Where's Vario Elmar 14-150

[dogberry]

Earlier this year I saw some press announcements of a Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-150mm lens (28-300 35mm equivalent) for the 4/3 system cameras. Did this lens ever reach the market?

[spylaw4]

AFAIK it still has not been released. Perhaps we might see it on the new Pana dslr allegedly due shortly. If it's as good as the 14-50 it should be a good buy!

[MJLogan]

It was named "Lens of the Year" in Popular Photography magazine, ( Editor's Choice 2007: SLR Lenses - - PopPhotoJuly/August 2007 ) so there's at least one example in circulation. Maybe we'll see it later this month when Panasonic announces new cameras.

The 25mm f/1.4 was "on sale" according to a Panny press release months before it was actually available, though, so we may be looking at the same situation.

[Kelly Bushings]

Hi,

My dealer has just told me that Leica UK have no plans to release this lens. Anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks

KB

[spylaw4]

Originally Posted by MJLogan

It was named "Lens of the Year" in Popular Photography magazine, ( Editor's Choice 2007: SLR Lenses - - PopPhotoJuly/August 2007 ) so there's at least one example in circulation. Maybe we'll see it later this month when Panasonic announces new cameras.

The 25mm f/1.4 was "on sale" according to a Panny press release months before it was actually available, though, so we may be looking at the same situation.

Well it does say "soon to be released" so we'll just have to wait. Obviously a pre-release version for the press. There seems to be a rumour of something new from Panasonic on the 31st - perhaps an announcement then, or will it surface on a new camera?

But the 25/1.4 is as rare as hen's teeth everywhere, especially in the UK, and I see no reason for the situation to improve with the 14-150..

[stunsworth]

Originally Posted by Kelly Bushings

Hi,

My dealer has just told me that Leica UK have no plans to release this lens. Anyone shed some light on this?

It's happened in the past when Leica didn't think that a piece of Panasonic kit wasn't up to their standards. Wasn't there a wide andgle adaptor for one of the earlier Digilux's that they decided not to sell?

[sdai]

You gotta love these editor's choices ... "soon-to-be-released" products. I actually wasted two minutes to look at it, it didn't even mention that they had ever seen it.

[MJLogan]

Originally Posted by Kelly Bushings

Hi,

My dealer has just told me that Leica UK have no plans to release this lens. Anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks

KB

Leica haven't released the 25mm prime, or the 14-50 kit lens as a stand-alone product--anywhere. Panasonic have. I suspect that will be true of the 14-150 as well.

[spylaw4]

Originally Posted by MJLogan

Leica haven't released the 25mm prime, or the 14-50 kit lens as a stand-alone product--anywhere. Panasonic have. I suspect that will be true of the 14-150 as well.

That's what I thought, but I got mine from a recognised Leica dealer (who also had some other brands), albeit not in UK.

You can get both on eBay.

[MJLogan]

It seems odd to me that Leica haven't at least mentioned the 25mm and 14-150 lenses on their website, whether they'll be sold by Leica directly or not. The "D System" isn't much of a system with only the kit lens, after all. With a long zoom and a 50mm-equivalent fast prime, it's a respectable start.

[Uncle Bulgaria]

I have just had a similar discussion with our local (UK) dealer. I understand that the agreement between Leica/Panasonic has meant that (for the UK at least) Panasonic retains the marketing & development lead for the D series lenses. I also understand from a Panasonic press release that the 14 - 150 should be available from November this year.

I don't think the 25mm lens has been mentioned in the Leica Brochure as it carries the Lumix badge on the barrel and Panasonic lens caps, it is therefore seen as a "panasonic" product! I guess this will be the same for the 14 - 150. Still it might be a very useful travel lens.