Image on top: The current Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens.
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Digicaminfo reports that Panasonic will soon launch a third Leica branded Micro Four Thirds lens. But they don’t know yet the specs and announcement date.The same source also said that in body IS will not work in video mode and that the image quality is on par with the best APS-C cameras
Currently Panasonic offers two Leica branded lenses, the 45mm f/2.8 and 25mm f/1.4 primes.
95 Responses
If they want to continue the classic equivalent focal lenghts, I think the next one will be a 17.5mm. So we will have a 35mm (summilux if f1.4, ‘cron if f2.0), a 50mm summilux and a 90 mm macro Elmarit.
I’m quite surprised though: everyone knows Panasonic lens roadmap, 42.5mm and 150mm, two promising lenses, and now this. Why keep it hidden?
I agree. Given that they already made the 45mm, brand-latching onto the 42.5mm would make less sense. Panasonic has yet to offer a stellar 17.5mm, and it falls right into a classic, Leica-like focal length. I hope to hear any new lens they make will be a f/1.4, but I’m guessing it will be closer to f/2. Hopefully, in that case, the price will fall below the Olympus 17mm.
It makes no business sense whatsoever to try and divide the tiny market for 17mm prime with 2 (two) oly competitors, with close competition from your own 20mm and Sigma 19 (and Voightlander 17.5). Especially with holes in the system still available: UWA rectilenear prime, f/2.8 UWA zoom, WA tilt-and-shift lens, long primes beyond 75mm and faster zooms beyond 100 mm… and a dream of every traveler, reasonably light and weather-sealed f/2-f/5.6 11-70.
> “UWA rectilenear prime, f/2.8 UWA zoom”
I agree, I want to see those too! Perhaps from Sigma instead….
Smegma will never release native lenses designed exclusively for M4/3. They’ll continue to slap M4/3 mounts on their APSC lenses.
Except for size, does that bring any other disadvantages?
Lack of 4/3 UWA FLs. What is UWA for APS-C is just WA in 4/3.
I’d like to think that they are replicating the M line-up. That would be cool.
Panasonic and Olympus have done a good job avoiding each other on the primes, so I doubt it would be a 17.5, unless they could go to f/1.4 or faster.
Further down the M line-up, 14/2 or 10.5/2.8 would fill the gaps nicely. If the rumor is referring to the 42.5/1.2, that explains the rumored price. 🙂 It would still be welcome if it is announced soon, even if it isn’t available until 2014.
I agree. It should be a 17mm because Oly’s 17mm are both fairly ordinary in IQ.
I suppose the obvious guess would be that it’s the 42.5mm f/1.2. Of course, that’s only if you consider 6 months (i.e. early 2014) to be “soon”. Also, you think since that’s a well known lens the source would have named it.
So if we figure that it’s a prime that corresponds to a standard FF lens… I’d guess 12mm ~f/1.7 or 14mm f/1.4. It’d be interested in one of those. I wouldn’t expect a 17mm as that would be close to the 20mm and Oly has a good one already.
If I have to take a guess, the 42.5mm will be X branded. The mock up has OIS switch which is uncharacteristic for Leica signature. Whatever they brand it, as long as it’s a great lens, I’m all in!
That being said, except for the very wides such as 1.4/21 Summilux or 3.8/18 Super-Elmar, any “classic Leica equivalents” will collide with existing lenses, no matter which one. I see no problems in yet an other 17mm, as long as they make it different. In popular imagination, that translates as “significantly faster”. 1.2/17 Summilux would sell.
A f/1.2 17mm would not be labeled as summilux as the name is reserved for f/1.4 class lenses, while f/1.2 and faster belongs in the noctilux class (in that case the 42.5mm could be the one)
The 42.5mm F1.2 is not summilux,.is noctilux,.thats will be the first one Lumix LEICA brand with noct series
The 45/2.8 Macro has an OIS switch.
Fair enough. I forgot about that one.
Geez, no IBIS during video recording? Didn’t Olympus solve that issue with a firmware update for the E-M5 after a lot of people complained?
I don’t get why Panasonic wouldn’t want to enable this feature.
E-M5’s one is no IBIS with manual lens before the update, this one is exactly like older PEN, only digital IS on video mode
It is simply because 2-axis IBIS produces poor video quality (because the sensor will continue to vibrate before returning to its home position), while 5-axis IBIS (in E-M5 or E-P5) produces more promising results, though OIS will be the best option for smooth video motion.
OIS? Better? The one leaving rotational wobbling all the time? 😉
The perfect solution is not using any stabilization on camera, or using something like Steadicam.
Most people use those cameras handheld. No stabilization means awful shaking in video. Meanwhile, E-M5 produces beautifully stabilized video. E-P5, with improvements, must be even better (mostly for panning, so there would not be a need to switch IS1 to IS2 manually).
Which doesn’t address either your original claim about OIS being the best solution for video, nor peevee’s comment pointing out why it isn’t.
Let me guess .
Likely the 42.5 F1.2 lens , everybody is waiting for .
A true portrait lens from Pana Leica .
Pair with GX7 would be most formidable in mFT arena .
OMD and E-P5 use only 3-axis when taking videos.
Where did you read that? Are you sure that you don’t confuse that with Olympus compact cameras with “false” 5-axis stabilization?
DPreview stated the opposite: “The camera’s new image stabilization system really comes into its own during movie shooting. Rather than the often disastrous digital stabilization (which tries to adjust the crop used for each frame so that subjects stay in the same position on the screen, but usually results in a shimmery, wobbly mess), the E-M5 continues to use its mechanical IS system. Olympus claims that it will cope with both the high-frequency, low amplitude movement of hand shake and the low frequency, high amplitude movement of walking”
Digicame info apparently also mentions that an ultra-small mirrorless is supposed be released after the Leica lens is released.
Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm F2.8-3.5 ASPH Mega OIS ? 😀
http://www.dpreview.com/products/panasonic/lenses/panasonic_leica_14-50_2p8-3p5_ois
My money’s on fast 17.5mm. I don’t think Leica would want to do another 45mm or anything long. Or this APS-C hint is them reworking the zoom lens from the X Vario.
Yeah…I agree…it will be a classic 17.5mm, a 14mm or a 12mm….that will fill out a useful range…as we have a 45mm portrait/macro and a 25mm normal lens…so a classic wide is what I am betting on! Makes the most sense.
Yeah…I agree…it will be a classic 17.5mm, a 14mm or a 12mm….that will fill out a useful range…as we have a 45mm portrait/macro and a 25mm normal lens…so a classic wide is what I am betting on! Makes the most sense.
I’m hoping for a 10.5 f/2.8 Elmarit (21mm equivalent). Summilux would be too expensive/large/heavy.
The traditional Leica FLs 24, 35, 40, 50, 90 are already covered by existing or “roadmapped” lenses within m4/3. I don’t see much need or market for a 75 equivalent. So that leaves us with an UWA 10.5 (21), or 67.5 (135). A high quality fast(ish) UWA prime is needed. Looking forward to hearing more.
Before someone chimes in, I should mention that 24mm and 21mm is an appreciable difference in UWA shooting. There is the M.Zuiko 12 f/2 already, which is a good lens. But a 21mm equivalent prime would be another great option for UWA for those who prefer working with one focal length (i.e. not a zoom). High quality ultrawides tend to be expensive, and a Panasonic Leica branded one would have a premium price. I expect a lot of complainers if such a lens was to be announced.
LOL! There are TONS of complainers when ANYTHING is mentioned, announced or released. ANYTHING.
Oh…too expensive…I want it for free..
WHAH!…why doesn’t it come in black?
OH MY…those strap lugs will hurt my whittle fingers…
On and on..ad infinitum.
Well, Phred, some of us actually use cameras everyday and hold them for hours at a time, rather than set them on a shelf in our study and admire them, so simple things like strap lugs that don’t cut into your hand after a few minutes, are important factors to us. P.S. My bet is a 10.5 2.8 Leica Lens.
Curious how many cameras have similar lugs, and how many people are able to use them without issues. Could it possibly be related to how you hold the camera?
I also think it’s the 42.5mm. Unless it’s a fast 67.5mm, that nobody has even ever heard of.
135mm equivalent? I would love that. It would need to be f/1.4 so it does not overlap with Olympus. If it is f/1.4, no one would complain about µ43 having too much depth of field again!
If they complain about that given the availability of the 75/1.8, the complaining likely won’t stop with a 67.5/1.4.
I also think it’s the 42.5mm. Unless it’s a fast 67.5mm, that nobody has even ever heard of.
Guessing that fast 42.5 here. If so, I think my 45mm Olympus may be up for sale soon.
Nothing else has been discussed on the Panasonic roadmap beyond the 150 f/2.8. I can’t imagine a 17mm since it’s too close to their 20mm and competes directly against a good Olympus.
Maybe a fast 14 surprise? It’s a classic focal length that would be going up against a low-end Olympus lens.
Do you think they’d make a Panasonic Leica 14mm rather than updating the 14mm/2.5 pancake with a metal housing like they did with the 20mm/1.7?
Dissapointing to hear about lack of is in video mode. Hopefully thay can fix this with a firmware upgrade like they did with the omd
This and OMD is completely different issue, GX7 is using the same 2 axis IS as the older PEN, which only works on still but not video, the pen have to use digital IS for video
17mm noct haha… =x
My guess is that the 42.5/1.2 will gain the PanaLeica label. Then I alway wish for a 9mm/2.8.
Hoping for a 42.5mm or a 17.5mm Summilux or better yet Noctilux versions.
So, Pana’s first attempt at IBIS failed to work in video, hah? So Oly still better for handheld shooting.
I wonder what is their problem?
There is no problem, ois works better. Period
OIS does not work for rotational and translational movements or with lenses without OIS AT ALL, period.
OK, translational movements are only visible in close-ups, but rotations are visible in every handheld clip shot without mechanical IBIS able to compensate for it. OIS, even if present in a lens (and it is not even in Panasonics like 7-14, 25/1.4, 20/1.7, 14/2.5), cannot do anything about it in principle. And for video, it does not matter what is your shutter speed and FL, it is visible.
But but but ibis is oly fanboi talk in true homers world, must resist!!
Hoping it will make the 24/28 – 50 – 90 set.
Not so hot for 35
Ah hell, just make a WATS (7.5-10.5-14mm f/2.0) and charge crazy for it
I wouldn’t have the money for either of these lenses but I’d love a Leica 14-50 f/2.8-3.5 of a 10.5 f/2.8
*or a
I hop the is works with manual lenses. As an owner of a g3 and a voigt 17.5, lack of is is very frustrating. Ive been toying with the idea of getting an oly for this reason, but dont want to sacrifice built in flash, evf and fully articulated lcd ( not to mention superior ergonomics and menu layout). This gx7 appears to be the missing link. Just hope the sensor measures up…
I hope the is works with manual lenses. As an owner of a g3 and a voigt 17.5, lack of is is very frustrating. Ive been toying with the idea of getting an oly for this reason, but dont want to sacrifice built in flash, evf and fully articulated lcd ( not to mention superior ergonomics and menu layout). This gx7 appears to be the missing link. Just hope the sensor measures up…
Admin, you should edit the text of this news item to clarify the sentence “The same source said that in body IS will not work in video mode…” You might want to specify “…GX7 in-body IS…”
Reading the translated digicame-info page, it seems to imply that a Leica-branded lens may be introduced as a companion to the GX7, not just as a future roadmap lens. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see; so far the rumors have been 14-42 Mk II or 20/1.7 Mk II as bundled lens choices.
No IBIS in video, not even as disabled by default with warning about limitations? The main thing why I needed IBIS, to get rid of microshakes. I’m heading back to buy 35-100 for which I was saving money last months.
Please speed up the production of the lens if is 42.5 lens , make it available for my Nov 13 big shoot .
Pair with the new GX7 , this might be the winning pair in the year of 2013 .
i hope its the 42.5 f/1.2
FYI:
The Voigtländer 42.5mm f0.95 is due to ship in August… THIS YEAR!
Summilux 10.5mm f1.4 would be the perfect fast, wide prime for m43.
Just make it a10mm like the Nikon 20mm f2.8 AI-S!
That would be awesome but…also too expensive for me I think…Something around 1000 euros at least, I can’t afford it for a prime…
What i’m worries so much with LEICA branded on lumix lens will be push the price up way too expensive,.
only if they can match up the optic quality of the OLY F1.8/75,.it worth for LEICA brand,.
Iq on par with best APS-C sensor. Yeah, maybe APS-C sensors scaled down to m43 size. Regarding the lens, I for one would welcome a 10mm 2.8, but I think a 17mm 1.4 is more probable.
Yeah cause its impossible right?
With the current technology, it sure is.
A fan of dxo arent we?
be nice to see a 9mm f/2.8
but my guess is a Leica f/2.0 version of a 14mm … then you could get Leica 14/25/45 (28/50/90) old school set if primes with the 90 being a bonus macro
the fact that Pan & Oly take it in turns with the primes makes sense, the only overlap is 45 but they are very different in use and price … fish/12/14/17/20/25/45/60/75 – gaps? perhaps a 9 or 10mm
9mm sounds great!
14mm? zzzzzzzzzzzzz
The M4/3 system is choked with lenses that cover 14mm.
No. Thank. You.
Give us something that’s not already there! Wide or long!
how about a 14mm that has the optical performance of the 12 or the 25 or the 45s and 60 and 75 … there still isn’t a wonderful 14
I always thought the panasonic 14/2.5 was wonderful.
14mm/28mm is such a boring focal length…
but I would still like a 21/2.0 (42mm equivalent)
What about the 20/1.7?
The main reason why 40 to 45mm lenses are significant on 135 format is because they cover 43mm, the diagonal of the format, and consequently the focal length at which the lens does not display and wide angle or telephoto characteristics.
Since the FOV described by the 2x crop is relates to the diagonal, and since the micro four thirds format is 4:3 aspect, the horizontal FOV is slightly narrower than 40mm, so 42mm is already covered.
There is therefore no need for a 21mm lens.
Leica branded lenses are “perfect” optics and do not rely on software corrections. Therefore a largish alternative to one of Pana’s pancakes could be expected. That leaves us with a 14/2.
>>> Ultra-small high-quality mirror-less machine appeared following the lens
Sounds badass. I wonder if it will have a viewfinder, but apart from that will be as pocketable as possible.
How about an (relatively) affordable UWA? 10.5 f3.5, anyone?
hello PANASONIC, this is a rumor site. so we need specs about the gx7 before (!) the official announcement. I mean the gx 7 is also a product of 43rumors 😉
An all metal badass 17.5mm with depth of field and distance indicators 🙂
Then the 25mm rebodied in metal, again with depth of field and distance indicators
I suspect an updated 25mm too. Hopefully weather-sealed, metal-bodied and with a function ring that can be set to aperture, and a focus ring that feels mechanical. Even if they completely replaced it with an f/1.2 version 😛
What I want is a 12-25mm f2.5 or even a 14-25… Covers the classic street shooters’ focal lengths
already available … 12-35/2.8
Leica branded means expensive.
To be able justify price it is necessary to fill the gap in micro43 system, not to replace other existing lenses.
For example 10,5mm (equivalent 21mm) f/2 (or faster) could have sense.
Or 17,5mm f/1.2 (or faster) with AF (there is 17/1.8, 17/2.8, 17/0.95 without AF and 20/1.7 in the system).
already very busy in the 17-20mm zone huh
when leica (pan) brought out the 25/1.4 & 45/2.8 they were both firsts … they still have the only f/1.4 and one if two excellent macros
maybe they’ll give us a slow zoom like their new APS camera 24-70 or 28-70 equivalent with 3.5-6.7 (2.8-4.0 would be nice)
17f1.7mk3!??….lol
NO Leica-branded 42.5, please!!!
I still suspect a X branded, but in the end, does it really matters?
Its all about worth and value.
I bet on 42.5 mm f1.2 pana-leica.
Now, we need a UWA very sharp prime !! something around 8-10 mm f2.8 then I can sell my 9-18 mm. The Fuji X system has already it !! It could even be a manual one, DOF is very wide with such a lens, it just needs a distance scale…
Panasonic, olympus, and third party lenses manufacturer, what are you doing ?? the gap is so evident !
Be careful, someone will tell you to buy a fisheye lens and be content to de-fish every shot! Life trickles away quick enough …
The SLR Magic Hyperprime 12mm is manual, very good and very quick and easy to focus, so there’s certainly no reason why a 10mm couldn’t be also.
who said that m43 is dying ??? …just have enough cash to absorb all this …good damit
Maybe a redesigned 7-14 with Leica branding to make the $800-1000 price tag a bit more justifiable.
Have you used the 7-14mm? It’s a fantastic lens!
The price is completely justifiable!
Hopefully it will be something that fills a gap somewhere, not just another “update”.
Its a fantastic lens indeed but there are a few things about the 7-14 that would make an update a good idea still:
– weather sealing
– better flare handling
– accept filters at the front or gels at the rear
Through I personally don’t care about the filters, the other 2 would be enough for me to consider replacing my current 7-14
Need a 17.5mm F/1.4 (dream)