One-and-a-half years ago, when we visited photokina 2012 in Cologne, Germany, we came across a couple of prototype Micro Four Thirds lenses at the Scnhneider-Kreuznach booth. At the time, the lenses were still under development, and upon inquiry later that year Schneider quoted us a late 2013 release date. Unfortunately, it appears they had some issues with the lenses, as they were then postponed again for an unspecified 2014 release.
Now 43rumors has got word that the lenses might indeed arrive in their final form for photokina 2014, two years after they were first showcased. As a reminder, Schneider-Kreuznach has been working on a 14mm f2 Super-Angulon, a 30mm f1.4 Xenon and a 60mm f2.4 Makro-Symmar lens. The main reason for the delay, according to the 43rumors report, was that Schneider has only limited production capabilities and wanted to focus on their cine lenses first.
When their Micro Four Thirds lenses arrive, they’ll all feature autofocus just like the lenses from Panasonic, Olympus and Sigma, and unlike the Voigtländer offerings. However, with Schneider having a long history as a manufacturer of high-quality lenses for professional demands, we can assume their Micro Four Thirds lenses to be of superior optical and build quality. Whether or not there were some changes to the original designs, as 43rumors suggests, will be seen when (if) they arrive at photokina.
We’ll be covering the show in Cologne this year (again), and should the lenses truly be exhibited in their final production form, we’ll make sure to get some hands-on time with them.
