New Field Of View

The YJ19x9B is a recently introduced internal focussing zoom lens to the professional range. It is lighter and more compact than previous professional lenses and includes an increased zoom speed and a new shuttle facility.

Canon YJ19x9B reviewed by Ged Yeates

The YJ19x9B is a recently introduced internal focussing zoom lens to the
professional range. It is lighter and more compact than previous professional
lenses and includes an increased zoom speed and a new shuttle facility.

First impressions on picking up the new Canon YJ19x9B zoom lens are
favourable. The construction feels quite solid and overall physically it is
reasonably compact with a length of 198.8 mm and weighing in around 1.6 kg
with the lens hood fitted. The filter thread is a useful 82 mm, enabling
many common accessories to fit without difficulty. The zoom grip is
comfortable and the action of the zoom rocker switch feels quite positive.

The focal length is 9mm at the widest angle and 171 mm at the telephoto end
of the lens. This gives an angular field of view of 52.1° x 40.3° at the
widest and 2.97° x 2.22° at the narrowest. The M.O.D. (minimum object
distance) is 0.9 m. The YJ19x9B also has a version which is fitted with a
two times extender which enables doubling of the focal length to 18 mm and
342 mm. Macro focussing is also present with an M.O.D. of 50 mm.

The review lens was the two times extender model and the housing for this is
reasonably flush with the bulk contained below the lens which avoids jutting
out too far and so enabling easy access when adjusting the iris. Changeover
is accomplished easily with a decent lever enabling easy grip and fast action.

The zoom can be switched as usual between manual or servo control located in
the familiar location below the zoom motor housing. The servo zoom has been
improved slightly on previous professional lenses and now has a faster zoom
speed of 1.7 seconds between fully wide and maximum telephoto. In addition a
shuttle facility has been included.

The Rshuttle¹ allows the camera operator to move backwards and forwards
between two zoom positions. A preset zoom position is stored by the lens by
holding down the Rshuttle¹ switch and turning a rotary setting knob on the
front of the zoom motor housing. The rotary setting knob is marked W and
T on either side and is easily adjusted until the desired position is
reached. Once in the memory if the shuttle button is held down the zoom
will move towards the memory position. If the shuttle button is released
the zoom returns automatically to the original position.

The shuttle button is located next to the VTR stop/start button but is
recessed which helps avoid accidental operation. A firm push of the thumb is
required to use it. The return button can be assigned to operate as the
shuttle button by changing a dip switch located behind a rubber cover on
the front of the zoom motor housing.

For this review the YJ19x9B IRS (x2) was fitted to a Sony DVW-709 Digital
Betacam camera though it is more likely aimed at more mid range cameras such
as the JVC KY-700 Pro-DV and the Sony DSR-570 DVCAM cameras. It fits in
seconds and back focus adjustment is easily accomplished.

The feel and operation of the YJ19x9B are similar to the broadcast range of
Canon lenses enabling easy operation though the differences soon became
apparent. Iris adjustments are positive and firm but the iris has a maximum
aperture of 1.8, not quite as far as the broadcast range can go.

Focussing is very smooth an incredibly light and concerns that it may slip
were unfounded. In practice focussing was easily accomplished and despite
the newer looser feel remained in position. Macro focussing is also very
smooth and is achieved by pressing the top of the macro button and rotating.
A handy addition is an extra grip located 180° below the macro button
allowing precise grip and movement when focussing with macro. Camera
operators with large hands may find this a bit tricky as with macro
focussing being done right at the back of the lens and close to the camera
body there is little room to work in. When the camera is fitted with for
example a Porta Brace jacket, it becomes even more difficult. So a nice
touch but may not benefit too many people.

Compared to zooming on broadcast lenses the YJ19x9B, though offering higher
zoom speed than other Canon Pro series lenses, feels slow. The 1.7 second
top speed feels like a crawl when a rapid zoom in zoom out is required such
as a quick focus on a breaking news event. The zoom action is smooth and
positive and good to use otherwise.

The shuttle facility is again not quite as useful as the ones offered on
broadcast versions. The limitation on the YJ19x9B is that when zooming
between the memorised zoom position it can only be done at the fastest
speed. Broadcast versions allow control of the zoom speed as well. Most
zooms will more than likely be done manually and as is standard on most
lenses, a socket is available to enable remote zoom controls to be plugged
up.

Images captured through the lens were very good and lens flares were not too
problematic and no horrendous aberrations manifested themselves, in fact
where it counts on image quality, the YJ19x9B performed really well.

The YJ19x9B is not quite as good as broadcast lenses but it is by no means a
bad lens either. It is an ideal cost effective lens to partner mid price
cameras offering good performance that is unlikely to cause disappointment.
Image resolution was good. The limitations are purely down to factors such
as the widest angle being only 9mm, the iris opens only to 1.8 and the zooms
top speed is a touch slow, but in reality these are minimal limitations,
users on tight budgets should definitely consider checking out the YJ19x9B.

Ged Yeates - Freelance TV Cameraman, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, 20 Dec 2002.