Camera
Panasonic announces Lumix S 100mm F2.8 macro lens, ultra compact and more than just a macro
| Image: Panasonic |
In conjunction with CES 2024, Panasonic has announced the Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro lens for full-frame L-mount cameras. Panasonic calls it “the world’s smallest and lightest medium-telephoto fixed focal length macro lens.” However, as important as its size and weight is versatility: Panasonic tells us its goal was to produce a macro that can also handle portraiture and medium telephoto shooting with vanishingly few drawbacks.
Buy now:
The 100mm F2.8 Macro is the same size as the other lenses in Panasonic’s line of F1.8 L-mount prime lenses, though it breaks the mold with its smaller F2.8 aperture. At 298g (10.5 oz), it’s also the second lightest in the suite, completing a span of lenses ranging from 18mm to 100mm, which differ by no more than 60g, within the margin of error for many gimbals and drones. It’s 82mm (3.2″) long and 74mm (2.9″) in diameter.
According to Panasonic, this makes it the world’s smallest and lightest macro lens in its class, with a few caveats applied: smallest and lightest among autofocus-capable, full-frame lenses with a 1:1 magnification ratio and focal length of at least 90mm.
Part of the small size is owing to Panasonic’s new ‘Dual Phase linear motor’, which it claims has allowed it to shrink the motor size by half while retaining the thrust of a motor twice the size. This allows the 100mm F2.8 to move its two independent focus groups smoothly, letting photographers focus on subjects near and far quickly and with optically corrected focus breathing. Additionally, Panasonic tells us the lens incorporates a newly designed aperture mechanism with a thinner profile and smaller physical diameter.
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| Image: Panasonic |
Optically, the lens comprises 13 elements in 11 groups, including three aspherical, two UED, and one ED elements, and uses an internal focusing design. It has a minimum focus distance of 20.4cm (8″), includes a 67mm filter thread, and is designed to render identical colors to match the other lenses in its series. One nuanced touch: Panasonic says it replaced the white paint typically used for lens markings around the front element with a dark gray variety to ensure that those markings don’t reflect off objects in macro photos.
Other features include a new sensor for the focus-by-wire system that provides six times more resolution for moving between focus steps, a focus limiter with the ability to program your own focus-limiting range in software, and dust- and splash-resistant construction.
We have the 100mm F2.8 Macro on hand and are putting it through its paces to test out Panasonic’s performance claims, but purely in terms of form factor, this 100mm F2.8 has a unique appeal, especially for anyone interested in being able to swap lenses of various focal lengths in and out of a stabilization setup without having to bother with constant recalibration.
The Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro will be available later this month with an MSRP of $1,000.
Sample gallery
View our Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro sample gallery
Note: Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don’t abuse it.
Panasonic Announces its Newest S Series Lens at CES 2024
The LUMIX S-E100 is the world’s smallest and lightest* medium-telephoto fixed focal length macro lens
Las Vegas, NV (January 8, 2024) – Panasonic is pleased to introduce the brand new LUMIX S 100mm F2.8 MACRO (S-E100) lens based on the L-Mount system standard. Compact and lightweight to match the camera body, the S-E100 lens joins the LUMIX S Series lineup which is designed to address the demand for accessible yet professional grade photography gear.
With a new optical design and a newly developed Dual Phase linear motor, the S-E100 is the world’s smallest and lightest medium-telephoto fixed focal length macro lens, weighing approximately 298 grams. It boasts high resolution, stunning bokeh unique to macro lenses, excellent depth in expression, and fast focusing in a chassis matched to our existing F/1.8 series of lenses. At the same time, its compact nature ensures excellent mobility outdoors and in other shooting locations.
In addition to close proximity photography, the S-E100 also produces impressive portraits and images unique to medium-telephoto lenses, with support for fast autofocusing and bright F/2.8 aperture. Following increased demand for video capabilities, the S-E100 produces high-quality video content through silent operation with optically corrected focus breathing. This is due to the newly developed linear focus motor and micro-step aperture control. These features allow for smooth exposure change and the ability to choose between linear or nonlinear focus ring settings.
By providing cutting edge, improved performance and mobility for camera enthusiasts and professionals, LUMIX aims to create a new digital mirrorless camera market.
Main Features
- The World’s Smallest and Lightest* Medium-Telephoto Fixed Focal Length Macro Lens
- A more compact structure thanks to an optical design, featuring a new Double Focus System, three aspherical lenses and a newly developed Dual Phase Linear Motor with a new actuator.
- Suitable for use in a wide range of situations due to its excellent mobility, whether it’s close proximity photography, natural photos and portraits, or faster paced action, unique to medium telephoto lenses.
- High Resolution and Outstanding Photographic Performance
- Boasts high resolution and elaborate photographic performance in every area, from the center of the image to its edges.
- Captures every detail of the subject while creating bokeh unique to medium-telephoto macro lenses.
- Optimal Video Functionality for Video Production
- Offers silent operation thanks to a newly developed Dual Phase Linear Motor.
- Suppresses focus breathing, in which the angle of view changes, caused by movements in the focus position.
- Fast Autofocus performance for expanded capabilities
- • Newly developed Dual Phase Linear Autofocus motor enables speed and precision for faster action tracking in both Photo and Video uses.
- Ultra-High precision manual focus sensor allows for unparalleled manual focus precision, even when working at 1:1 macro.
- Unified Design and rendering
- Designed to match our exiting F/1.8 series of lenses, the S-E100 allows photographers and videographers to maintain a unified experience from 18mm – 100mm with matched size, filter threads, and similar weight.
- Image renders has been tuned within this series of lenses to produce unified color regardless of which lens is used.
The LUMIX S-E100 lens will be available at valued channel partners at the end of January 2024 for $999.99 MSRP.
* As of January 9, 2024. Among interchangeable lenses for AF compatible full-frame mirrorless cameras, and macro lenses with a magnification ratio of 1:1 with a focal length of 90mm or more.
Panasonic Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro specifications
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 100 mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Lens mount | L-Mount |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | F22 |
| Aperture ring | No |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 9 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 11 |
| Special elements / coatings | 3 ASPH, 2 UED, 1 ED |
| Focus | |
| Minimum focus | 0.20 m (8.03″) |
| Maximum magnification | 1× |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Linear Motor |
| Full time manual | No |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | No |
| DoF scale | No |
| Focus distance limiter | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 298 g (0.66 lb) |
| Diameter | 74 mm (2.91″) |
| Length | 82 mm (3.23″) |
| Sealing | Yes |
| Colour | Black |
| Filter thread | 67 mm |
| Photo: Tucker Bowe |
Leica has launched a new LUX app for iOS that’s ostensibly intended to reach longstanding fans of the brand and endear a new generation of shooters to the photographic aesthetic of the iconic German camera company – or at least a digital approximation of it.
The app’s proprietary image processing engine can apply film emulation presets to existing photos in a similar fashion to Fujifilm’s popular offerings. Eleven so-called “Leica Looks” are included in the app at launch, such as Leica Standard, Leica Classic, Leica Contemporary, and Leica Black and White. However, the company says that new looks will be added every month.
Though now available to a much broader potential set of consumers, Leica Look filters technically aren’t new for the brand. The feature initially appeared in the company’s Fotos app for owners of newer Leica digital cameras.
Like other fully-featured third-party camera apps such as Halide, iPhone photographers can also use the LUX app’s automatic mode, “Aperture Mode,” and manual control modes to capture photos.
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| Photo: Leica |
Aperture Mode is the most unique selling point of the new app. Seemingly like Apple’s own Portrait Mode on steroids, the feature leverages Leica’s image engine to emulate the bokeh and color of the brand’s iconic – and for many, unobtainable – premier lenses, such as the Leica Summilux-M 28mm F1.4 ASPH, Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 ASPH, and Noctilux-M 50mm F1.2 ASPH. iPhone 15 Pro (Max) users can also access an APO-Telyt-M 135mm F3.4 emulation thanks to the phone’s telephoto lens.
There’s also a pro manual mode, which allows advanced users to control settings, including exposure compensation, shutter speeds, ISO, white balance, manual focus, and Raw/ProRaw capture settings. You can also see a live histogram.
While we haven’t tested the app yet ourselves, at least some journalists, such as Antonia G. Di Benedetto at The Verge, who have had access to early beta versions, describe the app’s processing features as hit-or-miss and the color filters in some cases as heavy-handed, at least for now. Like the built-in portrait modes on many premium smartphones, Leica’s efforts to simulate bokeh and depth of field via software seem to struggle to produce realistic results under certain conditions.
A free version of Leica’s LUX App is available from the Apple App Store with limited features, including access to five looks. Paying a monthly subscription fee of $6.99 or an annual fee of $69.99 unlocks all of the app’s capabilities. Leica recommends using the app with an iPhone Pro 12 or newer.
| Image: Canon |
Canon has announced the RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM lens, the first release in what the company says will become a full series of fixed-focal-length RF lenses with a hybrid design for stills and video, which are intended to work with both EOS photo and Cinema EOS cameras.
The RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM becomes the widest prime lens in Canon’s L-series. Its optical formula consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, including two specialized aspherical lens elements and two ultra-low Dispersion glass elements.
The lens also benefits from Canon’s Super Spectra Coating, Air Sphere Coating, and fluorine coating. It has 11 aperture blades. Autofocus is driven by a voice coil motor (VCM), a type of linear motor, for quick, precise focusing.
Size-wise, the lens is 99.3mm (3.9″) long and has a diameter of 76.5mm (3.0″). It’s noticeably longer and slightly skinner than Canon’s EF 35mm F1.4L USM, and comes in slightly lighter at 555g (19.5 oz) compared to 580g (20.5 oz) for the EF version.
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| Image: Canon |
Like the RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z announced last fall, Canon says it specifically designed the RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM to be a true hybrid stills/video lens in acknowledgment of the new multimedia production demands many professional creatives face today.
As such, the new 35mm prime also features a manual aperture ring, similar to the F 24-105mm F2.8 L, which allows for stepless control of the aperture/iris. Additionally, the lens is designed to minimize focus breathing. It’s also compatible with Canon’s newly announced, native RF-mouth EOS C400 cinema camera.
Pricing and availability
The Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM is expected to be available in June at an estimated retail price of $1,499. It includes a case, lens cap, dust cap and lens hood.
Press release:
CANON ANNOUNCES FIRST LENS IN SERIES OF FIXED FOCAL LENGTH RF HYBRID LENSES – RF35MM F1.4L VCM
New Portable Speedlite with New Multi-Function Shoe Design Also Available
MELVILLE, N.Y., – June 5, 2024 — Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions,
today announced the RF35mm F1.4 L VCM lens and Speedlite EL-10 flash. The new RF35mm
lens is the first in a series of fixed focal length RF lenses with hybrid video and still design, and the Speedlite EL-10 integrates with Canon’s new multi-function shoe design, for users of recent Canon EOS cameras.
Answering the needs of many professional high-level photographers, the new RF35m F1.4 L
VCM lens can be looked upon as a standard lens for video and still users — for example, those who use the EOS R5 and EOS C70 cameras. This lens is the beginning of a new hybrid lens series and with its fixed focal length, fills a gap as there is not a fixed focal length lens wider than 50mm in the L-series — until now. Ideal for low-light, the RF35mm F1.4 L VCM lens features a manual iris (aperture) ring which helps provide better control when shooting movies.
The lens allows very little focus “breathing” as focus is moved, and it’s highlighted by two
Aspherical lens elements and two ultra-low Dispersion glass elements. Overall, this lens has the outstanding L-series optical design many professionals have grown accustomed to. In addition, the lens can be used with the newly announced Canon EOS C400 cinema camera, further reinforcing Canon’s full support of the video market.
“The new RF35mm F1.4 L VCM lens is the answer for high-level video in the mirrorless market
– while also providing still-imaging storytellers the durability and optical performance that is
synonymous with Canon lenses,” said Brian Mahar, senior vice president & general manager,
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
The Speedlite EL-10 flash is designed for the amateur photographer who is stepping into the
mirrorless world, and the veteran user who is looking to get reacquainted with flash photography.
The multi-function shoe helps the still imagery storyteller by providing immediate access to the flash control menu, and either an on-camera EL-10 or the optional super-compact Speedlite Transmitter ST-E10 assists with triggering from one through up to fifteen off-camera flashes2.
The Speedlite EL-10 is a radio-based wireless flash with 2nd-curtain sync capabilities, and
leverages four AA batteries instead of a separate battery that requires charging — making
operation more streamlined for some users. In addition, it features a Custom Flash Mode
function, allowing the end-user to register and store up to three sets of flash settings, and is
approximately the same size and weight as its predecessor the Speedlite 430EX-III RT — while also pushing out the same amount of power. Automatic balanced fill flash is a key benefit to using flash photography, whether during daytime or low-light with slow shutter speed, and the Speedlite EL-10 is an excellent gear bag addition to achieve that creative look in one’s photos.
“Flash photography is a simple yet versatile way to add drama to one’s photos and with Canon’s steadfast commitment to reliability, the Speedlite EL-10 provides a full-circle Canon shooting experience,” continued Brian Mahar, senior vice president & general manager, Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Price & Availability
RF35mm F1.4 L VCM lens is expected to be available in June for an estimated retail piece of
$1,499.00 and the Speedlite EL-10 is also expected to be available in June for an estimated retail price of $249.99*.
For more information, please visit usa.canon.com.
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The Pentax WG-8 “Adventure Proof” compact
Image: Ricoh |
Ricoh has announced two new Pentax WG waterproof compacts: the range-topping WG-8 and the entry-level WG-1000.
The WG-8 replaces the Pentax WG-6 (and the Ricoh-branded WG-6 that came before it) at the top of the lineup. It’s a 20MP camera with a Type 1/2.3 sensor (6.3×4.7mm) that’s waterproof to a depth of 20m (65.6ft) for two hours: the deepest yet offered by the range. Ricoh says this is equivalent to an IPX8 or JIS Class 8 rating.
It’s also shockproof from 2.1m (6.5ft), able to withstand 100kg force (220lb of force) and can withstand temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F). It has a 3.0″ 1.04M dot (720 x 480px) rear LCD.
The WG-8 has a 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens with an F3.5-5.5 maximum aperture and a six LED ringlight around the lens. It can shoot up to 4K/30 video and can act as a webcam. It includes GPS and compass.
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Pentax WG-1000
Image: Ricoh |
The less expensive WG-1000 has a 16MP sensor and a 27-108mm equiv zoom. This has a maximum aperture of F3.0-6.6. It makes do with a 2.7″ 230k dot (320 x 240px) rear display. It can only shoot video up to 1080/30.
Its durability specs are also lower, with waterproofing rated to 15m (49.2ft), shockproof from 2m (6.5ft). It also lacks its more expensive sibling’s GPS and compass features.
The WG-8 will be available in late July at a recommended price of $399.95. The WG-1000 will arrive in mid July, costing around $229.95.
Ricoh expands its lineup of waterproof digital compact cameras with the PENTAX WG-1000 and the PENTAX WG-8
New cameras offer consumers entry-level and top-of-the-line options in all-weather
adventure cameras from Ricoh
PARSIPPANY, New Jersey, June 5, 2024 — Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced it has expanded its lineup of waterproof, digital compact cameras with two new models: the entry-level PENTAX WG-1000 and top-of-the-line PENTAX WG-8. The newest additions to the WG series of all-weather adventure cameras both feature a rugged chassis, plus the waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant features the series is known for.
| The PENTAX WG-1000 |
The WG-1000 is designed for casual underwater photography to a depth of 49.2 feet (15 meters) for up to one hour of continuous operation. Lightweight yet rugged, the new camera is also well suited for a range of land-based activities – it is dustproof against dirt and stains and shockproof against a fall from a height of 6.5 feet (2 meters). It comes equipped with a carabiner strap for carrying convenience and a protective jacket to shield the camera body from scratches.
The WG-1000 features a four-times optical zoom lens with a focal-length coverage from 4.9 mm to 19.6mm (equivalent to approximately 27mm to 108mm in the 35mm format). When coupled with its Digital Zoom function, the camera’s zoom range can be extended by approximately 24 times for high-magnification zoom photography. Its back-illuminated, 16.35-megapixel CMOS image sensor delivers sharp, clear, high-resolution images, even at a super-high sensitivity of ISO 3200.
Available in gray or olive, the WG-1000 offers seven image capture modes and a variety of color modes, enabling users to enhance their images based on their shooting environment and add their own personal aesthetic to the finished photos. The color modes include conventional Black and White and Sepia modes, as well as more creative options like Japan Style, which enhances bluish hues; Italian Style, which enhances greenish hues; and French Style, which enhances reddish hues.
|The PENTAX WG-8 |
Developed to be the toughest of the PENTAX WG series, the WG-8 boasts outstanding waterproof, shockproof and cold-resistant performance. This top-of-the-line model is waterproof to a depth of 65.6 feet (20 meters), shockproof against a fall from heights of 6.8 feet (2.1 meters), and able to operate in temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). Even in demanding conditions, it captures super-high-resolution still images of approximately 20 effective megapixels and high- quality 4K-resolution movie clips.
The WG-8 features a five-times optical zoom lens with focal-length coverage from 5mm to 25mm (equivalent to approximately 28mm to 140mm in the 35mm format). The lens’s minimum focusing distance of one centimeter allows the user to capture a wide range of images, from eye-catching close-ups to sweeping landscapes. Its Intelligent Zoom function extends the zoom range by approximately 40.5 times without compromising image quality.
The WG-8 has a host of advanced features and user-friendly functions, including a multi- application ring light, ideal for close-up macro photography, and web camera capability when connected to a computer for live-streaming of high-quality, high-resolution images. Its heavy-duty construction ensures that the WG-8 performs superbly and dependably in harsh, demanding outdoor conditions and on worksites.
Available in black or green, the WG-8 effectively replaces the current-model RICOH WG-6 camera as the premium offering in the product line
| Pricing and Availability |
The WG-1000 will be available mid-July at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com as well as at Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets nationwide for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $229.95
The WG-8 will be available late July at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com as well as at Ricoh Imaging- authorized retail outlets nationwide for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $399.95
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