Fujinon Premista: all the benefits of a large format sensor with surprising optical quality

At NAB 2019, Fujifilm will unveil its new Premista 28-100mm lenses, which combine premium optical and mechanical designs with the latest manufacturing technologies, and Premista 80-250mm, a telephoto lens with a focal length of 80-250mm.

Fujifilm will be announced in NAB 2019 in Las Vegas his new objectives Fujinon Premista 28-100mmT2.9 (Premista 28-100mm), which combines top-level optical and mechanical designs with the latest manufacturing technologies; and the Premista 80-250mmT2.9-3.5 (Premista 80-250mm), a telephoto lens with a focal length of 80-250mm,

With these two new solutions, the manufacturer offers all the benefits of a large format sensor with surprising optical quality. In recent years, cinematographers have increasingly begun to work with film cameras equipped with a large format sensor for the production of cinematographic and commercial images seeking a natural and suggestive bokeh effect, with a shallow depth of field and a wide dynamic range. Although there are lenses on the market compatible with the large format sensor, demand has grown for zoom lenses that cover a wide range of focal lengths and offer versatility with the highest optical quality.

Due to these demands, Fujifilm will launch the Premista 28-100mm lens in August 2019, combining world-class optical and mechanical designs with the latest manufacturing technologies. This introduction will be followed in 2019 by the launch of the Fujinon Premista 80-250mm, a telephoto lens with a focal length of 80-250mm, so together they would cover the most frequently used focal length ranges (28mm to 250mm).

The Premista 28-100mm has a constant aperture of T2.9 throughout the zoom range and features a natural, evocative bokeh effect with shallow depth of field thanks to a new 13-blade iris design and wide dynamic range, which are benefits of a large format sensor.

This is a standard zoom lens that covers a focal length of 28-100mm. This is equivalent to 6 prime lenses, saving time and expense caused by frequent lens changes. By adopting a large diameter aspherical lens and a new focus/zoom system, the Premista achieves stunning optical quality from the center to the corners, allowing the cinematographer to capture textures on both people and objects. The lens design contributes to the wide dynamic range by suppressing unwanted chromatic aberrations and distortions thanks to Fujifilm's original optical calculation software.

Compact design

The Premista design combines a light weight of 3.8 kg and a compact size, as well as the durability of Fujinon lenses, even in the harsh conditions of professional use. The zoom lens is especially convenient when used on a crane or helicopter where it is difficult to access the lens. Additionally, Premista lenses achieve consistent quality as all key parts are manufactured to micron-level tolerances and assembled with precision. The focus ring has a 280 degree rotation angle with smooth twisting thanks to Fujifilm's highly skilled workers.

Thanks to having incorporated a large diameter aspherical lens manufactured by a high precision grinding machine, it achieves surprising optical quality and low distortion from the center to the edges. It allows the capture of textures on both objects and people by improving the resolution of high and low frequency objects with a well-defined balance.

Additionally, by combining newly developed focus and zoom systems, it delivers clear, sharp images with minimal color aberrations, regardless of zoom position or distance from subjects.

Chromatic aberrations and unwanted distortions are well eliminated thanks to the internal optical calculation software. It works well with the high dynamic range of a large format sensor.

The color is natural and neutral when devising grass elements and coatings. It can be combined with Fujifilm's current line of cine lenses to simplify the color grading required when using multiple lenses.

Regarding its design, it should also be noted that the lens cylinder combines great durability even in the harsh conditions of professional use and a lightweight body. Its length of 255mm is 28% shorter and its weight of 3.8kg is 46% lighter than the Fujinon HK4.7×18 which is compatible with cameras with Super 35mm sensor.

The zoom lens consists of nearly 30 lens elements and its structure is complex, so the mechanical parts are manufactured with micron-level tolerances. To achieve consistent quality, key parts are assembled with precision. Smooth twisting for each ring is achieved by Fujifilm's highly skilled workers, something that cannot be achieved even with ultra-precision machining.

The Premista 28-100mmT2.9 covers a focal length of 28-100mm, which is equivalent to almost 6 primary lenses. Save time and expenses caused by frequent lens changes. With its light weight of 3.8kg, it is especially convenient when the lens is on a crane or helicopter and it is difficult to access the lens.

It achieves an evocative bokeh effect with a shallow depth of field thanks to a constant speed of T2.9 throughout the zoom range and has a 13-blade iris. Together with the Premista 80-250mm, a telephoto lens offering a focal length of 80-250mm, they cover the most commonly used focal length range (28mm to 250mm).

All rings have a 0.8M gear pitch, just like the rest of Fujinon cinema lenses, allowing the use of all standard third-party accessories for film production, for example the Follow Focus, which allows for precise and smooth focusing.

The focus ring features 280-degree rotation to facilitate precise focusing even when shooting with a shallow depth of field where a high degree of precision is required.

Finally, note that both lenses feature a Flange Focal Distance adjustment function with a hexagonal fixing screw to achieve optimal camera and lens adaptation, which improves the optical performance of the lenses even if the focal length changes due to sudden changes in temperature.