..And Fast Leica Telezoom To M43 Mount Line

Revealed in May as a development announcement, Panasonic has officially launched the Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 ASPH in the M43 mount. The new lens has an effective focal range of 50-100mm and joins the existing f/1.7-speed 10-25mm model (effectively 20-50mm) in Panasonic’s G series lens line-up. The two lenses share the same barrel dimensions (including a screwthread filter fitting of 77mm) and control ring arrangement for easier interchangeability in a video rig.

Designed for both photography and video applications, the 20-50mm supports Panasonic’s current 240fps speed DFD (Depth From Defocus) autofocusing which drives an internal focusing group. Panasonic says the lens’ focusing mechanism is designed to minimise focus ‘breathing’ (an important consideration for video-makers) and its optical construction gives enhanced barycentric stability in order to minimise image shifts when zooming. The optical construction comprises 16 elements in 11 groups, which includes one aspherical type and three with extra-low dispersion (ED) characteristics along with one ultra-high refractive index (UHR) type to suppress both axial and lateral chromatic aberrations. There’s a nine-blade diaphragm to give more rounded out-of-focus effects.

The minimum focusing distance is 28cm at 20mm and 31cm at 50mm, giving a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.38 (which is just marginally smaller than half life size). Externally, the 20-50mm employs metal barrel tubes with weather sealing and insulation to enable shooting in subzero temperatures down to -10º Celsius. The aperture collar has stepless adjustment and is linked to a ‘micro-step’ drive system to allow for very fine control to minimise any visible changes in exposure when shooting video.

Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 weighs 645g and is127.6mm in length. It’s available in Australia now priced at $2,899.

For more information visit www.panasonic.com.au.