Misplaced Pages

#477522

98-717: The Olympus PEN E-P3 announced on 30 June 2011 is Olympus Corporation's seventh camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-P3 succeeds the Olympus PEN E-P2 , and was announced in concert with two other models, the Olympus PEN E-PL3 (Lite version of E-P3), and the Olympus PEN E-PM1 (a new "Mini" version of the PEN camera line with similar features to

196-417: A 35 mm rangefinder camera body, debuted in 1935. The Soviet Спорт (“Sport”), also a 24 mm by 36 mm image size, was prototyped in 1934 and went to market in 1937. K. Nüchterlein's Kine Exakta (Germany, 1936) was the first integrated 35 mm SLR to enter the market. Additional Exakta models, all with waist-level finders, were produced up to and during World War II . Another ancestor of

294-404: A Live view from the main image sensor. Use of an EVF/back panel LCD and smaller four thirds image sensor format and allows for smaller and lighter camera bodies and lenses. The MFT system standard also specifically includes seamless switching between still photography and HD video recording as a design criterion. MFT cameras are physically slimmer than most interchangeable lens cameras because

392-519: A US$ 100 lower MSRP . In the United States the E-P3 MSRP with new 14–42 mm kit zoom lens or 17 mm f/2.8 pancake lens was US$ 899. The accessory VF-3 EVF was also available separately for US$ 180.00. Available body colors were black and silver. The Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard was jointly announced in 2008 by Olympus and Panasonic , as a further evolution of

490-421: A roof pentaprism situated in the optical path between the reflex mirror and viewfinder. Light, which comes both horizontally and vertically inverted after passing through the lens, is reflected upwards by the reflex mirror, into the pentaprism where it is reflected twice to correct the inversions caused by the lens, and align the image with the viewfinder . When the shutter is released, the mirror moves out of

588-478: A 35mm film camera can be used on a MFT camera body. With MFT sensors having a crop factor of 2.0, the old 50mm f/1.8 "standard" lens becomes a high-speed (although manual) 100mm f/1.8 telephoto portrait lens. So the MFT system allows the re-use of expensive lenses that may have outlived their 35mm film format camera, and can be used on a modern digital camera body capable of both still and HD video recording. Similarly,

686-455: A 50 billion yen capital injection from Sony. On 22 February 2013, Sony became the largest shareholder (11.46%) of Olympus, later cutting that stake in half during one of its own restructurings, only to sell its entire remaining stake in Olympus, totaling 5% of the company, after a request by activist investor Daniel S. Loeb to do so, in 2019. According to its 2011 Annual Report, Olympus

784-722: A British manufacturer was purchased. With a comprehensive product range, Olympus accounts for a large share of the world market in gastrointestinal endoscopes. It has roughly 70% share of the global market whose estimated valued at US$ 2.5 billion. On 28 September 2012, Olympus and Sony announced that the two companies will establish a joint venture—Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc—to develop new surgical endoscopes with 4K resolution (or higher) and 3D capability. On 16 September 2015, Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc announced that their jointly developed 4K surgical endoscopy system would be commercialized and made available for purchase in early October 2015, and would be sold by Olympus under

882-604: A DSLR model, the Contax N-Digital . This model was too late and too expensive to be competitive with other camera manufacturers. The Contax N-digital was the last Contax to use that maker's lens system, and the camera, while having impressive features such as a full-frame sensor, was expensive and lacked sufficient write-speed to the memory card for it to be seriously considered by some professional photographers. The digital single-lens reflex camera have largely replaced film SLRs design in convenience, sales and popularity at

980-799: A complete range of microscopes, which covers applications from education and routine studies up to state of the art research imaging systems, both in life science and materials science. Olympus Scientific Solutions Americas Corporation is a Waltham, Massachusetts -based manufacturer, and is a subsidiary of Olympus Corporation. One of its companies, for example, is Olympus Imaging and Measuring Systems, specializing in imaging instruments for testing and measurement during industrial inspections. Olympus manufactures and sells industrial scanners, flaw detectors , probes and transducers, thickness gages, digital cameras, image analysis software, industrial videoscopes, fiberscopes , light sources, XRF and XRD analyzers, and high-speed video cameras. Shareholding in Olympus

1078-482: A dedicated system, once the dedicated electronic flash is inserted into the camera's hot shoe and turned on, there is then communication between camera and flash. The camera's synchronization speed is set, along with the aperture. Many camera models measure the light that reflects off of the film plane, which controls the flash duration of the electronic flash. This is denoted TTL flash metering . Some electronic flash units can send out several short bursts of light to aid

SECTION 10

#1732790355478

1176-508: A flip angle eyepiece, allowing viewing from 0–90 degrees. The VF-2 had been criticized for being very expensive and for not having a locking device, with some users reporting easy dislodgement of the VF-2 from the hotshoe. To address these criticisms, in July 2011, Olympus announced the introduction of an optional VF-3 EVF, which has a lower resolution, a locking device, and probably most importantly

1274-471: A jointly developed Endoscopic Ultrasound System (EUS) that takes advantage of both companies’ experience in endoscopy and sonography. Since the beginning, the company has been a manufacturer of microscopes and optics for specialised needs, such as medical use. The first microscope manufactured at Olympus was called the Asahi. Currently, Olympus is a worldwide renowned manufacturer of microscopes. Olympus offers

1372-512: A matte focusing screen located just above the mirror system to diffuse the light. This permits accurate viewing, composing and focusing, especially useful with interchangeable lenses. Up until the 1990s, SLR was the most advanced photographic preview system available, but the recent development and refinement of digital imaging technology with an on-camera live LCD preview screen has overshadowed SLR's popularity. Nearly all inexpensive compact digital cameras now include an LCD preview screen allowing

1470-457: A medium-format SLR with a between-the-lens leaf shutter system would be Hasselblad , with their 500C, 500 cm, 500 EL-M (a motorized Hasselblad) and other models (producing a 6 cm square negative). Hasselblads use an auxiliary shutter blind situated behind the lens mount and the mirror system to prevent the fogging of film. Other medium-format SLRs also using leaf shutters include the now discontinued Zenza-Bronica camera system lines such as

1568-499: A mirror box and pentaprism based optical viewfinder system, the MFT system design standard sought to pursue a technically different camera, and specifically slimmed down the key physical specifications which eliminated the ability to include the traditional complex optical path and the bulky mirror box needed for a SLR optical viewfinder. Instead, MFT uses either a built-in (Panasonic) or optional (Olympus/Panasonic) compact electronic viewfinder (EVF) and/or LCD back panel displaying

1666-409: A narrower depth of field, which is useful for blurring the background behind the subject, making the subject more prominent. "Fast" lenses are commonly used in theater photography, portrait photography, surveillance photography, and all other photography requiring a large maximum aperture. The variety of lenses also allows for the camera to be used and adapted in many different situations. This provides

1764-537: A new trend towards more compact cameras and lenses, being much smaller than its competitors and presenting innovative design features such as off-the-film (OTF) metering and OTF flash automation. Eventually the system included 14 different bodies, approximately 60 Zuiko -branded lenses, and numerous camera accessories. In 1983, Olympus, along with Canon, branded a range of video recording equipment manufactured by JVC , and called it "Olympus Video Photography", even employing renowned photographer Terance Donovan to promote

1862-590: A photographer purchased one of these lenses, that lens included a leaf shutter in its lens mount. Because leaf shutters synchronized electronic flash at all shutter speeds especially at fast shutter speeds of 1 ⁄ 500 of a second or faster, cameras using leaf shutters were more desirable to studio photographers who used sophisticated studio electronic flash systems. Some manufacturers of medium-format 120 film SLR cameras also made leaf-shutter lenses for their focal-plane-shutter models. Rollei made at least two such lenses for their Rolleiflex SL-66 medium format which

1960-426: A reduced image circle, which allows the development of smaller and lighter native lenses. The MFT sensor has a crop factor of 2.0 when compared to 35mm film equivalent full frame sensors. By comparison, the more popular consumer (as opposed to professional) DSLRs such as those made by Canon , Nikon and Sony have 1.5 to 1.6 crop factor APS-C sensors , which means larger and heavier lens designs. For example,

2058-603: A roof pentaprism or penta-mirror to direct the light to the eyepiece, first used on the 1948 Duflex constructed by Jenő Dulovits and patented August 1943 (Hungary). With this camera also appeared the first instant-return mirror . The first Japanese pentaprism SLR was the 1955 Miranda T , followed by the Asahi Pentax, Minolta SR-2, Zunow, Nikon F and the Yashica Pentamatic. Some SLRs offered removable pentaprisms with optional viewfinder capabilities, such as

SECTION 20

#1732790355478

2156-434: A typical Olympus MFT M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5–5.6 kit lens weighs 112 grams (4.0 oz), is 56 millimetres (2.2 in) in diameter and 50 millimetres (2.0 in) in length. The equivalent Canon APS-C DSLR EF-S 18–55mm f3.5–5.6 kit lens weighs 190g, and is 69mm in diameter and 80mm in length While the older Four Thirds system design standard allowed the incorporation of a single lens reflex (SLR) camera design including

2254-419: A viewing image that will be exposed onto the negative exactly as it is seen through the lens. There is no parallax error, and exact focus can be confirmed by eye—especially in macro photography and when photographing using long focus lenses . The depth of field may be seen by stopping down to the attached lens aperture , which is possible on most SLR cameras except for the least expensive models. Because of

2352-402: Is available that slips onto the eyepiece of most SLRs and D-SLRs and allows viewing through a waist-level viewfinder. There is also a finder that provides EVF remote capability. Almost all contemporary SLRs use a focal-plane shutter located in front of the film plane, which prevents the light from reaching the film even if the lens is removed, except when the shutter is actually released during

2450-502: Is dispersed, and the company's key institutional investors are largely passive. As of 31 March 2011, investors included Nippon Life Insurance (8.4%), Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi (4.98%), and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking (3.13%), and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (2.55%). Foreign institutions and individuals spoke for 27.71% of Olympus shares. On 28 September 2012, Olympus and Sony announced that Olympus would receive

2548-413: Is rarely enough room above and below the frame for a one-piece shutter. Vertical shutters became very common in the 1980s (though Konica , Mamiya , and Copal first pioneered their use in the 1950s and 1960s, and are almost exclusively used for new cameras. Nikon used Copal-made vertical plane shutters in their Nikomat/Nikkormat -range, enabling x-sync speeds from 1 ⁄ 30 to 1 ⁄ 125 while

2646-517: Is rated for 200,000 shutter cycles and the Nikon D3 is rated for 300,000 with its exotic carbon fiber/kevlar shutter. Because many SLRs have interchangeable lenses, there is a tendency for dust, sand and dirt to get into the main body of the camera through the mirror box when the lens is removed, thus dirtying or even jamming the mirror movement mechanism or the shutter curtain mechanism itself. In addition, these particles can also jam or otherwise hinder

2744-802: Is required. A small number of SLRs were built for APS such as the Canon IX series and the Nikon Pronea cameras. SLRs were also introduced for film formats as small as Kodak's 110 , such as the Pentax Auto 110 , which had interchangeable lenses. The Narciss camera is an all-metal 16 mm subminiature single lens reflex camera made by Russian optic firm Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod (KMZ) Narciss (Soviet Union; Нарцисс) between 1961 and 1965. Other features found on many SLR cameras include through-the-lens (TTL) metering and sophisticated flash control referred to as "dedicated electronic flash". In

2842-493: Is supposed to vastly improve performance in sunny conditions, and off-angle viewing. The EP-3 continues with the proprietary Accessory Port, a power and communication port, which allows the use of various accessories, such as an external stereo microphone for HD video recording, LED macro lights, and a bluetooth communications adapter. The accessory port continues to be compatible with the high resolution, optional hotshoe mounted VF-2 electronic viewfinder ( EVF ). The VF-2 had

2940-512: Is the leaf shutter , whereby the shutter is constructed of diaphragm-like blades and can be situated either between the lens or behind the lens. If the shutter is part of a lens assembly some other mechanism is required to ensure that no light reaches the film between exposures. An example of a behind-the-lens leaf shutter is found in the 35 mm SLRs produced by Kodak , with their Retina Reflex camera line; Topcon, with their Auto 100; and Kowa with their SE-R and SET-R reflexes. A primary example of

3038-676: Is the designer of the Four Thirds system standard for digital single-lens reflex cameras . Olympus's Four Thirds system flagship DSLR camera was the E-5 , released in 2010. Olympus is also the largest manufacturer of Four Thirds lenses, under the Zuiko Digital brand. After the introduction of the Micro Four Thirds system , and the general market growth of the Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras ,

Olympus PEN E-P3 - Misplaced Pages Continue

3136-411: Is yet to be charged criminally. Preceding executive Yasuo Takeuchi was assigned the new CEO. Share prices dropped by 6% following the news. Single lens reflex Until the development of SLR, all cameras with viewfinders had two optical light paths: one through the lens to the film, and another positioned above ( TLR or twin-lens reflex ) or to the side ( rangefinder ). Because the viewfinder and

3234-413: The 35 mm format as, this film format offers a variety of emulsions and film sensitivity speeds, usable image quality and a good market cost. 35 mm film comes in a variety of exposure lengths: 20 exposure, 24 exposure and 36 exposure rolls. Medium format SLRs provide a higher-quality image with a negative that can be more easily retouched than the smaller 35 mm negative, when this capability

3332-606: The MILC cameras made Olympus introduce a new series in their lineup, which was the modern, digital implementation of the legendary OM series , the OM-D . It maintained the Micro Four Thirds system , but added a built-in electronic viewfinder , a more ergonomic button layout packaged in a retro style chassis. The first model in this family was the E-M5 , released in 2012. Since then, Olympus has developed their two lines ( PEN and OM-D ) and

3430-487: The Micro Four Thirds system , still alongside Panasonic . The latest Olympus camera is the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV as of 20 August 2020. At one time, Olympus cameras used only the proprietary xD-Picture Card for storage media. This storage solution is less popular than more common formats, and recent cameras can use SD and CompactFlash cards. The most recent development is Olympus's focus on

3528-544: The Micro Four Thirds system . Olympus has also been using special proprietary USB cables, such as the CB-USB8, instead of following standards. Olympus first introduced the Microcassette . The Olympus Pearlcorder L400, released in the 1980s, was the smallest and lightest microcassette voice recorder ever offered for sale, 2.9 (L) × 0.8 (H) × 2.0 in. (W) / 73 (L) × 20 (H) × 52 (W) 3.2 oz (91 g). In 2012,

3626-668: The Nikon F , F2 , and F3 . Other focal-plane shutter designs, such as the Copal Square, travelled vertically — the shorter travelling distance of 24 millimetres (as opposed to 36 mm horizontally) meant that minimum exposure and flash synchronisation times could be reduced. These shutters are usually manufactured from metal, and use the same moving-slit principle as horizontally travelling shutters. They differ, though, in usually being formed of several slats or blades, rather than single curtains as with horizontal designs, as there

3724-405: The cover-up , was reportedly awarded £10 million ($ 16 million) in damages for defamation and wrongful dismissal . In the wake of this turmoil, Olympus announced plans to shed 2,700 jobs (seven percent of its workforce) and shut 40 percent of its 30 manufacturing plants by 2015. On 1 April 2011, Michael Christopher Woodford , 51, was named president and chief operating officer –

3822-486: The local culture , the matter quickly snowballed into a corporate corruption scandal concerning alleged concealment of more than ¥117.7 billion ($ 1.5 billion) in investment losses , kickbacks , and covert payments to criminal organizations dating back as far as the 1980s. One of the longest-lasting accounting scandals in Japanese corporate history, the incident wiped out over three-quarters of

3920-888: The waist-level finder , the interchangeable sports finders used on the Canon F1 and F1n; the Nikon F, F2, F3, F4 and F5; and the Pentax LX. Another prism design was the porro prism system used in the Olympus Pen F , the Pen FT, the Pen FV half-frame 35 mm SLR cameras. This was later used on the Olympus EVOLT E-3x0 series, the Leica Digilux 3 and the Panasonic DMC-L1 . A right-angle finder

4018-517: The yakuza . The company responded on 19 October that "major differences had arisen between Mr. Woodford and other management regarding the direction and conduct of the company’s business". On the Gyrus acquisition, it also declared the Audit Board's view that "no dishonesty or illegality is found in the transaction itself, nor any breach of obligation to good management or any systematic errors by

Olympus PEN E-P3 - Misplaced Pages Continue

4116-416: The 2000s. Around 2010, the mirrorless technology utilized in point and shoot cameras made the way to the interchangeable lens cameras and slowly replaced DSLR technology. As of 2022, all the major camera brands (Except Pentax) ceased development and production of DSLRs and moved on to mirrorless systems . These systems offer multiple advantages to the photographer with regards to autofocus systems as well as

4214-854: The Bronica ETRs, the ETRs'i (both producing a 6 × 4.5 cm. image), the SQ and the SQ-AI (producing a 6 × 6 cm image like the Hasselblad), and the Zenza-Bronica G system (6 × 7 cm). Certain Mamiya medium-format SLRs, discontinued camera systems such as the Kowa 6 and a few other camera models also used between-the-lens leaf shutters in their lens systems. Thus, any time

4312-471: The E-P3 has the world's fastest autofocus speed of any camera as of the product announcement date. The benefits of the 120 Hz refresh rate also provides the ability for continuous autofocus tracking during bursts of exposures, a faster shutter response (less lag) and less blackout time between exposures. The E-P3 now uses a capacitive touchscreen for creative camera control, and a new OLED type display that

4410-580: The E-PL3). The EP-3 addresses some of the concerns that critics had about previous PEN models , notably, slow handling, due to slow autofocus speed and difficulty seeing the LCD panel under certain (e.g., bright, sunny) conditions. The E-P3 increases autofocus speed through use of a 120 Hz refresh rate for its sensor, similar to the technology used in the recently released Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and G3 cameras. Olympus claims, based on in-house testing, that

4508-568: The MFT system design allows current DSLR lenses to be used as well, although only with manual focus and aperture control. [REDACTED] Media related to Olympus E-P3 at Wikimedia Commons No Video | Weather Sealed | All the Rest Olympus Corporation Olympus Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of optics and reprography products, headquartered in Hachioji , Tokyo. Olympus

4606-457: The SLR's versatility, most manufacturers have a vast range of lenses and accessories available for them. Compared to most fixed-lens compact cameras, the most commonly used and inexpensive SLR lenses offer a wider aperture range and larger maximum aperture (typically f /1.4 to f /1.8 for a 50 mm lens). This allows photographs to be taken in lower light conditions without flash, and allows

4704-642: The SLR. In 1952, Asahi developed the Asahiflex and in 1954, the Asahiflex IIB . In 1957, the Asahi Pentax combined the fixed pentaprism and the right-hand thumb wind lever. Nikon , Canon and Yashica introduced their first SLRs in 1959 (the F , Canonflex , and Pentamatic, respectively). Canon, Nikon and Pentax have all developed digital SLR cameras (DSLRs) using the same lens mounts as on their respective film SLR cameras. Konica Minolta did

4802-542: The Woodford revelations, and asked for "prompt action". Following his dismissal, Woodford passed on information to the British Serious Fraud Office , and requested police protection. He said the payments may have been linked to "forces behind" the Olympus board. Japanese newspaper Sankei suggested that a total of US$ 1.5 billion in acquisition-related advisory payments could be linked to

4900-506: The acquisition of a technology company ITX were also under examination. Woodford noted that an article in Japanese financial magazine Facta in July prompted his suspicion of the transactions. Reports also said the company acquired three other Japanese companies outside its core business, and recognised that the assets were worth US$ 721 million less than their acquisition value 12 months previously. Shareholders expressed concern after Olympus's share price nearly halved in value following

4998-443: The amount of light travelling to the film plane or sensor and also can distort the light passing through them, resulting in a less-sharp image. To avoid the noise and vibration, many professional cameras offer a mirror lock-up feature, however, this feature totally disables the SLR's automatic focusing ability. Electronic viewfinders have the potential to give the 'viewing-experience' of a DSLR (through-the-lens viewing) without many of

SECTION 50

#1732790355478

5096-436: The autofocus system or for wireless communication with off-camera flash units. A pre-flash is often used to determine the amount of light that is reflected from the subject, which sets the duration of the main flash at time of exposure. Some cameras also employ automatic fill-flash, where the flash light and the available light are balanced. While these capabilities are not unique to the SLR, manufacturers included them early on in

5194-738: The biggest and longest-running loss-hiding arrangements in Japanese corporate history", according to the Wall Street Journal . The company laid the blame for the inappropriate accounting on ex-president Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, auditor Hideo Yamada, and executive VP Hisashi Mori. On 21 December 2011, Japanese authorities, including the Tokyo prosecutor's office, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and the Japanese Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission, raided

5292-683: The bladder neck to provide symptom relief. On 14 September 2022, Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc announced that they developed a new model of their 4K surgical endoscopy system, which also allows for Infared imaging and Narrow Band imaging. This new model was made available for purchase in September 2022 by Olympus in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia, Oceania and Japan under the brand name "VISERA ELITE III". On 15 January 2024, Canon Medical Systems Corporation and Olympus Corporation announced that they reached an agreement to collaborate on

5390-412: The board hide significant losses. On 25 September 2012, the company and Kikukawa, Yamada, and Mori pleaded guilty to collusion to submit false financial reports. On 1 March 2016, Olympus agreed to pay $ 646 million of fines to US authorities. On October 28, 2024, CEO Stefan Kaufmann was forced to resign by the Olympus board of directors after allegations of purchasing illegal narcotics. Kaufmann

5488-584: The brand name "VISERA 4K UHD". Olympus has acquired the Israeli medical device company Medi-Tate, a move aimed at enhancing its portfolio in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The acquisition, finalized in February 2021, strengthens Olympus' position in the urological devices market. Medi-Tate specializes in the research, development, manufacturing, and sale of devices designed for minimally invasive treatment of BPH. Its flagship product,

5586-638: The camera body to be a lot smaller than that of a DSLR , while maintaining its image quality and the interchangeability of the lenses. The first product in the Micro Four Thirds system was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 , released in 2008. The first Olympus-branded MFT camera was the Olympus PEN E-P1 . Because it was very expensive, they made a cheaper option, called the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL1 . The market growth of

5684-567: The capability to control perspective. With a triple-extension bellows 4" × 5" camera such as the Linhof SuperTechnika V, the photographer can correct certain distortions such as "keystoning", where the image 'lines' converge (i.e., photographing a building by pointing a typical camera upward to include the top of the building). Perspective correction lenses are available in the 35 mm and medium formats to correct this distortion with film cameras, and it can also be corrected after

5782-420: The clarity and shadow detail of a direct-viewed optical SLR viewfinder. Large format SLR cameras were probably first marketed with the introduction of C.R. Smith's Monocular Duplex (U.S., 1884). SLRs for smaller exposure formats were launched in the 1920s by several camera makers. The first 35 mm SLR available to the mass market, Leica's PLOOT reflex housing along with a 200 mm f4.5 lens paired to

5880-426: The company announced that Sony and Fujifilm had offered forming a capital alliance and the company would focus on Mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC). In 2020, Olympus announced that the camera department would be sold to Japan Industrial Partners at the end of the year. In October 2020, Olympus transferred its Imaging division to the newly established OM Digital Solutions . On 1 January 2021, 95% of

5978-580: The company's valuation and led much of the board to resign in disgrace . Investigations were launched across Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, culminating in the arrests of numerous corporate directors , senior managers, auditors , and bankers and raising significant concerns over prevailing standards of corporate governance and transparency , as well as the state of Japanese financial markets . Woodford himself, who stated he had received death threats for his role in exposing

SECTION 60

#1732790355478

6076-521: The company's offices in Tokyo. In February 2012, seven Olympus executives were arrested by Japanese police and prosecutors. Former president Tsuyoshi Kikukawa , former executive vice president Hisashi Mori , and former auditor Hideo Yamada were taken into custody on suspicion of violating the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law , along with former bankers Akio Nakagawa and Nobumasa Yokoo and two others, suspected of having helped

6174-459: The day-to-day operations. In 2011, the company attracted worldwide media scrutiny when it fired its newly appointed English chief executive (CEO) Michael Christopher Woodford , a 30-year Olympus veteran, for probing into financial irregularities and unexplained payments totaling hundreds of millions of US dollars. Although the board initially dismissed Woodford's concerns via mass media as "disruptive" and Woodford himself as failing to grasp

6272-428: The directors recognised." On 26 October, the company announced that to assuage shareholders' concerns, Kikukawa resigned as chairman; he was replaced by Shuichi Takayama. Olympus shares rebounded 23 percent. On 8 November 2011, the company admitted that the money had been used to cover losses on investments dating to the 1990s and that company's accounting practice was "not appropriate", thus coming clean on "one of

6370-462: The disadvantages. More recently, Sony have resurrected the pellicle mirror concept in their " single-lens translucent " (SLT) range of cameras. SLRs vary widely in their construction and typically have bodies made of plastic or magnesium. Most manufacturers do not cite durability specifications, but some report shutter life expectancies for professional models. For instance, the Canon EOS 1Ds MkII

6468-529: The exposure. In addition, the movement of the reflex mirror takes time, limiting the maximum shooting speed. The mirror system can also cause noise and vibration. Partially reflective (pellicle) fixed mirrors avoid these problems and have been used in a very few designs including the Canon Pellix and the Canon EOS-1N RS , but these designs introduce their own problems. These pellicle mirrors reduce

6566-403: The exposure. There are various designs for focal plane shutters. Early focal-plane shutters designed from the 1930s onwards usually consisted of two curtains that travelled horizontally across the film gate: an opening shutter curtain followed by a closing shutter curtain. During fast shutter speeds, the focal-plane shutter would form a 'slit' whereby the second shutter curtain was closely following

6664-561: The fact with photo software when using digital cameras. The photographer can also extend the bellows to its full length, tilt the front standard and perform photomacrography (commonly known as ' macro photography '), producing a sharp image with depth-of-field without stopping down the lens diaphragm. Early SLRs were built for large format photography, but this film format has largely lost favor among professional photographers. SLR film-based cameras have been produced for most film formats as well as for digital formats. These film-based SLRs use

6762-528: The film lens cannot share the same optical path, the viewing lens is aimed to intersect with the film lens at a fixed point somewhere in front of the camera. This is not problematic for pictures taken at a middle or longer distance, but parallax causes framing errors in close-up shots. Moreover, it is not easy to focus the lens of a fast reflex camera when it is opened to wider apertures (such as in low light or while using low-speed film). Most SLR cameras permit upright and laterally correct viewing through use of

6860-421: The first ever foreigner to hold the position – replacing Kikukawa, who became chairman. Woodford, an Olympus veteran of 30 years, was previously executive managing director of Olympus Medical Systems Europa. Olympus appointed Woodford its CEO six months later, but the board suddenly removed him as chief executive two weeks into the job, while allowing him to retain his board seat. Woodford alleged that his removal

6958-469: The first opening shutter curtain to produce a narrow, vertical opening, with the shutter slit moving horizontally. The slit would get narrower as shutter speeds were increased. Initially these shutters were made from a cloth material (which was in later years often rubberised), but some manufacturers used other materials instead. Nippon Kōgaku (now Nikon Corporation ), for example, used titanium foil shutters for several of their flagship SLR cameras, including

7056-590: The focusing feature of a lens if they enter into the focusing helicoid. The problem of sensor cleaning has been somewhat reduced in DSLRs as some cameras have a built-in sensor cleaning unit. The price of SLRs in general also tends to be somewhat higher than that of other types of cameras, owing to their internal complexity. This is compounded by the expense of additional components, such as flashes or lenses. The initial investment in equipment can be prohibitive enough to keep some casual photographers away from SLRs, although

7154-421: The iTind, is a temporarily implanted nitinol device that alleviates lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with BPH. The iTind procedure can be performed by a urologist in various settings, including outpatient hospital facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, or a doctor’s office. The device works by gradually expanding and applying gentle pressure at three specific points, reshaping the prostatic urethra and

7252-648: The light path, and the light shines directly onto the film (or in the case of a DSLR , the CCD or CMOS imaging sensor). Exceptions to the moving mirror system include the Canon Pellix and Sony SLT cameras , along with several special-purpose high-speed cameras (such as the Canon EOS-1N RS), whose mirror was a fixed beamsplitting pellicle . Focus can be adjusted manually by the photographer or automatically by an autofocus system. The viewfinder can include

7350-405: The market for used SLRs has become larger particularly as photographers migrate to digital systems. The digital single-lens reflex camera has largely replaced the film SLR for its convenience, sales, and popularity at the start of the 21st century. These cameras were the marketing favorite among advanced amateur and professional photographers through the first two decades of

7448-449: The market in high-resolution photographic products. As a result of his efforts, Olympus released an 810,000-pixel digital camera for the mass market in 1996, when the resolution of rivals' offerings was less than half. The next year, Olympus hit the market with a 1.41 million pixel camera. By 2001, the company's annual turnover from digital photography was in excess of ¥100 billion. Olympus manufactures compact digital cameras and

7546-646: The matter snowballed into a corporate corruption investigation with multiple arrests. In 2016, it paid US$ 646   million (equivalent to $ 804   million in 2023) in fines associated with its illegal, long running, kickback scheme. In 1936, Olympus introduced its first camera, the Semi-Olympus I, fitted with the first Zuiko -branded lens. The Olympus Chrome Six was a series of folding cameras made by Takachiho, and later Olympus, from 1948 to 1956, for 6×4.5 cm or 6×6 cm exposures on 120 film. The first innovative camera series from Olympus

7644-404: The mirror box and pentaprism/pentamirror. The mirror box also prevents lenses with deeply recessed rear elements from being mounted close to the film or sensor unless the camera has a mirror lockup feature; this means that simple designs for wide angle lenses cannot be used. Instead, larger and more complex retrofocus designs are required. The SLR mirror 'blacks-out' the viewfinder image during

7742-401: The mirror moves upwards from its resting position in the direction of the arrow, the focal plane shutter opens, and the image is projected onto the film or sensor in exactly the same manner as on the focusing screen. This feature distinguishes SLRs from other cameras as the photographer sees the image composed exactly as it will be captured on the film or sensor . Most 35 mm SLRs use

7840-613: The modern SLR camera was the Swiss-made Alpa , which was innovative, and influenced the later Japanese cameras. The first eye-level SLR viewfinder was patented in Hungary on August 23, 1943, by Jenő Dulovits, who then designed the first 35 mm camera with one, the Duflex , which used a system of mirrors to provide a laterally correct, upright image in the eye-level viewfinder. The Duflex, which went into serial production in 1948,

7938-523: The only choice for focal plane shutters at that time was 1 ⁄ 60 . Later, Nikon again pioneered the use of titanium for vertical shutters, using a special honeycomb pattern on the blades to reduce their weight and achieve world-record speeds in 1982 of 1 ⁄ 4000 second for non-sync shooting, and 1 ⁄ 250 with x-sync. Nowadays most such shutters are manufactured from cheaper aluminium (though some high-end cameras use materials such as carbon-fibre and Kevlar ). Another shutter system

8036-466: The photographer to see what the CCD is capturing. However, SLR is still popular in high-end and professional cameras because they are system cameras with interchangeable parts, allowing customization. They also have far less shutter lag , allowing photographs to be timed more precisely. Also the pixel resolution, contrast ratio , refresh rate , and color gamut of an LCD preview screen cannot compete with

8134-423: The photographer with considerably more control (i.e., how the image is viewed and framed) than would be the case with a view camera. In addition, some SLR lenses are manufactured with extremely long focal lengths, allowing a photographer to be a considerable distance away from the subject and yet still expose a sharp, focused image. This is particularly useful if the subject includes dangerous animals (e.g., wildlife);

8232-408: The range. A second version of the system was available the year after, but this was Olympus's last foray into the world of consumer video equipment until digital cameras became popular. Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, who was later to become president of Olympus, foresaw the demand for the digital SLR, and is credited with the company's strategy in digital photography. He fought for commitment by Olympus to enter

8330-515: The regular Four Thirds system became neglected. Then, in 2017, after three years without a new lens, and seven years without a new body, Olympus officially discontinued the Four Thirds system Olympus and Panasonic started a new development together, called the Micro Four Thirds system . It is an interchangeable lens system, with the Four Thirds sensor size, and no mirrors ( Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera ). The lack of mirrors allowed

8428-531: The same, and after having bought Konica Minolta's camera division in 2006. Sony continues using the Minolta AF lens mount in their DSLRs, including cameras built around a semi-transparent fixed mirror . Samsung builds DSLRs based on the Pentax lens mount. Olympus , on the other hand, chose to create a new digital-only Four Thirds System SLR standard, adopted later by Panasonic and Leica. Contax came out with

8526-527: The shares in OM Digital Solutions were transferred to OJ Holdings, Ltd, a specially established subsidiary of Japan Industrial Partners. Olympus retained ownership of the remaining 5%. Olympus manufactures endoscopic, ultrasound, electrocautery, endotherapy, and cleaning and disinfection equipment. The first flexible endoscope in the world was co-developed and manufactured by Olympus in Tokyo. In 1987, KeyMed Medical & Industrial Equipment,

8624-413: The similarly named predecessor Four Thirds System pioneered by Olympus. The Micro Four-Thirds system standard uses the same sized sensor (nominal 4000 pixels by 3000 pixels) as the original Four Thirds system. One potential advantage of the smaller MFT system sensor (when compared to market leaders Canon and Nikon APS-C and full frame sized) are smaller and lighter lenses. The smaller MFT sensor allows for

8722-846: The standard specifies a much reduced lens mount flange to imaging sensor plane distance of just 20 millimetres (0.79 in). Typically this so-called flange focal distance is over 40 millimetres (1.6 in) on most interchangeable lens cameras. The MFT system design flange focal length distance allows for, through use of an adapter, the possibility to mount virtually any manufacturer's existing and legacy still camera interchangeable lens (as well as some video and cine lenses) to an MFT body, albeit using manual focus and manual aperture control. For example, many theoretically obsolete 35mm film camera lenses, as well as existing current lenses for APS-C and full frame DSLR's are now usable on MFT cameras. As an example, an older (i.e., used, obsolete and low priced), but still high quality, 50mm f/1.8 "standard" lens from

8820-405: The start of the 21st century. A cross-section ( or 'side-view') of the optical components of a typical SLR camera shows how the light passes through the lens assembly, is reflected by the mirror placed at a 45-degree angle, and is projected on the matte focusing screen . Via a condensing lens and internal reflections in the roof pentaprism the image appears in the eyepiece. When an image is taken,

8918-552: The subject prefers anonymity to being photographed; or else, the photographer's presence is unwanted (e.g., celebrity photography or surveillance photography). Practically all SLR and DSLR camera bodies can also be attached to telescopes and microscopes via an adapter tube to further enhance their imaging capabilities. In most cases, single-lens reflex cameras cannot be made as small or as light as other camera designs—such as rangefinder cameras , autofocus compact cameras and digital cameras with electronic viewfinders (EVF)—owing to

9016-435: The top models, whereas the best rangefinder cameras adopted such features later. Many of the advantages of SLR cameras derive from viewing and focusing the image through the attached lens. Most other types of cameras do not have this function; subjects are seen through a viewfinder that is near the lens, making the photographer's view different from that of the lens. SLR cameras provide photographers with precision; they provide

9114-527: Was a focal-plane shutter SLR. Rollei later switched to a camera system of leaf-shutter design (e.g., the 6006 and 6008 reflexes) and their current medium-format SLRs are now all of the between-the-lens shutter design. Since the technology became widespread in the 1970s, SLRs have become the main photographic instrument used by dedicated amateur photographers and professionals. Some photographers of static subjects (such as architecture, landscape, and some commercial subjects), however, prefer view cameras because of

9212-538: Was also the world's first SLR with an instant-return (a.k.a. autoreturn) mirror. The first commercially produced SLR that employed a roof pentaprism was the Italian Rectaflex A.1000, shown in full working condition on Milan fair April 1948 and produced from September the same year, thus being on the market one year before the east German Zeiss Ikon VEB Contax S , announced on May 20, 1949, produced from September. The Japanese adopted and further developed

9310-519: Was established in 1919, initially specializing in microscopes and thermometers , and later in imaging . Olympus holds roughly a 70 percent share of the global endoscope market, estimated to be worth approximately US$ 2.5 billion. It was formerly also a maker of cameras , camera lenses and dictaphones , until it divested this part to OM Digital Solutions in 2020. In 2011, Olympus attracted worldwide media scrutiny when it fired its CEO Michael Christopher Woodford for whistleblowing , and

9408-540: Was governed by a 15-person board of directors, with Tsuyoshi Kikukawa its President and CEO, and Michael C. Woodford as President and chief operating officer. Mr Kikukawa resigned in the following year and was arrested by Tokyo police for alleged criminal offenses during and before his term as president and CEO. The corporation in 2011 had three "outside directors". It had a four-member 'Board of Auditors' which supervises and audits directors' performance. The company's executive committee consisted of 28 members, responsible for

9506-541: Was linked to several prior acquisitions he questioned, particularly the US$ 2.2 billion deal in 2008 to acquire British medical equipment maker Gyrus Group. Thomson Reuters reported that US$ 687 million was paid to a middle-man as a success fee – a sum equal to 31% of the purchase price, and which ranks as the highest ever M&A fee. According to the Daily Telegraph , some of the sums paid out relating to

9604-521: Was the Pen , launched in 1959. It used a half-frame format , taking 72 18×24 mm photographs on a standard 36-exposure 35mm film cassette , which made Pen cameras compact and portable for their time. The Pen system design team, led by Yoshihisa Maitani , later created the OM system , a full-frame professional 35mm SLR system designed to compete with Nikon and Canon's bestsellers. The OM system introduced

#477522