Panasonic Unveils the LUMIX S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO Lens for L-Mount Cameras
Along with launching the two successors of the LUMIX S5, Panasonic is also introducing a new ultra wide-angle zoom with macro capabilities, the LUMIX S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO. The LUMIX S Series offers three budget-friendly lenses including the LUMIX S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO , LUMIX S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 and LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. to cover 14mm ultra wide-angle to 300mm telephoto. All of these lenses achieve high optical performance and stunning mobility fit to LUMIX S5 series cameras for both photo and video.
The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO is comprised of 14 lens elements in 10 groups including one aspherical ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lens, one aspherical lens, three ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens. The use of aspherical lenses realizes both high descriptive performance and beautiful bokeh. The three ED lenses effectively suppress chromatic aberration. Despite its compact size and approximately 345g of light weight, the LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO boasts 0.25 (at 14mm) – 0.5x (at 28mm) macro capability. Taking advantage of the minimum focusing distance of 0.15m at entire zoom range, it can be used for close-up shots with beautiful bokeh. It is suitable for versatile situations including sweeping landscape shots in ultra-wide-angle of view.
The LUMIX S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO is capable of smooth, silent operation to work with the camera’s high-speed, high-precision AF system with the sensor drive at max 240 fps.
For the non-linear setting, focus is shifted with a variable amount according to the rotation speed of the focus ring. Focus is shifted with a designated amount according to the rotational quantum of the focus ring for the linear setting. Sensitivity (the amount of focus shift per rotational quantum) can be selected from 90 to 360 degrees to enable intended focus operation. The LUMIX S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, which was a fatal problem of all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography. Together with a micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change, professional quality video can be recorded.
The LUMIX S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO and LUMIX S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens feature a common overall length and position of control parts to provide practical advantages in use. The weight and the center of the gravity of these lenses is similar, making it easy to exchange lenses quickly with minimum balance adjustment when the camera is on a gimbal.
The rugged dust/splash-resistant design withstands use under harsh conditions even at -10° Celsius for high mobility. A fluorine coating is applied to the front lens element to secure water/oil-repellency. An ND/PL filter with 77mm diameter can be attached.
The Panasonic LUMIX S 14–28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO will start shipping at the end of March 2023 for $799.99.
