Table of Contents
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 X HD weatherproof lens
see also:
introduction
- version I released May 2012, this is Panasonic's 1st weathersealed lens and its first zoom lens with constant aperture throughout the zoom range
- giving a 35mm equivalent field of view of a 24-70mm lens, it is half the size of its f/2.8 24-70mm full frame counterparts, with much faster and more accurate AF of still subjects, but of course does not offer the same ability to have narrow depth of field (DOF)
- nevertheless, the f/2.8 aperture combined with its compact size, weatherproofing, high image quality and image stabiliser means it will be an awesome travel lens in particular.
- version ii announced in Jan 2017 offers better weathersealing, and smoother aperture variance when zooming
- both lenses can support Dual Sync IS (version I needs firmware upgrade)
specs
- 12-35mm f/2.8 = 24-70mm field of view in 35mm full frame terms
- Power OIS optical image stabiliser
- weathersealed
- 14 elements in 9 groups including 4x ASPH, UHR, UED elements
- 7 rounded blades
- internal focusing
- closest focus 0.25m = 0:0.17x macro
- 58mm filter
- 67.6 x 73.8mm
- 305g
- € 1,100
issues
- zoom control somewhat sloppy
- MF by wire as with most lenses these days
- lens hood falls off easily
- version I allows Dual IS I with firmware update, version II allows Dual IS II
reviews
-
- very sharp throughout the frame wide open but sharpest at f/8 in the centre
- complete absence of CA in the centre and only small amounts in corners where there is also some astigmatism
- some vignetting wide open but this is further corrected by software
- easily correctable minimal distortions
- very nice bokeh
-
- sharp wide opens except wide end at closest focus and infinity in the corners
- mild CA and distortion wide open at wide end
- bokeh a little nervous at wide end but smoother at long end of focal lengths
- susceptible to flare
- but beautiful compact lens for an f/2.8 zoom, although a touch heavy for the smallest cameras
