Tomorrow Panasonic will launch the new 8mm f/3.5 fisheye lens. We didn’t receive any price indication yet but at least we have some technical details of the lens:
– 10 elements in 9 groups (1 ED lens)
– 7 diaphragm blades / circular aperture diaphragm
– No optical image stabilizer
– It can’t take filter
– closest focusing distance 0.1m
– maximum magnification 0.20x – 0.40x
– diagonal angle of view 180°
– overall length 51.7mm
– weight 165g
It comes with a lens cap, lens rear cap and a storage bag.
13 Responses
The minimum focus distance looks very promising for creative pics…. I was planing to buy the Oly 9-18 but maybe I wil go for this one instead…. hmmm… It gonna be a tough decision!
Is it for Panasonic / Olympus m4/3?
Will have to see some sample shots and price range but looks nice! Might get if it’s under $300 or $400.
Screw the 7-14 and the 9-18, I’m aiming for this ^-^
This lens would cost anything between $400-$600. The Samyang 8/3.5 fisheye will be very valid, cheaper alternative for adapter owners. Autofocus is a non-issue with this class of lenses.
But will the Samyang be 180 degrees (diagonal) for Fourthirds? How could it, if it’s designed for a larger image circle?
I just find it interesting how many of the most interesting Panasonic lenses don’t have IS. Seems like they are doing a good job of making lenses for the Olympus cameras and giving people a reason to buy their competitors.
Its valid that many uses of this lens would be tripod, but still, there’ll be exceptions. Just odd that Pany and Olympus differentiate on the in lens vs in body IS.
Image stabilization isn’t really need on fisheye or extra wide angle lenses, I’ve been using the Olympus 8mm on my Panasonic L10 for years without image stabilization as well as using it on my GH1 along with the Olympus 7-14mm, my pictures aren’t any sharper than when I use it on my Olympus e620 camera that has built in on body image stabilization.
Yeah, that the GH1 doesn’t have in-body stabilization, is sooo annoying! btw, does the olympus m43’s in-body stabilization work no matter what lens is on it?
Yes it works with every lens. I have only Pana lenses on my E-PL1 😉
Looks like this will be a great lens but such a shame that the long awaited 100–300mm zoom isn’t be launched at the same time. Panasonic seem to be losing the marketing momentum that is required to get a new system up and running.
J, its a 8mm lens. Why would you want image stabilization?
Jules: You aren’t going to have as much benefit agreed, I still feel there is some benefit. However, it isn’t just this lens. It is just a peculiar product feature since the lenses, particularly if you carry multiple, are where bulkiness comes in. Anything to make them smaller (and cheaper) seems like a win.