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Panasonic has announced the Lumix S 85mm F1.8 for L-mount. This compact lens has nine elements, two of which are ED glass that help control chromatic aberration, along with a nine-blade aperture for circular out-of-focus highlights. It has a minimum focus distance of 0.8m (2.6ft) and a maximum magnification of 0.13x.
The 85mm F1.8 is just 82mm (3.2″) long and weighs in at 355g (12.5oz). The lens is dust and moisture-resistant and Panasonic claims that it can function down to -10°C/+14°F. It’s designed to have the same size and control placement as Panasonic’s other upcoming L-mount primes (24/35/50mm), for easier use with things like gimbals.
The Lumix S 85mm F1.8 will be available in January for $ 599.
Press release:
A New F1.8 Large-Aperture Fixed Focal Length Lens for the LUMIX S Series
Compact, Lightweight Medium-Telephoto LUMIX S 85mm F1.8 (S-S85)
Newark, NJ (November 4, 2020) – Panasonic is pleased to introduce a new large-aperture medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens, the LUMIX S 85mm F1.8 (S-S85) that enhances portrait photography with its beautiful bokeh effect. Based on the L-Mount system for the LUMIX S Series full-frame mirrorless camera, Panasonic is going to release four F1.8 large-aperture lenses as previously announced, and this 85mm F1.8 is the first one. These four F1.8 lenses feature common size and position of control parts to provide practical advantage in use, for example, when the camera is on a gimbal, it is easy to exchange lenses quickly with minimum adjustment of connected gears. Filters can also be used in common thanks to the same diameter. Boasting high mobility realized by its compact size and light weight, the LUMIX S 85mm F1.8 is also suitable for stills.
Comprising 9 elements in 8 groups, the use of 2 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses effectively suppresses both axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification. Panasonic S series lenses even pursue the beauty of bokeh and the LUMIX S 85mm F1.8 provides smooth defocus gradation from the focus peak to the neighboring area of the image as well as smooth, round bokeh of point light source without vignetting. The LUMIX S 85mm F1.8 also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, which was a critical problem of all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography.
With its compact size and approximately 355g weight, the LUMIX S 85mm F1.8 features stunning mobility. The rugged dust/splash-resistant* design withstands use under harsh conditions even at 10 degrees below zero for high mobility. The filter diameter is 67 mm, with a 9-blade circular aperture diaphragm.
In addition to the four F1.8 large-aperture lenses, A 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens is also under development to further enhance LUMIX S Series lens lineup. Panasonic and L-Mount system alliance are committed to the development of L-Mount lenses for the further expansion of its lineup to fulfill the needs of customers.
* Dust and Splash Resistant does not guarantee that damage will not occur if this lens is subjected to direct contact with dust and water.
Panasonic Lumix S 85mm F1.8 specifications
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 85 mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Lens mount | L-Mount |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | F22 |
| Aperture ring | No |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 9 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 9 |
| Groups | 8 |
| Special elements / coatings | 2 ED elements |
| Focus | |
| Minimum focus | 0.80 m (31.5″) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.13× |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Linear Motor |
| Full time manual | Yes |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | No |
| DoF scale | No |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 355 g (0.78 lb) |
| Diameter | 74 mm (2.91″) |
| Length | 82 mm (3.23″) |
| Materials | Magnesium alloy |
| Sealing | Yes |
| Colour | Black |
| Filter thread | 67 mm |
| Hood supplied | Yes |
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)