FUJIFILM North America Corporation is pleased to announce the availability of a ZEISS eXtended Data firmware update for the FUJINON Premista Series lenses. The 28-100mm T2.9 and the 80-250mm T2.9-3.5 can now be updated at any Fujifilm Optical Devices Service Center. The early 2021 delivery of the much anticipated Premista 19-45mm T2.9 will ship with full eXtended Data functionality.
   

This firmware release coincides with the December 1 Sony VENICE Version 6.0 firmware update, as well as the RED DSMC2 Release Build Version 7.4.1, and the massive uptick in virtual production. The FUJINON Premista Version D firmware update has been tested and is fully compatible with not only camera manufacturers and third-party production software and technology companies such as Transvideo, Pomfort, and Ambient Recording, but also with the Unity and UnReal gaming engines prevalent in the growing Virtual Production space.

“In addition to providing production value, the amount of time and money the eXtended Data technology saves is considerable, particularly for VFX work, and apropos of the rapid emergence of the virtual production world,” said Thomas Fletcher, director of marketing, Optical Devices Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “Thus far, Sony and RED have implemented the Zeiss eXtended Data workflow for shading and distortion values with compatible prime lenses, so the idea that workhorse cameras like the Sony VENICE and RED DSMC2 can now record advanced lens metadata from Premista zoom lenses is very exciting.”

Based on Cooke’s /i technology, the ZEISS eXtended Data software is a unique technology that creates opportunities to streamline and increase the accuracy of the image capture and processing workflow. Additionally, it efficiently transfers real-time information about lens distortion and shading characteristics, allowing VFX artists and other creatives to make precise adjustments in virtual and post-production.

“FUJINON’s eXtended Data workflow offers a myriad of added capabilities for virtual production,” said virtual production consultant Gary Adcock. “The addition of shading and lens distortion to the existing focus, iris, and zoom data allows the virtual world to display with those same design and performance characteristics, while adding the ease-of-use and simplified setup that zoom lenses make possible in digital production.”

Steve Demeter, Sim’s Director of Business Development in the VFX and virtual production-rich Vancouver market, said, "The FUJINON Premista Series checks all the boxes for us: well-thought-out focal ranges, PL and LPL versatility, lightweight, and compact, with outstanding cinematic optical performance. Add to that the eXtended data and they are future-proofed investments giving our virtual productions lens metadata efficiencies in their workflows…and no more shooting grids!”