Digilux 2 lens??

[LKeithR]

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Having a discussion with someone on another forum about the parentage of the Digilux 2/Panasonic LC-1 lens. Anything I've read has "suggested" that the camera was a joint effort with the body (primarily) designed by Panasonic but that the lens was a Leica design/build. Does anyone have a definitive answer? Possibly with something to back it up?

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[Walt Calahan]

Truth in advertising.

 

All the Panasonic models based on the Lux design have had Leica stamped on the lens barrel.

 

Leica provides the glass, and Panasonic assembles the camera and lens based on their joint design.

 

This is my third day with the new LX5. Sweet even without the red dot. HA!

[adan]

Well, actually, these days - the GLASS (as in the physical stuff) comes from Hoya or Schott or some other glass foundry. Leica doesn't pour glass anymore (nor do most camera makers).

 

The normal operating procedure for lenses on Panasonic products is that Panny designs the lenses using input from Leica (anything from Leica's design software, to just face-to-face recommendations and advice). Those that meet certain Leica specs get the "Leica" name - such specs including limits on allowable distortion, color fringing, etc. without electronic corrections.

 

The Digilux 2 lens is so far outside the norm for PanaLeica lenses before and since (size, aperture at the time, non-extending design) that I'm sure Leica had more than the normal amount of input - possibly even doing the full lens design themselves.

 

The grinding/polishing/coating of the glass was most likely in Japan (Leica has their hands full most of the time with their own system lenses (M, R back then)).

 

The assembly of the lens was pure Panasonic, as it is built into the camera (with AF and aperture links and electronics).

 

The whole Digilux 2 project was something Panasonic would not have bothered with on their own - it was Leica pushing for an "analog" digital camera at a time when they were way behind and had little or nothing to show on their own that made it a reality.

[John Thawley]

Well, actually, these days - the GLASS (as in the physical stuff) comes from Hoya or Schott or some other glass foundry. Leica doesn't pour glass anymore (nor do most camera makers).

 

The normal operating procedure for lenses on Panasonic products is that Panny designs the lenses using input from Leica (anything from Leica's design software, to just face-to-face recommendations and advice). Those that meet certain Leica specs get the "Leica" name - such specs including limits on allowable distortion, color fringing, etc. without electronic corrections.

 

The Digilux 2 lens is so far outside the norm for PanaLeica lenses before and since (size, aperture at the time, non-extending design) that I'm sure Leica had more than the normal amount of input - possibly even doing the full lens design themselves.

 

The grinding/polishing/coating of the glass was most likely in Japan (Leica has their hands full most of the time with their own system lenses (M, R back then)).

 

The assembly of the lens was pure Panasonic, as it is built into the camera (with AF and aperture links and electronics).

 

The whole Digilux 2 project was something Panasonic would not have bothered with on their own - it was Leica pushing for an "analog" digital camera at a time when they were way behind and had little or nothing to show on their own that made it a reality.

 

It is my understanding that when the agreement to 'license' the Leica name allowing Panasonic to produce lenses saw Leica very much involved and hands-on with the initial design and manufacture. In fact, the parameters were so stringent that the first attempt(s) were rejected by Leica. If this is true, that would explain the quality of the Digilux 2 and DMC LC1 lens. It is a stunning piece of glass and extremely well matched to the camera. I'm not so sure everything since then has inherited that much Leica DNA.