Olympus 12mm f/1, 25mm f/1, and 50mm f/1 lenses coming in 2016

Olympus is rumored to be working on a new series of prime lenses for Micro Four Thirds cameras with a maximum aperture of f/1, which will be announced by the end of 2016.

The Micro Four Thirds lens line-up is expected to grow exponentially within the next couple of years. As Olympus and Panasonic are releasing more and more units, they will soon have to reveal special optics with brighter maximum apertures or longer focal lengths, which will be very expensive.

Some of the special lenses that are rumored to be released by the end of 2016 are coming from Olympus. The rumor mill is claiming that the Japan-based manufacturer is indeed working on very bright prime optics, which are coming sometime next year.

According to the source, the models in question consist of the 12mm, 25mm, and 50mm units, and all of them will offer a maximum aperture of f/1.

Olympus is already selling a 12mm lens, but one with an f/2 maximum aperture. The f/1 version is said to come in 2016 along with 25mm f/1 and 50mm f/1 versions.

Olympus 12mm f/1, 25mm f/1, and 50mm f/1 lens to be released by the end of 2016

Olympus has patented such bright optics in the past. However, they have not made it to the market for the time being. The manufacturer has denied that it will launch these products in the near future, but it has admitted that it may launch some special optics once the PRO-series is complete.

A source is claiming that the Olympus 12mm f/1, 25mm f/1, and 50mm f/1 trio will become available by the end of 2016. They will be ultra-bright optics designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras and they will offer a 35mm focal length equivalent of 24mm, 50mm, and 100mm, thus providing wide-angle to telephoto solutions.

If these lenses come to the market, then they could become a must-have trio for professional photographers using Micro Four Thirds cameras. Nevertheless, it is very likely that they will have expensive price tags, which means that you should start raising some money right away.

A 12mm f/1 lens has been patented by Olympus last year

It is worth remembering that Olympus patented a 12mm f/1 lens in early 2014. The patent application described four version of the optic, including a couple of models bearing a focal length of 14mm. However, the main model was the 12mm version, so this product was regarded as the one with the highest chances of showing up on the market.

The patent application is now backed-up by information coming from the rumor mill. The best thing is that the Olympus 12mm f/1 lens is not coming alone and that it will be joined by the 25mm and 50mm versions as well.

Still, you have to keep in mind the fact that these are just gossip talks, so do not get your hopes too high. Stay tuned for more details!

Source: 43rumors.