The Leica D Lens - The First Leica Lens with Optical Image Stabilizer (MEGE O.I.S.) Designed Especially for a Digital SLR
Leica Camera AG, renowned as the maker of lenses that have captured some of the world's most memorable photographs, has now created its first interchangeable lens exclusively for the digital SLR. The new Leica D lens series (''D'' for digital) derives from an entirely new design concept. Developed jointly by Leica Camera AG and Panasonic specifically for digital photography, this advanced lens fuses leading-edge optical and digital technologies at an uncompromisingly high level. As it joins the digital SLR arena, Panasonic has also chosen to adopt the Four Thirds™* system in order to maximize the advantages of both image sensor and lens. The new D lens inherits the smooth tonal expression and rich shading that make Leica lenses the choice of both professional and amateur photographers the world over. Anxiously awaited by true photography aficionados, the new lens helps the LUMIX L1 reach a new stage in the evolution of digital SLR cameras.
The LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT Lens: Dual-Sided Aspherical Lenses and a Maximum Aperture of F2.8
This wide-aperture zoom lens provides F2.8-3.5 brightness from 28mm wide-angle to 100mm telephoto (35mm film camera equivalent). With 16 lens elements in 12 groups, including two glass- molded dual-sided large diameter aspherical lenses, the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT lens delivers a superb optical performance. It minimizes distortion in wide-angle shots and suppresses the loss of peripheral resolution. An excellent multi-coating process helps reduce ghosts and flaring. The lens provides the sharpness, high resolution and superb color reproduction that convey even the ambience around a subject. The lens barrel is fitted with an aperture ring for a new level of easy, intuitive operation. With the new LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT lens, the L1 has an entirely different feel from other digital SLR cameras, and lets you go as far as your creativity will take you.
MTF Chart** | 20M | 20S | 40M | 40S | |
100 | | 100 | | | |
(mm) | | | | | |
Contrast | | 50 | | | |
| | | | |
14mm | | 50mm | | | |
0 | | 0 | | 11 | Dual-Sided Aspherical Lenses |
0 Image Height (mm) 11 | 0 | |
Minimal Hand-Shake with MEGA O.I.S.
The new D lens features Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S., an advanced optical image stabilizing system that makes it possible to take clear, sharp macro and low-light shots. With MEGA O.I.S., the Venus Engine operates 4,000 times per second to detect the amount and direction of hand-shake, and then shifts a corrective lens accordingly. Light entering the camera is kept on a straight path as it passes through the lens to the image sensor. Because the shake is corrected entirely within the lens, the image is preserved with original quality intact. Built into the lens, the Venus Engine provides quick, precise image processing for superb image stabilizing control. With these advanced features, the L1 can shoot beautiful shots, without a tripod, in situations where you cannot use a flash or in evening light. You get easier shooting and a wider range of expressive possibilities to explore.
Mode 1 | Mode 2 |
Image is corrected continually, so | Correction occurs at the instant you |
you can see the image clearly on | press the shutter button, so the |
the LCD monitor. | corrective effect is greater. |
