The Panasonic S 85mm f/1.8 is the first of four uniform-sized prime lenses for full-frame L-mount cameras
(Image credit: Panasonic)
The Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 – the first of four uniform-sized, full-frame f/1.8 prime lenses – has been officially announced by Panasonic.
While compatible with all L-mount cameras, the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 has been primarily designed with the manufacturer's own S-series bodies in mind such as the Panasonic S1R, Panasonic S1H and the new Panasonic S5.
The new optic features eight groups with a total of nine elements, including a pair of Extra-low Dispersion lenses to control both axial and magnification-induced chromatic aberration.
With nine aperture blades, the S 85mm f/1.8 "pursues the beauty of bokeh" and "provides smooth defocus gradation from the focus peak to the neighboring area of the image as well as smooth, round bokeh of point light source without vignetting."
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(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
The lens also possesses a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, making this an optic well suited to shooting video. A sturdy 355g optic, it is weather sealed (being dust and splash-resistant) and withstands hard conditions down to -10°C / 14°F.
As noted, the Pansonic S 85mm f/1.8 is the first of a family of four, fast, full-frame f/1.8 primes from the manufacturer, which will also comprise 24mm, 35mm and 50mm options.
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All four lenses will share a common size, position of controls and filter diameter (which is 67mm), making operability and compatibility much simpler (although no doubt making it tricky to find the right lens in your camera bag).
The Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 will be available from the end of November with a recommended retail price of $597.99 / £599.99 (approximately AU$836.19).
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.
