UPDATE: BHphoto is the first worldwide store accepting preorder of the new Panasonic-Leica 15mm f/1.7 in Black (Click here) or Silver (Click here).
–
For six months lens was shown on various photographic events (from Photokina to CP+) but Panasonic never really gave the lens any pricing of shipment info. But finally today Panasonic disclosed the full details that can be read on the following press release:
Panasonic Announce New F1.7 High Speed Leica Summilux 15mm Lens to Allow Photographers to Capture Fashionable Defocused Reportage Pictures
24th March 2014 – Panasonic has unveiled a new digital interchangeable lens, the H-X015 LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. (35 mm camera equivalent: 30 mm) for the LUMIX G range, based on the Micro Four Thirds standard, which is both compact and lightweight.
The new LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. allows photographers to capture supreme daily life pictures with beautiful bokeh. Exceptional optical performance is assured with certification granted from the world-renowned LEICA.
The new lens system comprising of 9 elements in 7 groups uses 3 aspherical lenses. The aspherical lenses suppress spherical aberration and distortion effectively while enabling the lens unit to be made smaller.
Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology is adopted to minimize the reflection at entire visual light range (380nm-780nm) resulting in the super clear picture quality by avoiding ghost and flare.
The lens incorporates a superior inner focus system, which enables excellent resolution and contrast from close-up to infinity. The inclusion of a newly developed stepping motor makes the focusing action smooth, silent and quicker for use in both photo and video recording.
Notably the performance of AF is by far superior to the phase-difference AF when fast lenses with a smaller F value are used. It is also compatible with the sensor drive at max.240 fps to take maximum advantage of the high-speed AF of LUMIX G cameras.
The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. comes equipped with aperture ring and AF/MF switch for direct, intuitive operation. Furthermore, the robust metal design of LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH., including the hood, is highly reliable and durable for repeated exchange of the lens.
New GM1 kit, DMC-GM1L
The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. is the perfect companion for Panasonic’s recently released LUMIX DMC-GM1 and will be available with this camera in a new kit (DMC-GM1L) giving the photographer a sophisticated style with the ‘Got To have It’ camera enabling creative high quality photography.
The GM1 kit will be available in black from mid June priced £999.99 while the lens only will be £549.99 arriving early June. The lens will be available in black and silver.
4 Responses
now that is a fast lens.
Thats a heavy lens!
£550 is roughly $900, euro 660. A very expensive lens. f/1.7 is just ok for a micro 4/3 30 mm equivalent lens. Probably good enough, but it needs to be extraordinary to deserve that pricing.
I agree. The new 42.5 f0.95 costs around $1500. And has mega IS. Of course 30mm is a focal length one would use for the GM1. Street shooting or indoor shooting.
I would have preferred a Lumix branded lens for $400-500. 30-35mm f1.7. With Mega IS
Of course it would not be the same super Leica quality but I a. Sure good enough. I would use my 25mm f1.4. For more serious work. The GM1 is really not for serious work. So no need to have super costly lenses for it. I will continue to use my 20mm f1.7 with my GX7’s and OMD5. So I hope we will see more small lenses for the GM1 but more reasonably priced