A very important…”bird” told me that 43rumors readers should closely look at those pictures. He also said “Of course the rest you have to work out for yourself but I think the hint is pretty strong enough, don’t you think? š”
I ask all sources if they can tell me more about the future modular camera. Every hint and rumor helps! Thanks!
P.S.: We also know that a new Panasonic camera is coming early July. Let’s know what you know š
26 Responses
These photos just get me hot and bothered. If the camera looks anything like any of these, I’ll buy 10!
So “modular” could also mean that it’s easily convertible to a video camera (with typical video camera look & grip)?
It could be forfeit … but looking at full res picture, on the bottom right, one can read copyright 2010 … :3
Nice one … also … very nice pictures …
Not too fussed with the modular look, so long as the form factor fits in my jacket pocket I’d be interested š
“It could be forfeit ā¦ but looking at full res picture, on the bottom right, one can read copyright 2010”
this are legit photos/wallpapers from the Olympus site. it has the 2010 copyright for the picture, all wallpapers from the site has that
i cant tell what the “hint” is though
anyway here’s another interesting wallpaper:
http://www.olympus.co.jp/jp/fun/wallpaper/camera/dl.cfm?id=250&type_id=2&la=en
I can’t tell what the hint is either. Olympus will release two identical cameras, one of which you can put on a vertical grip? Or perhaps one camera that allows you to mount stuff to it using the tripod mount? Is Olympus getting into the video camera business to compete with the Panasonic AF-100? If that’s a hint of the modular system, it’s not doing it for me. Sorry.
Probably camera would have sensor part – instead of film back, then mount part – 1) 4/3 with optical viewfinder & phase autofocus, 2) m4/3 short mount without anything.
or it could be big 4/3 to m4/3 adapter with mirror, optical viewfinder & autofocus sensors.
Also camera could be with EVF & screen only, without optical viewfinder, but with mirror for 4/3 lenses autofocus.
Also some special adapter for full frame lenses with 0.5x optical converter would be possible.
maybe olympus is going to adopt that new 1:1 format for their new cameras?
Either way i hope its weatherproof or at least release the E5 which is weatherproof
I see it much like Doroga does (I love the 0.5x optical converter idea):
different backs have different sensors – a 4/3, yes, but maybe even a Full Frame?
different camera bodies with different mounts – a 4/3 and a micro 4/3, but how about an OM mount to use legacy glass? (Not sure about that since there are adapters available, but it’s an idea)
Viewfinder – not sure why you’d need exchangable viewfinders in this day and age, but since you used to be able to attach a waist level finder, sport finder, etc, perhaps Oly has some ideas in this direction. Perhaps some sort of “focusing screen” choices despite there being no mirror…
obviously, though, the form factor would not be as boxy as those M-Systems. no need for a mirror box.
If this is true, the modular system will allow almost everything. A full frame sensor module allowing to take advantage of legacy Zuiko M lenses, or any other manufacturer lens with adapters perhaps?. Remember that today M4/3 allows to shoot with almost any past and current lenses of almost any company. If the system comes to be open, the full sensor module can be produced by any independent manufacturer (i.e. Leaf, Phase One, or any other). What a fun time.
Detachable hotshoes!!!
I’ll take 5….i still love using my 500cm and if they added a waist level finder (optical or EVF) with a hood so you can actually see the screen, then my credit card is out! Modular back with different size sensors for different applications…..lovely studio camera.
How in the heck would I use that in the field with a 50-200mm. There’s no ruddy handhold. I’m not seeing a practical use for that unless I’m in a studio, which I will never be. I’m liking this less and less…
If the modular concept becomes reality that would be nirvana. However…the modular concept pictured was an under the counter one shown decades ago at photokina. Note the bright ring at the nose of the lens; it was characteristic of first-generation OM lenses.
Still, a four-thirds OM4-Ti…dead solid perfect.
My best guess as to the clue is there are really 2 new cameras coming the EP3 (?) and module E5 {?)
The first is a digtial OM like the OM4i only with m4/3 mt and top mounted EVF viewfinder.
The lower picture is of the new modular system with one showing a m4/3 lens mounted and the other adding a m4/3 to 4/3 adapter or optional OM adapter and attaching the lens? To me the medium format shape of the modular unit might be difficult to hold without grip attachment.
My guess is two cameras.
The non-modular one will be close to the E-3/E-30, and will definitely have an OVF. EVFs are flat out inferior, unless being used to shoot video.
The modular camera will be conceptually derived from the Maitani modular system. Live view will be accommodated, so the form factor might be closer to a traditional 135 SLR. I’m also willing to bet that Olympus will only directly support 43 and m43 mounts. Anything else will have to come from a third party. I just hope that if the viewfinder and mount are tied together that they come out with an EVF/43 option. I’d like to use 43 lenses to shoot video, without using the 43>>>m43 adapter.
If they’re going retro, I hope that Olympus adds a dial by the mount, similar to the shutter speed selector on the OM cameras, that can be set to either adjust aperture or shutter.
I doubt it will be THAT beautiful (I’ve have the MDN as my desktop wallpaper for years).
Well,
The E3 successor has to be tank-like build as well as weather-resistance and a Modular System can never be!!! So My guess that everything below E-X will be Modular and the E-X will keep the Pro-Body Status.
However if the E-X will be Modular ann therefore will loose its tank-like build and the weather-resistance than this E-X can be called straight away: A huge Failure!
B
These are copyrighted in 2009 and 2010 and have been hosted by olympus japan. Think about why a camera company would want customers thinking about products that they never built?
Why would you want droves of customers nostalgic about things they never even got?
Because you’re going to give them to them…
It is not a new idea in the market, but has been around since 1975 in medium format (6cm x 3.5cm). Then of course there is Hasselblad.
http://www.mamiya.com/645afd-iii.html
With a $10,000 pricetag, their “open architecture” camera is the DF. For 4-5 different 3rd-party digital backs.
Using all legacy m4/3 glass would be interesting, of course.
For me the suggestion is that the body housing the sensor would have the form factor of the OM4. For m4/3, a module would slide down/attach somehow that houses the m4/3 lens mount and possibly EVF and for conventional 4/3 a the m4/3 module would be replaced with a mirror box and 4/3 mount section with optical VF. Given that video is almost certainly going to make an appearance, there could be a mount similar tho the 4/3 module that dispenses with the mirror box section and includes a EVF for video applications so that the conventional 4/3 lenses may be used for video. This could also be achieved possibly by adding the current m4/3 to 4/3 adapter with the m4/3 module.
It is interesting to dream!!
Some replies have been ātongue in cheekā , while others just sound like they have totally missed the point of the hint. The OM body is the essential size concept (& maybe a retro design to it), while the modular camera in the photo is just there to say āHello, Iām a Modular Cameraā. To speculate on itās shape as being that, is to be a bit naĆÆve. Essentially the last related rumour was discussing it a little closer (from some), but I believe there is a good chance the Ex will be a tough pro type model with a possibility of some extras including video & maybe include the EP-2ās port for VF-2 use with video & maybe the Exxx will be the modular model(s) based on the size of the OM4 (in other words, like the E600). I hope there is something that will be good to replace the E30 too (with its larger grip & extensive menu options, plus all the dedicated buttons). Donāt forget the flip-out screen. Who knows, they might just give in & put a fixed high resolution screen on a modular model. They might even offer a video style hand grip with a trigger too! Ha ha!
The problem with the MDN was to link everything mechanicaly. with the digital system this wont be a problen
It seems quite obvious really: a micro 4/3rd back sensor with a mirrorbox on which normal 4/3 lenses will fit. kind of like visoflex by Leica. I just hope that the viewfinder will be a magnified one by at least 2.0x. Manual focussing on a e600 is just impossible. I think it is rather unlikely for olympus to change their sensor size.
The other link is even more interesting to me:
http://www.olympus.co.jp/jp/fun/wallpaper/camera/dl.cfm?id=250&type_id=2&la=en
So can someone explain to me what the front and back halves do?
“How in the heck would I use that in the field with a 50-200mm. Thereās no ruddy handhold. Iām not seeing a practical use for that unless Iām in a studio, which I will never be. Iām liking this less and lessā¦”
I don’t think it is an issue. Most of the time I keep the tripod mount on the 50-200 and stabilize it more there than the camera body
Another old bird told me that it should use a bigger sensor but not sticking on 17x13mm thumbnail anymore.