Olympus History

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  • the Semi-Olympus I - the Pen Series
  • the Olympus OM-1 - the XA Series

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From a seminar presented at the JCII Camera Museum on Saturday, October 29, 2005 The Olympus Story – From the Semi-Olympus I to the Pen and Pen F Series

Our mission is to create cameras that combine the ability to take great photographs with compactness, ease of use and affordability. As we move toward this ideal, we encounter obstacles. One of those obstacles is the technology barrier, which relates to materials, mechanisms and other aspects. The other is the barrier of accepted wisdom, to which there are no exceptions. Only by breaking through these two barriers can we turn our innovative ideas and dreams into reality. The designer of the Olympus Pen half-size camera, one of the most successful cameras of all time, talks about his approach and attitudes, from his philosophy of development to the creation of new products. Olympus Pen (Planning and editing: Olympus Web Strategy Group)

Olympus has a tradition of lens technology dating back to its beginnings as a microscope manufacturer. Your dreams and philosophy determine the products you choose to make. I was a wastrel son, and I never expected my photographic hobby to become a career in cameras. After two years of practical training in the factory, I begin to design cameras. Our efforts to emulate the photographic quality and lens performance of the Leica led to the creation of the D-Zuiko. After breaking through the technology barrier, you run into the barrier of accepted wisdom. The Olympus Pen goes onto the market, and I see one in use. The Pen is a major hit with women and 17 million are sold. I began to develop a new shutter in response to market demand for a half-size SLR camera. Developing the Pen F – the only half-size SLR camera

Special Lecture part2 From a seminar presented at the JCII Camera Museum on Saturday, October 29, 2005 The Olympus Story – From the Olympus OM-1 to the XA Series

Profile of Yoshihisa Maitani Since boyhood, Yoshihisa Maitani felt an affinity toward cameras and photography. After studying mechanical engineering at university, he joined Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (now Olympus Corporation) in 1956. As a camera designer, he was involved in the development of many cameras that triggered major booms and became milestones in world camera history, including the Olympus Pen (1959), the Olympus Pen F (1963), the Olympus OM-1 (1973) and the Olympus XA (1979).

 

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