Olympus has disclosed details of three new lenses for its M4/3 system cameras: a 60mm f/2.8 macro lens, a 17mm f/1.8 lens and an innovative 15mm fixed aperture f/8 body cap lens.
The new M.Zuiko Digital 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens, shown without the supplied cylindrical lens hood. (Source: Olympus.)
The M.Zuiko Digital 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens is weatherproof against splashing and dust and provides the equivalent focal length of 120mm in 35mm format on an OM-D or PEN compact system camera. First announced as an ‘in-development’ product in early 2012, it features a sophisticated 13 element in 10 group optical design using ED (Extra-low Dispersion), HR (High Refractive)and E-HR (Extra High Refractive)elements plus the Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical (ZERO) coating usually reserved for professional grade camera lenses. The 7-bladed circular aperture diaphragm assures pleasing bokeh.
The longer effective focal length ensures a good working distance for general macro photography and is also useful for portraiture. This lens can focus to 19 cm to provide 1:1 reproduction. A four-position focus limiter switch optimises lens focusing speeds at different subject distances, with Olympus’ MSC lens drive technology providing fast focusing speeds, even at macro distances.
An optional flash adapter ring, the FR-2, is available for attaching the Olympus SRF-11 Ring-flash and STF-22 Twin-flash specialist macro photography strobe units to the front of the lens. The M.Zuiko Digital 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens is expected to be available from late October, 2012. Its recommended retail price is to be announced.
The M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8, which will be showcased at Photokina 2012. (Source: Olympus.)
The M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 is a fast prime lens that covers an angle-of-view equivalent to a 34mm lens in 35mm format. Ideal for natural and low-light wide-angle photography of various kinds, it is well suited to street photography and reportage.
A design mock-up of this lens will be exhibited at Photokina 2012, the world’s largest photographic and imaging equipment trade fair, which opens in Cologne, Germany, tomorrow. The M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f1.8 is expected to be available in the first half of 2013.
The new 15mm f/8.0 Body Cap Lens fitted on a PEN Lite E-PL5 camera body. (Source: Olympus.)
Angled side view of the 15mm f/8.0 Body Cap Lens. (Source: Olympus.)
Olympus will also introduce the 15mm f/8.0 Body Cap Lens, an innovative new lens that can be used as a substitute for a body cap. This lens has been designed to accentuate the effects of Art Filters and its fixed aperture optical design creates sharply focused centre regions with softer edge details. The lens itself contains three elements in three groups. A small lever enables manual focusing and includes an infinity setting. Pricing and availability are still to be announced.
Details of the new products will be posted on the Olympus website at www.olympus.com.au.
