Panasonic has announced the large-aperture ultra-wide Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 9mm f/1. 7 ASPH for Micro Four Thirds (MFT). According to Leica, the lens was manufactured according to their standards. This makes it both suitable for professionals and amateurs.
The new 9mm f/1. 7 ASPH has a 35mm equivalent focal length to 18mm, a short focusing distance of 3. 7 inches, and a maximum magnification ratio of 0. 25x (a 35mm equivalent of 0.5x). Panasonic says it also has excellent resolving capabilities, beautiful bokeh background defocus, and is suitable for both still and video capture.
The lens is made of 12 elements in nine groups which includes two aspherical lenses, two ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses, and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens that the company says effectively suppresses axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification. Panasonic claims that the lenses are excellent at resolving astigmatism. Finally, an Ultra-High Refractive Index (UHR) lens achieves uniform quality from the center to the edges of the image while downsizing the lens unit.
The 9mm f/1. 7 features an aperture range of f/1. 7 through f/16 via a seven-bladed diaphragm and has a front filter diameter of 55mm.
Panasonic says the lens is capable of smooth and silent autofocus operation and will work well in tandem with the Lumix GH6 camera thanks to its ability to complement its autofocusing system and maximum 240 frames per second shooting speed. According to Panasonic, for non-linear settings the focus can be shifted using a variable speed according to rotation of the focus rings and for linear settings the focus will be shifted using a specified amount according the rotational quantum.
The 9mm f/1. 7 lens is also designed for high-end video performance and has an internal mechanism that suppresses focus breathing. Panasonic calls it a micro-step aperture control, which allows smooth exposure changes during video recording.
The lens weighs 4. 5 ounces (130 grams), is compact, and is designed to resist both dust and water to allow it to work in harsh conditions as far as 10-degrees below zero Celcius (full operation range is between -10 to 40 degrees Celcius, or between 14 and 104-degrees Fahrenheit).
Pricing and Availability
The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 9mm f/1. 7 ASPH for Micro Four Thirds is set to be available in July for $500.
