The Panasonic S 85mm f/1.8 is the first of four uniform-sized prime lenses for full-frame L-mount cameras
(Image credit: Panasonic)
The Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 – the first of four uniform-sized, full-frame f/1.8 prime lenses – has been officially announced by Panasonic.
While compatible with all L-mount cameras, the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 has been primarily designed with the manufacturer's own S-series bodies in mind such as the Panasonic S1R, Panasonic S1H and the new Panasonic S5.
The new optic features eight groups with a total of nine elements, including a pair of Extra-low Dispersion lenses to control both axial and magnification-induced chromatic aberration.
With nine aperture blades, the S 85mm f/1.8 "pursues the beauty of bokeh" and "provides smooth defocus gradation from the focus peak to the neighboring area of the image as well as smooth, round bokeh of point light source without vignetting."
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(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
The lens also possesses a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, making this an optic well suited to shooting video. A sturdy 355g optic, it is weather sealed (being dust and splash-resistant) and withstands hard conditions down to -10°C / 14°F.
As noted, the Pansonic S 85mm f/1.8 is the first of a family of four, fast, full-frame f/1.8 primes from the manufacturer, which will also comprise 24mm, 35mm and 50mm options.
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All four lenses will share a common size, position of controls and filter diameter (which is 67mm), making operability and compatibility much simpler (although no doubt making it tricky to find the right lens in your camera bag).
The Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 will be available from the end of November with a recommended retail price of $597.99 / £599.99 (approximately AU$836.19).
James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes.
