New Large-Aperture Lens Designed for E-1 Professional Digital SLR
Olympus have announce a new lens for their E-1 DSLR. For those unfamiliar with the
system, the E-! uses a so-called "4/3" size sensor, actually 18 x 13.5 mm , with
4.9 million output pixels (2560 x 1920). Pixel size is 6.8 microns (the EOS 10D is 7.4
microns, the EOS 1Ds is 8.8 microns), Note the aspect ratio is 4:3 rather than the
standard 3:2 aspect ration of 35mm and most other DSLRs (Canon EOS 1D, 10D, Nikon D100,
D2H etc.). Olympus use a 2x multiplier to comaper their lenses with standard 35mm full
frame lenses (the 1D uses 1.3x, the 10D 1.6x, the D100 1.5x etc.), though since the aspect
ratio is different the "effective multiplier" really depends on your final crop
if you're comparing with 35mm.
Olympus describe their 150/2 lens as being equivalent to a 300/2 lens on a 35mm camera,
and in terms of angle of view this is correct. Thus the term "2x multiplier".
You can also look on this as a 2x crop of course. If you shot with a 1Ds (or a full
frame 35mm film camera) and cropped the image by a factor of two, you'd also get a
"2x multiplier" effect - though you'd have less pixles than the E1 offers. Just
something to bear in mind.
Availability is stated as "Fall 2004" and no price is listed. E-1 lenses
aren't particularly cheap. The 300/2.8 sells for $7000 (the Nikon 300/2.8 sells for about
$4000). My guess on the price of this lens would be in the ballpark of $2000. Both Nikon
and Canon have 135/2 lenses for 35mm format which sell at around $1000. This lens is a
little longer, so would be expected to be a little more expensive
The following information is taken from the Olympus press release:
Melville, New York, February 18, 2004 - Olympus America Inc. introduced a
compact, lightweight, large-aperture Zuiko Digital Specific(tm) 150mm F2.0 interchangeable
lens for the Olympus E-System at the 2004 PMA Convention and Trade Show. The lens is
scheduled to go on sale in the fall of 2004. The new Zuiko Digital 150mm F2.0 (equivalent
to 300mm on a 35mm film camera) is the second large-aperture telephoto lens designed for
the Olympus E-System, the world's first 100 percent all-digital interchangeable lens SLR
system. Ideal for nature, sports, journalism and fashion photography, the 150mm f2.0 joins
the previously introduced Zuiko Digital 300mm (600mm) F2.8. "The new Zuiko Digital
150mm lens delivers exceptional performance advantages of digital photography and the
Olympus E-System lens design for professional photographers," said John Knaur, senior
marketing manager professional markets, Olympus America Inc. "The new lens is
unprecedented in combining a fast aperture of F2.0 with exceptionally compact size and an
ideal telephoto range, giving photographers the flexibility they need to shoot in a wider
range of situations than ever before." The Zuiko Digital 150mm lens offers high
mobility, high image quality, outstanding brightness, and excellent close-focus
capability. As a result of the use of Super ED and ED lens elements, the lens delivers
exceptionally sharp imaging with an absolute minimum of chromatic aberration. It also has
superb defocusing characteristics that make it possible for photographers to precisely
achieve their creative goals when shooting portraits, sports, wildlife and other subjects
where there is a need to make the subject stand out.
Super ED and ED Lens Elements for a Minimum of Chromatic Aberration
The Zuiko Digital 150mm F2.0 incorporates one ED lens element and one Super ED lens
element, which offers color dispersion characteristics similar to that of fluorite,
enabling it to suppress color aberrations that cannot be corrected with conventional
optical glass. As a result, the highest level of resolution and contrast are achieved. New
Multicoating Reduces Ghosting and Flaring A new multicoating reduces reflection at a wide
range of wavelengths, minimizing the ghosting and flaring that can occur with telephoto
lenses. Advanced New 'Floating' Mechanism A newly developed 'floating' mechanism is
incorporated into the focusing system to ensure exceptionally smooth action across the
entire focusing range. In addition, the range of situations in which the lens can be used
is enhanced by a minimum shooting distance of just 1.2 meters. Focus Limit and Focus Stop
for Operating Ease Of special appeal to professional photographers are focus limit and
focus stop functions. The Focus Limit switch allows photographers to reduce autofocusing
time by limiting the focusing range to 'near' or 'far.' The Focus Stop button prevents the
autofocus system from reacting if an object suddenly enters the frame in front of the main
subject. Dust and Water Droplet Resistance Special seals shut out dust and water droplets,
assuring the high reliability under adverse shooting conditions that professional
photographers demand.
Lens construction 11 Elements in 9 Groups, including ED/Super ED Lens Elements
Angle of View 8.2 Degree
Closest Focusing Distance 1.2m
Maximum Image Magnification 0.15x
Minimum Field size 86x115mm
Number of Blades 9
Maximum Aperture f 2
Minimum Aperture f 22
Filter Size 82mm
Dimension Diameter 100x146mm
Weight 1,350g (w/Tripod Adapter)
Accessories - Lens Hood, Lens Cap, Lens Case Included * EC-14 Tele Converter and
Extension Tube EX-25 can be used.
Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses(tm) Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses are designed
specifically for digital capture with smart technology that delivers edge-to-edge
sharpness with reduced distortion and shading. The lenses are designed to perfectly match
the imager so light strikes the sensor directly, ensuring rich, accurate colors, sharp
contrasts and bright images even at the edges. Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses deliver
higher resolutions, faster aperture speeds and focusing, and more compact sizes than
equivalent 35mm lenses built for digital.
The Olympus E-System: Digital From the Ground Up The Olympus Digital
SLR System with Digital Specific Lenses(tm) (www.olympusamerica.com/E-1), based on the new
Four Thirds open standard for digital SLR cameras and interchangeable lenses, is the
world's first 100 percent all-digital interchangeable SLR System. The Olympus system
provides professional photographers with powerful advantages in terms of edge-to-edge
image quality, camera and lens size, durability, and speed. The first camera in the
Olympus E-System, the E-1 digital SLR, has won a succession of recent awards for its
innovative design and superior performance from Popular Science, Professional
Photographer, Electronic Publishing, the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) and the
PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA). The E-System currently
includes the E-1 digital SLR and six Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses: 11-22mm F2.8-3.5
wide-angle zoom lens; 14-54mm f2.8-3.5; 50-200mm f2.8-3.5; 50mm f2.0 1:2 Macro; 300mm f2.8
Super Telephoto; and TC14 1.4X Teleconverter. Also available are the FL-50 Flash and
Accessories and the Power Battery Holder Set. For more information on the E-System, please
visit www.olympusamerica.com/E-1
