Panasonic Redesigns the Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8
Panasonic announced that it has revamped and replaced the Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 II ASPH with a new Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2.8 ASPH POWER O.I.S. for Lumix G Series Micro Four Thirds cameras. The new 12-35mm f/2.8 lens replaces one of Panasonic’s most well-known and best lenses and is a demonstration of the company’s continuous commitment to the development and support of the Micro Four Thirds system, according to Panasonic.
The upgraded lens has a full-frame equivalent focal length of 24-70mm and is made up of fourteen components organized into nine groups, including four aspherical elements, one Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion (UED) element, and one Ultra High Refractive Index (UHR) element. Panasonic also employs an upgraded Nano Surface Coating to reduce flare and ghosting.
“Due to its thin coating with nanometer-level microstructure and an ultra-low dispersion ratio, the reflection of the entire wavelength of 380 to 780mm, including visual light range, are reduced. Together with a newly adopted light-shielding part, occurrence of ghost and flare is minimized,” the company says.
The lens has optical image stabilization (OIS), a fly-by-wire focusing technology, and is dust and splash proof. In comparison to its predecessor, Panasonic has reduced focus breathing on the lens and incorporated a new micro-step aperture control for speedier changes when making adjustments while recording video.
According to Panasonic, the lens has a shorter focusing distance at the wide end of 0.15 meters (about 5.9 inches) and a bigger magnification ratio of 0.21x (at 17mm) than the original, which had a 0.25-meter (about 9.8 inches) minimum focusing distance and a 0.17x magnification ratio.
The lens is also said to have fast, smooth, and silent autofocus thanks to a technology that can work at up to 240 frames per second. Because Panasonic cameras are excellent at video capture, the lens has a system that prevents focus breathing as well as a micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure changes.
The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12–35mm f/2.8 ASPH Power OIS is available to pre-order starting today for $899. The first units are expected to ship in January 2023.
