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PRESS RELEASE: Olympus unveils digital camera accessories designed to help photographers do more with the C-5060 Wide Zoom
Conversion Lenses, Power Battery Grip, Flash System and Underwater Housing
Enhance the Digital Experience
Melville, New York, January 8, 2003 - To accompany the release of the new C-5060 Wide Zoom, a high performance state-of-the-art 5.1 megapixel digital camera with an incredible wide-angle lens (27mm to 110mm, f2.8 - f8.0), 14x total seamless wide-angle zoom (4x optical + 3.5x digital), and fast processing time, Olympus America delivers an assortment of high-quality, affordable accessories designed to allow photographers to do more with their camera. The accessories range from wide and telephoto conversion lenses and power battery holder to flash systems and underwater housings that elevate the digital experience to a new level of sophistication and convenience and extend the possibilities and shooting pleasure even further.
Envisioning More Possibilities with Accessory Lenses
Two new conversion lenses have been specially created for the C-5060 Wide Zoom, and both feature a bayonet mount for quick and easy attachment to and removal from the CLA-7 conversion lens adapter that screws into the body of the camera. The Olympus conversion lenses deliver the high optical quality required in digital image capture and have been designed to suit the imaging system of the C-5060 Wide Zoom to ensure optimal results without sacrificing quality.
The WCON-07C is a 0.7x wide-angle converter lens that, when fitted to the C-5060 Wide Zoom reduces the focal length by a factor of 0.7x (35mm conversion of 19mm) for greater wide-angle coverage without altering the aperture setting.
To get even closer to the action, the TCON-17C, a 1.7x teleconverter lens, increases the focal length by a factor of 1.7x (35mm conversion of 187mm). To attach the TCON-17C or WCON-07C, the CLA-7 conversion lens adapter is required.
Power Battery Holder Delivers Performance
With the new Power Battery Holder B-HLD20 holding a maximum of two BLM-1 rechargeable batteries, the C-5060 Wide Zoom becomes a powerhouse that has the energy to keep on shooting for hours and hours.
Attaching the Power Battery Holder is simple: just pull back the battery chamber door on the C-5060 until it pops off, remove the battery, and insert the holder into the base of the camera. For added convenience, the battery chamber door of the C-5060 stows away inside the power battery grip for safe storage. Until now, the rechargeable BLM-1 batteries could only be used with the groundbreaking professional Olympus E-System. Now available for the C-5060 Wide Zoom, they deliver an impressive performance of 7.2V, 1500 mAh. Recharging with the BCM-1 battery charger, sold separately from the C-5060 Wide Zoom, takes approximately 120 minutes. The C-5060 comes bundled with the BCM-2 overnight battery charger.
For added convenience, the holder features an additional shutter release button and zoom lever to permit comfortable vertical-portrait framing. A lock ensures that users will not accidentally misfire their C-5060 Wide Zoom cameras. The holder even has a space to store an additional xD-Picture Card to replace the one in use when it becomes full.
Flexible Flash to See More
Powerful external flash units have been specially developed for use with the C-5060 Wide Zoom and other Olympus digital cameras. Offering precise TTL flash control or manual operation for full creative flexibility, these flash units are sure to satisfy the most discerning photographers. Delivering great illumination power, the FL-50 has a guide number of 50 at tele settings and of 28 for wide-angle shots. The ultra-compact, lightweight and stylish FL-20 with a guide number of max. 20 is ideal for the user on the move.
Thanks to the very precise adjustment of its light power (in 1/8EV increments), this flash is ideally suited for use with digital camera CCDs that are far more sensitive to light than analogue film. A support bracket plus a range of flash connection cables enable attachment of these models to the various flash contacts used by different Olympus digital cameras. The flash units can be attached directly to the other Olympus digital cameras such as the C-5050 Zoom, C-5000 Zoom and C-750 Ultra Zoom via the hot-shoe without any additional equipment.
Underwater Housing Enables Maximum Depth Perception
With the new PT-020 Underwater Housing a digital photographer can take the C-5060 Wide Zoom and several of its accessories 130 feet below the surface of the water to capture breathtaking images underwater. This stylish and durable housing is for anyone looking to pursue underwater digital photography when diving, snorkeling or surfing - and it's also ideal for use during activities that call for ultimate protection from the elements such as skiing, fishing, sailing, or even certain industrial situations.
The PT-020 comes with a standard underwater housing lens port (PPO-01) that will hold and protect the C-5060 WIDE ZOOM Digital Camera by itself. Additionally, there is an underwater housing wide angle lens port available (PPO-02 - sold separately) that replaces the standard lens port and accepts the C-5060 being used with the WCON-07C Wide Conversion Lens (CLA-7 Conversion Lens Adapter required) for greater photographic flexibility. Having a wide-angle lens of this caliber underwater is ideal for capturing breathtaking images of undersea life. There is also a separate underwater housing available for the Olympus FL-20 electronic flash that allows photographers to add external flash capability where it's most needed.
The PT-020 is made of durable transparent polycarbonate with grips and levers fashioned out of distinctive red-colored polycarbonate. The transparent nature of the housing ensures that users can view their shots with ease, as well as show off the stylish bodies of their cameras. The housing features fluorite (FL) glass lens windows for greater clarity when shooting photos underwater. To reduce glare caused by sunlight on a digital camera LCD, the housing has an LCD hood located on the outside back of the housing that makes viewing the LCD easier above and below water.
Olympus has thought of everything to keep digital cameras safe and dry within the housing. O-ring seals, special rubber rings engineered to fit perfectly within corresponding grooves, expand under water pressure to tighten the seal when the shell of the housing is locked. To keep the O-ring in optimal condition, the included O-ring pic removes the ring without damaging the housing or the O-ring itself. Then, silicone grease, also included, can be applied to keep the O-ring properly lubricated and maintain its condition. Furthermore, safety locks on the housing prevents accidental opening.
The housing's stainless steel nickel-plated brass mechanical control buttons, also sealed with silicon O-rings, allow full access to the camera's functions and menus. With the touch of levers, zoom and shutter are easily operated. For crystal clear shots, the integrated flash diffuser panel cuts down on glare from particles suspended in the water that otherwise would create a haze in the image.
A complete listing of the existing line of Olympus Underwater Housings can be found online at http://www.olympusamerica.com/underwaterhousing.
Contents of the PT-020 package:
PT-020 Underwater Housing
PPO-01 Standard Lens Port Underwater Housing
O-Rings
O-Ring pic for removal
Silicone grease
Silica gel (defogging agent)
Wrist strap
LCD hood and strap
Balance weight
Cover for TTL connector cable
Instruction Manual
Warranty Card
Availability
The C-5060 Wide Zoom accessories are currently available.
U.S. Pricing:
TCON-17C Estimated Street Price: $149.95
TCON-17C MSRP: $199.95
WCON-07C Estimated Street Price: $149.95
WCON-07C MSRP: $199.95
CLA-7 Estimated Street Price: $39.95
CLA-7 MSRP: $43.95
B-HLD20 Battery Holder Estimated Street Price: $129.95
B-HLD20 MSRP: $149.95
PT-020 Estimated Street Price: $249.95 (US)
PT-020 MSRP: $339.95 (US)
FL-20 Flash Underwater Housing Estimated Street Price: $169.95
FL-20 Flash Underwater Housing MSRP: $199.95
ABOUT OLYMPUS
Olympus is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in healthcare and consumer electronics worldwide.
Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its parent company, Tokyo-based Olympus Corporation, to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include: - Gastrointestinal endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products;
- Advanced clinical and research microscopes;
- Lab automation systems, chemistry-immuno and blood bank analyzers and reagents; and
- Digital and film cameras, and digital voice recorders.
In the U. S. and Canada, Olympus serves healthcare, scientific and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers efficiently, reliably, safely, and easily achieve superior results. Olympus is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. The company's market-leading consumer electronics business spans North and South America. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.
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(First posted on Thursday, January 8, 2004 at 15:49 EST)
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