Nothing new from Olympus at Photokina, but...

[Ian]

It's been a very interesting press preview day at the show, here in Cologne, but not for Olympus fans, They told us that they are saving their big news foer the 100th anniversary of the company next year.

In the meantime, Panasonic announced a new and rather unique Micro Four Thirds 10-25mm f/1.7 Leica DG Vario Summilux constant aperture zoom lens that they described as five primes in one.

But their big news was that they have brought their collaboration with Leica even closer and have adopted Leica's full frame L-mount, with two models in the pipeline - a 24 megapixel Lumix S1 and a 47 megapixel Lumix S1R. Look out for dual-IS and 8K video capabilities.

Sigma is also on board and will produce L-mount lenses and there is speculation that there could be a body as well, perhaps featuring a Foveon full frame sensor, but none of this was confirmed today.

Ian

[Ian]

And here is the new 10-25 f/1.7 being introduced.

Ian

[RobEW]

Fixed aperture? 'Scuse my ignorance but do you mean that it has to be on f/1.7 whether you like it or not?

[MikeOxon]

Constant aperture means that the set aperture remains the same when you zoom. So f/1.7 is maintained across the whole zoom range.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by RobEW

Fixed aperture? 'Scuse my ignorance but do you mean that it has to be on f/1.7 whether you like it or not?

Well-spotted I of course meant 'constant' aperture.

Ian

[RobEW]

Ah - I see. The widest available aperture doesn't vary when zooming (i.e. more like the 12-40 f/2.8;not like the 12-60 f/2.8-f/4).

Sounds an interesting lens spec for indoors - perhaps especially for wedding shooters etc.

[Ross the fiddler]

Thanks Ian. Well Panasonic have shown their offerings for next year, but I'm hoping the rumours, particularly from that guy Simon are true.
His list is, E-M1 Mk III with much improved low light & high ISO ability, PEN-F Mk II, MC20 & a lens announcement 150-400 F4.0-5.6 to come at the end of 2019.
A shame Olympus couldn't give us a bit more of a tease of what is to come. Also, I believe Panasonic are bringing FW updates for a few cameras. It would have been nice if there was an announced FW 'carrot' from Olympus too.
Anyhow, I'm still looking forward to seeing what Olympus will be bringing next year, even if I can't afford it.
I got to watch the live Olympus press video (later) here.

Olympus Photokina 2018 Press Event - YouTube

Olympus Photokina 2018 Press Event - YouTube

[TimP]

So would an early 2020 release of a EM-1 Mk3 mean a 3 year product cycle? (I don’t recall the release of the Mk1 I’m afraid)

[RobEW]

Thanks for link. He seemed a rather uninspiring speaker, lacking in passion and energy. I know these comments are about style rather than content, but ne would hope more energy might show through even in a very measured speaker with not much to announce.

Re the PL 10-25 ... it would have been hard to imagine 18 months ago that someone who could afford it might chose not to have the superlative Oly 12-40, but if the 10-25 proves as good as it sounds, I can imagine people using that for indoors and 12-100 f/4 for outdoors and finding little use for the 12-40.

[AMc]

This particular rumour seems to be quite persistent.


https://www.43rumors.com/ft5-the-new...ew-mft-sensor/


I imagine a new flagship E-M1 in their 100th year would be appropriate perhaps keeping the Mkii in production at a lower price point?
The Mkii and any potential Mkiii are going to be too large and too expensive for me but I'm sure there are lots of people with deeper pockets who'll be excited.

[Keith-369]

That 'long zoom' rumour seems to have gone off the boil too.

[Ross the fiddler]

Originally Posted by Keith-369

That 'long zoom' rumour seems to have gone off the boil too.

Simon had suggested it will be announced in March for an end of year (2019) release though.

[OM USer]

Originally Posted by Ian

...Panasonic announced a new and rather unique Micro Four Thirds 10-25mm f/1.7 Leica DG Vario Summilux constant [sic] aperture zoom lens...

I'm happy with my Oly 7-14. The Pany 10-25mm looks even bigger, will be very expensive, and 10mm is not really wide enough on occassions. Might be useful for studio professionals givenm the F1.7 but then there are some nice Oly F1.2 primes if you have the money.

Originally Posted by Ross the fiddler

...MC20 & a lens announcement 150-400 F4.0-5.6 to come at the end of 2019. A shame Olympus couldn't give us a bit more of a tease of what is to come.Anyhow, I'm still looking forward to seeing what Olympus will be bringing next year, even if I can't afford it.

An Oly 150-400mm would be nice for the garden birds and nature reserve hides but I'm guessing it would be hideously expensive and much bigger than the 40-150 PRO and somewhat bigger than the 300mm PRO. The MC20 might fit my budget if I squeeze it hard enough and it would fit in my camera bag.

[Internaut]

It’s all interesting. This is the camera industry responding to the threat of the smartphone and, unfortunately for many, following the money which means higher end and more expensive. I’ve recently been thinking that high end smaller format is becoming an increasingly hard sell against low end larger format... I’m not sure where this leaves Olympus. They are currently the only major camera maker without a larger format option? (Bearing in mind Fuji’s smart looking medium format move.)

[Ian]

Haha - if you know what to look for you can see me in the audience

It was a pretty poor showing from Olympus if you ask me. The press conference was a waste of precious time for the assembled journos.

Ian

Originally Posted by Ross the fiddler

Thanks Ian. Well Panasonic have shown their offerings for next year, but I'm hoping the rumours, particularly from that guy Simon are true.
His list is, E-M1 Mk III with much improved low light & high ISO ability, PEN-F Mk II, MC20 & a lens announcement 150-400 F4.0-5.6 to come at the end of 2019.
A shame Olympus couldn't give us a bit more of a tease of what is to come. Also, I believe Panasonic are bringing FW updates for a few cameras. It would have been nice if there was an announced FW 'carrot' from Olympus too.
Anyhow, I'm still looking forward to seeing what Olympus will be bringing next year, even if I can't afford it.
I got to watch the live Olympus press video (later) here.
Olympus Photokina 2018 Press Event - YouTube