Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Haruo Ogawa) is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro, an interchangeable lens that conforms to the Micro Four Thirds System standard. The launch of this "Nature Macro lens" is scheduled for October 5th, 2012.

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro is a single focal length macro lens equivalent to a 120mm lens for 35mm cameras. Featuring a closest focusing distance of 19cm, excellent close-up capability with 1X* magnification, and dust-/splash-proof construction, this lens is ideal for macro shooting under a wide range of conditions, including in the rain or near the water, as well as being useful in other applications such as landscape and portrait shooting.
To ensure the best possible imaging quality, this lens incorporates 13 lens elements in 10 groups with extensive use of special glass materials such as ED (Extra-low Dispersion), HR (High Refractive index) and E-HR (Extra-High Refractive index) elements to completely eliminate the chromatic aberrations that can be noticeable with telephoto macro lenses. From the far view to the macro domain and from the image center to the periphery, this optical design achieves consistently clear, sharp, high-contrast imaging performance.
For fast, quiet autofocusing, The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro incorporates Olympus's exclusive MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism, which is based on a floating-type inner focusing system with three drive systems. With no change in the overall lens length during autofocusing, the camera can be held securely, remaining stable throughout. Other features such as focus limit switching and a shooting distance/magnification indicator window enhance macro shooting control and precision.

Pricing & Launch Date

Category	Product Name	MSRP	Launch Date
Interchangeable lens	M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro	59,500 yen (62,475 yen incl. tax)	October 5th, 2012

Main Features

1. Excellent imaging performance with high resolution and contrast, as well as high close-up shooting capability with 1X^* magnification.
2. MSC mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing.
3. Dust-/splash-proof construction for secure shooting under poor conditions, as well as enhanced control with focus limit switch and indicator window.

*	Equivalent to 2X magnification of 35mm cameras.

Main Feature Details

1. Excellent imaging performance with high resolution and contrast, as well as close-up shooting capability with 1X^* magnification.

1-1. 1X^* macro lens with high resolution and contrast

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro is a single focal length, telephoto macro lens boasting excellent close-up shooting performance with a closest focusing distance of 19 cm and 1X^* shooting magnification.
To ensure high imaging performance throughout the shooting range, from the far view to life-size macro shooting, this lens incorporates a floating-type inner autofocusing system with three drive systems. To eliminate the chromatic aberrations typically noticeable with telephoto macro lenses, ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and HR (High Refractive index) elements are employed in the fixed groups, while HR and E-HR (Extra-High Refractive index) elements are employed in the focusing groups. This optical design makes it possible to achieve sharp imaging performance, while maintaining high resolution and contrast from infinity to the closest focusing distance and from the image center to the peripheries.

*	Equivalent to 2X magnification of 35mm cameras.

1-2. Clear circular defocusing with little vignetting in the macro domain

To obtain true circular defocusing, it is necessary to use a circular aperture diaphragm and minimize vignetting. Vignetting is a phenomenon that sometimes occurs when the light is incident obliquely to the optical axis. As a result, defocusing in the image periphery becomes elliptical, like a rugby ball, or polygonal, rather than circular, depending on the extent to which the light rays in the image periphery are limited by the diameters of lens elements before and after the aperture.
This lens directs the light rays to the peripheral areas to minimize vignetting and obtain circular defocusing, particularly in the macro domain. The lens optics is designed to eliminate double-line defocusing, which results in the blurred area being contoured with dual lines or edges being colored due to chromatic aberrations.

1-3. ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating

To thoroughly eliminate ghosts and flare – normally so hard to prevent, the lens surfaces are treated with Olympus-original ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating, which cuts the reflection of wavelengths between 450 and 650 nm in half. The result is clear image performance with a true-to-life sense of transparency and depth, even under unfavorable conditions such as backlit shooting. The ZERO coating technology was derived from the thin film control technology we developed for multilayer film deposition technology in the field of microscopy. Another advantage of this advanced technology is resistance to scratching and degradation thanks to the high film strength made possible by vacuum deposition.
Thanks to the optimized layout of the lens groups behind the aperture and the effect of the ZERO coating, this lens also reduces spot flare (a phenomenon that tends to occur when shooting a scene with dark center and bright periphery using a stopped-down aperture, in which flares shaped like aperture blades are imaged in the frame).

2. MSC mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing.

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro incorporates the MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) mechanism, an advanced optical design technology developed for fast, quiet focusing using a small number of lightweight lens elements. Instead of using gears that produce operating noise, this mechanism drives the focusing lens directly using a metallic shaft and feed screw finished with precision in the sub-micrometric order.
The MSC mechanism is based on a floating type inner focusing system that adjusts focusing by optimized control of three drive systems. The result is fast, quiet, smooth autofocusing operation that ensures comfortable, stress-free shooting of both still photos and movies.
Moreover, because the overall length of the lens does not change during focusing, the camera can be held more securely, ensuring greater stability – something that is especially important in macro shooting.

3. Dust-/splash-proof construction for secure shooting even under poor conditions, as well as enhanced control using the focus limit switch and indicator window.

3-1. Dust-/splash-proof construction

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro features the same dust-/splash-proof construction already proven on the SHG (Super High Grade) and HG (High Grade) OLYMPUS ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses. Thanks to extensive use of ring-shaped seals in key locations throughout the lens, this design effectively prevents dust and splashes from penetrating the inside of the lens.
When combined with the OM-D E-M5 camera, which also features dust-/splash-proof construction, this lens lets the user concentrate on taking photographs or shooting movies without worrying about protecting the camera, even under unfavorable conditions such as rainy weather or by the water.

3-2. Focus limit switch

The focus limit switch sets the focusing range to enable faster focusing. Three modes, including close-up (focusing distance between 19 and 40 cm), normal (focusing distance from 19 cm to infinity) and far view (focusing distance from 40 cm to infinity), are available, as well as a 1:1 mode that shifts focusing to 1:1 with one-touch operation. Simply setting the mode according to the application makes it easy for users to shoot comfortably and quickly with various shooting styles and at various distances.

3-3. Shooting distance/magnification indicator window

A window to indicate shooting distance and magnification is provided on the lens body, significantly improving visibility and operability when shooting with a predetermined focusing distance and magnification, particularly when setting the distance for manual focusing.

3-4. Comfortable macro shooting with manual focusing

A working distance of 82 mm is secured for 1X shooting, enabling macro shooting with a natural feeling of distance from the subject. When the 1:1 mode is selected and the camera is moved back and forth, the closest focusing distance is determined instantaneously so the user is freed from concern or confusion over the subject distance.
With its smaller diameter, this lens makes it easier to enjoy handheld macro shooting and, when combined with the OM-D E-M5 camera, provides maximum stability thanks to a powerful 5-axis image stabilization mechanism that can correct translational blur (shift blur) during macro shooting.

Optional Accessories

Product Name	MSRP	Launch Date
Lens Hood LH-49	5,500 yen (5,775 yen incl. tax)	October 5th, 2012
Adapter Ring FR-2	5,000 yen (5,250 yen incl. tax)

Lens Hood LH-49

The LH-49 is a sliding lens hood designed exclusively for the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro. In addition to effective blocking of harmful light rays, this hood can be safely stored without detaching it from the lens, not only eliminating the hassle of attaching and detaching the hood before/after every shooting session, but also providing effective protection for the lens body. The hood also makes rotation of the polarization filter easier.
The hood position can be adjusted during macro shooting by sliding it, making it possible to avoid capturing the shade of the hood in the image, as well as to adjust the amount of light on the subject.

Lens Hood LH-49	Images of Lens Hood LH-49 attached on M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro Left: Hood extended. / Right: Hood stored.

Adapter Ring FR-2

The FR-2 is an adapter ring for use in mounting the RF-11 Ring Flash or TF-22 Twin Flash on the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro, providing support for macro flash shooting.

Lens Hood LH-49	Image of flashes mounted on M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro using Adapter Ring FR-2 Left: SRF-11 Ring Flash Set / Right: STF-22 Twin Flash Set