Olympus 8mm f/1.8 fisheye PRO lens to be announced soon

Olympus will definitely announce the development of an 8mm f/1.8 lens, which will bear both fisheye and PRO designations, during the February 5 OM-D E-M5II launch event.

There has been a lot of talks concerning the PRO-series designed by Olympus for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Sources have been talking about a bright wide-angle optic for a long time, but it seems like the product is getting closer to a public confirmation.

At first, it was said to consist of a 9mm version with an f/2.8 aperture. Even the PRO-designation was in doubt, but it eventually became clear that the lens would have it. The it was revealed that it will have a fisheye designation as well, while its focal length was set at 8mm and its maximum aperture at f/1.8.

All these details have just been confirmed by a trusted source, who is also claiming that the development of the lens will be announced on February 5, during the OM-D E-M5II product launch event.

This is the Olympus 8mm f/3.5 fisheye lens, which is currently available on the market. An improved PRO-series version with an f/1.8 aperture will be revealed soon.

Development of the Olympus 8mm f/1.8 fisheye PRO lens to be announced on February 5

Without much further ado, the Olympus 8mm f/1.8 fisheye PRO lens will be made out of high-quality materials and will be weathersealed, just like all other PRO-series optics.

It will employ a silent and quick autofocus technology, another trait that is specific to the lenses found in the PRO line-up.

The optic will be released exclusively in a Black color, like the rest of the PRO range. Its official announcement will take place sometime in Spring and its release date is scheduled for late summer.

The Olympus 8mm f/1.8 fisheye PRO lens would become the fifth model of the company’s PRO-series and it will offer a 35mm focal length equivalent of 16mm.

The 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO and the 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO are already available, while the 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO and 300mm f/4 PRO are expected to be released within the following months.

Olympus 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II ED lens coming during the E-M5II launch event, too

Beside the 8mm f/1.8 fisheye PRO, Olympus will also announce the 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II ED lens, which has already been leaked on the web.

This optic will replace the current model and will be splashproof. Additionally, it will offer an improved image quality over the current generation.

The lens is said to weigh about 285 grams and to cost €649 in Europe. It will provide a 35mm focal length equivalent of 28-300mm.

Olympus will reveal the 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II ED lens alongside the 8mm f/1.8 fisheye PRO and the OM-D E-M5II Micro Four Thirds camera on February 5, so stay tuned to Camyx for the official announcement!

Source: 43rumors.