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Panasonic announces 26mm F8 body-cap manual lens and trails 18-40mm

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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.”

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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

  1. 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.
  2. 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 specifications
Lens type Prime lens
Max Format size 35mm FF
Focal length 26 mm
Image stabilization No
Lens mount L-Mount
Aperture
Maximum aperture F8
Minimum aperture F8
Aperture ring No
Number of diaphragm blades 1
Aperture notes Fixed aperture lens
Optics
Elements 5
Groups 5
Special elements / coatings 1 UED element
Focus
Minimum focus 0.25 m (9.84)
Maximum magnification 0.14×
Autofocus No
Full time manual Yes
Focus method Internal
Distance scale No
DoF scale No
Physical
Weight 58 g (0.13 lb)
Diameter 67 mm (2.64)
Length 18 mm (0.71)
Materials Plastic
Sealing No
Filter notes Filters cannot be attached
Hood supplied No
Tripod collar No

Author:
This article comes from DP Review and can be read on the original site.

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