NewsMarch 2007

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Leica 25mm F1.4 Four Thirds lens

Pre-PMA 2007: Panasonic has today announced the availability of a second Leica lens for the Four Thirds system (the lens itself was originally announced back in September at Photokina). The LEICA D SUMMILUX 25mm/F1.4 ASPH is a fast standard lens (equivalent to a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera) and promises superb image quality thanks to a large diameter aspherical lens and four ED elements.

Press Release:

Sales Under Way of the Second Leica Lens Designed Specifically for the Digital SLR camera

LEICA D SUMMILUX 25mm/F1.4 ASPH.

Panasonic is pleased to introduce the second Leica interchangeable lens designed specifically for digital SLR cameras. The LEICA D SUMMILUX 25mm/F1.4 ASPH. complies with the Four Thirds System and will be available by April at a suggested retail price of £749.99

The new LEICA D SUMMILUX 25mm/F1.4 lens (35mm equivalent: 50mm) is a bright, large-diameter F1.4 standard lens. It incorporates an aperture ring and boasts as many as 10 lens elements in 9 groups, including a large-diameter aspherical lens, which assure a superb optical performance and F1.4 brightness, while one super ED (extra-low dispersion) lens and three ED lenses reduce color bleeding to an absolute minimum.

Bright, large-diameter F1.4 25mm fixed focal length lens (35mm equivalent: 50mm)

A hefty total of 10 lens elements in 9 groups, including a large-diameter aspherical lens, give this bright, standard F1.4 lens a superb optical performance. A large-diameter front lens ensures sufficient peripheral light levels, and a large-diameter front aspherical lens reduces light degradation all the way to the lens periphery. The result is high resolution and absolutely minimum lens distortion.

One super ED lens and three ED lenses

Four extra-low dispersion lenses suppress chromatic aberration, thus minimizing colour bleeding.

Aperture ring with a familiar, intuitive touch

When the D SUMMILUX lens is used with the LUMIX DMC-L1 digital camera, the photographer has an aperture ring as well as a focus ring at his or her fingertips. These rings provide the same kind of easy, pleasant, intuitive operation as experienced on traditional film cameras.

Minimum photographic distance of 38 cm for beautiful macro shooting

Unlike the 50mm lenses used on conventional 35mm film cameras, the D SUMMILUX lens uses a floating focus that reduces minimum photographic distance to just 38 cm. In addition to the lens's high optical performance and low aberration, maximum photographic magnification of 0.17x (35mm equivalent), which combines with the F1.4 brightness allows beautiful macro shooting.

Circular aperture diaphragm

Seven aperture blades create a rounded shape. This combines with the F1.4 brightness to produce a beautiful smoothness in out-of-focus areas at larger aperture.

Multiple lens coatings minimize ghosts and flare

Multi-coated lenses reduce ghosts and flare to an absolute minimum, helping the D SUMMILUX deliver an optical performance that meets Leica's exacting standards.

Allowing you to choose the most appropriate lens for the given subject, Panasonic is pleased to open the door to a unique world of creative expression.

Specifications: LEICA D SUMMILUX 25mm/F1.4 ASPH.

• Lens Construction: 10 elements in 9 groups (1 aspherical lens, 1 Super ED lens and 3 ED lenses)
• Mount: Four Thirds mount
• Focal length: f=25 mm (35mm film camera equiv. 50 mm)
• MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer): No
• Aperture type: 7 diaphragm blades / Iris diaphragm
• Minimum aperture: F16
• Closest focusing distance: 0.38m
• Maximum magnification: Approx. 0.17x (35mm film camera equivalent)
• Diagonal angle of view: 47 degree
• Filter size: 62 mm
• Overall length: 75 mm
• Weight: Approx. 510g