First thoughts on the New Panasonic S series full frame cameras by Jon Bryant

Jon Bryant:

My first thoughts on the new S series full frame cameras and which features I am looking forward to trying for my own photography in wildlife, nature and landscape work.

–

You can join the new L Full Frame Facebook group if you plan to buy this camera. There you can discuss all features and tests once it’s released!

To readers: While I am working to get some early specs I kindly invite you to stay tuned on L-rumors by subscribing here:
RSS feed: http://www.L-rumors.com/feed/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L-rumors-266550040642592/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lrumors1

Don Ravine on adapting MFT lenses on L-mount cameras

Don ravine posted this interesing report on our L-mount facebook group:

There have been people asking if they could adapt a micro four thirds lens to the L mount. Personally, I can’t think why you’d want to as the two systems have nothing in common but, hey, people love to experiment!

So … I grabbed a m4/3 lens and simply held it flush against my only L-mount body. This lens is a prototype Noktor 12mm (which later was sold under the SLR Magic name). It has manual focus and aperture, which bypasses all the electronic issues you’d face with most m4/3 lenses.

With focus set on infinity and lens held tight against the body, focus was achieved at only 9 inches. That effect would be less with longer focal lengths but nothing would achieve even close to infinity focus.

Even on APSC, there is significant vignetting, as you’d expect. However, the image circle on that particular lens is tighter than most so other lenses may be better in that regard. Good news is that the lens misses the electronic contacts and there is no mechanical interference. Bad news is that any adaptor has to lift the lens even further from the mount. On a positive note, colour, contrast and sharpness near the centre were stellar on my test pic!

In conclusion, it can be done but it’s only ever going to work for macro. Further, only the mechanical lenses (Voigtlander and the like) will have any real chance of controlling aperture or focus.

Reddotforum: Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH Review

The Leica 75mm lens at BHphoto.

Reddotforum reviewed the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH lens:

If the 75 SL is any indication of what’s to come, the SL lens line might very well set the standard for the very best in optics from Leica. Fine details are resolved with precision. Out of focus rendering is silky smooth with cinematic bokeh. Contrast and color are spot on. Challenging lighting is readily handled. Distortion, color aberrations vignetting are nowhere to be found.

And, while I didn’t have a chance to test the 90 APO SL yet, just judging from the MTF charts, the 75’s slightly longer sibling appears to be slightly superior in the sharpness department, but at this point, we’re splitting hairs. Both lenses are truly reference class, and class-leading at that. Besides their stellar imaging capability, the new line of Summicron SL lenses finally come in a size that SL users have been clamoring for.