New Products

Fujinon Intros MKX50-135mm and MKX18-55mm Zooms

The company’s MK cinema lens family for X-mount grows with this pair of zooms covering common focal lengths — plus support gear from Chrosziel, Duclos Lenses, Zacuto, MTF Specialist Broadcast Services and Bright Tangerine.

David Alexander Willis

The company’s MK cinema lens family for X-mount grows with this pair of zooms covering common focal lengths — plus support gear from Chrosziel, Duclos Lenses, Zacuto, MTF Specialist Broadcast Services and Bright Tangerine.

Fujinon, the Optical Devices Division of Fujifilm, has added two new zooms to the Fuji cinema family of X-mount products. Promising a June delivery, the $4,299 Fujinon MKX50-135mm (T2.9) and the $3,999 Fujinon MKX18-55mm (T2.9) are designed as lightweight compacts that can cover most frequently needed focal lengths for a production with only a two-lens kit.


Fujinon MKX18-55mm (T2.9)

With matching, constant (T2.9) T-stop, independent zooming group and separate front inner-focus system, both lenses have been designed to suppress focal shift and lens breathing throughout their respective zoom range. Each features full three-ring manual controls for focus, zoom and aperture. With the same ring placement on each lens and industry-standard gear pitch of 0.8m, both lenses are easily swapped out for follow-focus units and other accessories, and focus has a rotation of 200 degrees. (The front ends have respective diameters of 85mm and 82mm, however.)


Fujinon MKX50-135mm (T2.9)

Fujinon exploits the short flange distance of the Fujifilm mirrorless X Mount for the compact size that they were able to achieve in these two new lenses. The standard wide angle Fujinon MKX18-55mm (T2.9) zoom weighs 1,080g (2.38 lbs.) with external dimensions of 87mm x 206.6mm (3.43" x 8.13"). It holds 22 glass elements in 17 groups, including six “super” extra low dispersion elements and two extra-low dispersion elements. When using the wide macro function for close-ups, the focus range begins at 0.85m (2' 9"). The standard zoom starts at 0.38m (1' 2.9"), and covers an angle of view between 29-76.5 degrees.


At the same weight of 1,080g (2.38 lbs.), the Fujinon MKX50-135mm (T2.9) spans 12-31.7 degrees. It starts at 0.85 m (2' 9"), or 1.2m (3' 11") when used as wide macro. Unveiled at the ASC Clubhouse in February of 2017, the MK18-55 (T2.9) and MK50-135mm (T2.9) were released for Sony E-mount cameras with Super 35mm coverage at $3,799 and $3,999 each. Each MK Zoom includes tripod and support feet, zoom lever, lens hood, and wrapping cloth.


Heden Fujinon MK Zoom Servo

Since initial launch in February of 2017, several manufactures have jumped on the Fujinon bandwagon. The Heden Fujinon MK Zoom Servo system, for example, provides motorized controls for zoom on Sony FS5 and FS7 cameras via the native Smart Grip and its zoom rocker. Starting at $1,190, the Hedén VM35-256 motor will accommodate three brackets; the VM35 MK Single Zoom Bracket for zooming, VM35 MK Zoom Focus Bracket for both zoom and focus, and the VM35 XK Single Zoom Bracket for the Fujinon XK20-120mm (T3.5) Cabrio Premier lens.


Chrosziel CDM-MK-Z Zoom Motor

The $1,726 Chrosziel CDM-MK-Z Zoom Motor offers similar functionality in a single housing. For the Sony FS5 and FS7, the system is run from the Sony Smart Grip, and it can also be used with LANC zoom systems. It includes LANC cable, LANC extension cable, and MN-AB (power supply cable 12 Volt A / B D-Tap - 0B 5pin). Two captive screws mount the Chrosziel CDM-MK-Z Zoom Motor to the lens.


Duclos' Sony FZ Mount Kit

For use with cameras like the Sony F55, F5 and F3, Duclos Lenses developed the $500 Sony FZ Mount Kit to easily swap an MK lens between Sony E mount and Sony’s FZ mount. With adjustable back focus, factory warranty is fully maintained with the conversion kit if purchased from Duclos. They also customized two carry-on cases. The $325 Fujinon MK Zoom Solo Carry-On Case holds a single lens, and the $350 Fujinon MK Zoom Duo Carry-On Case will fit both.


Fujinon MK Zoom Duo Carry-On Case from Duclos

Specifically designed for the Fujionon MK zooms, the $200 Zacuto Scissor Lens Support attaches through included M3.5 screws. Opening with a scissor motion, it clamps securely to height-adjustable 15mm rods for extra lens support and camera rigging. It folds flat against the lens so it can be left in place when not in use. For the Sony FS5 and FS7, as well as other cameras, Zacuto also offers a Z Motor assembly with motor cable that gives control of iris. A second Z-Motor can be added for use with cinema zooms like the MK lenses.


Micro 4/3 and FZ mount adaptors from MTF enables cameras like Panasonic Lumix GH5 4K mirrorless

MTF Specialist Broadcast Services also provides several Micro 4/3 and Sony FZ mount adapters to convert the Fujinon MK Series. The $275 adapters can be installed manually, or, based in London, MTF Specialist also offers mount conversion, which is also available through ZGC in North America.


Bright Tangerine Misfit Atom matte boxes for the Fujinon MK Zooms

Using a 114mm clamp-on ring, Bright Tangerine is offering Misfit Atom matte boxes for the Fujinon MK line. It comes with lightweight, retractable and removable carbon fiber flag. At a base weight of 98g (0.22 lbs.), the Misfit Atom matte box is a smaller unit designed for Steadicam and gimbal operations. With several kitted purchases available, it starts at $469.


Fujinon MKX18-55mm (T2.9)

Currently, there are more than 10 available Fujifilm X Series interchangeable-lens X-mount cameras. Fujinon also manufactures the Cabrio and Premier series of Super 35 cinema zooms. Most recently, the Fujinon UA24x7.8 24x zoom was announced at IBC last September, joining the company’s line of Fujinon UA Series lenses for UHD coverage.


Fujinon will be exhibiting at the NAB Show (April 7-12) in booth C7225.


Follow Fujifilm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

American Cinematographer will be in Las Vegas on April 8-11 at the NAB Show in Booth C11530. Follow us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram for live updates.





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