Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm F4-6.7 II Lens Revealed
This week the folks at Olympus have shown off their newest iteration of an ultra-powerful machine: the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II Super Telephone Zoom Lens. Beyond the addition of the "II" to the end of the name, this lens has attained ZERO-Coating for an improved experience with ghosts and flares, the whole unit will be printed in black only (with the exception of the thin blue ring near the focus, and the entire zoom range will be printed now instead of patched. This release will be popping up soon and will be effectively replacing the original model in all stores where fine cameras are sold.
This lens will be shipping in March of 2013 and will have its own unique (and optional) hood (LH-61E), case (LSC-0918), and protection filter (PRF-D58 PRO). Combined with the fabulous Olympus OM-D and its 5axis IS, you'll be working with no less than what Olympus tags as hand-held super zoom shooting – capture the Birds of Paradise with ease. The images you see above and below are connected to the OM-D as well – bask in the lovely glow of this hot combination.
This lens has a 16 – 4.1 degree angle of view, 18 lens throughout it in 13 groups including a Super ED lens, 2ED lenses, and 3 HR lenses, and its all works as micro four-thirds system standard – connect at will. The focal length of 75-300mm on this beast is equivalent to a 35mm 150-600mm, and you'll find that the closest focusing distance you're going to get is 0.9m – that's with 75mm focal length. When you're outside of a 75mm focal length, you'll be focusing in at 1.5m at least.
The maximum aperture on this amalgamation of photography excellence is f4.8 at 75mm and f6.7 at 300mm, while the minimum aperture is always f22. The diameter you're working with for filters is 58mm while the actual final size of the lens is 69 (diameter) x 116.5mm, with a final weight at 423g. Inside the box you're going to get a front Lens Cap (LC-58E), Lens Rear Cap (LR-2), and both an instructions manual and an Olympus Worldwide Warranty Card. This lens will be available in March of this year for an estimated price of $549.99 USD – get pumped up!