Panasonic is unveiling a new telephoto zoom digital interchangable lens, the Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. the third lens in the series.
Scott Mellish, product marketing manager, imaging, Panasonic, says, “Supporting demand from keen sports and wildlife photographers, the new lens offers a desirable focal length and speed combination – covering a distance from ultra-telephoto to super telephoto, and with a fast F2.8-4.0 aperture.
“We now have three F2.8-4.0 Leica lenses, 8-18mm, 12-60mm and the new 50-200mm, all with outstanding imaging and exacting body design, including weather sealing. A photographer can carry an amazing focal range of 16mm to 400mm (35mm equivalent), with fast apertures – all in a lightweight kit with no compromise on quality.”
The 67mm filter thread allows for the use of ND and PL filters to further enhance the lens’ versatility. Two optional Teleconverters are available, the 2.0x DMW-TC20, which extends focusing distance to 800mm (35mm equivalent), and the 1.4x DMW-TC14 (560mm – 35mm equivalent). Particularly important when zooming and shooting distant subjects, the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser) compensates for hand-shake, allowing shooting without a tripod. For powerful stabilisation, the lens works with Dual I.S.ii (Image Stabiliser) and the Dual.I.S.2iii system when mounted on compatible Panasonic Lumix DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) cameras.
The Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. lens (H-ES50200) can be used for both photo and video recording. The metallic black body is designed to match the latest Lumix G cameras, including the GX9, G9, GH5 and GH5S.
As with all lenses in the Series, the H-ES50200 has a rugged, dust and splash-proof design, is freeze-proof down to -10 degrees Celsius to withstand professional use under harsh conditions; and takes advantage of Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology to minimise ghosts and flaring.
The H-ES50200 lens is compatible with the LUMIX G sensor drive at 240fps to take advantage of the high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF.
The AF tracking performance in zooming is also enhanced with high-speed frame analysis for focus control. The new lens incorporates 21 elements in 15 groups, including two UED (Ultra Extra-low Dispersion) lenses, two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses, two aspherical lenses and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index Lens) lens.
The Leica DG Vario-Elmarit F2.8-4.0 lens Series covers from 8 to 200mm (16-400 mm in 35mm camera equivalent) with three lenses: Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. (H-E08018) Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm /F2.8-4.0 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-ES12060) and Leica DG Varia-Elmarit 50-200mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-ES50200).
The HES50200 is priced at $2,299rrp, and will be available in Australia in June 2018 from photographic specialists and consumer electronics retailers.
