Panasonic Lumix Future Lens Development. This morning I’m working on a presentation for a meeting I have with Panasonic on June 2nd. Awhile back Panasonic contacted me to see if I would meet with two of their people from Tokyo to discuss future lens developments and they want to meet in my hometown of Bozeman, Montana. They’re actually flying these folks all the way from Tokyo, and to say I’m honored would be an understatement. Even more importantly than being honored, however, is I will finally get a chance to sit down with two very interested and committed people to discuss the need for longer, more pro-oriented lenses in the Lumix system. I don’t think Panasonic understands how many photo enthusiasts are out there that will pay for the right lens for outdoor recreation, wildlife, and sports photography.
Tanya and I were hosted by the folks at the Panasonic Center in Tokyo during our 2014 Japan Winter photo tour. Now we get to reciprocate with Montana hospitality.
My number one request is going to be the development of a professional quality, 100-300mm F/4 lens that is built with fast AF motors, super high quality glass, and meticulous fit and finish that is water and dust resistant. I will also be suggesting other lenses such as the possibility of an upgrade, with similar specs I mentioned above, for the 45-175mm zoom. Other lens ideas I will be talking about will include a fast 12mm prime such as maybe an F/2 or F/1.4. I would also love to see a 400mm F/4. Other pros I’ve talked to have mentioned even faster prime telephotos like a 300mm F/2 or a 200mm F/2. Remember all these lens have to be multiplied by two, so a 400m mF/4 would be the equivalent of an 800mm F/4. Yes, these lenses will be approaching larger sizes but when compared to the same lenses in my Nikon system, the new Lumix lenses would be 1/3 the size and weight of traditional full frame DSLR lenses, or less.
This is a visual chart by the Bureau of Economic Analysis showing Outdoor Recreation which includes nature and outdoor photography that shows spending from these outdoor oriented individuals of 646 billion dollars.
Many of you know I purchased and have been shooting with the Olympus 40-150mm F/2.8 and I recently started printing images as large as 32×40 inches shot with this lens and a Lumix GH4. These prints have convinced me the need for full frame sensor cameras are over for me. What we need now are superb professional quality lenses that show the capabilities of these Lumix cameras. Without a doubt Panasonic has given us some of exactly what we need in the 12-35mm F/2.8, the 35-100mm F/2.8, and the phenomenal 15mm F/1.7 and 42.5mm F/1.2 lenses. All these lenses are as sharp as anything I’ve ever shot and in some cases even sharper across the entire image area, corner to corner. Now we just need to bring that same quality to the longer zoom and telephotos.
Explorers Andrea, Joanne, Jeannne, Lynne, and Christine shooting in the Pantanal of Brazil. These are just a small part of the many millions of outdoor enthusiasts who spent 646 billion dollars last year on outdoor recreation that includes wildlife and nature photography.
Please do me a favor and add your voice to this blog post in the comments below. Let me know what you would like to see in future lens development for the Panasonic Lumix line of cameras. We need to help Lumix keep this train rolling. Add your voice now, PLEASE. Thanks in advance.