast and some are not. What are the differences between a standard and b'cast lens? They are a heck of a lot more expensive, wondering what you get for the extra $$$.

[Shootblue]

You get increased sharpness, I feel better "dimension", less chromatic aberration (breakup that shows as a soft picture with green and purple fringing at tyically med-long zooms at things that are shot at mostly open iris), a better "permissable circle of confusion", a zoom speed adjustment, shot memos, slow and fast programmed zooms, closer MOD, usually an extender, and a lot better glass among other things. You are allowing the camera to see to more of its ability with the increased glass quality, and therefore a better picture.

Canon has the "J" series for standard definition (not the YJ or YH, as those are the cheapies). Fuji has no real easy way to tell...expect by the price tag. I find that the Canons have a better look over the Fuji's in the cheap glass arena...but others say Fuji has a better technical set of specs in the more expensive broadcast arena.

I would say that a better lens would get you a lot better look...something that could equate to an advantage when you are trying to get and keep clients. If you are going to get it for an SD lens, get a used one...HD is too close to justify the cost for a new SD.

Can you get by with the lower "professional" lens? Yes. I see I don't know how many cameras in a variety of places that are great quality (D600, etc) with a junky older Fuji lens. These people are shooting day to day on them too...

I saw a famed freelancer's camera when I went to Norman, and I am pretty sure it had the professional level Canon. Not 100 percent sure...it was a couple years ago...but his disdain for things like the cost of HMI bulbs led me to believe that he is more likely a man of trusty than tricks. So $3k rather than $9k would appeal.

It's up to you...kinda like a car. A used cavalier will get you there with some options. But a new GTO has cooler stuff and costs more.

[PHX Shooter]

Thanks for the great explanation SB.

[freedom]

I did a multicam years ago. 2 cams had b-cast lenses and one had a 'pro' lens. Significant differences easily seen. Very soft.

[Run&Gun]

I had a Fuji pro lens on my camera, and now an HD lens. The pro lens had some chromatic abberation that was visible at longer focal lengths and it didn't have some of the features of a higher end lens(shot presets, easily adjustable zoom speed) but it was sharp and looked very good, especially considering it's cost. I've also done multi camera shoots with another shooter that had a "broadcast" lens and images still were sharper.

[SimonW]

There is a big difference in build quality I've found. More play inthe controls on a professional lens than the broadcast ones. Just an overall 'cheaper' feel.

[Shootblue]

All of this makes me wonder if these new 1/2 inch lenses for XDHD are on the order of pro or broadcast quality...

[Run&Gun]

All of this makes me wonder if these new 1/2 inch lenses for XDHD are on the order of pro or broadcast quality...

I've seen one of the Canon 1/2" HD lenses, and it looks kinda like their pro series stuff.

They have a less expensive series of HD lenses out now besides the 1/2" stuff, and you have to wonder, where are the savings coming from, in other words, what's being sacrificed: glass, servos, build quality, etc. ??? There have to be some differences to justify the exorbatant(sp?) prices they charge for the "Broadcast HD" lenses, but shouldn't the lenses spec out the same as far as sharpness, etc. to be able to work properly on an HD camera?

[Baltimore Shooter]

Save $5-8k by going to Singapore and buy a broadcast lens there and take a vacation while you're at it. You can also claim it as a business trip on your taxes.

Warren

[Canonman]

All of this makes me wonder if these new 1/2 inch lenses for XDHD are on the order of pro or broadcast quality...

Good question. Fujinon has a separate category on their site for XDCAM HD so it makes it hard to tell. The Fujinon lens on my 350 is stated as being for video conferencing/ENG use. Haven't got around to throwing some other lenses on it to see how they compare to mine.

I'd like to give the new high end Canon 1/2 HD lens a try cause I tend to prefer Canon glass.

cm