Panasonic Lumix 85mm f/1.8: A User’s Review

Photography is an ever-evolving art, with technological advancements constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. One of the critical components in a photographer’s toolkit is the lens, as it significantly influences image quality and creative expression. The Panasonic Lumix 85mm f/1.8 is a “prime” example of how modern lens design can elevate photographic capabilities. This article delves into the specifics of the Lumix 85mm f/1.8 lens and explores how I feel it benefits photographers across various genres.

The Panasonic Lumix 85mm f/1.8 is a prime lens designed for the L-mount full-frame system. Known for its versatility, the 85mm focal length is ideal for portrait photography, offering a flattering perspective and a shallow depth of field. With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, this lens is capable of producing beautiful bokeh and excellent low-light performance.

Key Features and Specifications

1. Optical Design - Elements and Groups: 9 elements in 8 groups that offer two Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) elements. The inclusion of ED elements helps to minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure sharp, clear images across the frame.

2. Build Quality - Weight: Approximately 355 grams. Dimensions: 73.6 mm in diameter and 82 mm in length. The lens is constructed from high-quality materials, providing a robust and professional feel. It’s also dust, splash and freeze-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor shoots.

3. Autofocus System - The lens features a fast and accurate autofocus system, driven by a stepping motor. This ensures quiet and smooth focusing, ideal for both still photography and video recording.

4. Additional Features - Rounded 9-blade diaphragm: Contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality. Fully compatible with Panasonic’s Dual I.S. 2 system, offering enhanced image stabilization. With an aperture ranging from f/1.8 to f/22.

Benefits of the Panasonic Lumix 85mm f/1.8 for Photographers

Photo above taken on Panasonic Lumix S5II w/ 85mm 1/400 sec., f/2.8, ISO 1600

1. Portrait Photography - The 85mm focal length is widely regarded as the perfect portrait lens. It allows photographers to capture flattering images without the distortion seen in wider focal lengths. The Lumix 85mm f/1.8 excels in this regard due to several factors:

• Bokeh: The wide f/1.8 aperture creates a shallow depth of field, isolating the subject from the background and producing a creamy, smooth bokeh. This helps to draw attention to the subject and create visually appealing images.

• Compression: The 85mm focal length provides a natural compression that flatters facial features, making it an excellent choice for headshots and close-up portraits.

• Low-Light Performance: The f/1.8 aperture allows more light to hit the sensor, enabling photographers to shoot in low-light conditions without sacrificing image quality. This is particularly beneficial for indoor portrait sessions or evening outdoor shoots.

2. Event Photography - Event photographers often need to capture moments in varying lighting conditions and from different distances. The Lumix 85mm f/1.8 is well-suited for this:

• Versatility: The 85mm focal length allows photographers to capture candid shots from a distance without intruding on the scene. This is ideal for events where discretion is important.

• Fast Autofocus: The lens’s quick and silent autofocus system ensures that photographers can capture fleeting moments with precision. This is crucial in dynamic environments like weddings or concerts.

• Image Quality: The lens’s optical design ensures high-resolution images with minimal aberrations, which is essential for producing professional-quality prints and digital images.

3. Video Production - With the rise of hybrid shooters who engage in both photography and videography, the Lumix 85mm f/1.8 proves to be a valuable asset:

• Smooth Focus Transitions: The stepping motor in the autofocus system allows for smooth and quiet focus transitions with linear aperture adjustments, which is critical for professional video work.

• Aesthetic Appeal: The lens’s ability to produce a shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh enhances the cinematic quality of video footage.

Photo taken on Panasonic S5II with 85mm. 1/30 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600

4. Street Photography - Although 85mm might not be the first choice for street photography, it offers unique advantages:

• Discreet Shooting: The longer focal length allows photographers to capture candid moments from a distance without being noticed. This can lead to more authentic and spontaneous images.

• Isolation of Subjects: The ability to isolate subjects against a blurred background can help highlight specific elements within a bustling urban environment.

• Sharpness and Detail: The lens’s optical performance ensures that fine details are captured with clarity, which is important for street photography where texture and context play significant roles.

5. Macro and Close-Up Photography - While not a dedicated macro lens, the Lumix 85mm f/1.8 can still be used for close-up photography:\

• Close Focusing Distance: With a minimum focusing distance of 0.8 meters, photographers can get reasonably close to their subjects, allowing for detailed shots of small objects or intricate details.

• Depth of Field Control: The wide aperture provides control over the depth of field, enabling photographers to create images with selective focus and a pleasing background blur.

• Image Quality: The lens’s sharpness and lack of chromatic aberration ensure that even close-up shots are rendered with excellent detail and clarity.

Build and Handling

The Panasonic Lumix 85mm f/1.8 is designed with both performance and ergonomics in mind. The lens’s relatively compact and lightweight design makes it easy to handle during extended shooting sessions. The metal mount and robust construction give it a professional feel, while the dust and splash resistance ensure reliability in various shooting conditions. The lenses operating temperatures range from -10°C to 40°C (14°F to 104°F). Also, the 67mm filter thread is fantastic as it allows you to share filters with other Lumix lenses such as the 20-60mm, 18mm, 35mm, 50mm just to name a few.

Ease of Use

The lens’s controls are straightforward, with a focus ring that offers smooth and precise adjustments. This is particularly beneficial for photographers who prefer manual focus for critical work. Additionally, the lens’s compatibility with Panasonic’s in-camera focus peaking and magnification features enhances manual focusing accuracy.

Performance in Real-World Scenarios

1. Portrait Shoots: In controlled studio environments, the lens’s sharpness and bokeh are immediately noticeable. The ability to shoot wide open at f/1.8 provides flexibility in lighting setups and creative options for background separation.

2. Outdoor Events: The lens’s fast autofocus and stabilization compatibility shine in dynamic situations. Photographers can confidently capture action shots and spontaneous moments without worrying about missed focus or motion blur.

3. Low-Light Conditions: The wide aperture allows photographers to maintain lower ISO settings in dimly lit environments, resulting in cleaner images with less noise. This is particularly advantageous for indoor events or evening street photography.

Comparison with Other Lenses

When compared to other lenses in the same category, the Panasonic Lumix 85mm f/1.8 stands out due to its combination of performance, build quality, and affordability. While there are faster lenses available, the f/1.8 aperture strikes a balance between shallow depth of field and usability, offering excellent image quality without the bulk (weight) or cost of f/1.4 or f/1.2 lenses.

The Panasonic Lumix 85mm f/1.8 is a versatile and high-performing lens that caters to a wide range of photographic genres. For photographers using the L-mount system, the Lumix 85mm f/1.8 offers an exceptional balance of performance and value. Its robust build, excellent image quality, and practical features make it a lens that can elevate the quality of your work, whether you are capturing intimate portraits, dynamic events, or cinematic videos. However, its capabilities also extend to street photography, and close-up work, making it a valuable addition to any photographer’s arsenal. With the Lumix 85mm f/1.8, Panasonic has once again demonstrated its commitment to providing tools that inspire creativity and help photographers push the boundaries of their craft.

Enjoy the following gallery of photos taken with the Lumix S5II and the 85mm lens.