Hi Paul,
I think you did better last year. The timing of the announcement is off and
the format looks different...
Jim Terazawa
Pauls0627@xxxxxxx wrote:
> Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 06:43:15 ESTFrom: Pauls0627@xxxxxxx
> Subject: [OM] A PRoduct Information reLease FrOm Our LeaderS
>
> Let me start with a confession. I've been working for Oly Japan for the past 2
> years. I am part of a project whose purpose is to re-inject some life into the
> OM system. Given that, there is a formal announcement imminent concerning some
> new product offerings. I was given permission to give the list a brief (OK,
> maybe it's not so brief) preview.
> OM-1, OM-1n, OM-2, OM-2n - we will be making available a (fairly large) number
> of completely rebuilt OM-1(n)s and OM-2(n)s. In order to accomplish this we
> had to commission some short production runs of some no-longer available
> parts. In some ways I feel this announcement shows the company's commitment
> the most, as these will be sold at a loss. I would expect these beauties to
> hit the street with a selling price of 400-550 USD. These bodies are
> completely rebuilt. Top and bottom covers have been completely refinished or
> replaced, new leatherette, and all have new backs (even the old OM-1s will
> have the memo back with the updated film cartridge spring). There is all new
> foam, which is a new material that *should* not deteriorate in our lifetimes.
> It looks more like a felt than a foam, actually. Each will include the
> appropriate hot shoe. These are new shoes, designated Shoe 1n, Shoe 3n, and
> Shoe 4n. They are made of a *much* stronger composite material. Stress tests
> show that the prism cover dents before the shoe is damaged. These shoes will
> be available separately as well. Each camera will be in a new box, with body
> cap, new manual and full 1 year warranty. I expect these will sell quickly.
> More will be made available as more bodies can be scrounged up. There is
> discussion about accepting individual bodies for rebuild and return to a
> specific customer, but this has not been decided yet.
> Flash - The F280 is no more. It is being replaced by the F400. This is a guide
> number 40 flash that looks *alot* like the old T32. It accepts all of the T32
> accessories (filters, zoom head) which are being reintroduced on the price
> list. It supports full synchro flash (with the appropriate camera, of course).
> It includes the extra pins on the hot shoe and TTL connector (now called F-TTL
> connector, with 7 pins, to distinguish it from the old T-TTL connector with 5
> pins). Working in normal TTL mode this flash is fully compatible with the T
> series units, and can be combined for multi-flash setups. It will mount on the
> Bounce Grip 2, TTL Auto Connector T20, or can be connected with a new series
> of FT-TTL cords which provide an F-TTL (7 pin) connector at one end and a T-
> TTL (5 pin) connector at the other. These will be available in the usual
> lengths (0.3m, 0.6m, 2m, 5m). There will be a new Bounce Grip 3, which looks
> just like the Bounce Grip 2 except it has the extra pins on the hot shoe
> connection and an F-TTL connector at the bottom. There will also be a full
> line of F-TTL cords (0.3m, 0.6m, 2m, and 5m) and an F-TTL Multi Connector.
> Yes, you will be able to use multi-flash with full synchro functionality.
> Obviously when used with the older T-series accessories, and the FT-TTL cords,
> full synchro capability is not available.
> OM-3n, OM-4n - Some upgrades to the OM-3Ti and OM-4Ti bodies. Both get faster
> shutters, with 1/4000 top speed, and 1/250 synch. This is the first horizontal
> shutter to achieve these speeds. They will also get F-TTL connectors on the
> body, replacing the old T-TTL connector. The OM-4n will be upgraded with the
> dark grey finish currently on the OM-3Ti. The OM-3n and OM-4n will retain the
> titanium covers.Now the good stuff...
> OM-5: This is the real successor to the OM-3(Ti). In traditional fashion,
> being an odd-numbered body, this beauty has an all mechanical shutter, same as
> in the OM-3n (1-1/4000, 1/250 synch). It's real claim to fame is the upgraded
> OM-E lens mount ("E" for electronic). It will accept all existing Zuiko
> lenses, but works most fully with the new "E" series lenses (more on lenses
> later...). The "E" lenses provide additional information to the body,
> including max aperture, focal length, and extension (focus) settings. It does
> this via a set of 7 contacts inside the mount, similar to the old OM AF
> lenses. Therefore the OM-5 will (finally) have aperture information in the
> viewfinder (with the "E" lenses only, of course). Looking at the camera, it
> looks *very* much like an OM-4. Same spot meter controls, shutter release,
> wind lever, and rewind button on the top right. Exposure compensation/ASA dial
> around the rewind knob. Mode selector lever (battery check, shutter-priority
> auto, and manual positions) in the usual spot. Shutter ring around the lens
> mount. The display is very similar to the one in the OM-3,4. It adds an
> aperture scale (numbered in full stops from f/1 to f/90). In manual mode the
> aperture and shutter speed set are displayed. If the aperture ring is set
> between two stops, both apertures are displayed. In shutter priority auto mode
> the shutter speed selected is displayed and the bar-graph indicates the
> camera-selected aperture. The finder also includes the usual spot-metering
> diamonds, OVER and UNDER indicators, flash ready light, and a new ESP
> indicator. All modes are available with older Zuiko lenses, except you won't
> know the aperture selected. Normal TTL flash is supported, as is full synchro
> flash (but only in the manual "guide number" mode). Any existing OM user will
> be right at home. A short list of features:
> 1. Fully overridable DX film speed settings
> 2. Mirror lockup (finder illumination button has been moved to the front of
> the camera, where the rewind knob was on the old OM-1's and -2s)3. Self timer
> 4. Double exposure capability (knob around right edge of advance lever)
> 5. Shutter priority automation6. Selectable ESP metering
> 7. Center weighted metering8. Spot and multi-spot metering
> 9. Full F-TTL flash capability
> 10. 7 fps operation with the new motor drive 3 (more on that later)
> 11. Power takeoff with motor drive 3
> 12. Includes 2-13 focusing screen (all others useable, of course)
> 13. All metal construction (expect a "Ti" version eventually)
> OM-6: Again, the logical successor to the OM-4(Ti). It has everything the OM-5
> does, with the following additions/changes:1. Fully electronic shutter
> 2. aperture priority (OTF) and Program exposure (also OTF)3. NO mirror
> lockup...
> Again, the controls will be familiar. They are, in fact, identical to the OM-5
> with the exception of the extra positions on the mode selector switch, and the
> deletion of the mirror lockup lever.
> E-Mount lenses: I already talked a little about the new lens mount. These
> lenses *will* work on the old bodies. They have the usual focusing rings,
> aperture rings, and stop-down levers. Initially the following lenses will be
> available. those marked with an "*" are new optical designs. The others are
> essentially unchanged optically from the originals. All are MC, of
> course.18/3.5
> 21/2.8*24/2.824/3.5 Shift35/2.835/2.8 Shift40/2*50/1.450/1.850/3.5 Macro85/2
> 100/2.8135/2.8180/2.8*200/4300/4.5300/6.3*400/6.324-70/2.8-3.5*35-80/2.8
> 80-200/2.8*70-210/3.5-4.5*
> More lenses will be introduced in time. Expect most of the old lenses
> (including the f/2 wides and the big teles) eventually.
> Miscellaneous accessories:
> Motor Drive 3: Faster and lighter. Takes the old NiCad and pistol grip control
> packs for 5fps operation. Also accepts a new 24v NiMh Control Pack 1 for
> operation up to 7 fps with the OM-5 and OM-6 (only). Works to 5 fps on the
> older bodies. Provides power rewind on the OM-3,4,5,6 just like the MD 2. One
> nice new feature: when mounted on the OM-5 and OM-6 the camera is powered by
> the motor drive's batteries. Either this unit or the Winder 3 (below) are
> required for full capabilities with the Recordata back 5
> Winder 3: 2.5 fps, 4AA batteries... and power take-off with the OM-5,6.
> Automatic advance to frame 1 for cameras that support that functionality. Also
> needed to get full use of the Recordata back 5.
> Focusing screens: New 2-series screen: 2-10 (with grid), 2-11 (with
> crosshairs), 2-14 (diagonal split/prism)
> Recordata back 5: Calendar works until 2040... when used with the OM-5 or OM-6
> and MD 3 or Winder 3, this back memorizes frame information for a roll
> (shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, focal length) and records it
> all on frame zero during rewind (I think the Contax AX does something
> similar). It can also function as a traditional data back, recording date/time
> info or a custom code on the frame.
> I think Oly has been very successful here in moving the system forward (at
> least into the '90's if not the '00's) while minimizing R&D costs. There isn't
> a lot that is very new here - even the E lenses derive from the old OM AF
> technology in many ways.
> I'll let you know more as soon as they let me. I hope you all have a happy
> April Fool's Day! (and I sincerely hope April Fool's Day is observed in all
> the countries represented on this list...)
> Paul (switching out of "wishful thinking" mode) SchingsCoventry, RI
>
>
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