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Olympus Zuiko lens
Ilse Jurriën : March 3th 2011 - 10:35 CET
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 Olympus Zuiko lenses and Zuiko camera : In 1936, the Takachiho Corporation, forerunner of the Olympus Corporation, introduced the first Zuiko lens on the Semi-Olympus I camera. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Olympus Zuiko lens brand, Olympus will display a Zuiko camera from the dawn of Olympus Zuiko history, together with a concept Olympus M.Zuiko Digital lens during the Camera and Photo Imaging Show (CP+). The "Semi-Olympus II" introduced in 1938, will be displayed at CP+ in Yokohama, Japan, along with a mock-up of a new high-end Olympus M.Zuiko Digital single focal lens concept currently being developed for launch in the third quarter of this year.
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Olympus Zuiko lens history
It was in 1936 that the Takachiho Corporation introduced its first camera, the Semi-Olympus I. The camera's lens was given the name Zuiko, a Japanese word that means 'light of the gods'. It was an auspicious name, chosen partially because the lens had been developed at the Mizuho Optical Research Laboratory, and partially because the corporate name, “Takachiho”, is a Japanese word that means "mountain of the gods." But more than the name, it was the quality of the Olympus Zuiko lens that sparked conversation at the time. Ever since, Olympus Zuiko lenses have been featured on succeeding generations of Olympus cameras. The Olympus Zuiko lenses are widely acclaimed for their imaging power, and have become one of the world's most respected high-performance lens brands.
Olympus Zuiko lens first introduced in Semi-Olympus I camera
Launched in 1936, the Semi-Olympus I was the first Olympus camera fitted with the newly developed Zuiko lens, which was mounted on a Semi-Proud body supplied by Proud. It was a high-quality Olympus camera priced at 105 yen / 90 EUR in an era when a typical starting wage was 75 yen / 65 EUR a month.
Olympus Zuiko lens in Semi-Olympus II camera
Two year later, in 1938, Olympus succeeded in developing its own camera body, in addition to its own Zuiko lens and shutter mechanism. The launch of the first Olympus-developed camera, the Semi-Olympus II was an important milestone. The side-opening design of the pressed sheet-metal body was unusual for a medium-format camera. It also featured a reverse Galileo tubular viewfinder.
Olympus Zuiko lenses
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital lenses are designed exclusively for the Micro Four Thirds System. The size and weight of these Olympus Zuiko lenses is drastically reduced. Recent Olympus M.Zuiko Digital lenses are equipped with Movie and Still Compatibility (MSC) function, which enables quick, smooth and silent auto focusing during movie recording. Seven different Olympus MSC lenses are currently offered from super-wide angle to super- telephoto. |
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