Weather-sealed, intelligent, sports & wildlife centric Leica DG Elmarit 200 mm f/2.8 lens
Panasonic just released this full metal barreled lens shown paired with the all new G9 for wildlife and sports action photography. The Leica DG Elmarit 200mm f/2.8 Power O.I.S is Panasonic’s longest fixed focal length lens out-reaching the Leica DG Macro Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 by some considerable distance. It is quite a specialist lens too, with a 6.2° angle of view that makes it ideal for shooting things that are quite difficult to get close to. Sport and wildlife are the obvious subjects for a 400mm equivalent lens, though with its close focusing ability it is very useful for flowers and general close-up work too. Its similar to the Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 in shape, size and design. This isn’t cheap but we get Leica quality with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, which makes it rather unique in the micro four thirds world. Protecting your investment is a rugged, dust/splash-proof design and are even freeze-proof up to -10℃. Offered in metallic black, this lens perfectly matches Lumix G DSLM cameras from Panasonic. You also get a 1.4x teleconverter included with the lens, which extends the focal length to 280mm, or 560mm in full frame terms. The brightness of the aperture, even with the teleconverter fitted, should help contrast detection systems operate more quickly, as well as helping its users get shots in low light that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. And with the Dual IS ll system we should be able to handhold this lens at shutter speeds as long as 1/8sec. The Leica DG Elmarit 200mm can also be used with the Panasonic DMW-TC20 2.0x Teleconverter. This optional accessory extends the focusing distance even to 800mm (35mm camera equivalent).
The barrel houses a number of switches that give the user quick access to a range of features. As we would expect, one switch deals with image stabilisation – simply on or off – and another with manual and auto focusing modes, while a third limits the range the AF hunts in to 3m to infinity instead of the 1.5m-to-infinity of the complete range the lens is able to focus in. These switches are much in line with what we have on the Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3. What we haven't seen before is the additional function button and memory switch that stores focus pistions in memory which can be recalled making it a pretty intelligent lens. The ability to alter what this function button does is built into the menu of the DC-G9, so will have to come to other models via firmware (the GH5 will have this by December).The memory switch allows us save a focus position that we will want to come back to quickly at a later time. With the switch in the ‘Memory’ position we focus on something and then press the function button. The word ‘memo’ appears in the camera’s screen to denote the distance has been recorded. Pushing the switch to the ‘Call’ position and pressing the function button takes the focus back to that distance, whether there is a subject waiting there or not – so handy if you are waiting for a bird to land back on a perch.
Sample still taken with the lens:
How’s that for sharp focus? This is an enlargement of the opening shot. Taken at f/2.8
The lens has a triple linear motor system and maximum 240fps sensor drive achieving high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system for both photo and video recording. This benefits 4k video recording, where precise focusing is required. The tripod collar is fitted with a loosening knob that allows the lens to rotate inside the collar for upright shooting. There is no click stop to mark the rotational positions, but a white mark on the barrel corresponds with a mark on the collar so we know when we are at 90°. As with the Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3, the foot can be removed from the collar rather than the whole collar coming off the lens itself.The lens comes with a large plastic lens hood that fits on any way and is attached via a tightening screw on the side – in the same way that the hood fits the 42.5mm f/1.2 lens. The interior of the hood is ribbed to prevent flare and reflections, and the unit is pretty light for its size. At first I was disappointed that it isn’t metal, but now I value its lightweight properties rather more. Filter fans will be pleased the thread takes a standard 77mm filter – the last size before filters and filter systems becomes more expensive. Pics taken by Damien Demolder from Lumix G Experience website
