Two new Panasonic lenses

Angled view of the new Lumix S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO lens. (Source: Panasonic.)

The Lumix S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO lens provides a new lightweight ultra wide-angle zoom lens for Lumix S-Series cameras. Weighing only 345 grams, it features a rugged dust/splash-resistant design and offers a maximum magnification of 0.25x at 14mm or 0.5x at 28mm. Its wide angle of view is ideal for landscape photographers and also for solo content creators filming themselves at arm’s length. This lens has the same overall length and controls layout as the Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens as well as a similar centre of gravity, making it simple to switch between them when an S Series camera is mounted on a gimbal.

Its optical design consists of 14 elements in 10 groups and includes one aspherical ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lens, one aspherical lens, three ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens to ensure attractive bokeh while suppressing common aberrations. Silent, high precision autofocusing is available with two settings. With the non-linear setting, focus is shifted with a variable amount according to the rotation speed of the focus ring; while for linear setting focus is shifted with a designated amount according to the adjustable rotational quantum of the focus ring, which can be set between 90 and 360 degrees.  The lens also incorporates a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, and micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure changes during recording.

It is due for local release in mid-February 2023 from leading photographic specialists at an RRP of AU$1499.

Angled view of the Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2.8 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S lens. (Source: Panasonic.)

The new Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2.8 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S lens provides a versatile, large-aperture Micro Four Thirds lens with a 12-35mm zoom range (equivalent to 24-70mm on a 35mm camera) and 58 mm filter diameter. It has been designed and engineered to Leica’s rigorous optical standards and boasts a rugged splash- and dust-resistant design. It will to replace the outgoing Lumix G X Vario 12-35 mm / f/2.8 II ASPH. lens.

The optical design contains 14 elements in nine groups and includes four aspherical lenses, one UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) lens and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens to achieve high optical performance. The UHR lens has an updated design with higher transmittance for natural colour reproduction. Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating reduces reflections across the entire visible light range and, working in tandem with a new light-shielding component, minimises ghosting and flare. The seven-bladed iris diaphragm produces a circular aperture for attractive bokeh in out-of-focus areas of the image, while the minimum focusing distance of 0.15m (at 12mm) and larger magnification ratio of 0.21x (at 17mm)improve on the Lumix G X VARIO 12-35mm f/2.8 II ASPH, which offered 0.25m focusing distance and 0.17x magnification ratio.

Silent, high precision autofocus includes a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing plus micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure changes during recording. Dual I.S. 2 combines the camera’s Body I.S. and the lens’ O.I.S. to provide effective hand-shake correction. This lens will be available in mid-January 2023 from leading photographic specialists at an RRP of AU$1699. Click here to visit Panasonic’s Australian website for full details of the new releases.