June 15, 2005

Professional Underwater Photography Using a Digital SLR Olympus Introduces the “PPO-E04” Underwater Lens Port for E-System Wide Zoom Lenses

“PPO-E04” Underwater Lens Port “PER-E02” Underwater Extension Ring   “PPZR-E03” Zoom Gear

* This news release is only for the Japanese Market.

Summary

Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Masaharu Okubo) is pleased to announce the introduction of the “PPO-E04” Underwater Lens Port. This new accessory allows professional underwater photography using E-System wide zoom lenses. The “PPO-E04” will go on sale in July 2005.

This underwater lens port is a genuine Olympus accessory for the “ZUIKO DIGITAL” series of “Designed for Digital” lenses. To support professional use, it is able to withstand water pressures at depths of up to 60 meters. Professional underwater photography is now possible using digital SLR cameras.

The “PPO-E04” is underwater lens port for wide zoom lenses. When combined with the “PER-E02” Underwater Extension Ring, which will go on sale at the same time, and the “PT-E01” Underwater Case (on sale in June 2005) for the “E-300” camera, it allows the “ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm (*14-28mm) F4.0” wide zoom lens to be used underwater.

The “PPO-E04” has a super-wide angle photography from 110 to 70 degree, and a super-close-up focasing capability allowing photography distances as close as 9cm from the lens port front to the subject, and it is also possible to exaggerate the perspective effects or to create a deep depth of field.

This product can also be used as an underwater lens port for a new fixed-focal fish-eye lens that Olympus plans to introduce.

Olympus now offers a range of 4 underwater lens ports and 2 underwater extension rings to support professional underwater photography using its 6 “Designed for Digital” ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses.

* Figures in parentheses indicate equivalent focal lengths for a 35mm film camera lens.

Product Category Product Name Launch Date UnderwaterLens Ports PPO-E04 (for “ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm F4.0”) (will also support a fixed-focal fisheye lens) July 2005 UnderwaterExtension Rings PER-E02 (for “ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm F4.0”)

Main Features

1.  Designed to Withstand Water Pressure at 60m - Suitable for Professional Underwater Photo.   All genuine Olympus underwater lens ports and underwater extension rings are designed to support serious underwater SLR photography and are reliably waterproof at depths of up to 60m. 2.  Genuine Olympus Underwater Lens Port and Extension Ring for Wide-Angle Interchangeable lenses   The “PPO-E04” is an underwater lens ports for use with the “ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm (*14-28mm) F4.0” wide-angel lens. It is used in conjunction with the “PER-E02” underwater extension ring. A super-wide angle from 110 to 70 degree is possible, and a super-close-up focasing capability allow photography distances as close as 9cm from the lens port front to the subject. It will also be possible to use just the “PPO-E04” with a new fixed-focal fish-eye lens that Olympus plans to introduce. Principal Specifications Product PPO-E04 PER-E02 Category Underwater Lens Ports Underwater Extension Rings Equipment Supported “ED7-14mm F4.0” Lens (will support a fixed-focal fisheye lens) “ED 7-14mm F4.0” lens Max. Water Pressure 60 meters Waterproofing System O-ring pressure seal Principal Materials Body: Aluminum Lens: Glass Dome (AR Multi-coating) Body: AluminumZoom Gear: Polycarbonate Size Max. diameter Ø176mm Ø108mm Length 78.0mm 75.6mm Bandle Accessories   Zoom Gear ”PPZR-E03”