Canon CN7x17 Lens Hire

A true 4K 35mm sensor covering lens with all the features of ENG/EFP lenses

To put it directly, we don’t think any other kit addition to our arsenal here at Newsworthy Vision has made as much of a difference to the quality of our output as this amazing piece of glass. It was so impressive, it became the subject of our blog, which we started writing this year.

The Canon CN7x17 lens mounts directly on the front of many of the world’s high-end cinema cameras, including the Sony F55 or F5, the Arri Amira or any other Super 35mm PL-mount camera you can think of.

The main feature of the lens is the servo drive, which is often lacking on higher-end cinema lenses, and for me, coming from my news background, I found using lenses without them un-nerving. Having one on this lens as standard has made switching from ENG-style HD lenses to 4K-capable lenses perfectly seamless.

With a maximum aperture of T2.95 up to 90mm and T3.95 between 90 and 120mm, it produces beautiful images at fully open apertures, with silky-soft backgrounds behind any subject, which seems to be the look producers get excited about in our current trend of large-sensor obsession. The iris control is beautifully smooth, and the lens was purchased new in May 2019.

The cine servo 17-120mm lens offers a very impressive focal range, providing 7x zoom, which should cover more than enough for any project. The range is also marked on the lens in both metric and imperial units to accommodate all users’ preferences. The servo drive unit is detachable from the lens, in case you wish to use it without it.

Weighing in at 2.9kg, it is on the heavy end for handheld lenses but isn’t too uncomfortable to use on a Sony PXW-FX9 for extended periods. On a personal note, I was able to maintain a shoulder-mounted setup for twenty minutes during a lengthy interview scenario recently. Any longer and I may have needed a rest.

The lens is rated weatherproof and shockproof by Canon, but all efforts to protect it from the elements are mandatory.

This lens is deliberately designed for the single-operator setup, but it can also be used with third-party focus-pulling units and controllers. The lens also features standard Canon 20-pin connectors that are compatible with older Canon zoom and focus controls.

For focus pullers, the focus ring has a 0.8mm pitch cine-standard gear ring and a 0.5mm Canon pitch ring, which is compatible with most tools.

This lens was designed by Canon for both the broadcast operator and the cinema team and efficiently covers both ends with minimal compromise.

This lens kit includes:

• Canon CN7x17 Cine Zoom Servo Lens
• Lens support with 15mm rail mounts
• 112mm clear filter
• Standard Canon lens hood