Medium format Phase One shooters have a new lens to lust over, as today Phase One and Schneider lenses announced the availability of the Schneider Kreuznach 40-80mm f/4.0-5.6 leaf shutter zoom lens. This is the second zoom lens designed for the Phase One 645 camera platform. It is the latest in the close collboratioin partnership between the two companies. It complements the existing Schneider 75-150mm f/4.0-5.6 leaf shutter zoom lens.

We're not ones to normally include quotes from press releases, but this one does contain some interesting information from Phase One Senior Product Manager Espen Beck.

Designing a zoom lens with excellent optical qualities throughout the zoom range is always a challenge. When the zoom range goes from a fairly wide angle perspective to a normal perspective, as our new lens does, this only adds to the design complexity. This lens has 15 optical elements, two of which are aspherical, arranged in 11 groups. We have invested greater design and engineering resources into this lens than any of those before it, and we are very proud of the results. I think that this lens will be a perfect companion for on-location photographers.

The Schneider Kreuznach 40-80mm LS f/4.0-5.6 lens is priced at 6.990 EUR / 8,990 USD and, as mentioned, is available now. You can read more information at Phaseone.com.