A reader asked me what happened to the Schneider MFT lens development. I asked again my Schneider source and he confirmed that Schneider plans to release those lenses in 2014 only. The reason is the limited lens production capability of Schneider. They first want to produce enough of their special video lenses before to release the new Micro Four Thirds lenses. There is a chance that some lens specs will change in the meantime. The original plan was to introduce the 14mm f/2.0 the 30mm f/1.4 and the Macro 60mm f/2.4. All lenses will come with full electronic AF and Aperture support. Internal focusing, aluminum weather proof case. I do hope they will get rid of the macro (we already have the Olympus version).
A Xenon 16mm f/1.2 would be a nice replacement for the macro 🙂
Current Schneider lenses:
[shoplink 27395 ebay]Xenon 16mm f/1.2 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27387 ebay]Xenon 25mm f/0.95 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27389 ebay]Curtagon 35mm f/2.8 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27391 ebay]Componon 50mm f/1.4 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27390 ebay]Xenon 50mm f/1.9 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27394 ebay]Xenar 50mm f/2.8 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27388 ebay]Xenar 75mm f/3.5 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27392 ebay]Xenotar 80mm f/2.8 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 27393 ebay]Xenar 180mm f/2.8 (Click here to see on eBay)[/shoplink].
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77 Responses
Yes, we need fast lenses – can’t wait.
Btw, what’s up with the 2,8/150mm lens from Pana?
coming Q1 2014!
10mm!
How problematic would be 7mm/2.8 or faster ?
7mm prime please!
WESTING TIMES
I would recommend to Schneider to develop no “me too” lenses. They should focus on not available focal length or High Speed apertures. If they create an APO Tele Xenar 250 or 300mm with 4.0 I want it deadly yesterday ….
We already have 14mm, 30mm, and 60mm macros. Why don’t they come up with another focal length? A 10mm would be really nice
Yes…I agree…the only lens that I would be mildly interested in would be the 14mm…but the cost would probably just leave me satisfied with my compact little Panny 14mm.
A 10mm f2.8 would be fantastic!
I’d love to see a long macro, like 100mm or even a bit longer. 50mm or 60mm macros are too short for shooting skitterish critters, so a good long macro would be perfect!
I think they’re trying to release their own trio of lenses. If they sell well, then they’ll add more. I also think planning on working around people’s existing kits would be more successful, but I respect what they’re trying to do.
+3, Mr. Reese and Reinhard. A 10mm f2.8 is missing, a 100mm Macro is missing, and a 300mm f4 is missing from Olympus/Pana lens lines. These are all EXTREMELY useful lenses and I would be really interested in any of them. Another option I would like to see is a 10 or 12mm tilt/shift lens. Schneider makes those for other formats. They could be the first with all of these and help to complete the MFT system instead of designing “me too” lenses.
Full frame ?
Full frame ?
Yes…the image circle of these lenses will fully cover the MFT frame.
So no vignetting?
I am being sarcastic! LOL!
I was making a goof(because of the comments above) about the term “full-frame”…which refers to a sensor the size of a 35mm film frame, which MFT is not.
The new Schneider Lenses at the top of the page are being made specifically for the MFT image circle. Based on the high quality of Schneider Lenses in the past I would guess that there will be some mild vignetting with the lenses when they are used at their widest apertures…this is common in the best of lenses.
Silly people. We all know full frame is large format, not that crop sensor 35mm 😉
1) 14mm f/2
We have pancake 14mm f/2.5 and 12mm f/2. Both good IQ (but not stellar).
Schneider will be much more expensive. Is there place for it?
2) 30mm f/1.4
Not very good equivalent 60mm (FF). Much better is equivalent 35mm (17,5mm) or 50mm (25mm).
There is very good Leica-Panasonic 25mm f/1.4, Sigma 30mm f/2.8 (good IQ and cheap).
Schneider will be much more expensive,
3) 60mm f/2.4 macro
There is not expensive Olympus 60mm f/2.8 macro. IQ good, but not stellar.
Schneider will be much more expensive, maybe IQ will be better. Both are wather proof.
I don’t see place on the market for this lenses.
Much better idea will be to make fast 10mm, or 17mm f/1.4 (or f/1.2), and something longer – for example 100mm or 200mm.
“I don’t see place on the market for these lenses.
Much better idea will be to make fast 10mm, or 17mm f/1.4 (or f/1.2), and something longer – for example 100mm or 200mm.”
+100
And you would pay for this half stop (1.8 vs 1.4) something like 1500.- – really?
I bet that 90% of the people, demanding f/1.2 and 7 mm something would never buy them for the sole reason that they would be darn expensive
Then again, 14, 30 and 60 mm are, even with a superior build and optics, already somehow present as cheaper, plasticky lenses with reasonable IQ. But these SK lenses would match perfectly the new pro OM-D 😉 – made of metal to last forever and for sure with superior IQ
oh yes, and they are weather resistant..
Oly 60/2.8 is weather resistant too.
10/2.0 is an obvious opportunity. 105/2 the next. 150/2.8 is promised by Panasonic, probably in development already, no point.
Generally, they would be better off creating superfast zooms for reasonable prices, like Sigma 18-35/1.8.
Then you’ll have to wait for a Sigma, SK was never cheap – like Zeiss and Leica.
I agree on the 60mm, as it’s the exact same specs as Oly’s already very good and reasonably priced lens.
I suspect these will far outresolve both the Panny 14 and the Sigma 30, though, plus they’re both faster and weathersealed. I think there’s room for both a high end and low end version of these lenses, though, especially the 28mm equivalent.
A 14 mm f/2 has no space because of the 14 mm f/2.5 but a 17 mm f/1.4 would have space beside the 17 mm f/1.8. Can somebody explain the logic behind this to me?
I hope that patience will be rewarded with better lenses compared to the Zeiss Touit lenses . Especially the 12mm has very disappointed! So I hope Schneider developes with the 2.0/14mm and 1.4/30mm the very best quality, as it is to be found in the professional lenses for studio cameras. Regarding macro lenses, I had luck to testing for a few days the Zeiss 2.0/100mm macro lens via adapter on MFT … and am thrilled. However, it is less suitable for mobile / outdoor use (heavy, bulky and without autofocus). I would like more of a MFT macro lens from Schneider 2.0 … 2.8 / 90 … 120mm with autofocus. Whatever comes from Schneider, I´m still hopeful …
yes, something like the legendary and very, very expensive (now) Apo Lanthar 125 mm f/2.5 but with AF – me, idiot, I didn’t buy it4 years ago, as they were available at ~700-800 USD..
I aimed for 14mm F2.0 .
Schneider must able to triumph it over
* Olympus 12mm F2.0 &
* Pana 14mm F2.5
then I might consider to get one .
It’s weathersealed and as fast as the 12 and faster than the 14. Given Schneider’s reputation, I’m sure it will out resolve the 14 and, as long as they don’t pull a Zeiss on mirrorless it will outperform the 12 as well. In any case, there’s space for high end 24mm and 28mm equivalents, as people have different preferences on that focal length.
they should make one lens with a f/0.95 with AF
Yes, sure, and the price should be 100$..
@Yun
Schneider will beat the other lenses for sure.
The lenses + tiny sensor. = cameras for asian girls ^_^
yeah hot asian girls! you don’t get them with medium format cameras LOL!
and medium format for hot lady boys? 😉
Schneider is losing momentum. I’m sure those lenses will be superb, but so are the Olympus 60 macro (which is sealed just like the Schneider), the Panaleica 25 and the 12/2.
I hope the Schneider lenses aren’t as bad as those lenses you mentioned.
They need to be of a much higher optical quality, especially since the prices will be much higher.
Have you actually used any of them?
That’s not even trolling. That just doesn’t make sense.
I own both he Pana 25mm F1.4 and the Olympus 60mm F2.8. Both are pretty good, but not really pro level lenses. I’ve no idea how good the Schneider lenses will be, but it’s certainly possible to improve both mechanical and optical quality. 30mm on mFT is kind of odd though, I’d rather have something in the 20-25mm range.
Simple.
Top priority is a higher quality 17mm. Something like a 17mm f/1.2. The 17.5mm f/0.95 is fantastic but no AF and the 17mm f/1.8 MkII is good but not stella. So there’s a gap here.
A (much) faster 12mm might have a place, but a10mm would be more of a standout.
25mm, 42.5mm, 45mm, 60mm, 75mm all have high quality options or will soon. I wonder, if there is a gap here it’s in the 35mm range.
What’s wrong with Schneider releasing a µ4:3 version of their 16mm F/1.2 wide angle instead of your requested 17/1.2? I have also put earlier wish lists for 10/2, 8/2.8 FE, 7/2.8, and 12/2.8 tilt & swing lenses.
i didn’t know they already have a 16mm, so yes it could
With Schneider there will be in 2014 (with AF):
– Panasonic 20/1.7
– Leica-Panasonic 25/1.4
– Sigma 30/2.8
– Schneider 30/2.8
– Leica-Panasonic 42,5/1.2
– Olympus 45/1.8
– Leica-Panasonic 45/2.8 macro
– Olympus 60/2.8 macro
– Sigma 60/2.8
– Schneider 60/2.4 macro
– Olympus 75/1.8
Crowded. Will be able all companies to sell their lenses?
Will be able Schneider to offer something more then 25/1.4 and 60/2.8 or 12/2?
And 3 wide lenses – 14/2.5, 14/2 and 12/2. But nothing wider (primes, not slow zooms).
And still will be no stellar fast 35mm equivalent (17mm) with AF. 17/1.8 is good but no stellar, and 17,5/0.95 is without AF.
typpo : thats Schneider 30mm, f1.4
I’m sure they can produce good quality lenses. But I’m not sure if they are also good in marketing strategy.
Well, seems they are doing quite good, if their production lines are more than busy.
Sony they shut make fir Sony ff not for this joke system
cause Sony cannot 😉
Calling yourself Medium Format suggests that your real format is even smaller, be it your brains, your social skills or your private parts. Do you really have to contaminate this forum with meaningless remarks? Or is this your way of creating an orgasm?
Yes I hoot with iPhone I think is have better quality than m43. Are and asian girl ?
Schneider is waiting for production capacity while other companies are developing complete generations of lenses. I can`t believe that Schneider really is convinced of the decission to develope MFT lenses. Every company should be interested in return on investment!
These are low volume productions that will be made in batches. Then after that they will make a batch of another lens design.
8-10 mm, f2.8, sharp, weather-sealed, AF + mechanical MF with distance scale, 800 euros.
That the only thing I’m ready to pay for…ok I’m dreaming…
+ 1000
14mm F2.0 is too slow – for the price, 30mm F1.4 is OK, but with a slightly strange focal length, while 60mm F2.4 Macro is just … redundant.
14mm F1.4 and a longer tele prime would be much more sensible choice.
I’m saving up monies for the 30mm. So far, it’s the only lens announced by anyone that I don’t have that excites me. That would leave me with a 12-30-75 trio of primes to replace my current 12-20-O45. I’m sure the IQ will be stellar, but I’m unlikely to pre-order until I see tests of the auto-focus.
I think there could be real demand for the 60mm macro indeed, if only because the Olympus lens seems to be not as sturdy as one would hope for. It’s built rather plasticky and I’ve already heard of one case in which its glass became hazy, possibly by moisture entering the lens, even though it is said to be environmentally sealed.
Shallow dof exist in m43 ?
@Shallow DOF:
How do you define “shallow dof”? I guess the DOF of the f/0.95 lenses (Voigtländer, SLRMagic) is in the order of mm full open. Is that shallow enough, Shallow DOF? What about a Rodenstock f/0.75? (I found it on the net about a year ago…) — the DOF appeared to be close to negative :-). Shallow enough, Shallow DOF?
yes nimrod…it does..you just have to know how to achieve it.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6715821867_6bb29e9cdc_b.jpg
Not really shallow
My reply to your response Shallow DOF:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6715821849_db0bfa044d_b.jpg
I dint like it
COOL!
@Shallow DOF
Yes, f2.8-f3.5 on full frame is generally considered shallow. Most portraits and fashion photo’s are shot around these apertures. Go any lower and it looks like crap. Eyes in focus and nose out of focus is not flattering look, because it makes the head looks huge.
And this is the problem that a lot of photographers at the moment seem to be fixated by shallow DOF where most pros will avoid it as they know that the lenses tend to perform poorly wide open. Nothing worse as well than looking at a photo with the nose in focus and the eyes clearly not. The shallow DOF is a craze that will look so dated in a few years. With film cameras people would not dream of shooting wide open. They would stop the lens down a stop at least.
There will be probably 2 version of lenses:
1) for micro43: 14mm f/2 (equivalent 28mm), 30mm f/1.4 (equivalent 60mm), 60mm f/2.4 (equivalent 120mm)
2) for APS (NEX?): 14mm f/2 (eqivalent 21mm), 30mm f/1.4 (equivalent 45mm), 60mm f/2.4 (equivalent 90mm)
Equivalent for APS look much attractive: 21mm, 45mm, 90mm then for micro43: 28mm, 60mm, 120mm.
In such case version of micro43 will be bigger then necessary and with not so good equivalent (than for APS).
I will prefer such equivalent for micro43 as for APS.
– 10mm f/2
– 22mm f/1.4
– 45mm f/2.4 macro
but the best idea is to make:
– 10mm f/2.0
– 17mm f/1.0
– 100mm f/2.4 macro
These lens might be similar to whats already on market, but its Schneider. If they do it way they usually do stuff, you may forget theres some Olympus 60mm macro (which btw. isnt that good as old Oly 4/3 50/2 macro).
Schneider lens are same level as Leica or Zeiss. Then follows rest of manufacturers (tho I give Olympus credit for 75/1.8 .. insane lens quality).
Breathing? Is the focus ring a free infinitely spinning controller, or does it have manual travel and be compatible with a follow-focus system?
Shallow dork, easy just take a look in your bulky dslr mirror.
“…he confirmed that Schneider plans to release those lenses in 2014 only.”
Admin — please clarify — the lenses will be released in 2014, or they will only be available in 2014? Your wording makes it sound like only a limited number of lenses will be made. Of course, that sounds like an insane business decision, but I have no idea how these optics companies make their decisions.
availability within 2014.
I plan on buying the Schneider 14mm. Already owning the Oly 12mm f2, I can honestly say there is room for improvement in terms of sharpness, chromatic aberration, and distortion. The Oly is a good lens, but it’s not fantastic, not up to the quality I am used to getting out of my full frame cameras and lenses (which I traded in for MFT). The Oly 75mm is entirely up to FF standards, so the format is certainly capable. The Schneider 14mm is large and has a much bigger objective than the Pany 12-35 or Oly 12. It remains to be seen, but this characteristic should grant the Schneider superior sharpness and a lot less distortion. Also, color rendition should be improved. Perhaps not a walk-around lens, the Schneider should make a pretty good instrument for critical studio work.
That will be too expensive..
I still don’t see any wide angle lenses that is worth buying, not in this or other brands… Anyone have and recommend some mft wide angle with good quality?