OM Digital Solutions Unveils the ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II, and the 40-150mm f/4 PRO Lenses
Alongside the release of its OM-1 Micro Four Thirds camera, OM Digital Solutions has also released two new OM System Micro Four Thirds lenses: the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12–40mm f/2.8 PRO II and M.Zuiko Digital ED 40–150mm f/4.0 PRO. Both lenses are dust- and splash-proof, rated at IP53, and will operate in temperatures as low as -10ºC. Both lenses feature a fluorine coating on the front element, a seven-blade aperture diaphragm, a maximum f/22 aperture, a 62mm front filter thread, and autofocus is driven by quiet stepper motors that carries over the Olympus-era Movie and Still Compatible (MSC) branding.
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II uses an optical design with 14 elements in nine groups (one EDA lens, two aspherical lenses, one DSA lens, two ED lenses, one HD lens, two HR lenses) with four aspherical lenses including a DSA lens effectively placed to achieve a compact, lightweight form and superior depictive performance expected of an M.Zuiko PRO lens. Effectively compensating for aberrations that occur when zooming, results in high resolution from the center to the edges of the frame across the entire zoom range, from wide-angle 24mm equivalent to mid-telephoto 80mm equivalent1. This high-performance lens fully utilizes the high image quality performance of the camera body when using High Res Shot mode.
The latest manufacturing techniques suppress surface scattering on aspherical lenses, significantly reducing flares compared to conventional products, resulting in clearer depictive performance. Optimal placement of coating, including ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating, improves resistance in backlit situations.
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0 PRO uses the same fundamental structure as the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO, which is well known for its high resolution and incorporates an optical design with 15 elements in nine groups (two ED lenses, one Super ED lens, one HR lens, and two aspherical lenses). An effective layout of special lenses helps to thoroughly suppress chromatic aberration, which tends to occur with telephoto lenses and delivers high-resolution imaging from the maximum aperture value across the entire zoom range and frame while maintaining a compact and lightweight form.
The lens also features ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating, thoroughly eliminating ghosts and flares for clear depictive performance even in difficult conditions such as backlit scenes. This high-performance lens fully utilizes the high image quality performance of the camera body even when using High Res Shot mode.
A retracting mechanism makes this the world’s most compact, lightweight model as a fixed aperture value, 300mm equivalent (35mm equivalent) telephoto zoom lens, measuring approximately 99.4 mm long (124 mm long when in use) and weighing approximately 382g, making it amazingly compact and lightweight. The lens was designed with a focus on ease of use when shooting and is equipped with a mechanism that makes it possible to retract and store the lens simply by turning the zoom ring. It also uses an inner zoom system that keeps the lens length the same across the entire focal length, suppressing center of gravity changes while zooming. Using a compact, lightweight lenses in the front drastically reduces the feeling of heaviness, eliminating the long lens barrel and weight at the front of the lens, which is common to telephoto lenses, making shooting easier and more well-balanced.
This model features a closest focusing distance of 70 cm across the entire zoom range, just like the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO. At the telephoto end, close-up shooting is possible up to maximum image magnification of 0.41x. Despite being a telephoto zoom, this lens also possesses superior close-up shooting performance for a wide range of applications. Focus Stacking3 is also supported, which captures multiple shots at different focal positions, and then automatically composites the shot. When paired with a compatible camera, this mode allows taking macro photos that are completely in focus from the front to the back of the image.
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 12–40mm f/2.8 PRO II and M.Zuiko Digital ED 40–150mm f/4.0 PRO are expected to be available early March 2022 for $1,00 and $900, respectively.
