Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. Lens (S-R24105)

The Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. Lens (S-R24105) is a versatile standard zoom lens designed for L-Mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. This lens offers a broad focal length range of 24mm to 105mm, making it suitable for a variety of photography genres, from wide-angle landscapes and architectural shots to standard portraiture and close-up macro photography. With a constant f/4 aperture, built-in Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.), and macro capabilities, the lens provides flexibility for both amateur and professional photographers.

Key Features:

1. Wide to Telephoto Zoom Range (24-105mm):

   • The 24-105mm focal length range covers wide-angle to short-telephoto perspectives, making it an all-purpose lens. At 24mm, you can capture expansive landscapes and architecture, while 105mm is perfect for portraiture, nature photography, and more detailed subjects. This makes it a great travel lens or for general photography when you want to cover a wide variety of scenes without switching lenses.

2. Constant f/4 Aperture:

   • The constant f/4 aperture ensures consistent exposure throughout the zoom range. While it’s not as fast as f/2.8, it strikes a good balance between aperture size and weight, making the lens relatively compact for its zoom range. The f/4 aperture also offers sufficient depth-of-field control, allowing for subject-background separation in portraits and close-ups.

3. Macro Capabilities:

   • This lens offers 0.5x macro magnification and a minimum focus distance of 0.3m (1 ft), enabling you to capture detailed close-up shots of small subjects, such as flowers, insects, or textured surfaces. The macro functionality expands its versatility, making it suitable for both general and close-up photography without the need for a dedicated macro lens.

4. Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.):

   • Panasonic’s built-in O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) technology compensates for camera shake, allowing you to shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds without noticeable blur. When combined with Dual I.S. 2 (when used with compatible Lumix S-series cameras), this system provides up to 6 stops of stabilization, which is ideal for low-light shooting or telephoto photography where camera shake can be more pronounced.

5. High-Quality Optics:

   • The lens features an advanced optical construction with 16 elements in 13 groups, including 2 aspherical elements, 2 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements, and 1 UHR (Ultra-High Refractive Index) element. These elements help minimize chromatic aberrations, distortions, and fringing, ensuring sharp, high-contrast images throughout the zoom range.

6. Linear Autofocus Motor:

   • The linear autofocus motor provides fast, precise, and quiet focusing performance, making the lens suitable for both still photography and video work. The silent AF performance ensures that focus noise won’t interfere with audio recordings during video shooting.

7. Weather-Sealed Construction:

   • The dust, splash, and freeze-resistant design allows you to use the lens in challenging weather conditions. It’s built to withstand temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F), making it a reliable choice for outdoor shooting in various environments.

8. Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm:

   • The 9-blade rounded diaphragm contributes to pleasing, smooth bokeh quality when shooting at wider apertures, particularly in portraiture or macro photography where background defocus is desired.

Specifications:

• Focal Length: 24-105mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/4
• Minimum Aperture: f/22
• Lens Construction: 16 elements in 13 groups (with 2 aspherical, 2 ED, and 1 UHR element)
• Diaphragm Blades: 9, rounded
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.3m (1 ft)
• Maximum Magnification: 0.5x (1:2)
• Image Stabilization: Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.)
• Filter Size: 77mm
• Dimensions: 84mm (diameter) x 118mm (length)
• Weight: 680g (1.5 lbs)
• Mount: L-mount

Conclusion:

The Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. Lens (S-R24105) is a highly versatile lens that offers a broad zoom range, making it suitable for a variety of photography applications. Its constant f/4 aperture and built-in Optical Image Stabilization make it a reliable option for low-light shooting and handheld work. The addition of macro capabilities further enhances its versatility, allowing you to shoot both wide-angle scenes and detailed close-ups with one lens. Rugged weather-sealing and high-quality optics make this lens a strong choice for photographers looking for a do-it-all zoom lens for their L-mount system