Canon HJ21x7.5 Cinema Zoom B4 Lens Testing // Optically Corrected and adapted to a Sony FS7

[@corktail7900]

watching the front element hitting the flower as if its a forcefield is surreal

[@jamesandcamera]

Yeah it's an usual thing to see a lens able to focus closer than the front element. Very surreal 😯

[@chrisw443]

Wow that is a superb lens!

[@jamesandcamera]

It is very nice, I am glad I got it 😊👌

[@StuHaightVideo]

Always fun seeing some B4 stuff. I still have old Fuji 19x and 5.5x. I have yet to do a creative project where I use the 5.5x, doubler enabled, then sent through a kenko 1.4x, on my FX9 in 5k scan mode, and output 4:3 ratio retro project. That would be my bucket list item as it looks so cool seeing how comically wide it is.

[@jamesandcamera]

Yeah the wider lenses are fun, would pair well with an FX9 if you optically corrected the lenses. I have a J11x4.5 ultra wide which produces an image I would be happy to use professionally when corrected. What is your go-to S35/FF zoom for work with the FX9?

[@StuHaightVideo]

@@jamesandcamera depends. 28-135 F4 (on fs7 days it was 18-110) also have the 24-240 f6.3 zoom which honestly gets a ton of use. Minus servo image is much much better quality than any B4 out there. Ive def had my b4 phase only for hd projects where servo was needed (like concerts only) was never used for anything else.

[@StuHaightVideo]

@@jamesandcamera but I had two methods for using B4 2/3" lenses. Method 1: - b4 lens with doubler enabled and lens support - b4 to ef adapter - speed booster - fs7 or fx9 set to s16 mode End result was great low light performance and ok image stopped to f2.4 Method 2: 4k - b4 lens with doubler enabled and support - b4 to ef adapter - kenko 1.4x or MTF 1.4x adapter - camera set to s35 image size Great 4k image stopped down to f2.0 but not good for low light.

[@JonGordonTV]

Thanks James! Is there any way to install a doubler +optical corrector to get s35 on emount? Perhaps your adapter design could include 2x for S35 or 3x(?) for full frame?

[@jamesandcamera]

Unfortunately there is no space in the adapter for more optical elements. The corrective optic is quite long with 3 optical blocks. As I mention in the video there is an EFP version of this lens with a swing away doubler built in. So that would be a better option for people wanting S35 coverage. Otherwise IBE make a corrective adapter that expands to S35 image size. Personally I am happy enough to shoot HD for now. With the aim to maybe get an Ursa 12k and B4 mount convert it for 4-6k S16 capture area without the light loss of an expander. Expanding to FF requires nearly 4x which is a waste of time. The lens would act like a ~F16 exposure wide open.

[@MarcoRocchini-i6d]

HI James. For kindness I wonder 1) the way to buy your optical adapter for my Sony FS7II 2) is there a way to fit a servo zoom into the Canon HJ21x7.5 ? thanks

[@jamesandcamera]

Hi Marco, I replied to your message elsewhere about where to get the adapter. The HJ21x7.5 cinema version shown here does not have a servo available for it. It was designed for cinema FIZ systems rather than servo zoom. However those wanting essentially the same lens with a servo zoom have the option to buy the EFP version which has a doubler, servo zoom motor and is slightly lighter weight than the cinema version shown here.

[@JonahLorsung]

Any hopes of your modified adapter for Sony E/M43 coming up for purchase? Looking to this on my pocket camera!

[@jamesandcamera]

Hey Jonah, I am in the middle of building the new design for the adapter which is most likely to be completed in December this year. Keep an eye out for more news on it then 😊🤙

[@matderome]

What is the adapter that correct aberrations from 3CCD? And B4 to ..? (PL, EF, E...) Thanks

[@jamesandcamera]

Here is a video I made talking about the adapter. Currently sold out till December: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKmxYYeKZbxqbposi=1eZPYQICAk4a7krC

[@maclalanne6713]

Hi James, are you able to provide a recommendation for adapter to use? I also have and fs7. Thank you!

[@jamesandcamera]

IBE make great adapters, however they are very expencive. I made the adapter used in these tests myself. You can see more info about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKmxYYeKZbxqbposi=bLSLNCyTnVGuYlqH

[@maclalanne6713]

@ I’ve seen that you can do B4 to Ef and then Ef to E mount. Would you recommend stacking the 2 as a more budget option?

[@jamesandcamera]

@maclalanne6713 depends on the specific model of adapters combined. As a general rule of thumb it is always best to adapt in as fewer adapters as possible. More joins increases the flex and play between lens and camera. It doesn't take much slop or flex to create an adapter that won't hold the lenses back focus depth or centring. If you want the cheapest option a B4-E adapter with no optics or corrections ~$70 on eBay. Build quality is good and rigidity is good, but you obviously dont get a corrected image quality.

[@maclalanne6713]

@@jamesandcamera got it. Thanks brother!

[@jamesandcamera]

@maclalanne6713 😊🤙

James, it's me again, sorry to bother you again :) I watched your J16x8 review and it certainly doesn't disappoint, but this HJ21 review here, I couldn't watch till the end. Reason is simple: super impressive lens. In fact, too impressive! It'so sharp that it makes the J16 look like a kit lens lol... The problem is the HJ21 is way out of my budget. Oh well... James, on a side note, have you ever used the Sony F900R? I've placed an order for it exactly today, but I'm honestly desperate now. Do you know if that cam has HD-SDI out without any need for additional hardware? I mean, it does have HD-SDI ports (hence why I've bought it, to use with an Atomos Ninja), but I'm reading somewhere it needs an additional board installed to enable the SDI port, otherwise it's menu locked. I'm desperate, looking for F900R users input. If you can chime in on that, it will be greatly appreciated. :)

[@jamesandcamera]

It is normal for this lens to outperform most HD and SD B4 lenses. That is what it is designed to do. J and A series lenses are still good lenses if you don't mind some minor chromatic aberrations. I have not used to F900 but being a "cine Alta" camera body I would say it will have some sort of video output. If none of the BNC ports are HDSDI, then one might be an older anolog video output instead. Find a PDF copy of the old user manual and service guide and read about what ports it has to be sure. Or find an old listing for one for sale that has its full spec sheet. It is really important to do as much searching before buying old equipment to make sure you know if what your buying has the features you need. Good luck, I am sure it will have some sort of video out being cine Alta. They would need a video output for video village, director and focus pullers back in the day. And it wouldn't get a cine Alta badge if it couldn't be used in a crew type project.

@@jamesandcamera James, thanks for the quick reply! I've placed the order 4 hours ago, it's about 4:30 a.m. here in Brazil and I'm still too worried to sleep lol BTW, it's around the same time in Australia right? Yeah, the whole story is quite strange. The regular F900 doesn't have HD-SDI out, so that was a no go right from the start. The F900R, which I ordered, has 2 SDI ports and the whole thing was going according to plan. SDI out from camera, into an Atomos recorder, sweet. The problem is the F900R had some optional boards one could have installed by Sony to enable special features, like down conversion from HD to SD (as SD was the current tech back then), slow motion, and so on. I've read the manual almost entirely, but it's pretty ambiguous regarding if the SDI out is enabled by default or disabled until one of those boards is installed... that's where the headache comes from. It does have SDI physical connectors, but I don't know if they're locked by default. And now I'm desperate, because the order has already been placed, and if I have to use tapes, this camera becomes essentially a paper weight. Oh Dear... Now, regarding the lenses, I'm stunned by the clarity and sharpness a good HD lens provides. I'm so stunned that I'll probably save for that lens (some day, and IF my F900R works tapeless...). Even if that lens costs around 30 grand here in Brazil (in Brazilian currency that is). A lot of cash, but undeniable IQ. Love your reviews man! Keep them coming

[@jamesandcamera]

I wouldn't worry too much about the video output, if it doesn't have HD-SDI, it will have some other video output type. When you get it, find out the video output type and get a converter from that to SDI or HDMI. Plenty of videos on KZbin of people converting old tape camcorder outputs to a modern compatible output. I am on the opposite side of the world 😉 it's late afternoon here.

[@FreddiMuliantono]

What kind of stabilization that you used?

[@jamesandcamera]

A tripod capable of balancing up to a 10kg camera package. Otherwise a lot of the footage was hand held without stabilisation.

[@JulienVerly]

❤

[@jamesandcamera]

😊🤙♥️

[@JulienVerly]

@@jamesandcamera 💛💛💛🌞🌞🌞