Photo Corners headlinesarchivemikepasini.com
A S C R A P B O O K O F S O L U T I O N S F O R T H E P H O T O G R A P H E R
Enhancing the enjoyment of taking pictures with news that matters, features that entertain and images that delight. Published frequently.
Olympus Developing 15-400mm Zoom, 2x Teleconverter
24 January 2019
Olympus has announced two products currently in development. The M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO is super telephoto zoom lens compatible with the Micro Four Thirds System standard. And the M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20 doubles the focal length of compatible lenses.
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-400MM F4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO
Featuring a 1.25x built-in teleconverter, the lens covers an expanded focal length range of 300-1000mm (35mm equivalent).
The 150-400mm zoom lens is a compact, lightweight design that is dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof (14°F/-10°C). It is also the first Olympus interchangeable lens with a built-in 1.25x teleconverter, extending the focal length to 1000mm (35mm equivalent).
It also offers in-lens image stabilization, supporting 5-Axis Sync IS with the image stabilization of Olympus OM-D cameras.
2X TELECONVERTER
Also in development, the company said, is the M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20.
The compart M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20 doubles the focal length of the master lens while offering dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof (14°F/-10°C) performance.
The teleconverter is compatible with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens, currently in development, as well as the M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO and M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO lenses.
And, Olympus added, the two optics can be combined to make handheld super telephoto shooting possible at a 35mm equivalent focal length of 2000mm.
In fact, as the chart above shows, the new 100-400mm zoom with its built-in 1.25x teleconverter engaged and both an 1.4x MC-14 and 2.0x MC-20 teleconverter can provide a zoom range of 150mm to 1000mm (300mm to 2000mm 35mm equivalent). That extends the M.Zuiko Pro range from 10mm to 1000mm (20mm to 2000mm).
PRICE, AVAILABILITY
Olympus did not release price information for either product but did estimate the expected availability of the two optics as:
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens: 2020
- M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20: Summer.
For more information see the news release below.
Olympus Announces Development of Pro Super Telephoto Zoom Lens, 2x Teleconverter
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO And M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20 Will Make 2000mm (35mm Equivalent) Super Telephoto Handheld Shooting Possible
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. -- Olympus has announced the development of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO super telephoto zoom lens. This lens is compatible with the Micro Four Thirds System standard and features a 1.25x built-in teleconverter, covering a focal length range of 300-1000mm (35mm equivalent). Also in development is the M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20. The combination of both products makes handheld super telephoto shooting possible at a 35mm equivalent focal length of 2000mm.
With these new products, Olympus will further expand its super telephoto lens lineup, maximizing the advantages of the Micro Four Thirds System, including excellent image quality, compact lightweight designs and superior portability.
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens is designed for exceptional optical performance in a compact, lightweight form and includes dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof (14°F/-10°C) design with superb handheld usability. This is the first Olympus interchangeable lens with a built-in 1.25x teleconverter, which easily extends the focal length to the maximum of 1000mm (35mm equivalent). It also offers in-lens image stabilization, supporting 5-Axis Sync IS when operating in concert with the image stabilization of Olympus OM-D cameras. The compact system delivers remarkable portability and the built-in teleconverter provides convenience, making it the optimal super telephoto zoom lens for sports and bird photography. This lens has an expected availability date of 2020.
The M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20 doubles the focal length of the master lens while offering outstanding portability as well as dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof (14°F/-10°C) performance. The teleconverter is compatible with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens, currently in development, as well as the M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO and M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO lenses. Not only does this teleconverter extend the telephoto range, but it also doubles the maximum shooting magnification of the master lens for unprecedented super telephoto macro shooting. This item has an expected availability date of summer.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
Olympus listed the expected availability of the two optics as:
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens: 2020
- M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20: Summer.
Pricing is not available at this time.