Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH Review

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH. Handling and Features

The glossy black finish of the lens is impressive, but even more so is the high overall quality of the finish. All the controls are smooth and the whole gives a solid sense of being made to last. The construction is billed as splash, dust and freeze proof, operating at least down to -10C. The lens is compact and relatively light at 655g, especially if we compare it against any typical full-frame 100-400mm optic.

Starting at the front, we are supplied with a large bayonet fit lens hood, complete with locking catch. This surrounds a standard 67mm filter thread. The lens does not rotate on either zooming or focusing, so using polarising and graduated filters is facilitated.

The manual focusing ring is firm but smooth, operating electronically. The AF though is so fast and precise that manual focus may not be needed most of the time. The zoom ring is broad, operates very smoothly and is clearly marked in various focal lengths. Zooming does extend the lens, but balance remains good. Focusing is down to 0.75m or 2.46 feet. This represents a maximum magnification of 0.25x, or 1:4, usefully close.

There are just two switches closest to the camera body, the AF/MF and the on/off switch for the Power OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) system. This system will work in conjunction with in-body stabilisation where supported.

The metal bayonet mount carries the electronic contacts to communicate with the camera and is engineered to a very high standard. There is no play whatsoever in the lens mounting, which is silky smooth and solidly secure.

Optical construction of the lens comprises 21 elements in 15 groups, of which there are 2 Aspherical, 2 UED (Ultra Extra Low Dispersion), 2 UD (Ultra Low Dispersion) and 1 UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index). Panasonic uses a nano surface coating to eliminate flare and ghosting, without which a 21 element lens would not be a viable proposition. The diaphragm has 9 blades, aiming to improve the quality of the out of focus areas or bokeh. The lens is compatible with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters.

Out in the field, there is really everything to like about the way the lens handles. Focusing is fast and precise, controls are slick and there is nothing to get in the way of the photography. Ergonomically, it is superb. The fast, bright aperture is another advantage that could put it ahead of many of its rivals, enabling faster shutter speeds to freeze the movement of, for example, wildlife subjects.

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