Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens release date set for Photokina 2014

Panasonic is rumored to finally release the sought-after 150mm f/2.8 telephoto lens during Photokina 2014, after having been previewed almost two years ago during Photokina 2012.

What was supposed to be a very successful lens for Panasonic and the Micro Four Thirds format, has turned into a real fiasco. The development of a fast telephoto lens with a 150mm focal length and an f/2.8 aperture was announced at the Photokina 2012 and photographers have been excited about the prospect of seeing another great lens added to the MFT system.

Panasonic has repeatedly claimed that the optic would become available on the market in late 2013 or in early 2014. However, the “deadlines” have expired and Micro Four Thirds adopters are still without another 150mm lens.

After forgetting about this product for a while, the rumor mill is back with some details about the Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens release date. According to inside sources, the optic will finally be released during the Photokina 2014, roughly two years after its initial preview.

Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens release date is rumored to have been set for Photokina 2014.

Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens release date delayed due to manufacturing issues

The reason why Panasonic has delayed the launch of its 150mm f/2.8 lens consists of a “manufacturing issue”. It is still unknown whether the company has been unable to reduce the costs or if some real problem prevented Panasonic from producing the lens.

Whatever issues have been big enough to keep the Japan-based manufacturer from releasing this lens during the projected timeframe, inside sources are claiming that Panasonic has managed to overcome them.

Although the Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens release date has been set for a later period than first expected, the optic will be announced and will probably become available on the market sometime around the Photokina 2014.

Panasonic finally releasing its 150mm lens at Photokina 2014 to compete against Olympus model

Since the lens has been designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, it will provide a 35mm focal length equivalent of 300mm.

This bright telephoto model will compete against the Olympus 150mm f/2 Zuiko lens. It offers an identical 35mm equivalent, but its aperture is significantly brighter.

Panasonic had been rumored to sell its product for a price around $3,000, which is similar to the launch price tag of the Olympus version. However, Amazon is now selling the Olympus 150mm f/2 for a price around $2,500, so it remains to be seen whether the Panasonic optic will be priced accordingly or higher than its competitor.