KLAS-TV, the CBS affiliate in Las Vegas, recently launched its top-rated local news programming in HDTV.

For HD newsgathering and commercial production, KLAS-TV purchased 18 new Fujinon HS16x4.6ERM HD lenses, which are used in conjunction with 18 Sony PDW-350 XDCAM HD camcorders.

According to Matthew Adams, the chief photographer at KLAS-TV, the lenses have performed well in all types of weather and lighting conditions as well as on a wide range of news stories.

The Fujinon HS16x4.6ERM HD XDCAM HD lens offers a wide field of view without sacrificing telephoto capabilities. It is compact and lightweight but also rugged—field crews don’t have to treat them like fragile eggs when they’re chasing a breaking story.

The KLAS field crew includes 18 photojournalists all standardized on this particular XDCAM HD lens. They shoot 1080i 16:9 HD, but they always protect for the 4:3 safe area because the SDTV audience watching KLAS on Channel 8 still represents the majority of viewers.

Among the first stories KLAS news crews covered with the new lenses was a piece on wild horses running free in Nevada, which produced remarkably breathtaking footage.

For more information about this Fujinon product, click on www.fujinonbroadcast.com.