News

Olympus Imaging America Inc. has introduced the new Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F3.5
Full Frame Fisheye Lens. The Zuiko 8mm fisheye is designed to be digital specific
and render sharp edge-to-edge images, in an easy to handle size, and with a close
focus of less than 5 ½ inches.



Along with its many attributes this 8mm fisheye promises to set a new professional
standard for ultra wide-angle underwater photography because it can be used in
conjunction with the EVOLT E-300 digital SLR and the new PT-EO1 underwater housing
and PPO-E04 lens port at depths of up to 196 feet (60m).



This full frame fisheye lens has a 180º field of view diagonally to the Four
Thirds image sensor, and a focal length of 8mm (equivalent to 16mm in a 35mm camera).
Because of this it can be used to create extremely dramatic photographic images
that cannot be seen unaided with the human eye. Because this lens is specifically
designed for digital cameras and conforms to the "Four Thirds System,"
it will provide reliable photographic performance even at the edges of the images.




With a minimum focusing distance of 5.3 inches (0.79 inch from the front of the
lens to the subject), this lens can be used to approach the subject aggressively
for wide-close-up photography. This feature is the key to the creation of images
with exaggerated perspective effects.



Because of the different refractive indexes of light in air and water, the angle
of view underwater will be reduced to approximately 153º, and since it is
often more difficult to capture light underwater, it is necessary to get closer
to the subject. To remedy the problem, the super-close-up capability of this lens
allows photography of the subject just 0.79 inch from the front of the lens to
achieve the wide-close-up effects for which fisheye lenses are famous.



The new Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f3.5 Fisheye will go on sale in January 2006.



Estimated Street Price: $799.95

www.olympusamerica.com
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Olympus just announced that it is bringing its compact and wireless Olympus Air A01 camera device to the U.S. in July and Canada in August. The Olympus Air A01, which was introduced in Japan earlier this year, is a small, cylindrical gadget with a 16-megapixel Live MOS image sensor that can wirelessly connect Micro Four Thirds lenses with mobile devices such as smartphones.

Olympus has announced the development of what they dub the world's fastest
"Designed for Digital" interchangeable fixed-aperture wide zoom
lenses. Designed for use with Olympus E-System digital SLR cameras, including
the E-1 and EVOLT E-300, these three new Digital Specific lenses -- Zuiko
Digital ED 14-35mm f2.0, Zuiko Digital ED 35-100mm f2.0 and Zuiko Digital ED
90-250mm f2.8 -- feature fixed apertures through the entire zoom range.
These three lenses are due to go on sale in fourth quarter of 2005.

...

There's lots to like about the new Olympus C-7000 camera, including the
size of the image files it puts out and the "seamless" 30X zoom
(5X optical and 6X digital combined) that delivers better quality digital zooms
than many cameras we've worked with in the past. The C-7000 is aimed at
those who like to get involved with their photography, and offers as many options
and modes as you could desire. They certainly make this a camera that allows
you to flex your creative muscles. Granted, you have to delve into the menu
to get at most of the options, something that helps streamline the body but
can hold up spontaneous changes.

...

Olympus launches new photography classes for beginner and intermediate users of Olympus E-System digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. Kicking off in February, the classes are designed for consumers who purchased or received cameras during the holidays and are interested in learning about the art and science of photography. The half-day courses will be held at six locations throughout North America. Olympus Technical Representatives, experts in photography and Olympus products, will lead the sessions and help attendees elevate their picture-taking abilities to the next level.

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Bird, wildlife and nature photographers may have found another tool to add to their arsenal. Olympus just announced the Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO lens for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras at the CES 2016 show in Las Vegas today. This new 300mm is a compact super telephoto lens offering a high level of image quality in a splashproof and dustproof build.