m4/3 Zuiko 12mm f2.0 + much more

[jsrockit]

Unhappy with the X100 as a point and shoot?

Yes... it is not a P&S IMO. I want something even smaller... and want a 28mm lens (since I don't like using 28mm on a M and the X100 doesn't have that option). The Olympus would be my third camera.

 

[tom_f77]

(2) The new Focus Processor:
a. During focus attempt, image is recorded twice: in visible band (R-G-B) and IR band (R-IR-B) and stored in "buffer memory".
b. First image ~540nm will be "overlayed" with second image ~900nm.
c. Predictive focus is opted from the "overlayed image"
(3) Tweaked sensor: Olympus adds IR channel onto Green channel in RGB sensor. the tweaked channel occupy approx. 50% area at the center and in circular shape.

I really hope this is true - from what I've heard about how good the new AF is, I'm fairly sure it is indeed true.

This is pretty clever. If true then Olympus will have pulled off a major coup here.

 

[shyoon]

Gavin,
I think this is a serious omission that could make the camera stand up from its competition.

I really was hoping for that (not hinted anywhere, I just "intuitively" hoping 🙂 )
For goodness-sake, Olympus invented shutter speed dial around the lens mount (either them or Nikon in their Nikkormat models), but the point is, it just make sense.

Especially with a digital camera where you can decide what to control, imagine how handy it would be for switching ISO speed, for instance.

I'm pretty sure Samsung's NX system has something similar to what you describe.

 

[rxmd]

(2) The new Focus Processor:
a. During focus attempt, image is recorded twice: in visible band (R-G-B) and IR band (R-IR-B) and stored in "buffer memory".
b. First image ~540nm will be "overlayed" with second image ~900nm.
c. Predictive focus is opted from the "overlayed image"

I'm not really convinced. Any IR photographer knows that IR focus and visible light focus can fall in different places in unpredictably lens-specific ways, so knowing the IR focus point doesn't add much useful knowledge for focusing a lens in visible light.

Also I don't see a motivation for the choice of IR-green comparison, versus simply comparing the red, green and blue pixels which you have all lying around anyway, for which the lens is much better corrected, and without wasting light sensitivity in the green spectrum to a few otherwise-useless IR pixels.

Finally I don't see how having two images at different wavelengths helps in detecting accurate focus through contrast detection in the first place, but I'm sure someone knows better and I'm ready to acknowledge I'm wrong.

 

[shadowfox]

I'm pretty sure Samsung's NX system has something similar to what you describe.

Good for them 🙂

 

[gavinlg]

Check out the 12mm zuiko.... looks seriously cool - love the pull back MF ring and fixed scale!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww-hNbK91Z4&feature=player_embedded#at=12

full review: http://www.thephoblographer.com/2011/06/30/review-olympus-ep-3-and-12mm-f2/

 

[gavinlg]

from the dpreview preview:

"The first of the new primes is a 12mm F2.0 wideangle. There are precious few 24mm-equivalent lenses available on mainstream systems (Sony's NEX system being one honorable exception), despite it being a popular focal length for prime lenses in the film era. Olympus's take on the concept is to deliver a premium quality, large maximum aperture lens that becomes the first in the system to feature 'snap focus', a system by which the focus ring can be pulled back, engaging a modified manual focus mode. In this mode the lens is designed to feel much more like a conventional mechanically-operated manual focus lens, rather than the usual focus-by-wire behavior.

There are four major differences between 'snap focus' and conventional manual focus mode. Firstly, the relationship between the focus ring movement and the movement of the focusing elements is fixed - rather than being speed-sensitive. This direct relationship allows the focusing ring's movement to be stopped at either end of the focus travel which, in turn, has allowed Olympus to add proper distance and depth-of-field scales to the lens. The final difference you'll notice in snap focus mode is that the damping of the ring's movement has been modified to provide a little more resistance and more 'feel.' Such engineering touches don't come cheap, of course, but really do help make the lens feel like a high-end manual focus optic. Right up until you decide you want to re-engage the super-fast autofocus."

They've really got this lens right by the looks of things!

 

[gavinlg]

Bumping this to the first page.

Go here: www.43rumors.com for coverage of all the announcements.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

This is looking good. It might bring me back.

Where's the pro body, though? With integrated viewfinder?

 

[jsrockit]

Where's the pro body, though? With integrated viewfinder?

I bet it never happens... 😱

 

[semilog]

I hope that it is sharp and has excellent optical qualities, plus a decent price.

Also, unicorns. Also.

 

[semilog]

if they made a 17/2 and sold it for $3 it would still be a disappointing M4/3 lens.

You do realize that trolling is unattractive?

 

[igi]

So the only thing missing now is the integrated EVF no? Oly seems to be sticking by this modular design... heck even the grip on the E-P3 can be removed. 😱

The E-P3 and it's AF looks promising. Most of the initial impressions are very positive.

 

[gavinlg]

So the only thing missing now is the integrated EVF no? Oly seems to be sticking by this modular design... heck even the grip on the E-P3 can be removed. 😱

The E-P3 and it's AF looks promising. Most of the initial impressions are very positive.

I'd say it'll come and it'll be a new model on top of the e-px series. Maybe next year or something - Olympus marketing interviews in Japanese said "within the next 5 years" about a year or 2 ago.

Still, the modular EVF is a pretty good makeshift solutions...

 

[shadowfox]

I'd say it'll come and it'll be a new model on top of the e-px series. Maybe next year or something - Olympus marketing interviews in Japanese said "within the next 5 years" about a year or 2 ago.

In that case that would be the time my E-P2 will retire and join its grandfather the black Pen FT.

Seriously, I hope E-P3 attract tons of new customers, as is, it's not a good enough upgrade for me as an E-P2 user.

... though I may change my tune if that touch-sensitive OLED screen is as intuitive as it seems.