new panasonic AF lenses due soon?

[JimNastics]

So would it be logical to think that any lens under 9mm will show this kind of distortion on the GH1? I am considering getting the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 for it's extra speed in low light, if I can't find anything wider that doesn't distort.

 

[thisisapocalypse]

So would it be logical to think that any lens under 9mm will show this kind of distortion on the GH1? I am considering getting the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 for it's extra speed in low light, if I can't find anything wider that doesn't distort.

Certainly a distortion free 9mm lens could be made theoretically, it's all about what it would cost to make such a lens. You could rent a Zeiss 8mm cine lens and it would likely have very low distortion.

 

[svecher]

I looked at some samples made by other ultra wide angle lenses. Here is Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM, which has equivalent focal length to 7-14 on the wide end when mounted on a FF sensor camera.

(credit: amazon user images)

AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED on FF D3s, which has equivalent focal length at the wide end.

(Credit: Photo.net)

As you can see, stretching distortion is present in images taken by these high quality lenses as well, which optically correct barrel distortion (AFAIK). So, yes, composition needs to be very closely watched with any ultra-wide, especially so in video/cinema application.