Four new Panasonic lens converters for Micro Four Thirds

[alainwong]

What do you guys think of the four new lens converters that Panasonic just announced?

They attach on either the pancake 14mm f/2.5 or the Lumix G X 13-42mm zoom. There's a macro, a fisheye, a wide angle and a telephoto. Looks like a good alternative for people who can't afford buying separate lenses.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/10/2696487/panasonic-conversion-lenses-micro-four-thirdshttp://bit.ly/wI7Lyk

 

[Trucci]

That wide angle looks pretty useful. Assuming the optics are good, seems like a good budget way to get a wider field of view at a relatively low aperture.

 

[David W. Jones]

Makes me wonder how much longer they will be supporting M4/3 since rather then producing a quality selection of lenses for video and stills they instead introduce a few lens converters?

 

[mcbob]

That seems fairly pessimistic considering these converteres are only for two relatively inexpensive lens models. It seems more like they're offering a consumer-quality solution for a consumer-level problem, for users of their GF cameras who want a wider range of focal lengths but don't understand legacy lens choices and don't want to cough up +/-$500 for each extra m43 lens.

 

[TheDingo]

Makes me wonder how much longer they will be supporting M4/3 since rather then producing a quality selection of lenses for video and stills they instead introduce a few lens converters?

These are mass market consumer items. The "Pro" M4/3 cameras and lenses are still coming...

i.e. Panasonic 12-35mm and 35-100mm constant aperture zoom lenses ( hopefully f/2.8 or faster ), Olympus "Pro" M4/3 camera being announced Feb 8th, Panasonic GH-3 some time this year

Despite being around for a while, the M4/3 market is still immature. Have faith the "Pro" gear is coming.

 

[alainwong]

@Trucci That's what I figured. I guess we'll need to wait until they come out to properly test it out and see if the optics are good. It's definitely a cheaper way to get a wider field of view, especially if you have the 14mm or new zoom lens already.

On a related topic, has anyone played with both the Olympus 12mm f/2 and the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 zoom? Those seem like the best low aperture wides out there currently, along with the SLR Magic Hyperprime 12 f/1.6.

(btw, great footage by TheEditman demonstrating the Hyperprime here: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?267423-Hyperprime-12-1.6)

 

[alainwong]

t seems more like they're offering a consumer-quality solution for a consumer-level problem, for users of their GF cameras who want a wider range of focal lengths but don't understand legacy lens choices and don't want to cough up +/-$500 for each extra m43 lens.

Exactly, I think they're hitting right on target for the consumer market and people who will probably only invest in one lens rather than a set of lenses.

 

[JMZ]

Exactly, I think they're hitting right on target for the consumer market and people who will probably only invest in one lens rather than a set of lenses.

Makes sense. Panasonic has long kept three separate groups (consumer, prosumer and professional) supplied with gear.

 

[Gary Huff]

Wait until the CPLs in m4/3rds!