Panasonic has released details of two new Leica lenses, which are designed to comply with the Four Thirds System to provide wide compatibility with a range of camera models, including the new Lumix DMC-L10.

 

October 24, 2007: Panasonic has released details of two new Leica lenses, which are designed to comply with the Four Thirds System to provide wide compatibility with a range of camera models, including the new Lumix DMC-L10.
Scheduled for release next month, the Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm / F3.8-5.6 ASPH. / Mega O.I.S. lens will be bundled with the Lumix DMC-L10 camera and also available separately at an RRP of $1,199. Consisting of 15 lens elements in 11 groups, it includes two aspherical lenses for minimising distortion and peripheral vignetting at the wide end and two ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses for suppressing chromatic aberration. The new lens is more compact and lighter than the previously-released Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm / F2.8-3.5 ASPH. / Mega O.I.S. lens, which was supplied with the DMC-L1 camera. But it retains the excellent optical design and meeting Leica’s stringent quality and performance standards. It is compatible with 67mm filters.

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The new Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm / F3.8-5.6 ASPH. / Mega O.I.S. lens.
Due for release early in 2008 is the Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-150mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / Mega O.I.S. lens, which combines compact size and light weight with an extended zoom range (equivalent to 28-300mm in 35mm format). Four aspherical elements and an ED (extra-low dispersion) lens are included in the 15 lens elements, which are arranged in 11 groups to produce the new lens. Seven aperture blades give the aperture attractive bokeh.The lens is the first Leica D lens with Extra Silent (XS) technology, for quick, quiet, accurate auto focusing control. Supersonic oscillation is used to ensure silent, seamless operation, while the system’s high torque provides fast responsiveness, accuracy and focusing stability.

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The Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-150mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / Mega O.I.S. lens.
The Vario-Elmar 14-150mm lens has a minimum focus distance of 50 cm even at full zoom and built-in Mega O.I.S. stabilisation allows it to be hand-held at full tele extension, providing a maximum photographic magnification of 0.36x (35mm equivalent). When mounted on the new Lumix DMC-L10, the lens will support the Contrast AF system newly integrated in the camera and allows the photographer to use new functions such as face detection. The lens is compatible with 72mm filters. The new lens will be priced at $2,299 and sold through leading photographic specialists.
For more information, visit www.panasonic.com.au.