Olympus 15mm f/2 lens patented in Japan

Categories

Featured Products

Olympus has patented a new 15mm f/2 lens, while preparing for a September 10 event when it is planning to announce the OM-D E-M1 camera and 12-40mm lens.

After a brief period of making the headlines for the wrong reasons, Olympus has made a comeback into the game with the E-P5, E-PL6, and a slew of lenses. The company has set aside the $1.7 billion cover-up and it is now focusing on more important plans.

olympus-17mm-f2.8 Olympus 15mm f/2 lens patented in Japan Rumors

Olympus 17mm f/2.8 is a pancake lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Soon, it might be replaced by a 15mm f/2 version, as a patent for such an optic has been discovered in Japan.

Olympus 15mm f/2 lens patent spotted in Japan

One future target is to launch an even higher-end Micro Four Thirds camera that will not replace the E-M5. It is called E-M1 and it will become the company’s flagship camera on September 10, as Olympus has begun sending invitations to a special event on that date.

Nevertheless, the rumor mill was already aware of this fact, just like it was known that a 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens will become official alongside the Micro Four Thirds camera. However, there is plenty of time until September 10 to uncover other mysteries.

The latest in a long series of leaks is the Olympus 15mm f/2 lens patent. The Japanese corporation has filed for this patent on December 22, 2012 and its approval has been granted on July 4, 2013.

Olympus 15mm f/2 lens is so small that it will be marketed as a “pancake” optic

It describes a prime lens for Micro four Thirds cameras, which could make it into the pancake category. In order to do this, it has to be very small.

If it comes to the market, it could result in a very powerful street photography lens, as its 35mm focal length equivalent would reach 30mm.

There is a downside, but the aperture might be a little too slow to meet the street photographers’ demands.

Latest patents describe new 17mm f/1.8 prime and 17mm f/2.8 pancake lenses

It is worth noting that the patent also mentions 17mm f/1.8 and 17mm f/2.8 lenses. Both of them are unlikely to be released, as they are already available on the market and there is no need for replacements, yet.

The M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 is available for $499 through Amazon, while the 17mm f/2.8 pancake costs “merely” $188.90. The Olympus 15mm f/2 model would complete the prime lineup, which includes 12mm, 17mm, 45mm, and 75mm lenses among others.

Although its aperture and focal length are a little too close to the 17mm f/1.8 version, the company could be looking to improve its pancake offering, as the f/2.8 aperture on the pancake unit is a lot slower.

Posted in

MCPActions

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Categories

Recent Posts