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Re: [OM] Answers about the Olydak.... Press Release, too

Subject: Re: [OM] Answers about the Olydak.... Press Release, too
From: Tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 11:21:25 -0400
On Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 23:07, suchismit@xxxxxxxxx
<olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote re "Re: [OM] Answers about the Olydak...." saying:

> I doubt thats going to be the case. Sending aperture info to the
> camera and  stopping down the (Zuiko) lens before exposure, in
> addition to being able to stop down a digital lens, would mean a
> major design constraint on the body. I don't think Oly gives two
> hoots about Zuikos, they will provide an adapter simply for not
> alienating OM users.
> -Tim
>
> > > >Will you be able to fit old OM/Zuiko lenses?
> > > >Answer: Yes, a lens mount adapter will be made
> > > >available but probably without any aperture linking to
> > > the body.
> > >
> > > If true, stop down metering is going to be a pain !
> > > -Tim
> >
> > Let's hope that it stays auto, though not displaying which aperture.
> >
> > tOM--

Perhaps a powered lens adaptor?

Here's the full press release --tOM

-----------------------------
Olympus and Kodak Agree to Implement 4/3 System Digital SLR Camera Standard

? First-of-its-kind common standard for digital cameras

? Secures lens mount compatibility among manufacturers

? New Universal Digital Interchangeable Lens System Forum to be established


Cologne, 24 September 2002 ? Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. of Japan and Eastman
Kodak Company of the United States today announced that they have agreed to
implement the Four Thirds System (4/3 System), a new standard for next-
generation digital SLR camera systems that ensures interchangeable lens
mount compatibility. The two companies have resolved to aggressively
implement this new standard in their respective product lines, and to
establish the Universal Digital Interchangeable Lens System Forum, an
industry forum that will promote acceptance of the Four Thirds System by
other camera manufacturers. Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. has already agreed to
participate in the new standard.

System Overview
The Four Thirds System is not based on existing standards for 35 mm film
SLR camera system lenses, but instead establishes a new common standard for
the interchange of lenses developed exclusively to meet the optical design
requirements of digital SLR cameras.

4/3-Inch Image Sensor Size
The Four Thirds System uses a 4/3-type CCD or other image sensor, and will
facilitate the development of dedicated digital camera lens systems that
maximise image sensor performance and ensure outstanding image quality
while also being smaller than 35 mm film SLR camera lens systems.

Lens Mount Standardisation
By establishing an open standard for camera body lens mounts, the new
system will make it possible to standardise lens mounting systems,
something that has been impossible to achieve with digital SLR cameras that
are based on existing 35 mm film SLR lens systems. At the same time, the
new system standard will set a rule for both the image circle size (the
diameter of the area in which the subject is resolved) and the back focus
distance (the distance from the lens mount to the image sensor).

Development Background of the New Standard
Current digital SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses are essentially
based on conventional 35 mm camera systems. As a result, they must be
equipped with image sensors that are comparable in size to 35 mm and APS
film. However, because the imaging characteristics of these large CCDs are
fundamentally different from those of film, a number of issues can prevent
them from achieving their full performance potential. These include: (1)
Although film is capable of responding to light striking the surface at a
high angle of incidence, a high angle of incidence can prevent sufficient
light from reaching sensor elements at the periphery of a CCD and result in
reduced colour definition, particularly when shooting with wide-angle
lenses. (2) To achieve the resolutions required by the micron pitch of
today's CCDs, the demands of optical design tend to result in the use of
larger and heavier lenses.

Moreover, manufacturers of digital SLR camera systems have until now
adopted the mounting systems used in their own respective 35 mm film SLR
cameras, making bodies and lenses produced by different manufacturers
incompatible with one another.

In light of these circumstances, the new Four Thirds System standard was
conceived to facilitate the design and development of digital SLR cameras
and lenses that maximise the performance potential of digital imaging
sensors, and provide users with product advantages such as compact size,
handling ease, and enhanced functionality.

Benefits
The major benefit of the Four Thirds System is that it allows the design of
dedicated, high-performance digital camera lens systems that are more
compact than 35 mm film SLR camera lens systems. The impact of the more
compact lens size will be especially marked on telephoto lenses, making it
possible to produce a Four Thirds System 300 mm telephoto lens, for
example, that offers performance equivalent to a 600 mm lens on a
35 mm film SLR camera. In other words, it will be possible to offer the
same angle of view in a lens that is only about half as long. Besides
telephoto lenses, the 4/3-type image sensor size will also allow the
development of bright, high-performance zoom lenses that are more compact
than those needed for use with image sensors the size of APS or 35 mm film.

By taking advantage of the more compact lens size, it will therefore be
possible to develop lens systems that are much easier to handle than
conventional 35 mm film SLR camera lens systems.

Furthermore, this Lens Mount Standardisation will make it possible for
consumers to combine bodies and lenses produced by different manufacturers
and therefore enjoy a wider product choice.



If you have any questions or would like additional information, please
contact:

Hans Thiele
Olympus Optical Co. (Europa) GmbH
Corporate & Imaging Systems Europe
Marketing Communications
Tel.: +49-40-237 73-263
email: hans.thiele@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Christina Blake
Olympus Optical Co. (Europa) GmbH
Corporate & Imaging Systems Europe
Marketing Communications
Tel.: +49-40-237 73-191
email: christina.blake@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

--
--------- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olympus-Documentation
--------- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ottawa-photo-clubs
tOM Trottier,   ICQ:57647974    http://abacurial.com
        758 Albert St, Ottawa ON Canada K1R 7V8
        +1 613 860-6633 fax:231-6115 N45.412 W75.714
"The moment one gives close attention to anything,
even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious,
awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself --
Henry Miller, 1891-1980


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