– Compliant with Micro Four Thirds System Standard
– A 1X* Macro Lens with Excellent Imaging Performance and
– Dust and Splash proofing
Olympus Imaging Singapore is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro, an interchangeable lens that conforms to the Micro Four Thirds System standard.
The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro is a single focal length macro lens equivalent to a 120mm lens for 35mm cameras. Featuring a closest focusing distance of 19 cm, excellent close-up capability with 1X* magnification, and dust and splash proof construction, this lens is ideal for macro shooting under a wide range of conditions, including in the rain or near the water, as well as being useful in other applications such as landscape and portrait shooting.
To ensure the best possible imaging quality, this lens incorporates 13 lens elements in 10 groups with extensive use of special glass materials such as ED (Extra-low Dispersion), HR (High Refractive index) and E-HR (Extra-High Refractive index) elements to completely eliminate the chromatic aberrations that can be noticeable with telephoto macro lenses. From the far view to the macro domain and from the image center to the periphery, this optical design achieves consistently clear, sharp, high-contrast imaging performance.
For fast, quiet autofocusing, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro incorporates Olympus’ exclusive MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism, which is based on a floating-type inner focusing system with three drive systems. With no change in the overall lens length during autofocusing, the camera can be held securely to remain stable throughout. Other features such as focus limit switching and a shooting distance/magnification indicator window enhance macro shooting control and precision.
Main Features:
1. Excellent imaging performance with high resolution and contrast, as well as high close-up shooting capability with 1X* magnification
2. MSC mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing
3. Dust and splash proof construction for secure shooting under poor conditions, as well as enhanced control with focus limit switch and indicator window
Main Feature Details
1. Excellent imaging performance with high resolution and contrast, as well as close-up shooting capability with 1X* magnification
1-1. 1X* macro lens with high resolution and contrast
The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro is a single focal length, telephoto macro lens boasting excellent close-up shooting performance with a closest focusing distance of 19 cm and 1X* shooting magnification.
To ensure high imaging performance throughout the shooting range from the far view to life-size macro shooting, this lens incorporates a floating-type inner autofocusing system with three drive systems. To eliminate the chromatic aberrations typically noticeable with telephoto macro lenses, ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and HR (High Refractive index) elements are employed in the fixed groups, while HR and E-HR (Extra-High Refractive index) elements are employed in the focusing groups. This optical design makes it possible to achieve sharp imaging performance while maintaining high resolution and contrast from infinity to the closest focusing distance and from the image center to the peripheries.
1-2. Clear circular defocusing with little vignetting in the macro domain
To obtain true circular defocusing, it is necessary to use a circular aperture diaphragm and minimise vignetting. Vignetting is a phenomenon that sometimes occurs when the light is incident obliquely to the optical axis. As a result, defocusing in the image periphery becomes elliptical like a rugby ball, or polygonal rather than circular, depending on the extent to which the light rays in the image periphery are limited by the diameters of lens elements before and after the aperture.
This lens directs the light rays to the peripheral areas to minimise vignetting and obtain circular defocusing, particularly in the macro domain. The lens optics is designed to eliminate double-line defocusing, which results in the blurred area being contoured with dual lines or edges being coloured due to chromatic aberrations.
1-3. ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating
To thoroughly eliminate ghosts and flare which are normally very hard to prevent, the lens surfaces are treated with Olympus-original ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating which cuts the reflection of wavelengths between 450 and 650 nm in half. The result is clear image performance with a true-to-life sense of transparency and depth even under unfavorable conditions such as backlit shooting. The ZERO coating technology was derived from the thin film control technology Olympus developed for multi-layer film deposition technology in the field of microscopy. Another advantage of this advanced technology is resistance to scratching and degradation thanks to the high film strength made possible by vacuum deposition.
Thanks to the optimised layout of the lens groups behind the aperture and the effect of the ZERO coating, this lens also reduces spot flare (a phenomenon that tends to occur when shooting a scene with dark centre and bright periphery using a stopped-down aperture, in which flares shaped like aperture blades are imaged in the frame).
2. MSC mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing
The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro incorporates the MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) mechanism, an advanced optical design technology developed for fast, quiet focusing using a small number of lightweight lens elements. Instead of using gears that produce operating noise, this mechanism drives the focusing lens directly using a metallic shaft and feed screw finished with precision in the sub-micrometric order.
The MSC mechanism is based on a floating type inner focusing system that adjusts focusing by optimised control of three drive systems. The result is fast, quiet and smooth autofocusing operation that ensures comfortable and stress-free shooting of both still photos and movies.
Moreover, because the overall length of the lens does not change during focusing, the camera can be held more securely, ensuring greater stability – something that is especially important in macro shooting.
3. Dust and splash proof construction for secure shooting even under poor conditions, as well as enhanced control using the focus limit switch and indicator window
3-1. Dust and splash proof construction
The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro features the same dust and splash proof construction already proven on the SHG (Super High Grade) and HG (High Grade) OLYMPUS ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses. Thanks to an extensive use of ring-shaped seals in key locations throughout the lens, this design effectively prevents dust and splashes from penetrating the inside of the lens.
When combined with the OM-D E-M5 camera, which also features dust and splash proof construction, this lens lets the user concentrate on taking photographs or shooting movies without worrying about protecting the camera, even under unfavorable conditions such as rainy weather or by the water.
3-2. Focus limit switch
The focus limit switch sets the focusing range to enable faster focusing. Three modes, including close-up (focusing distance between 19 and 40 cm), normal (focusing distance from 19 cm to infinity) and far view (focusing distance from 40 cm to infinity) are available, as well as a 1:1 mode that shifts focusing to 1:1 with one-touch operation. The ability to simply set the mode according to the application makes it easy for users to shoot comfortably and quickly with various shooting styles and at various distances.
3-3. Shooting distance/magnification indicator window
A window to indicate shooting distance and magnification is provided on the lens body, significantly improving visibility and operability when shooting with a predetermined focusing distance and magnification, particularly when setting the distance for manual focusing.
3-4. Comfortable macro shooting with manual focusing
A working distance of 82 mm is secured for 1X shooting, enabling macro shooting with a natural feeling of distance from the subject. When the 1:1 mode is selected and the camera is moved back and forth, the closest focusing distance is determined instantaneously so the user need not be concerned and will not be confused over the subject distance.
With its smaller diameter, this lens makes it easier to enjoy handheld macro shooting and when combined with the OM-D E-M5 camera, it provides maximum stability thanks to a powerful 5-axis image stabilisation mechanism that can correct translational blur (shift blur) during macro shooting.
* Equivalent to 2X magnification of 35mm cameras
Other Features
Fixed barrel length thanks to the inner-focus design
Magnification preset at 1:1, 1:4 and 1:8
Small and light body weighing 185g
Beautiful bokeh at corners
No spot flares
Optional Accessories
Lens Hood LH-49
The LH-49 is a sliding lens hood designed exclusively for the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro. In addition to effective blocking of harmful light rays, this hood can be safely stored without detaching it from the lens. This not only eliminates the hassle of attaching and detaching the hood before/after every shooting session but also provides effective protection for the lens body. The hood also makes rotation of the polarisation filter easier.
The hood position can be adjusted during macro shooting by sliding it, making it possible to avoid capturing the shade of the hood in the image, as well as to adjust the amount of light on the subject.
Adapter Ring FR-2
The FR-2 is an adapter ring for use in mounting the RF-11 Ring Flash or TF-22 Twin Flash on the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro to provide support for macro flash shooting.
Availability and Recommended Retail Price
The OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro is available at Olympus authorised retailers from early October 2012.
The recommended retail prices are:
OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro: TBA
Lens Hood LH-49: TBA
Adapter Ring FR-2: TBA
For the list of authorised retailers, please visit http://home.olympusimage.com.sg/contactus/authorised_retailers.asp
About Olympus Imaging Singapore
Olympus Imaging Singapore is the unparalleled industry leader in opto-digital technologies, delivering award-winning digital imaging products for the consumer and professional markets in Singapore. Driven by a strong commitment in providing innovative products and solutions of the highest quality, Olympus Imaging Singapore works closely with industry partners, customers and other Olympus business units in producing leading-edge products. These include analogue and digital cameras, professional SLR imaging systems, and voice recorders, amongst others. Olympus Imaging Singapore’s unrelenting efforts in superior customer service also bear testimony to its brand promise of delivering the best user experience to all consumers and professional users in the imaging field. For more information, please visit http://www.olympusimage.com.sg.
