Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm Review at Photographyblog: “versatile, compact and light, handles like a dream”

Photographyblog reviewed the new Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm lens and concluded:

Photographers may find it hard to get excited about standard zoom lenses with a modest maximum aperture, such as the new Panasonic S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens.

However, such ‘kit’ lenses at this level need to complement the cameras they serve and the Panasonic S series cameras have large boots to fill. Put it this way – you wouldn’t want to fork out loads of cash on a camera to then use a sub-par lens. Thankfully, this is not the case.

There really is no other lens like the 20-60mm in the in Panasonic’s L-Mount range. Coming in as the smallest, lightest and cheapest lens in the range by a long way, we have been pleasantly surprised by our overall experience.

Not only does its size (and weight) complement a Lumix S1 body perfectly, the lens construction is very sturdy. Even without the ‘PRO’ badge, it’s built virtually to the same durable standard as some of the big boys like the 24-70mm f/2.8 PRO lens.

Focusing is lightning fast for photos and perfectly smooth (and silent) for videos. We didn’t miss the manual focus clutch too much given all of the focusing info readily to hand via an S1 screen display.

We have been completely won over by the handling of the lens. With silent focusing, minimal focus breathing, excellent autofocus and a focal range of 20-60mm, this lens in clearly positioned in the hybrid realm, practically serving photographers and videographers in a wide range of scenarios.

And this lens is no slouch when it comes to image quality. Detail is very sharp across the entire focal range with an optimum performance at f/11. Even at maximum apertures there is the slightest drop in sharpness and we would have no hesitation pushing the lens this way.

Most impressively, there is virtually no decline in sharpness from centre to corners. Overall, the 20-60mm lens is not critically sharp like lenses triple the price, but it impresses and lens distortions are controlled well, too. Of course, you do not get the option of true shallow depth of field, dreamy bokeh, or lowlight versatility, but the gain is a compact and versatile lens.

Our final word is that the Panasonic S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens is a welcome addition to the L-Mount range. It’s versatile, compact and light, handles like a dream and complements a Lumix S1 body well in all areas.

L-mount news roundup…


How To Update The Firmware On Your Lumix S Series Camera

Plenty of L-rumors readers images on our L-mount Facebook Group.
Post Processing Workflow –Software and Hardware I use (Matti Sulanto)
DpreviewTV: Four camera filters you still need for digital photography (Polarizer, ND, UV, Graduated ND)
Panasonic Lumix S 20-60 mm f/3,5-5,6 : nouveau zoom atypique en monture L (Phototrend).
Panasonic Goes Ultra-Wide with a New 20-60mm Zoom (Explora).

Links:
Panasonic S1R at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. In Europe at Calumet DE, ParkCameras, Jessops.
Panasonic S1 at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. In Europe at Calumet DE, ParkCameras, Jessops.
Panasonic S1H at Amazon, BHphoto. Adorama. FocusCamera. Park UK.
Panasonic 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens at Amazon, BHphoto. Adorama. FocusCamera. Park UK.
Panasonic 50mm f/1.4 S at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. In Europe at Calumet DE, ParkCameras, Jessops.
Panasonic 24-105mm f/4.0 S at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. In Europe at Calumet DE, ParkCameras, Jessops.
Panasonic 70-200mm f/4.0 S at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. In Europe at Calumet DE, ParkCameras, Jessops.

 

 

Tally Lamp for the S1H

A japanese reader sent me this:

Hello, site owners.
It is introduced on the following site that the function that the Tally lamp can be externally attached is hidden in S1H.
https://sumizoon.hatenablog.com/entry/2020/05/25/235338
Panasonic officials also said that this function is only installed in the S1H at exhibitions etc.
Probably it was prepared by a third-party manufacturer to make an external tally lamp in the future.
The actual operation image is also published below.

Thanks!

Sigma 100-400mm L-mount lens announced

Preorders: Sigma 100-400mm FE at BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera.

Press text:

Sigma Unveils 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Telephoto Lens for Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras; Mirrorless-Exclusive Teleconverters; USB Dock for Sigma Mirrorless Lenses; and F1.4 Mirrorless L-Mount Lens Trio

June 18, 2020, 9:30 a.m. EDT

Sigma Corporation today made the following announcements:

  1. Launch of the 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary, Sigma’s first ultra telephoto lens designed exclusively for full-frame mirrorless cameras.
  2. Introduction of two new teleconverters designed exclusively for Sigma mirrorless lenses: TC-1411 magnifies lens focal length by 1.4x. TC-2011 magnifies lens focal length by 2x.
  3. Release of the Sigma USB Dock UD-11 for L-Mount and EF-M Mount mirrorless lenses.
  4. Availability of 16mm F1.4, 30mm F1.4 and 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lenses in L-Mount.

WATCH: Sigma Stage Online
Watch the recording of this morning’s presentation by Sigma to learn more about the new products.

Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary – Compact Size, Ultra Telephoto Performance 
The 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary lens is Sigma’s first full-frame mirrorless telephoto zoom lens. Designed from the ground up for mirrorless camera systems, its new optical formula ensures edge-to-edge sharpness and high-contrast image quality throughout its entire focal range. The lens construction is made up of 16 groups and 22 elements, with one FLD and four SLDs used for the effective correction of aberrations and distortions. Its superior image quality and compact size make it an excellent companion lens to the previously released full-frame mirrorless zooms from Sigma, the 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art and 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art. It will be available in Sony E-mount and L-mount.

The fifth Sigma lens designed specifically for full-frame mirrorless camera systems, the 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary further expands the possibilities of mirrorless camera photography. Thanks to the stepping motor system that is optimized for both phase detection AF and contrast AF, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary makes shooting video with eye-tracking AF very smooth. It consistently achieves high levels of optical performance and makes the most of its capabilities as a zoom lens at every focal length from wide to close-up shots to telephoto photography.

When paired with the new Sigma Teleconverter TC-1411 and/or TC-2011 (sold separately / for L-Mount only), which were exclusively developed for the use with mirrorless cameras, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary gives photographers a “super telephoto” range with a focal length of up to 800mm while still benefiting from a compact lens and effective AF. It functions as a 140-560mm F7-9 AF ultra-telephoto lens with the Sigma Teleconverter TC-1411, and as a 200-800mm F10-12.6 AF ultra-telephoto lens with the Sigma Teleconverter TC-2011.

The Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary will be available on July 10, 2020 for $949.00 USD.

For full product details and technical specifications as well as press imagery, please refer to the official press release here.

More information can be found at: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/article/new-product-announcement-sigma-100-400mm-f5-63-dg-dn-os-c

Sigma USB Dock UD-11 – Easily Update Lens Firmware and Customize Settings
Designed exclusively for Sigma L-Mount and Canon EF-M Mount mirrorless lenses, the Sigma USB Dock UD-11 allows users to update firmware and customize settings on lenses in these lineups.

In addition to firmware updates, users can adjust the sensitivity of MF function* speed. It employs the new USB Type-C connection.

*Scope of adjustment varies depending on specifications of the individual product.

The Sigma USB Dock UD-11 will be available on July 10, 2020 for $59.00 USD.

For full product details and technical specifications as well as press imagery, please refer to the official press release here.

More information can be found at: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/article/new-products-announcement-sigma-usb-dock-ud-11

Sigma Mirrorless Teleconverter TC-1411 and TC-2011
The Sigma Teleconverter TC-1411 and TC-2011 are designed exclusively for use with Sigma L-mount mirrorless lenses. Mounted between a lens and the camera body, the TC-1411 magnifies the focal length of the camera by 1.4x, and the TC-2011 by 2x. Designed to complement Sigma’s renowned optical formulas, these teleconverters preserve the image quality of the lens while extending the focal length for added zoom capability.

The new teleconverters have a dust- and splash-proof construction comparable to that of the Sigma Sports line lenses, and can withstand harsh outdoor shooting environments when combined with a dust- and splash-proof camera body and lens. Lightweight and compact, these accessories will upgrade lens performance to an “ultra telephoto” focal length without the need for additional lenses.

The Sigma Teleconverter TC-1411 and TC-2011 will be available on July 10, 2020 for $399.00  USD (TC-1411) and $429.00 USD (TC-2011).

For full product details and technical specifications as well as press imagery, please refer to the official press release here.

More information can be found at: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/product-announcement-tc-1411-2011-tele-converters-for-mirror-less-lenses

F1.4 Mirrorless Trio Now Available in Native L-Mount – Compact, Affordable, High Quality 
Sigma’s F1.4 Mirrorless Trio – the 16mm, 30mm, and 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lenses – each benefit from a fast aperture of F1.4 to achieve sufficient amount of bokeh and admirable brightness even with APS-C size cameras, which tend to have smaller bokeh effects compared to 35mm full size systems. Each lens has a compact and lightweight body that is perfect for daily use as they cover the range from true wide angle to normal to portrait. Stepping motors ensure smooth, swift, quiet autofocus for both still and video capture. In addition to the upcoming L-Mount variations, these products are available for Sony E-mount, Canon EF-M mount and Micro Four Thirds camera systems.

  • 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary ($449 USD) – High performance wide angle prime in a compact package.
  • 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary ($339 USD) – Lighter and brighter Art line image quality with Contemporary compactness.
  • 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary ($479 USD) – Exceptional image quality and smooth AF for video shooting.

Sigma F1.4 Mirrorless Trio lenses will begin shipping on July 10, 2020. Pricing detailed above.

For full product details and technical specifications as well as press imagery, please refer to the official press release here.

More information can be found at: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/article/release-of-sigma-interchangeable-lenses-for-l-mount-6-18-20

About Sigma Corporation
Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, Sigma has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan.

In 2012, the company introduced the Sigma Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and Sigma, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the Sigma Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing Sigma as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the Sigma benchmark of excellence, Sigma cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production.

Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, Sigma continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the all-new native L-mount Sigma fp full-frame mirrorless digital camera, announced in July 2019. The introduction of the fp along with the availability of 19 award-winning Sigma Global Vision lenses in native L-Mount format demonstrates Sigma’s continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp and these lenses, even more shooters can now leverage Sigma’s renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease.

For information about Sigma, please visit www.sigmaphoto.com or follow the company on Sigma Blog, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

RUMOR: Sigma 100-400mm and DN primes to be announced on June 18 and cost $949 in US and 1.199€ in Europe

The new Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS lens for L-mount and the 16/30/56mm F1.4 DC DN APS-C primes will be announced on June 18 at 15:00 CEST time. This is what we know so far about the 100-400mm lens:

22 elements in 16 groups (including 1 FLD lens and 4 SLD lenses),
minimum shooting distance 112 cm (wide-angle end)/160 cm (telephoto end),
maximum shooting magnification 1:4.1 (at 400 mm),
filter diameter 67 mm,
size φ86×197.
2mm,
1135g,
compatible with optional tripod mount.

Price $949
and 1.199€