B4-mount of Fujinon A13x4.5 lens
B4-mount of Panasonic AK-HC1500G camera

The B4 lens mount was standardized in 1992 by the Broadcasting Technology Association (BTA) and is defined in BTA S-1005.[1] This standard defines the physical mount, but also optical properties and some electrical connections. The B4 mount defines the sensor to have a diagonal size of 11 mm (a so-called 2/3" size sensor). The B4-mount is used by practically all 2/3" broadcast lenses and cameras (as of 2019).

Although the standard was set in 1992, the B4 mount already existed before 1980. The Sony BVP-300, produced from 1978, was possibly the first camera with a B4 mount. Further, all Sony Betacam cameras had a B4 mount.[2]

The BTA was formed by Japanese broadcaster NHK and included members from Canon, Fuji, Hitachi, Ikegami, JVC, Matsushita (Panasonic), Nikon, Sony and Toshiba. It was formed in the mid-1980s and set various standards for television. It is now part of ARIB, Association of Radio Industries and Businesses.[3][4]

Mechanical

The flange of the mount defines the positioning of the lens relative to the image sensor. A ring is present around the opening on the camera which, when rotated, tightly locks the flange of the lens against the camera. A pin on the top side of the lens flange and a hole in the camera mount make sure the lens cannot be mounted at an angle.[5]

Optical

The B4-mount has its image projected at 48 mm behind the lens mount flange (in air). The standard defines that a prism splits the light to form separate images planes for the colours red, green and blue. A correction for chromatic aberration is also part of the standard: the red sensor should be 10 μm further, and the blue one 5 μm further than 48 mm. This fitted well with established TV-camera technology using 3 tubes, and also with 3CCD, a technology in development at the time of the definition of the standard.[6]

The standard defines that the diagonal size of the projected image should be 11 mm, but does not define a resolution to be used. In the past standard definition was captured at 4:3 aspect ratio. Nowadays, cameras with the same mount capture HD with 16:9 aspect ratio, or even 4K video, thanks to improved lenses.[7]

Electrical

The lens mount is accompanied by a connector for the electrical connections. It powers the lens motors, controls the iris and allows a few buttons on the lens handle to control camera functions. The connectors are made by Hirose. On the camera is a HR10-10R-12S receptacle, and on the lens a cable with a HR10-10P-12P plug.[8]

PinFunctionDirectionDescription
1RET SWlens to cameraConnected to RET button on lens; GND when pressed, otherwise open
2VTR SWlens to cameraConnected to VTR or REC button on lens; GND when pressed, otherwise open
3GNDcamera to lensGround
4IRIS ENF AUTOcamera to lensMomentary auto iris, off: 0V, on: 5V
5IRIS CONTcamera to lensVoltage indicative of requested iris position, f/2.8: 6.2V, f/16: 3.4V
6+12Vcamera to lensPower supply
7IRIS FOLLOWlens to cameraVoltage indicative of current iris position, f/2.8: 6.2V, f/16: 3.4V
8IRIS A/Rcamera to lensIris auto: 0V, remote: 5V
9EXT ANSlens to cameraConnected to GND when extender is engaged, otherwise open
10ZOOM FOLLOWlens to cameraVoltage indicative of current zoom position, Wide: 2V, Tele: 7V
11RxDlens to cameraReceive serial data (sometimes instead used for focus follow)
12TxDcamera to lensTransmit serial data

References

  1. ARIB standards
  2. , "Marcel's TV museum"
  3. de Bruin, Ronald & Smits, Jan (1999), "Digital Video Broadcasting - Technology, Standards and Regulations", p. 85, Artech House, Boston & London, ISBN 0-89006-743-0
  4. Cianci, Philip J. (2012), "High Definition Television: The Creation, Development and Implementation of HD Television", p. 143, McFarland & Company, Inc, ISBN 978-0-7864-4975-0
  5. Humphrey, John (2021-08-10). "Enabling Flexible Lens Choices for Professional System Cameras". Church Production Magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  6. HD and SD lenses and cameras, Larry Thorpe, on www.televisionbroadcast.com, November 2005
  7. B4 long, Mark Schubin in "Schubin Cafe", April 2015.
  8. Fujinon A13x4.5BERD-S48 operation manual, p.38, Fuji Photo Optical Co., ltd., document number LP150D-S48 1409
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