May
picturelineNews
|
 OLYMPUS
E-1
A Surprising New Camera
The Olympus E-1 is the first interchangeable lens digital single lens reflex
camera built from the ground up, with digital intent. Most companies have chosen
to fit existing lenses from their film camera series on to their new digital
camera bodies. Olympus has chosen to build an entire new brace of optics to fit
the smaller image circle required by their digital image sensor. Olympus believes
this to be a strong advantage because the light rays entering at the front lens
element edge may be properly bent, optically, for a more exacting fit with the
pick up sensor. The current crop of lenses includes a 14-54 mm zoom, a 50-200
mm zoom, a 50 f 2.0 macro, and a 300 mm f2.8 telephoto. They have also promised
four to five new lens offerings per year for the next four years. A welcome addition
is that Sigma is also releasing an entire line of optics for the 4/3rds standard
and lens mount, which is used on the E-1 and all subsequent cameras of the 4/3
design.
The E-1 camera is built on the new open standard known as the 4/3rds digital
standard. Three other companies have already subscribed to this new 4/3 model,
but Olympus is the first out with production units. All 35 mm film cameras and
most DSLR’s (digital single lens reflex) types have a 3:2 aspect ratio,
meaning that the film or sensor is three units long by two units tall. A 35 mm
film frame is 36 mm long and 24 mm tall (3:2). In order to make a 10x8 print
(4:3 aspect ratio), 6 mm must be cropped off of the length of the frame. The
Olympus sensor is a fast operating full frame transfer CCD of 5 mp (megapixel)
in size. This sensor is approximately 24x19 mm in size, which is a 4:3 aspect
ratio. This means that a 6 mp sensor, that is a 3:2 ratio, must crop off 1/6
their length and usable pixel information, to get down to the 4:3 ratio. When
the 6 mp’s is cropped down it leaves only 5 mp, equaling the E-1 sensor
size. This levels the playing field in many ways.
Olympus went to the pro’s and asked them what they thought was important
in a professional style body. One big answer was that it must be strong and well
built. The E-1 complied with an Ultra-Rigid Magnesium alloy body, which is lightweight
and durable. They also went a step better by adding gaskets and weather stripping
at every body juncture and opening. While this does not make the camera waterproof
it certainly makes it splash proof and dust resistant. Anyone owning an interchangeable
lens DSLR knows of the annoyance of cleaning dust from the sensor. While the
gasketing goes along ways in keeping the camera clean on the inside, changing
lenses leaves all cameras vulnerable to dust. Olympus implanted in the E-1, one
of the most ingenious methods of dust control to date; the Supersonic Wave Filter.
This optical glass filter covers the imaging sensor and is activated to vibrate
at ultrasonic speed for 200 milliseconds every time the camera is switched on.
This revolutionary technology keeps things clean better than any other camera
known.
Everyone utilizing and following the digital craze knows how frustrating it is
to push the button and have nothing happen until the sought after action is long
past. In the E-1 the lag between pushing the shutter release button and the actual
firing of the shutter is measured at 0.060 milliseconds. That is right in line
with the most professional of cameras and is far better than the average. The
shutter mechanism of the E-1 has been tested to a life expectancy of 150,000
operative cycles and that is comparable to most professional cameras.
This camera will capture simultaneous RAW and jpeg files or jpeg’s only
to fit your shooting needs. Another user selectable attribute is an automatic
or manual white balance detector that operates in 20∞ K increments from
2000∞ K to 10000∞ K. It also operates in either sRGB or Adobe RGB
color space with five other color preference adjustments available from accurate
to saturated. Of course it operates with a TTL phase detection optical system
for precise and fast auto focus with 100% viewable interchangeable focusing screens.
The exposure system includes a 2% spot metering pattern, center-weighted metering,
and a precise multi-pattern metering set.
Olympus has shown why they are one of today’s top camera manufactures with
the introduction of the E-1. In hand it feels like a camera should, it operates
with ease and the pictorial results are impressive by any standard. If you stop
into our store ask to speak with one of the five certified E-1 specialists.
For more information, digital lessons, or to
view the work of the Olympus E-1 pros log on
to www.olympusamerica.com/e1.
Learn
more about the Olympus E-1 Digital Camera at
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