I just received the full details of the upcoming Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens form a good source (price: $7,500):
It’s not just a super-telephoto lens. It’s breakthrough technology that changes the way you shoot. Our M.Zuiko Digital ED 150- 400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO delivers unrivaled portability, astounding imaging power and all-weather performance. Achieve a 35mm equivalent focusing range of 375-1000mm with a maximum F5.6 aperture through the zoom range when using the built in teleconverter. And the amazing part? It’s only 4 lbs. and 12.3 inches long giving you unprecedented mobility. Powerful image stabilization enables handheld shooting for stunningly sharp images. Break free from your tripod. The ultra-zoom revolution has begun.
Ultimate Super-Telephoto Optical Performance
Lens construction consists of 28 elements in 18 groups, including a newly developed large-diameter EDA lens and four Super ED lenses, reducing flares and color bleeding across the entire zoom range, and delivering superb edge-to-edge resolution and clarity. Olympus’ renowned Z Coating Nano technology is employed to suppress reflective light and provide sharp, clear image quality, even in difficult shooting environments, such as backlit scenes. The lens body features a built-in 1.25x teleconverter, maintaining high optical performance while enabling up to 1000mm equivalent1 handheld super telephoto shooting, simply by flipping down the teleconverter. Additionally, the lens is compatible with optional M.Zuiko Digital MC-14 1.4x and MC-20 2x teleconverters. When paired with the MC-20, this lens is capable of up to2000mm equivalent1 super telephoto shooting. This lens features a close focusing distance of 1.3 m across the entire zoom range and close-up shooting performance with a maximum image magnification of 0.57x1, which increases to 0.71x1 when using the built-in teleconverter, for those who enjoy tele macro shooting.
Unrivaled Portability and Weather Sealed Design
The lens barrel is designed using magnesium alloy and the lens hood with a lightweight carbon fiber to ensure that the center of gravity of the lens does not shift, due to imbalance, when the lens hood is used. Use of optimal materials in each area of the lens maintains strength and precision while delivering a compact, lightweight design with a length of 12.4 inches and weight of only 4.1 lbs., for unprecedented mobility. Pairing this lens with the superb dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof performance of the Olympus OM-D® E-M1X enables the user to continue shooting in punishing environments such as rain and snow with peace of mind. Compared with the black coating on conventional lenses, the heat-resistant coating of this PRO lens efficiently reflects the infrared rays of sunlight, keeping temperatures inside the lens from rising, even in blazing hot weather, for stable optical performance. The front element of the lens features a fluorine coating to provide a smooth and scratch resistant surface and allows easier cleaning for better maintenance.
Powerful Image Stabilization and Fast, High-Precision Autofocus
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens supports 5-Axis Sync IS, and at 300mm equivalent1 delivers the world's most effective 8 shutter speed steps2 of image stabilization, and at 1000mm equivalent1 delivers up to 6 shutter speed steps of image stabilization, when using the built-in teleconverter. This powerful image stabilization is also available in the super telephoto range, up to 2000mm equivalent1, when paired with the optional MC-20 Teleconverter. High image quality hand-held shooting is possible, making it perfect for wildlife, birding, nature photography and more. Olympus proprietary high-precision lens thinning technology makes the focusing lenses lightweight, delivering fast and precise focusing across the entire zoom range.
Other Features:
- Inner zoom system maintains the original length of the lens, even when increasing zoom magnification
- Constructed with rubberized zoom/focusing ring, for comfortable operation
- Preset focus function allows the user to set and recall favorite focal positions
- Tripod base plate in a shape and size that is easy to carry
- Strap eyelets are installed to improve transportability and reduced load on the lens mount
- Rubber lens end cover, designed to prevent scratches on the front of the lens
Here are the full specifications (click for larget view):
