Newark, NJ—Panasonic introduced a telephoto zoom digital interchangeable lens with a large f/1.7 aperture: the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm F1.7 Asph (H-X2550). The 50–100mm-equivalent lens is a tool for both photo shooting and video recording.
Furthermore, the new lens was designed to be paired with the Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10–25mm f/1.7 Asph (H-X1025). They both feature the full-range f/1.7 high-speed aperture to provide beautiful bokeh and high descriptiveness. In addition, the two lenses cover a focusing distance from wide angle to telephoto. They function as eight fixed-focal-length lenses (20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, 85mm and 100mm equivalents).
However, they provide the same or a higher level of descriptiveness than a fixed-focal-length lens. They also have a common shape and operability.
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm F1.7 Asph
Comprising 16 elements in 11 groups, the new lens uses an aspherical lens and three extra-low dispersion (ED) lenses to suppress axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification. Moreover, spherical aberration and distortion are corrected by the aspherical lenses. The use of aspherical lenses and the design of the lens system also results in a compact size and light weight.
In addition, a maximum 240-frames-per-sec sensor drive realizes high-precision autofocus. Beyond the silent operation achieved by the lens’s inner focus drive system, a stepless aperture ring and micro-step drive system in the aperture control section help the camera to smoothly catch up to brightness changes when zooming or panning.
A focus ring also allows intuitive focusing, while a linear/nonlinear setting can be switched with this ring. What’s more, with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing through the entire zoom range, the 25–50mm f/1.7 Asph is also an option for video recording.
Other features include a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches at wide end and 12.2 inches at the tele end; as well as a maximum magnification ratio of 0.42x for macro photography. With a 77mm filter diameter, the new lens is bot
h dust and splash resistant. In addition, it will operate under harsh temperatures.
The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25–50mm f/1.7 Asph will reach retail at the end of August. It will have a suggested retail price of $1,799.99.
