Commitment to D-series?

[S. Wong]

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I noticed on the Leica site that the R9, DMR, and lenses are listed under the R-System link

When I clicked on the D-System link, the only thing listed is the Digilux 3.

No lens information, nothing on the D-25 Lux, nothing on the D-14-50 Elmarit, nothing on any other lenses (rumors abound about the 14-150, even getting "lens of the year" from a photography magazine, but no reviews (I forgot which one, found on shelf @ the Naval Postgraduate School))

 

so is Leica committed to the 3/4 standard, or is it another short-term Leicasonic project?

btw, some info about the D-25 Lux (L-X025) is on Panasonic's site: LEICA D LENS | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic

 

the really sad part: I couldn't find that except through a really long search via google. Panasonic's site is not very friendly for information.

-Steven

[spylaw4]

As the lenses are produced by Panasonic, I would expect more detailed information to be available there rather than on the Leica site. You can look at this Road Map of D lenses, and info on the 14-150 appeared here, , with a link lower down to the 25/1.4.

The latter lens is IMO very good and I am gradually using it more than the 14-50, but I would like to see the 14-150 appear soon - please! Otherwise it's back to the R series for a 135/2.8 or a 180.

Oh and I will repeat the perennial request for a dedicated w/a prime!

[Bavaricus]

Always wondering whether Panasonic is really manufacturing the lens by themselves!? Never knew that Matsushita has also optical skills. Is there another supplier known?

[dhsimmonds]

Panasonic have produced video cameras for many years , long before still digital cameras came to market.The lenses used on these cameras were labelled Panasonic I believe, and considered extremely high quality zoom autofus lenses.

 

The largest format video cameras were real big beasts with wonderful lenses, but I know not whether Panasonic (Matsushita) or a sub-contractor designed and manufactured them.

 

They were the next best thing to a pro video camera and often used by professional videographers for events such as weddings etc. Image quality was stunning for analogue output.

 

The current Leica labelled lenses are also extremely good quality optics considering the sizes and prices of Panasonic compact digital cameras and the complexities of zoom, auto focus and image stabilization.

[sdai]

The professional video equipement sold under the Panasonic label are actually developed and built by JVC, in which Matsushita holds a 52.4% stake. These are not to be confused with the consumer grade camcorders and Lumix series digital cameras which are built by Panasonic's own AVC group.

 

Matsushita is going to sell its majority stake in JVC to Kenwood. JVC and Kenwood are going to form a new company in 2008.