Difference between revisions of "Olympus"

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== History ==  
 
== History ==  
  
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Olympus began in Japan in 1919 under the name Takachiho Seisakusho. A year later it launched its first product, a microscope. Olympus concentrates many of its resources on research and medical equipment to this day and this helps account for reputation among astromers and macro photographers of the OM system (see below).
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Olympus began in Japan in 1919 under the name Takachiho Seisakusho (高千穂製作所, means Takachiho Works). A year later it launched its first product, a microscope. Olympus concentrates many of its resources on research and medical equipment to this day and this helps account for reputation among astronomers and macro photographers of the OM system (see below).
  
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By 1921 the company was using the Olympus brand name but it wasn't until 1936 that it launched its first camera, the bellows-type [[Olympus folders|Semi-Olympus I]]. The [[Olympus folders|Olympus Six]] followed in 1940 and 1948 saw the launch of the [[Olympus 35]], Japan's first 35mm camera with a lens shutter system. In 1959 Olympus produced the [[Olympus Pen|Pen]] half-frame camera, designed by [[Yoshihisa Maitani]] following this success in 1963 with the [[Olympus Pen F|Pen F]], the world's first half-frame single lens reflex camera. Their compactness and sleek lines were revolutionary at the time. They could take 72 shots without reloading on a standard 35mm cassette. The Pen cameras are still popular today among enthusiasts.
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The company name became Takachiho Kôgaku Kôgyô K.K. (高千穂光学工業株式会社, means Takachiho Optical Industries Co. Ltd) in 1942, then Olympus Kôgaku Kôgyô K.K. (オリンパス光学工業株式会社, means Olympus Optical Industries Co. Ltd) in 1949. It took its present name of Olympus Co. Ltd (オリンパス株式会社) in 2003.
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By 1921 the company was using the Olympus brand name but it wasn't until 1936 that it launched its first camera, the bellows-type [[Semi-Olympus I]]. The [[Olympus Six]] followed in 1940, and 1948 saw the launch of the [[Olympus 35]], Japan's first 35mm camera with a lens shutter system. In 1959 Olympus produced the [[Olympus Pen|Pen]] half-frame camera, designed by [[Yoshihisa Maitani]] following this success in 1963 with the [[Olympus Pen F|Pen F]], the world's first half-frame single lens reflex camera. Their compactness and sleek lines were revolutionary at the time. They could take 72 shots without reloading on a standard 35mm cassette. The Pen cameras are still popular today among enthusiasts.
  
 
1972 saw the launch of the [[Olympus OM|OM]] 35mm SLR system. At a time when the clunky [[Nikon F]] was still the workhorse of professional photographers, the compact OM system was once again revolutionary. The system incorporated a large line of highly regarded Zuiko (meaning 'sword') lenses, interchangeable focusing screens, winders and, later, advanced flash units. While never quite challenging [[Nikon]] and [[Canon]] as the leading choice of professional photographers, Olympus did have a loyal and dedicated following for the OM system with David Bailey and Lord Lichfield being counted among their number.
 
1972 saw the launch of the [[Olympus OM|OM]] 35mm SLR system. At a time when the clunky [[Nikon F]] was still the workhorse of professional photographers, the compact OM system was once again revolutionary. The system incorporated a large line of highly regarded Zuiko (meaning 'sword') lenses, interchangeable focusing screens, winders and, later, advanced flash units. While never quite challenging [[Nikon]] and [[Canon]] as the leading choice of professional photographers, Olympus did have a loyal and dedicated following for the OM system with David Bailey and Lord Lichfield being counted among their number.
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== 120 film ==
 
== 120 film ==
 
=== Folders ===
 
=== Folders ===
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* [[Olympus folders|Semi-Olympus I]] (4.5x6)
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* [[Semi-Olympus I]] (4.5x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Semi-Olympus II]] (4.5x6)
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* [[Semi-Olympus II]] (4.5x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Six]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Six]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Chrome Six I]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Chrome Six I]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Chrome Six II]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Chrome Six II]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Chrome Six III A]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Chrome Six IIIA]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Chrome Six III B]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Chrome Six IIIB]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Chrome Six IV A]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Chrome Six IVA]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Chrome Six IV B]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Chrome Six IVB]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Chrome Six V A]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Chrome Six VA]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Chrome Six V B]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Chrome Six VB]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Chrome Six RII A]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Chrome Six RIIA]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus folders|Olympus Chrome Six RII B]] (6x6)
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* [[Olympus Chrome Six RIIB]] (6x6)
  
 
=== TLRs ===
 
=== TLRs ===

Revision as of 20:22, 24 April 2006

History

Olympus began in Japan in 1919 under the name Takachiho Seisakusho (高千穂製作所, means Takachiho Works). A year later it launched its first product, a microscope. Olympus concentrates many of its resources on research and medical equipment to this day and this helps account for reputation among astronomers and macro photographers of the OM system (see below).

The company name became Takachiho Kôgaku Kôgyô K.K. (高千穂光学工業株式会社, means Takachiho Optical Industries Co. Ltd) in 1942, then Olympus Kôgaku Kôgyô K.K. (オリンパス光学工業株式会社, means Olympus Optical Industries Co. Ltd) in 1949. It took its present name of Olympus Co. Ltd (オリンパス株式会社) in 2003.

By 1921 the company was using the Olympus brand name but it wasn't until 1936 that it launched its first camera, the bellows-type Semi-Olympus I. The Olympus Six followed in 1940, and 1948 saw the launch of the Olympus 35, Japan's first 35mm camera with a lens shutter system. In 1959 Olympus produced the Pen half-frame camera, designed by Yoshihisa Maitani following this success in 1963 with the Pen F, the world's first half-frame single lens reflex camera. Their compactness and sleek lines were revolutionary at the time. They could take 72 shots without reloading on a standard 35mm cassette. The Pen cameras are still popular today among enthusiasts.

1972 saw the launch of the OM 35mm SLR system. At a time when the clunky Nikon F was still the workhorse of professional photographers, the compact OM system was once again revolutionary. The system incorporated a large line of highly regarded Zuiko (meaning 'sword') lenses, interchangeable focusing screens, winders and, later, advanced flash units. While never quite challenging Nikon and Canon as the leading choice of professional photographers, Olympus did have a loyal and dedicated following for the OM system with David Bailey and Lord Lichfield being counted among their number.

In 1978 Olympus launched its XA line of compact cameras. The XA is probably the smallest true rangefinder camera every commercially made available and was very popular among photogs as THE pocket camera to carry.

Unfortunately, during the mid-to-late '80s Olympus seemed to lose its way as autofocus SLRs started to take off. Although the company did eventually release an autofocus SLR system it was not very advanced and was not a serious challenge to Nikon or Canon. They changed their orientation and pioneered the concept of bridge cameras (an auto-everything SLR with a fixed zoom lens) with the IS series. In the early '90s, Olympus met significant success with the compact, autofocus 'point and shoot' Stylus (or Mju) line. It carried on this success at the turn of the century into the digital field. When the digital market really took off with the launch of reasonably affordable, compact 2.3 megapixel cameras for consumers, there were only two real options for photographers -- the Nikon Coolpix or the Olympus Camedia ranges. Before the availability of affordable (sub-$5k) digital SLRs, Olympus' E series of fixed lens SLRs, evolved from the earlier analogical bridge cameras, was very popular among serious photographers.

The launch of cheaper digital SLRs did see Olympus lose ground again among serious photographers, but recently the E series was developed into a new innovative interchangeable lens SLR system. Without the huge autofocus lens catalogue of Nikon and Canon, Olympus was free to build its E system without concessions to an older 35mm-based system. Olympus is the champion of the 4/3-type full frame style of SLR rather than the APS-sized sensors Canon and Nikon put into their SLR bodies, which are derived from 35mm film cameras. This allows Olympus to design its bodies and lenses specifically for digital use. Olympus continues to innovate and to challenge other manufacturers to do so.

Digital

Point and Shoot

20759010_e8bb06ab4b_t.jpg

DSLR

35mm Full Frame

SLR

44931866_d7b07432e2_t.jpg

Olympus OM system, comprising:

Fixed Lens

Interchangeable Lens

Auto Focus

22827039_941d3ed32b_t.jpg

35mm Half Frame

Fixed Lens

Olympus Pen series of compact cameras, comprising:

SLR

Olympus Pen F series of single lens reflex cameras, comprising:

120 film

Folders

TLRs

127 film

Interchangeable lens rangefinder

126 film

Links

Bibliography

  • Histoire de l'appareil photographique Olympus de 1936 à 1983, by D. & J.-P. Francesch, ed. Dessain et Tolra
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