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May 24, 2012

New lens boasts top class quality among all M.ZUIKO DIGITAL Lenses
conforming to the Micro Four Thirds System Standard

High-Grade Portrait Lens
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 Images of M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 on OLYMPUS PEN E-P3 (left) and OLYMPUS OM-D E-M5 (right)

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8

Images of M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 on
OLYMPUS PEN E-P3 (left)
and OLYMPUS OM-D E-M5 (right)

Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Haruo Ogawa) is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 High-Grade Portrait Lens, an interchangeable lens that conforms to the Micro Four Thirds System standard. The launch of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 is scheduled for the middle of July, 2012.

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 is a single focal length telephoto lens equivalent to a 150mm lens for 35mm cameras, optimized for studio, stage and indoor sports photography as well as portrait shooting. It delivers sharp, clear imaging performance with a fully open large aperture of f1.8 and features an advanced optical design that incorporates 9 groups of 10 lens elements that make extensive use of special glass materials including three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements to optimally correct aberrations. The result is a superb lens that offers the top class image quality among the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses.
With a total length of just 69mm, this lens is surprisingly compact. A textured metallic outer finish exudes quality and sophistication, while the large-diameter glass front lens conveys a sense of power and performance.
The autofocusing mechanism employs Olympus's proven MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism, which uses an inner focus system to drive a single focusing lens, enabling fast and quiet focusing. A precision-touch metallic focus ring is also provided for easy manual focusing.

Pricing and Launch Date

Category Product Name MSRP Launch Date
Interchangeable lens M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 119,000 yen
(124,950 yen incl. tax)
The middle of July, 2012

Main Features

  1. Top class image quality among all M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses with sharp, clear imaging performance with aperture fully open at f1.8
  2. High-quality design with metallic finish and compact body with an overall length of 69mm
  3. Fast, quiet autofocusing using the MSC mechanism

Main Feature Details

1. Top class image quality among all M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses with sharp, clear imaging performance with aperture fully open at f1.8
1-1. High-grade portrait lens with focal length of approx. 150mm (35mm equivalent) and large f1.8 aperture
The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8 is a single focal length telephoto lens with a bright f1.8 aperture that delivers sharp, clear imaging performance ideal for studio, stage and indoor sports photography, as well as portrait shooting.
To correct the axial chromatic aberration that may be produced by telescopic lenses, this lens incorporates three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements in the front section, while, to correct the spherical aberration that tends to be produced with large-aperture lenses, two HR (High Refractivity) elements are incorporated in the rear section.
Each lens element is polished to an ultra-high level of working precision only possible with the advanced techniques developed by Olympus's master craftsmen and carefully assembled to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability. Superbly crafted and brilliantly designed, this lens boasts the top class image quality of any of our M.ZUIKO DIGITAL series lenses.

1-2. True circular defocusing with minimal vignetting
In order to achieve a nice, clean circular defocusing effect, vignetting has to be kept to a minimum and circular aperture diaphragm has to be used. When vignetting occurs, the defocusing on the periphery of the image is not a proper circle; instead, it is elliptical (like a rugby ball) or cornered due to the fact that light coming through the peripheral portion of the lens near the aperture is restricted because it is incident obliquely to the optical axis.
This lens minimizes vignetting by passing all the light that enters the lens – even that on the periphery – directly through to the image sensor. Featuring 9 groups of 10 lens elements that make extensive use of special glass materials, the lens is able to accurately pass through all incoming light. In addition, the optical design of this lens also helps prevent double-line defocusing or edge coloration due to chromatic aberration.

1-3. ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating
To ensure clear imaging performance even under unfavorable conditions such as when shooting against the light, the lens surfaces are coated with Olympus's special ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating, which features high transmittance and the ability to completely eliminate previously hard-to-prevent artifacts such as ghosts and flares. The ZERO coating is an application of the thin film control technology Olympus developed thanks to its experience in multi-layer film deposition technology. Advantages include scratch resistance and durability thanks to the high film strength made possible by vacuum deposition, as well as clear imaging performance with high transmittance.

2. High-quality design with metallic finish and compact body with an overall length of 69mm
With its bright f1.8 aperture and bigger-than-life imaging performance, you would expect this lens to be much bigger than it is. Thanks to the extraordinary precision of our finishing process, we've been able to pack our best ever performer into a compact body with an overall length of just 69mm. To add the touch of class you would expect from a high-end product, we've finished this lens in a subtly textured metallic finish that reflects the high-quality design highly acclaimed with the PEN series and the OM-D. Together, the high-quality texture of the metallic finish and the large precision-polished glass lens element at the front with a diameter of roughly 50 mm convey a unique sense of power and sophistication that's sure to boost the user's pride of ownership.
A dedicated metallic lens hood and lens cap matching the high-quality design of this lens are also available as optional accessories. Proper coordination of these accessories will be sure to enhance the attractiveness of this lens.

3. Fast, quiet autofocusing using the MSC mechanism
The fruit of advanced optical design technology, the MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) mechanism incorporated in this lens was developed to enable fast, quiet autofocusing with a reduced number of lightweight lens elements. By driving the focusing lens directly using a metallic shaft and feed screw finished with precision in the sub-micrometric order, rather than using a gear, which is the cause of operating noise, the MSC ensures ultra-quiet focusing and shooting.
The inner focusing system that incorporates the MSC mechanism adjusts focusing by displacing only one small, lightweight lens element. This enables smooth autofocusing with high speed and low noise. The smooth autofocusing facilitates comfortable, stress-free movie shooting, as well as still image photography.

Optional Accessories

Product Name MSRP Launch Date
Metallic Lens Hood     LH-61F 10,000 yen
(10,500 yen incl. tax)
The middle of July, 2012
Metallic Lens Cap     LC-61 5,000 yen
(5,250 yen incl. tax)

The LH-61F Lens Hood and the LC-61 Lens Cap are metal-made lens accessories prepared exclusively for the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f1.8. Combining them with the lens will further enhance the high-quality texture of the lens. The LH-61F is packaged together with the LC-58C Lens Cap with the inner knob system, which makes it possible to attach or remove the lens cap even when the lens hood is left attached to the lens.

LH-61F Lens Hood LC-61 Metallic Lens Cap
LH-61F Lens Hood LC-61 Metallic Lens Cap

Main Specifications

Mount type Micro Four Thirds System
Focal length 75mm(35mm equivalence 150mm equivalent)
Lens construction 9-group, 10 elements (ED element x 3, HR element x 2, etc.)
Angle of view 16°
Closest focusing distance 0.84 m
Maximum image magnification 0.1X(35mm equivalent 0.2X equivalent)
Maximum field size 130 x 173 mm
Number of blades 9 blades (Circular diaphragm)
Maximum aperture f1.8
Minimum aperture f22
Filter size Φ58 mm
Dimensions (Max. diameter x Overall length) Φ64 x 69mm
Weight 305 grams
Provided accessories Lens cap (LC-58E), Lens rear cap (LR-2),
Instruction manual, Olympus International Warranty Card

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