Panasonic announces 26mm F8 body-cap manual lens and trails 18-40mm: Digital Photography Review
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Image: Panasonic
Alongside the S9 social media camera, Panasonic has announced the 26mm F8, a manual focus, fixed aperture lens for the L-mount system. It’s also said it will release a compact 18-40mm F4.5-6.3 zoom lens for L-mount “soon.”
The company refers to the 18mm-deep (0.71″) lens as a “pancake” lens, but its stripped-back feature set reminds us more of Olympus’s 15mm F8 “body cap” lens for the Micro Four Thirds system.
This impression is reinforced by the lens not accepting lens caps or filters and instead having a protective element across the front, which is not part of its design’s optical formula, suggesting it’s designed to withstand being left on the camera.
The Panasonic design is a little wider than the Olympus and has significantly shallower depth-of-field than the F16-equiv behavior of the 15mm on Micro Four Thirds. As a result it has to have a short-throw focus ring, rather than the close-focus/1.5m–infinity switch on the older lens.
Image: Panasonic
The Lumix S 26mm F8 weighs just 58g (2.0oz) and will retail for a recommended price of $199. We also expect it to be bundled with the S9 without adding significantly to the cost of the kit.
Panasonic also said it will be launching an 18-40mm F4.5-6.3 compact zoom lens soon. The only detail given about the ultra-wide to fractionally-wide-of-normal zoom is that it will focus down as close as 0.15m (5.9″).
Its short range and relatively modest aperture range will presumably see it act as a low-cost alternative to the $1500 Lumix S 16-35mm F4, rather than a rival to the $600 20-60mm F3.5-5.6.
Press Release:
Panasonic Introduces LUMIX S Series Fixed Focal Length Pancake Lens: LUMIX S 26mm F8 (S-R26)
Newark, N.J. (May 22, 2024) – Panasonic is pleased to announce the new LUMIX S 26mm F8 (S-R26), an incredibly compact and lightweight lens designed to be the perfect match to the new LUMIX S9 camera body. Despite its slim profile, the 26mm features the superior design, high resolution, and outstanding image quality for which LUMIX has become known for.
With a focal length of 26mm, a fixed F-stop of F8, and manual focus only, this new pancake lens is designed for the simple enjoyment of manual shooting with creative composition and exposure. Perfect for spontaneously capturing fleeting moments, the 26mm delivers unique results compared to the existing line-up of LUMIX S Series wide-angle, fixed focal length lenses.
Main Features
The fixed focal length pancake lens in the LUMIX S Series
Manual focus allows creators to take full control of their own personal style of content creation
The lens has a wide angle of 26mm and a fixed F-stop of F8
Enjoy unlimited creative possibilities from pan-focusing to bokeh effects.
Compact, lightweight lens perfect for everyday
Ultimate portability with a thin and lightweight body that fits into your pocket
Easy to carry around and start shooting at a moment’s notice, making it ideal for spontaneous snapshots
Overall length of approximately 18.1mm and a weight of approximately 58g/0.13lb.
Designed to match the compact body of LUMIX S9.
･ This lens is for manual focus only, fixed at F8. The camera’s AF setting and some MF assist functions cannot be used. ･ External filters cannot be attached.
The new LUMIX S 26mm F8 (S-R26) will be available for purchase in late June 2024 at valued channel partners for $199.99.
Coming soon: A new compact versatile zoom lens: LUMIX S 18-40mm F4.5-6.3
A new LUMIX S 18-40mm F4.5-6.3 lens is coming to the full frame LUMIX S Series lens line-up soon. A compact and versatile zoom lens ideal for daily use, the upcoming 18-40mm has a minimum shooting distance of 0.15m/0.49ft. This everyday lens is designed to match the LUMIX S9 and covers focal lengths from an ultra-wide angle of 18mm to a semi-standard 40mm.
Panasonic Lumix S 26mm F8 specifications
Principal specificationsLens typePrime lensMax Format size35mm FFFocal length26 mmImage stabilizationNoLens mountL-MountApertureMaximum apertureF8Minimum apertureF8Aperture ringNoNumber of diaphragm blades1Aperture notesFixed aperture lensOpticsElements5Groups5Special elements / coatings1 UED elementFocusMinimum focus0.25 m (9.84″)Maximum magnification0.14×AutofocusNoFull time manualYesFocus methodInternalDistance scaleNoDoF scaleNoPhysicalWeight58 g (0.13 lb)Diameter67 mm (2.64″)Length18 mm (0.71″)MaterialsPlasticSealingNoFilter notesFilters cannot be attachedHood suppliedNoTripod collarNo
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