Panasonic unveils 8mm fisheye for Micro Four Thirds

Panasonic has announced an 8mm fisheye lens for the Micro Four Thirds system. Equivalent to 16mm on a full-frame camera, the Lumix G Fisheye 8mm F3.5 offers a diagonal angle of view of 180 degrees, and an ED glass element is designed to minimise chromatic aberration. Panasonic says the lens is the world's smallest and lightest of its type. It features a metal mount and (unlike the recently reviewed 7-14mm) can be used with gelatine filters. It will be available from July 2010, at a cost of around £729.99.

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Press Release:

The World’s Smallest and Lightest* Digital Interchangeable Fisheye Lens

LUMIX G FISHEYE 8mm / F3.5 (H-F008)

Panasonic is pleased to announce a new interchangeable lens LUMIX G FISHEYE 8mm / F3.5 (35 mm camera equivalent: 16 mm) for the New-Generation System Cameras LUMIX G Micro System. The new LUMIX G FISHEYE 8mm / F3.5 offers a diagonal angle of view of 180-degree, bringing a distinctive perspective and unique deformation effect. It gives not only photos but also movies an extraordinary view to add an impressive scene to the story even for TV contents, films and web movies.

Comprising ten lenses in nine groups, the new lens system features an outstanding compactness, taking advantage of the Micro Four Thirds system standard to achieve dramatic downsizing to the world’s smallest and lightest size*. The adoption of an ED lens achieves a stable descriptive performance from close-up to infinity minimising chromatic aberration and distortion. The closest focusing distance is as short as 0.1m, however, the LUMIX G FISHEYE 8mm / F3.5 incorporates inner focus system which enables a long working distance and users do not have to come closer to the subject even for the close-up shots.

The new LUMIX G FISHEYE 8mm / F3.5 lens allows use of the high-speed and accurate contrast Auto Focus system when mounted on the LUMIX G Micro System cameras, for more comfortable and enjoyable shooting. Seven blades give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings. Also, a sheet filter such as a gelatin filter can be inserted in the rear of the unit for free filter expression.
The inclusion of stepping motor makes the focusing action smooth and silent for use in both photo and movie recording. The lens also features a highly reliable metal mount, and uses multi-coated lens elements that minimise ghosts and flare to further enhance its optical performance. The optimally designed lens hood enables use even under strong sunlight.

The new lens will be available to purchase in the UK from July 2010, at a cost of £729.99

*For a digital interchangeable fisheye lens as of June 1, 2010.

LUMIX G FISHEYE 8mm F3.5 specifications

Lens construction	• 10 elements in 9 groups (1 ED element)
Mount	• Micro Four Thirds
Image stabilization	• No
Focal length	• 8mm (35mm equivalent 16mm)
Aperture type	• 7 diaphragm blades (circular aperture)
Aperture range	• F3.5-F22
Minimum focussing distance	• 0.1m/0.33ft
Maximum magnification	•Approx. 0.20x / 0.40x (35mm equivalent)
Diagonal angle of view	• 180°
Filter size	• NA (rear-mounting of gelatine filter possible only, Sheet filter holder 22mm / 0.86in x 22mm / 0.86in)
Dimensions	• 60.7mm x 51.7mm (2.39in x 2.04in)
Weight	• Approx 165g / 5.82oz
Accessories	• Lens cap • Rear cap • Lens storage bag

Additional images