Olympus 24mm and 50mm f/1.4 lenses patented for full-frame cameras

Olympus has just patented two lenses with 24mm and 50mm focal lengths and f/1.4 maximum aperture developed for mirrorless cameras with full-frame image sensors.

Gossip talks regarding an Olympus full-frame mirrorless camera have circled on the web for the past few years. Some sources were certain that such product was close to become official in 2014, most likely at the Photokina 2014 event.

As fans of the digital imaging world are aware, the device was never announced. However, rumors did not cease to exist. In fact, they continued to show up online and how can be it any different when Olympus keeps on patenting lenses for full-frame cameras?

The Japan-based manufacturer has patented the 24mm and 50mm optics for FF MILCs. Both have very bright apertures and they could be the first lenses to become official alongside the company’s alleged full-frame shooter.

Patent for Olympus 24mm f/1.4 designed for full-frame cameras shows up online

The first unit to be patented is the Olympus 24mm f/1.4 lens. Its internal design consists of 15 elements divided into 12 groups. The configuration seems to include five aspherical elements along with a couple of Extra-Low Dispersion elements as well as a couple of fluorite elements.

The complex internal design of the Olympus 24mm f/1.4 lens.

There are no details regarding the focus technology, which might suggest that the product will not have an internal focusing system. As usual, this means that the front lens element will rotate when focusing.

If it becomes official, then it will be a bright wide-angle prime lens that will come in quite handy in low-light environments. Photographers will be able to reduce the shutter speed therefore saving time, while making sure that photos will not turn out blurry.

Olympus 50mm f/1.4 lens patented for 35mm shooters, too

The second unit described in the same patent is the Olympus 50mm f/1.4 lens. The maximum aperture of this short-telephoto prime is the same as the one found in the wide-angle version. However, this optic will be great for portrait photos instead of landscape or architecture photography.

Olympus 50mm f/1.4 lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras, as described in its patent application.

According to the leaked patent application, the optic has 14 elements in four groups. Three elements are aspherical, two of them are fluorite, while one of them is an Extra-Low Dispersion.

Once more, it appears that there is no internal focusing mechanism, therefore the front element will rotate when the photographers focus on the subject.

The patent has been filed on August 5, 2014, so Olympus has actually had full-frame cameras on its mind for a long time and maybe this is how the original rumors showed up online. Anyway, stay tuned for more information!