Canon IXUS 240 HS
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS
Nikon D800
Samsung DV300F
Olympus OM-D E-M5
Nikon Coolpix P510
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30
Nikon Coolpix S9300
Olympus UK Announces Zuiko Digital 11-22mm Lens
Olympus UK Press Release 15/01/04
A bright, high performance wide zoom lens for the Olympus E-System
The ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm, F2.8-3.5
With its very wide-angle capabilities, the ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm, F2.8-3.5 lens (35mm camera equivalent: 22-44mm) opens up yet more creative possibilities for Olympus E-1 digital SLR users. With remarkable light gathering power (F2.8 at the wide setting), it also permits shooting within a wider range of shutter speeds in low light conditions. Through full compatibility with the TIPA Award-winning FourThirds standard, this latest addition to the Olympus E-System delivers the excellent quality that professionals demand.
Superior optical performance is further aided by two aspherical lens elements, which minimise distortion as well as spherical and coma aberration. The latter is caused by light rays entering the periphery of a lens at an angle and converging in the form of a comet instead of a point. Furthermore, to help avoid ghosting or image flare, both problems which are particularly associated with wide-angle lenses, a new multi-coating has been applied to the first two lenses. The focusing system’s floating mechanism delivers sharp, high contrast images up to a shortest range of 28cm at any zoom setting.
Optics designed exclusively for digital photography
All ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are designed to maximise the performance of digital SLR cameras based on the FourThirds Standard. This enables full cross-manufacturer lens interchangeability among camera systems applying the standard.
FourThirds technology permits the use of lenses that are small and light but also boast a large aperture. Nearly telecentric optics guarantee images have perfect colour, clarity and brightness from the centre to the periphery of the frame. The lenses’ high resolving power ensures the image sensor obtains the detail it needs to achieve its full potential. And with a splash-proof construction, the ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are also protected from the elements.
The new ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm, F2.8-3.5 will be available from early March 2004, RRP £499.00 (ex VAT).
Further information
The Olympus E-System is the world’s first digital SLR system to be based on the FourThirds Standard jointly developed by Olympus and Kodak. The professional system has been designed exclusively for digital photography. It currently comprises the Olympus E-1 SLR body plus a range of interchangeable lenses and other accessories. For more details, please visit http://www.olympus-pro.com.
Olympus E-System lenses:
ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm (28-108mm) F2.8~3.5
ZUIKO DIGITAL ED50-200mm (100-400mm) F2.8~3.5
ZUIKO DIGITAL ED50mm (100mm) F2 Macro
ZUIKO DIGITAL ED300mm (600mm) F2.8
ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm (22-44mm) F2.8-3.5 (available February 2004)
Canon IXUS 240 HS Review
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Review
Nikon D800 Review
Samsung DV300F Review
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review
Nikon Coolpix P510
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Fujifilm X-Pro1
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V
#1 Nicholas
Hello Mark,
Your statement: '........this latest addition to the Olympus E-System delivers the excellent quality that professionals demand.' may lead others to think Pros are comfortable with a 'variable' aperture lens (eg. 2.8-3.5).
I think most pros prefer and use the 'constant' aperture lenses (eg. 2.8) for various reasons.
Late last year I read that Olympus will introduce such lenses. I can't wait to see the reviews on these.
11:32 pm - Thursday, January 15, 2004
#2 David Mantripp
"I think most pros prefer and use the 'constant' aperture lenses (eg. 2.8) for various reasons"
) because of the weight trade-off - and even price.
For what reasons exactly ? I've read reports from many pros who are happy to use well designed variable speed zoom lenses (the only "constant aperture" lenses I know of are mirror teles
I'm not sure I really understand the specific advantages of a fixed speed zoom these days, but on the other hand F3.5 is a bit slow for a 22mm focal length.
8:40 am - Friday, January 16, 2004
#3 Nicholas
Hello David,
For People Pics, weddings, etc., a fixed 2.8 zoom makes for easier flash photography. Manual flash offers far more accurate exposures than in camera readings, and while shooting and zooming you know that your aperture won't change as a result of the zoom.
Another point is a brighter viewfinder image at the tele end since the aperture remains at 2.8.
My statement that you are questioning should not be read as
saying a variable aperture lens is not a Pro lens. The fact is most Pros like the 2.8 on their zooms. That is why Canon and Nikon make them. Fortunately for us, Olympus will also join this club .
10:47 am - Friday, January 16, 2004
#4 David Mantripp
Ah, that explains it. I NEVER use flash
One complication I can live without...
11:12 am - Friday, January 16, 2004
#5 Oleg
I NEVER use internal flash also.
1:34 pm - Friday, January 16, 2004
#6 Nicholas
Hello again David,
Sorry to hear you never use flash.
The main ingredientl of photography is Light. Either Mother Nature's or your own, or a mixture of both.
May I suggest that you try Flash, you may like it.
Manual flash is more efffective than auto flash.
With manual flash, whites come out white, blacks black, and all the tones (and colors are represented accurately) in between.
Manual flash is also 'easier' to use than auto flash.
With digital (and your LCD) it is easy to learn and use. Once you use it you won't stop.
2:10 am - Saturday, January 17, 2004
#7 David Mantripp
Well I'm not saying flash is useless!!! Just that I am mainly an "outdoor" photographer, and in that context I rarely encounter situations where flash would be useful. If I ever did, it would probably require some knowledge to use correctly (not auto), and I what with all the other things I need to know about, I made a deliberate decision to limit myself to available light. My total ineptitude at portraits only goes to reinforce that decision.
I don't own any flash equipment, apart from on compacts, where it is usually switched off, and I never have. Maybe if I got into macro I'd get interested...
But don't believe I'm criticising flash or unable to appreciate skillful flash photography - far from it.
1:02 pm - Saturday, January 17, 2004
#8 Nicholas
Hello again David,
I shoot alot of landscapes and nature shots without flash as well.
One amazing thing I discovered is that on a given scene, poping your external flash at full power has a 'polarizing affect' on some images. Those not too distant, to within 100' (a large garden for example). I don't know why, and I may be wrong, but this is what I uncovered when I was shooting 6x6 film. Regards.
4:21 pm - Sunday, January 18, 2004