The LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F2.8 and LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm / F1.4 II ASPH. (H-XA025) are on their way
If you want your cameras taken seriously by professionals, you need a professional lens system to go with them, so Panasonic’s announcement of its LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F2.8 (S-E2470) is important.
Every pro system needs a set of three key ‘pro’ f/2.8 lenses to go with it, and one of these is a constant-aperture f/2.8 ‘standard’ lens in the 24-70mm zoom range or thereabouts. This is likely to be an important lens for the Panasonic Lumix S1R and the new Lumix S1H.
(Image credit: Panasonic)
LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F2.8
The LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F2.8 is badged as a Panasonic lens, but it’s also designed to pass Leica’s stringent lens standards. Leica is a Panasonic partner and the brand frequently features in Panasonic’s upmarket pro lenses. Leica is also part of the L-mount alliance formed by Panasonic, Leica and Sigma to champion this new full frame mirrorless camera format. It is the fourth lens from Panasonic on the L-mount lens roadmap.
The LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F2.8 is dust and splash-resistant and consists of 18 lens elements in 16 groups, with three aspheric lenses and four extra low dispersion elements to combat aberrations and deliver high resolution and contrast right across the image frame and zoom range. A UHR (ultra high refractive index) element is included to maintain image quality while ‘downsizing’ the lens unit.
A double focus system uses both linear and stepping motors for speed and precision, with a focus clutch mechanism for instant manual/AF switching.
The LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F2.8 is designed for video too, with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing (magnification changes during focusing). Panasonic is making sure its lenses appeal equally to stills photographers and videographers looking for the best 4K cameras for filmmaking.
The LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F2.8 will be available from October 2019 at a price of $2,199.
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(Image credit: Panasonic)
LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm / F1.4 II ASPH. (H-XA025)
Panasonic hasn’t forgotten its Micro Four Thirds roots, announcing a new premium Leica-branded prime lens which corresponds to a focal length of 50mm in full frame camera terms and would be a good match for cameras like the Panasonic Lumix G9.
The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm / F1.4 II ASPH. (H-XA025) is dust and splash-resistant and offers a smooth defocus effect for best quality bokeh. The optical design uses 9 elements in 7 groups, with two aspherical lenses and one UHR (ultra high refractive) lens element.
The AF system uses an inner focus drive system and stepping motor for smooth and silent operation. It looks like the new lens will appeal equally to stills photographers using cameras like the Lumix G9 and Lumix GH5, as well as videographers looking for the best cameras for vlogging.
For a Leica lens, this one is surprisingly affordable. The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm / F1.4 II ASPH. (H-XA025) goes on sale in October 2019 at $699.99
Rod is an independent photography journalist and editor, and a long-standing Digital Camera World contributor, having previously worked as DCW's Group Reviews editor. Before that he has been technique editor on N-Photo, Head of Testing for the photography division and Camera Channel editor on TechRadar, as well as contributing to many other publications. He has been writing about photography technique, photo editing and digital cameras since they first appeared, and before that began his career writing about film photography. He has used and reviewed practically every interchangeable lens camera launched in the past 20 years, from entry-level DSLRs to medium format cameras, together with lenses, tripods, gimbals, light meters, camera bags and more. Rod has his own camera gear blog at fotovolo.com but also writes about photo-editing applications and techniques at lifeafterphotoshop.com
