Panasonic Announces Ultra-Wide 9mm MFT Lens

Panasonic has announced a new Leica DG Summilux 9mm F1.7 Micro Four Thirds Lens with a large aperture and exceptionally short focusing distance of 0.095m (3.7 inches). The 9mm MFT lens offers a 35mm equivalent of 18mm, and a magnification ratio of 0.25x (35mm camera equivalent: 0.5x).

Built out with 12 lens elements in nine groups, including two aspherical lenses: two ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens, the DG Summilux 9mm F1.7 lens can effectively suppress axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification.

Furthermore, an Ultra-High Refractive Index (UHR) lens achieves uniform quality from the center to the edges of the image.

“The combination of these lenses makes it possible to distinguish the subject’s presence against the background,” says Panasonic. “It also boasts high descriptive performance and smooth, beautiful bokeh, clearing the stringent LEICA standards.”

The lens offers autofocus and two different manual modes including linear focus, for adjusting the focus at a steady rate with the rotation of the focus ring, or non-linear which will focus based on how fast the rotational speed is achieved

Adjustments can be made from 90 to 360 degrees (in 30-degree increments) in non-linear mode while pulling focus during video shooting. The focus adjustments are increased from 90 to 1080 degrees when used with DC-GH6.

According to Panasonic, the lens offers smooth, silent operation through Panasonic’s high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system with to 240 fps.’

Panasonic has also reduced focus breathing thanks to a mechanism that suppresses the phenomenon when using lenses designed more for still photography and not video recording.

The aperture has 7 diaphragm blades for a smooth circular iris bokeh. This yields a maximum aperture of f1.7, and a minimum of f16. There is a micro-step aperture control for smoother iris adjustments, in ⅓ stop steps.

The lens has a filter diameter of 55mm and weighs just 130g (4.5 ounces) and has a diagonal angle of view: 100°.

Its rugged dust/splash-resistant design can withstand harsh conditions, including frigid temperatures at 10 degrees below zero.

With an MSRP of $500, the Leica DG Summilux 9mm F1.7 lens will be available in late July 2022.

[source: Panasonic]

Order Links:

• Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 9mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens (B&H, Adorama)