Been waiting for new stuff from Olympus? The company just launched a new teleconverter and the latest firmware upgrade for two of its interchangeable lens cameras.
Attention, Olympus shooters! The company has just announced a bunch of new stuff you may need: the M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20 for super telephoto and super telephoto macro shooting, and the latest firmware upgrades for the professional OM-D E-M1 Mark II and Olympus OM-D E-M1X interchangeable lens cameras. The Olympus Workspace also now has a Firmware Version 1.1 update available.
M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20
The new teleconverter doubles the focal length of the master lens and sports a dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof (-10°C) professional weatherproof construction that allows optimum performance even in the most unforgiving shooting environment. Its 9-element, 4-group lens construction with an HR lens controls various aberrations like chromatic aberration, while the ZERO coating prevents ghosting and flares to ensure outstanding optical performance.
The M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20 is compatible with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8PRO and M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO, as well as the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5TC1.25x IS PRO, which is currently under development.
As with the M.Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter MC-14, the new teleconverter keeps the imaging performance of the master lens as it doubles the focal length, making it ideal for shooting subjects that are usually difficult to approach. For example, it converts the M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO for handheld super telephoto at 1200mm (35mm equivalent). Likewise, this combination allows photographers to shoot near actual size at 0.96x (35mm equivalent) from the 0.48x maximum magnification.
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20 is now available with SRP of $429.99 USD and $559.99 CAD, and comes with the body cap BC-3, lens cap LR-2 and lens case LSC-0603.
Firmware updates for OM-D E-M1 Mark II and OM-D E-M1X
Olympus also released the Version 3.0 firmware update for OM-D E-M1 Mark II and the Version 1.1 for the OM-D E-M1X, as well as Firmware Version 1.1. for the Olympus Workspace. The Version 3.0 update adds the high-precision autofocus (AF) performance featured in the newest OM-D model, the E-M1X. The Version 1.1 update, meanwhile, provides support for new functions in the Olympus Workspace.
Here are the main features that the Version 3.0 update brings to the OM-D E-M1 Mark II:
- Advanced AF Performance thanks to the OM-D E-M1X algorithm
- Newest Auto Focus Features, including Group 25-point addition to AF target and C-AF Center Priority
- Low Light Limit Update that allows high-precision focusing in dark scenes and low contrast subjects when using f1.2 lens
- Improved Image Quality with higher resolution when shooting at low ISO
- USB RAW Data Edit now supported for faster RAW processing in Olympus Workspace
The Function Support Chart shows the functions that have been upgraded with the firmware:
E-M1X Ver. 1.1 |
E-M1 mark II Ver. 3.0 |
|
AF Group Target 25-point |
Already available |
✓ |
Custom AF Target |
Already available |
– |
C-AF Center Priority |
Already available |
✓ |
C-AF Center Start |
Already available |
✓ |
C-AF+MF |
Already available |
✓ |
Intelligent Subject Detection AF |
Already available |
– |
Anti-flicker shooting |
Already available |
✓ |
OM-Log 400 |
Already available |
✓ |
ISO L100 (ISO 100 equivalent) |
Already available |
✓ |
Frame Rate Priority on Live View Boost/On2 |
Already available |
✓ |
Focus Stacking: Select from 3 to 15 images |
Already available |
✓ |
Focus Stacking: Guide line display |
Already available |
✓ |
Art Filter: Instant Film |
Already available |
✓ |
Low ISO Processing (Detail Priority) |
Already available |
✓ |
Setting changes and playback display while writing to card |
Already available |
✓ |
Quick image selection |
Already available |
✓ |
USB RAW Data Edit |
✓ |
✓ |
Live ND shooting |
Already available |
– |
Handheld High Res Shot |
Already available |
– |
High-speed shooting: 120 fps (1920×1080/ MOV) |
Already available |
– |
Bluetooth® connection |
Already available |
– |
UHS-II compatible dual card slots |
Already available |
– |
GPS® / Field Sensor System |
Already available |
– |
USB power supply/battery charging |
Already available |
– |
Multi Selector |
Already available |
– |
Olympus Workspace Version 1.1
As for the update to the Olympus Workspace Image Editing Software, Version 1.1 brings the following main features:
- Focus Stacking added for compositing images shot in Focus Bracketing, so it’s now possible to composite up to 999 images in Olympus Workspace
- Lighten Composite (and Darken Composite) added for creating images similar to Live Composite on the camera
- Support for New Functions with USB RAW Data Edit support
Visit https://www.getolympus.com/us/en/software to access the Olympus software and Digital Camera Updater and download the updates for free.