PVC Talks To Canon About 18-80mm Compact-Servo Lens: NAB 2016

Compact Servo Zoom

Canon’s new Compact-Servo zoom 18-80mm T4.4 EF-mount lens is smaller than a 70-200mm L lens and weights only 2.7 lbs. If you’re a C300 or C100 shooter I think Canon designed this lens specifically with you in mind.  This lens is for shooters moving up from EF Still Lenses but aren’t fulling into very expensive big budget cinema lenses yet. Priced at $5225.00 this lens is lot less expensive than similar cinema zooms but definitely more expensive than a still lens. 
Thankfully, Canon sees the need for zoom, focus and iris control. Canon designed the Compact-Servo lens with the external servo to fit into may different types of shooting. They say it fits well with drama, documentary and other video productions. Personally, I think the Compact-Servo lens will be great for documentary shooters. Sony shooter? Worry not, the servo drive unit is compatible with industry-standard lens controllers including Canon’s standard broadcast lens controllers. Essentially, if your camera has power coming from the camera the Compact-Servo should work on your camera. The optional ZSG-C10 grip designed exclusively for this lens adds additional flexibility for the ENG style “run-and-gun” video shooter.

The Compact-Servo lens takes the best from both Still lenses and Cinema Lenses tech. The lens incorporates both an Image Stabilization function and Auto Focus function, the lens is also fully 4K-ready, with a high optical resolution and support for Super35mm large-format cameras. A 9-blade aperture diaphragm helps ensure an artistic and beautiful representation of out-of-focus areas (or “Bokeh”). The lens also features a 4.4x zoom magnification, a focal length range of 18mm to 80mm, and a 180º smooth rotating focus ring.