Today Panasonic announced two new S Pro zooms to add to the ever-growing list of L-Mount lenses.
The fast f/2.8 long zoom is claimed to offer high descriptive performance across the entire zoom range, The 16-35 f/4 is a versatile wide zoom lens that provides high resolution images and beautiful bokeh, despite it’s compact, light-weight build. Both of these lens, with the S Pro designation, meet Leica’s stringent standards for optical performance.
Panasonic’s S PRO line-up now comprises five lenses and one non-Leica certified zoom, the 240105 f/4 Macro. Here’s the full list:
- 50mm S Pro f/1.4
- 16-35mm S Pro f/4
- 24-70mm S Pro f/2.8
- 24-105mm S f/4 (stabilised)
- 70-200mm S Pro f/2.8 (stabilised)
- 70-200mm S Pro f/4 (stabilised)
The company is committed to designing and developing eleven more lenses in the LUMIX S-Pro range by March 2021. Currently there are more than 46 interchangeable L-Mount lenses available from Panasonic, Leica and Sigma.
LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F2.8 O.I.S. (S-E70200)
Designed and developed for professional field shooting, the LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F2.8 O.I.S. (S-E70200) uses 2 UED (Ultra Extra-low Dispersion) lenses, 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses and optimum alignment comprising 22 elements in 17 groups, effectively suppressing both axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification. Astigmatism is also corrected with an aspherical lens, achieving high resolving performance. Adoption of a double focus system suppresses fluctuation of aberration even at close distances, which results in high descriptive performance from the center to the corners over the entire zoom range despite its large aperture.
Covering from 70mm to 200mm, the use of a Teleconverter allows a maximum 280mm (1.4x, with DMW-STC14) and 400mm (2x, with DMW-STC20) super telephoto shooting1, with maximum 480 fps focus control for high-speed, high-precision auto focus. The O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) in the lens complies with the camera’s Body I.S. and the 5-Axis Dual I.S. 22 makes it possible to use a 7-stop slower shutter speed3. Adoption of a focus clutch mechanism enables instant AF/MF switching and accurate manual focusing.
The constant F2.8 large aperture provides smooth defocus gradation from the focus peak to the neighboring area of the image to achieve a beautiful bokeh effect as well as a rich perspective. The LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F2.8 O.I.S. also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, which was a fatal problem in all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography.
The rugged, dust/splash-resistant4 design withstands use under harsh conditions even at 10 degrees below zero for high mobility. The filter size is 82 mm, with an 11-blade circular aperture diaphragm.
LUMIX S PRO 16-35mm F4 (S-R1635)
The LUMIX S PRO 16-35mm F4 (S-R1635) is a versatile wide zoom lens boasts high descriptive performance in both photo shooting and video recording.
Comprising 12 elements in 9 groups, the use of 3 aspherical lenses, an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens and a UHR (Ultra-High Refractive Index) lens and the optimum alignment achieves high MTF performance despite its compact size and light weight. It boasts stunningly high resolution toward the corners even at wide open as well as a beautiful bokeh, suppressing double line bokeh and vignetting.
A double-magnet linear motor is integrated for the AF actuator, featuring high power despite its small size, achieving a maximum 480 fps high-speed sensor drive. This realizes fast, high-precision AF to ensure that photo opportunities are never missed. Like the 70-200mm F2.8 O.I.S. (S-E70200), the 16-35mm F4 (S-R1635) adopts a focus clutch mechanism, enabling instant AF/MF switching and accurate manual focusing, as well as excels in video recording performance thanks to a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing.
It is also rugged dust/splash-resistant,4 withstanding harsh conditions even at 10 degrees below zero for high mobility. The filter size is 77 mm, with a 9-blade circular aperture diaphragm.
Both lenses will be available in January 2020. The LUMIX S PRO 16-35mm F4 will available for $1,499 in the USA and the LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F2.8 is $2,599.
Agree about the ‘PR Drivel’. Expect more ‘purple prose’ this afternoon at the SL2 launch. Forgetting the hyperbole, which applies to any new product launch, be it ‘smart-kettles’ or ‘self driving golf buggies’ the most salient question is whether there is room in the rather ‘tired’ market for digital cameras for all of these new products. I suppose there must be or the manufacturers would not be taking a punt.
William
You will be happy to hear that the SL2 story, when it appears at 2pm, is all my own work, barring a couple of quotes from Leica.
“..high descriptive performance..”..? No, surely that’s Macfilos itself!
“..professional field shooting..” ..isn’t that what they do at Bisley?
“..from the focus peak to the neighboring area of the image..” “..achieving high resolving performance..” Perhaps this twaddle is written by amateur interns on work experience placements.
This PR drivel has almost reached the heights of “lovingly assembled” and “using actual glass for improved transmission”.
“focus breathing” was “..a fatal problem in all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography”. No; I don’t think anyone ever died from focus breathing.
Did it really say that? I need to look!
I agree David. If I’d have had more time I would have written my own version. I was rushing to get to the Leica event and am now on my way home.