Panasonic has announced the latest LUMIX S5II / S5IIX full-frame mirrorless cameras with phase detection autofocus support. In addition, Panasonic also announced the launch of a new ultra-wide-angle zoom lens LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO (S-R1428), based on the L-mount, LUMIX S series three lenses including LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO (S-R1428), LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 (S-R2060) and LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S (S-R70300), covering 14mm ultra-wide angle to 300mm telephoto. Both support high optical performance and take into account mobility, making them suitable for the LUMIX S5 series cameras for shooting photos and videos.
The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO consists of 14 lenses in 10 groups, including one aspherical ED (low dispersion) lens, one aspherical lens, three ED (low dispersion) lenses, and one UHR (high refractive index) lens. Despite its compact size and light weight of approximately 345 grams, the LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO has a macro shooting capability of 0.25 (at 14mm) to 0.5x (at 28mm). And with a closest focusing distance of 0.15m available throughout the zoom range, it is suitable for a wide range of situations, for close-up shots with beautiful bokeh effects, and for ultra-wide angle landscape photography.
The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO operates smoothly and quietly, working in concert with the camera’s high-speed, high-precision autofocus system with lens drive speeds of up to 240 fps. With the nonlinear focus setting, the focus moves a non-constant distance depending on the speed of rotation of the focus ring, while with the linear focus setting, the focus moves a constant amount depending on the unit angle of rotation of the focus ring. Sensitivity (the amount of focus shift per unit angle of rotation) can be selected from 90 to 360 degrees to achieve the desired focus operation (maximum focus travel varies by camera model, up to 1080 degrees on the S5II, S5IIX, and BS1H (as of January 2023)).
For video recording performance, the LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO is designed with a lens group that minimizes breathing during focusing, a serious flaw common to lenses designed for flat photography. This, coupled with the micro-step aperture control function to help smooth out exposure changes, can help photographers record more professional-quality videos.
The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO and LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 lenses have the same overall length and the same location of the control components (zoom ring and focus ring), with nearly the same weight and center of gravity, making it easier to make smaller balance adjustments while the camera is on the stabilizer and facilitating quick lens changes, making it even more advantageous in use.
With reliable dust and splash-resistant design, it can be used even in the harsh conditions of -10 degrees Celsius and has excellent mobility. The outermost lens has a fluorine coating to ensure water/oil resistance. A 77mm diameter ND / PL filter can be fitted.
