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Re: [OM] A PRoduct Information reLease FrOm Our LeaderS

Subject: Re: [OM] A PRoduct Information reLease FrOm Our LeaderS
From: Omer Nezih GEREK <gerek@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 14:24:08 +0100 (MET)
We must contact an Arab sheikh, make a Zuikoholic OMer out of him (a guy 
with name Omar may be suitable for that), describe him the situation, and 
convince him to invest enormous amount of money for that. 

Don't say that this does not happen. How do you think the so expensive, 
but definitely not worth the price Swiss watches (well, most of them) 
still survive? Some of the princes really invest!! Possibly just for fun 
and joy. I am sure the following project is more enjoyable!

There must be one on this planet to do the job..

OMer

On Thu, 1 Apr 1999 Pauls0627@xxxxxxx wrote:

> 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 automation
> 6. Selectable ESP metering
> 7. Center weighted metering
> 8. 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*
> 24/2.8
> 24/3.5 Shift
> 35/2.8
> 35/2.8 Shift
> 40/2*
> 50/1.4
> 50/1.8
> 50/3.5 Macro
> 85/2
> 100/2.8
> 135/2.8
> 180/2.8*
> 200/4
> 300/4.5
> 300/6.3*
> 400/6.3
> 24-70/2.8-3.5*
> 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) Schings
> Coventry, RI
> 
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> 
> 

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