Panasonic has unveiled its new large-aperture wide fixed focal length lens, the LUMIX S 35mm F1.8 (S-S35).
According to Panasonic, the lens excels in video recording due to a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, a “fatal problem” of interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography. Together with a micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change, this functionality enables the recording of professional quality video.
The lens is the fourth addition to the F1.8 series based on the L-Mount system standard: 85mm (S-S85), 50mm (S-S50), 24mm (S-S24) and the new 35mm (S-S35). They are said to be consistent in size, position of control parts, descriptive performance and diameter, allowing common filters to be used. Their centre of gravity is almost the same, so lenses can be quickly exchanged with minimum balance adjustment when the camera is on a gimbal.
The LUMIX S 35mm F1.8 is comprised of 11 lens elements in nine groups, including three aspherical lenses and three ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses which effectively suppress chromatic aberration. The company said the lens is ideally suited to landscapes, snapshots, portraits and close-up shots, thanks to the minimum focusing distance of 0.24m.
The compact-size, lightweight lens fits LUMIX’s smallest full-frame model, the S5, featuring a dust/splash-resistant*1 design for harsh conditions, operating even at -10°C. The filter diameter is 67mm, with a 9-blade circular aperture diaphragm.
Panasonic also announced a new firmware update for its LUMIX GH5 II cameras to enhance performance and usability, available from the LUMIX website on 30th November.
The GH5 II is a hybrid mirrorless camera with wireless live streaming capability and C4K 60p/50p 10-bit video recording. The update enhances wired streaming for highest-quality performance and compliance with RTP/RTSP streaming via wired LAN and USB tethering, supporting maximum 4K high resolution live-streaming for both indoor and outdoor use.
Additional functions of GH5 II Firmware Version 1.1 include:
- Live View Composite function
- 720° and 1080° added as options of Focus Ring Control
- The camera can be connected to LUMIX Tether via wired LAN
- Multiple cameras can be controlled from LUMIX Tether
- Zoom operation of the LUMIX G power zoom lenses can be operated from LUMIX Tether
