Canon has announced the CINE-SERVO 40-1200mm T5.0-10.8, a Super 35 cine-servo zoom lens featuring a built-in 1.5x extender that extends its focal length to 1800mm.
Canon has expanded its professional cinema lens lineup with the introduction of the CINE-SERVO 40-1200mm T5.0-10.8, a new ultra-telephoto cine-servo zoom lens designed for applications including wildlife filmmaking, live sports production, documentary work, and broadcast coverage. According to Canon, it is the world’s longest focal-length cine-servo zoom lens.
Building on the company’s earlier CINE-SERVO 50-1000mm T5.0-8.9, the new lens offers a native focal range of 40-1200mm and incorporates a built-in 1.5x optical extender, increasing its maximum focal length to 1800mm when engaged. The lens weighs approximately 14.6 pounds (6.6 kg) and is available in both PL and RF mount versions.
Key Features
1. 40-1200mm Zoom Range with Integrated 1.5x Extender
The lens provides a native focal range of 40-1200mm. Engaging the built-in 1.5x extender extends the range to 60-1800mm, while also enabling coverage of full-frame image sensors. The extender is activated using a manual lever integrated into the lens body.
2. Lens Metadata Support
The PL mount version supports both Cooke /i Technology and ZEISS eXtended Data, allowing compatible cameras and production systems to receive lens metadata for workflows that utilize lens information during production or post-production.
Both the PL and RF versions also support ARIA (Automatic Restoration of Illumination Attenuation) and ALAC (Automatic Lens Aberration Correction) through the standard 12-pin connector.
3. Compact Design for an Ultra-Telephoto Zoom
Despite its focal-length range, the CINE-SERVO 40-1200mm weighs approximately 14.6 pounds (6.6 kg). Canon describes the lens as combining extended telephoto reach with a relatively compact design compared to traditional broadcast box lenses covering similar focal lengths.
4. Removable Digital Drive Unit
The lens includes a removable digital drive unit that provides servo control for zoom, focus, and iris operations. Removing the drive unit allows the lens to be operated manually using standard cinema lens gear rings. The drive unit also features a USB-C connector for powering the unit and firmware updates.
Additional Features
Other features announced by Canon include:
- Focus Breathing Compensation when used with compatible cameras.
- Support for Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II and Dual Pixel Focus Guide on the RF mount version.
- Optical Image Stabilization on the RF mount version.
- Compatibility with Canon’s XC Protocol for remote camera operation.
Applications
The CINE-SERVO 40-1200mm is intended for productions that require long focal lengths while maintaining cine-servo operation, including:
- Wildlife filmmaking
- Sports broadcasting
- Live event production
- Documentary filmmaking
- Long-range cinematography
Conclusion
With a native 40-1200mm focal range and a built-in 1.5x extender that increases the maximum focal length to 1800mm, the Canon CINE-SERVO 40-1200mm T5.0-10.8 expands the company’s cine-servo lens lineup for productions requiring extended telephoto reach. Its combination of servo functionality, removable drive unit, metadata support, and availability in both PL and RF mounts makes it a new option for professional cinema and broadcast workflows.
Questions and Answers
Q: Can the Canon CINE-SERVO 40-1200mm be used with full-frame cameras?
A: The lens provides native coverage for Super 35mm image sensors. When the built-in 1.5x extender is engaged, it provides coverage for full-frame image sensors, according to Canon.
Q: What metadata standards does the lens support?
A: The PL mount version supports Cooke /i Technology and ZEISS eXtended Data for lens metadata transmission. Both PL and RF versions also support ARIA and ALAC via the standard 12-pin connector.
Q: Can the servo drive unit be removed?
A: Yes. The digital drive unit is removable, allowing the lens to be used with manual focus, zoom, and iris controls through its standard cinema gear rings.
