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Olympus continues to push digital’s optical envelope with the industry’s widest non-fisheye lens for sub-full-frame DSLRs. A 14-28mm equivalent ($1,595, street), even by 35mm standards, this lens is extremely wide.

Its unusually large and double-sided aspheric elements, plus multiple elements of extra-low- and super-extra-low-dispersion glass (a total of three) help deliver performance unequalled in the ultrawide digital-only zoom category.

HANDS ON:

At 1 pound, 12 ounces, the lens is quite hefty by digital ultrawide and fixed-aperture standards. In comparison, fixed f/4 models from Nikon, Pentax, and Tokina, all 12-24mm, weigh only a pound (roughly). The Olympus is also more than an inch longer than these other lenses. However, it is internal-zooming — the length doesn’t grow as you zoom it out.

Other physical distinctions: a fixed lenshood, extremely smooth manual focusing, fast but slightly noisy AF, and protective gaskets and O-rings to repel dust and moisture. It does not accept threaded filters — common with front elements as convex as this one.

IN THE LAB:

At the three tested focal lengths, SQF tests found sharpness and contrast well into the Excellent range, very slightly ahead of most of the comparable lenses we’ve tested, especially at larger output sizes.

Olympus have released a firmware update for their ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 SWD lens. The update simply provides improved focusing precision on distant subjects when using the C-AF (continuous AF) mode. The update can be downloaded from the Olympus Japan website.

To download the free update visit:

http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/firm/e1/

Zuiko Digital 12-60mm Lens

The Zuiko Digital 12-60mm Pro lens is a high-performance standard wide zoom lens that features the Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) lens drive mechanism and covers a versatile zoom range that’s the equivalent of a 24-120mm (35 mm) film format lens.

The newly developed Olympus-original SWD has made possible an ultra-fast, whisper-quiet and high-precision AF system.

Optimized for use with the concurrently released E-3 camera, this lens enables the E-3 to demonstrate the full power of its high-speed capability, providing the fastest autofocusing available in the world* using a standard zoom lens.

*Among interchangeable lenses for Digital SLR cameras. Measurement based on our in-house measuring standard. (As of Oct. 17, 2007, surveyed by Olympus).

With minimal geometric distortion at its widest angle, the digital-dedicated design ensures high-definition performance with clear, crisp images from edge to edge even when used at fully open apertures!

This lens also boasts impressive close-up shooting capability, allowing users to shoot from as close as 25 cm throughout the zoom range.

The splash-proof and dust-proof design and robust construction makes it suitable for professional use.

OLYMPUS ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-35mm f2.0 SWD LENS The ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-35mm f2.0 SWD, which covers a zoom range equivalent to 28mm to 70mm on a 35mm camera lens is the world’s first standard zoom lens to feature a large f2.0 aperture3. Boasting industry-leading imaging performance, this lens is a worthy addition to the Olympus Super High Grade (SHG) series of lenses. Together with the ED 7-14mm f4.0, ED 35-100mm f2.0 and ED 90-250mm f2.8 lenses, this lens completes Olympus’ series of professional zoom lenses with fixed F-values.

The flagship of the ZUIKO DIGITAL series, this lens was developed to meet the requirements of the most demanding professionals. It includes reliable splash- and dust-proofing, Olympus’ exclusive SWD-driven ultra-fast AF system, a mechanically interlocked manual focusing mechanism and a large, petal-shaped hood with a polarization filter control window.

With its unique f2.0 aperture providing bright viewing with a sharp subject and a soft blurring of the background, this lens epitomizes the versatility, power and creative freedom made possible by the Four Thirds System and is ideal for almost any application – from landscapes and portraits to indoor shooting and photojournalism.

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