Olympus improves zoom technology

New zoom lens for the new generation PEN M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ

The PEN generation of cameras receives a new standard zoom: M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ. This lens features a new, silent and smooth electromagnetic zoom mechanism, making video shooting perfect. Multiple zoom speeds and incredibly fast autofocus create ideal conditions for shooting home videos and portraits. With an 84° field of view, a focal length of 24-100mm* and a manual zoom mode, this lens opens up a host of new possibilities for PEN camera owners, including macro photography and wide-angle panoramas. The PEN series now offers a versatile standard zoom that perfectly complements the camera's capabilities. The lens will go on sale in February 2012.

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ Lens takes video shooting to the next level. The electromagnetic zoom mechanism ensures smooth and quiet operation, which reduces the frequency of lens movements during shooting and eliminates the noise of the zoom motor. You can choose one of three zoom speeds: the “slow” mode will help you work thoughtfully with the composition, and the “fast” mode will not let you miss an interesting moment.

Faster and closer

The new lens offers 4.2x magnification and high speed. The electromagnetic motor works very quickly, and in combination with Olympus MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) technology, it guarantees fast and virtually silent autofocus performance. For this lens, Olympus has improved the MSC technology by adding a linear drive, which further increases focusing speed and reduces noise.

Automatic and manual

Olympus is a recognized manufacturer of the highest quality optics in both the photographic and medical equipment sectors. The new lens has become a worthy continuation of the Japanese traditions of quality and technology. An important role in ensuring high quality is played by the multilayer coating of all lens elements and two aspherical elements that eliminate distortion. Macro photography enthusiasts will also be pleased with the new lens: it offers 0.72x* magnification when shooting from a distance of 20 – 50cm. The lens also features a new L-Fn button (a first for a PEN lens) to prevent erroneous focusing on another subject. If, while framing, an object unexpectedly appears between the camera and the subject, you just need to press this button. The camera pauses focusing until the foreign object leaves the frame. For fans of handheld shooting, the lens offers a new interesting feature: pausing autofocus while simultaneously turning on manual zoom mode.

The Micro 4/3 standard makes PEN cameras incredibly compact, giving their owners the ability to shoot anytime, anywhere. Another pleasant innovation is that the lens is equipped with dust and splash protection, like the older models in the line - ZUIKO DIGITAL Top Pro. Now you have a lens to shoot anywhere and in any weather.

New compact models from Olympus with fantastic zoom

Competitors pale in comparison to the new Olympus Super Zoom series

Gorgeous SZ-10 with wireless data transfer

Moscow, February 8, 2011 – With the new series, Olympus is once again demonstrating its commitment to innovation. Following the revolution brought about by the Olympus PEN and XZ-1, Olympus introduces the new SZ (Super Zoom) series. The appearance of the SZ-10 is impressive. But inside she also has something to boast about. It features a powerful optical zoom lens and outstanding functionality. The SZ-10 is an ideal choice for those who like to shoot a lot and value high quality and functionality. The camera features an impressive 18x wide-angle optical zoom (28-504mm*), a 14 Megapixel sensor and a host of innovative features that deliver superior image quality and HD video shooting. The SZ-10 will go on sale in February 2011.

Super zoom

The SZ-10 stands out from other compact cameras with its 18x wide-angle zoom. Thanks to the highest quality Olympus optics, users can simply enjoy shooting. The powerful zoom allows the SZ-10 to capture images of distant subjects that other compact cameras simply cannot. At the same time, she can handle wide-angle shots.

Super technology

The SZ-10 is equipped with the latest technology, giving users the ability to get creative and take great pictures with great quality. New features like 3D Photos and Magic Filters expand your creativity and help you take unique photos. Most of the eight Magic Filters, including the new Watercolor filter, can also be used when shooting HD video. Sharing photos is also now very easy. With support for Eye-Fi technology, you can wirelessly transfer pictures to your PC or your favorite website.

Super style

Typically, compact cameras look quite attractive, but disappoint with limited functionality. This does not apply to SZ-10. The beautiful case is complemented by outstanding technical characteristics, which makes this model truly unique.

The SZ-10 will go on sale in February 2011.

Main functions:

Image quality

8x wide-angle optical zoom (28-504mm*) for great close-ups
TruePic III+ GPU for accurate color reproduction and low noise
Shooting HD video 720p with sound
14 Megapixel resolution for large format prints
Dual image stabilization for sharp shots

Convenience

3” LCD (460,000 dots) for easy framing and viewing
Advanced Face Detection Technology and Shadow Correction Technology for Great Portraits
Beauty mode for beautiful skin
Smart Auto (i-Auto) and Tracking AF for easy setup and focusing
Animal detection for automatic animal photography
Scene modes to automatically adjust the camera to specific situations (e.g. Landscape, Night Scene)

Creativity and Flexibility

Eye-Fi technology support for wireless transfer of pictures to a PC or website
Taking 3D photos
Magic filters for creative effects: Punk, Pop Art, Pinhole, Drawing, Fisheye, Soft Focus and the new Starry (photo only) and Watercolor filters

Other features

Photo surfing and software [ib] for viewing and organizing photos by people, places or events
HDMI support for controlling the camera with a TV remote when viewing pictures on TV
ISO 80 – 3200
Panorama in camera
Supports SDHC and SDXC memory cards**
Built-in flash
Built-in user manual
Charging the battery via USB

*Equivalent to 35mm camera.
*SD is a trademark of the SD Card Association.

For a complete list of functions, visit www.olympus.com.ru

Application

3D mode (3D photography)

The camera takes two frames from different angles, from which a stereo image is created. The photo can be viewed on a 3D compatible display. The camera has two 3D modes: Manual and Automatic. In both modes, the camera indicates when it is necessary to change the shooting angle. In Automatic mode, the user takes the first frame, moves the camera, and it automatically takes the second frame at the right moment. Manual mode is intended for experienced users, as in it the second frame is also taken by the user.

Improved Face Detection

A technology that detects faces in the frame and recognizes them as the main subject in the photo. It then automatically focuses and sets the optimal exposure for a clear, well-exposed photo. Advanced Face Detection Technology can detect up to 16 faces.

Tracking autofocus

This system automatically tracks the movement of the subject, keeping it in focus. The system remembers the position of the object, even if it has moved out of the frame, and continues tracking when it returns to the frame.

Beauty mode

An effect applied during shooting. The feature recognizes your face and automatically softens and brightens your skin, making your face look younger and brighter.

Dual Image Stabilization

Providing double protection, this special feature helps prevent blurry pictures caused by camera shake or moving objects. The feature combines CCD-shift mechanical image stabilization with high ISO.

Eye-Fi support

Allows the user to use memory cards with Eye-Fi functionality and set them to automatically send pictures to a website or PC.

HD video (720p High Definition)

The High Definition Video (HD video) function provides high-quality video recording in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels and a frame rate of 30 frames per second.

i-Auto mode

This smart type of AUTO mode uses Advanced Face Detection, allowing the camera to automatically recognize up to 5 of the most common scenes. As a result, you get great pictures without having to adjust the camera.

Software [ib]

Olympus now offers [ib], built-in software for viewing and organizing images. Photos can be grouped by person, place or event. Grouped pictures can then be viewed on the camera display, TV or PC.

Art filters

Allows you to create creative effects right in camera.
Fisheye: Simulates the effect of a fisheye lens, giving your photo a new perspective.
Pinhole: Reduces brightness at the edges of the frame, creating the illusion that the photo was taken through a small hole. It also adds a unique tonality that creates an atmosphere of mystery, a feeling of being lost in another dimension.
Pop Art: Creates bright, saturated colors that convey a cheerful pop art style.
Punk: Displays the photo in pink and black tones, giving it an original feel.
Drawing: Turns a photo into a pencil drawing.
Soft Focus: Makes the photo appear as if it was taken in a haze, giving the photo an air of mystery.
Starry (photo only): Adds twinkling lights to the photo.
Watercolor: Transforms a photo into a watercolor painting.

Animal Definition

The camera automatically detects the faces of cats or dogs (two different modes), and takes a photo itself when the animal looks into the lens.

Photo surfing

By selecting this option during playback, you can view pictures grouped by date, scene, faces, location, or photo albums.

Story programs

A set of programs for various shooting conditions. For example, landscape, night photography, beach and snow or pets. The camera automatically sets the optimal settings for the selected scene.

Shadow Correction Technology (SAT)

SAT automatically brightens the shadowed parts of the image. This does not affect the light areas of the image in any way. SAT creates optimally exposed images with the same level of detail across the entire frame.

TruePic III+ GPU

Automatically improves important image quality characteristics, including color rendition (range, saturation and brightness) and sharpness (reduces noise, improves the display of edges), and also provides high speed operation and data transfer. Supports Magic Filters that open up great creative possibilities.

Caution – Olympus C-40 Zoom EN Operating Instructions

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Attention! The text in this document was automatically recognized. To view the original page, you can use the “Original” mode.

^Never use the camera if it detects unusual noises or odors or

• The camera should be turned off immediately if it detects unusual noises or smells or

formation of smoke - in mains power mode, the power supply must be immediately separated from the mains.
Cool the chamber for a few minutes and then take it out into the fresh air.
In this case, keep the camera away from flammable materials.
Then carefully remove the batteries. Do not touch batteries with wet hands.
Otherwise there is a risk of fire or damage. Contact your Olympus service department immediately

^ Never handle the camera with wet hands.

• Never handle or operate the camera with wet hands. Otherwise there is a danger

electric shock.

^ Handle the carrying belt with care.

• When carrying the camera on a carrying belt, be careful not to get caught in the protruding

accessories. Otherwise, serious damage may occur.

^ Only use a power supply supplied or approved by Olympus.

• As an optional mains power supply, only the manufacturer's

or a design approved by Olympus. If an unauthorized design is used,

Doing so may damage the camera and power supply. Based on this, there is a danger

accident or fire. Make sure that the mains power supply is suitable for the current network.

You will receive further information on this from the Olympus service center or from your

specialized seller.
Olympus is not responsible for damage caused by the use of an unauthorized mains power supply.

^ Do not damage the power cable.

• Never subject the power cable of the power supply unit or other devices to tension.

loads or rework. When connecting or separating a cable to/from a power outlet

Always hold the electrical outlet by the plug. If the following cases are established

violations, do not use the camera, but immediately contact your after-sales service

"Olympus" or to your specialized seller:

— If the power cord becomes very hot or emits smoke and/or an unusual odor.
— If the power cable is damaged and has faulty contacts.

AVOIDING HARMFUL ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

• When using a tripod, the camera must be securely attached to the tripod head.

Do not twist the camera body while doing this.

• Never point the camera at the sun for a long time. Otherwise it may

There may be a malfunction of the lens, discoloration or a burnout effect on the “chip”.

• Never allow the camera to be dropped or subjected to other strong shocks.
• Never touch the camera's electrical contacts.
• Never subject the lens to strong compressive or tensile loads.
• This camera has high-precision technology and therefore should not be used or stored.

be exposed to the following environmental influences for a long time.
Avoid: - Locations that may experience particularly high temperatures or particularly high humidity

air or particularly high fluctuations in temperature or humidity, such as near
exposure to direct sunlight, on the beach, in a closed car, near sources

heating (stoves, radiators, etc.).

— Locations subject to heavy dust or dirt.
— Places containing explosives, as well as flammable materials, liquids or gases.
— Places exposed to high humidity or dampness (bathrooms, places

unprotected from bad weather, etc.).

— Places subject to strong vibration.

• If the camera is to remain in storage, the batteries must be removed first.

For storage, select a cool and dry place where condensation cannot occur.

moisture or mold may form.
Before using it again, make sure that the camera works flawlessly (press the shutter, etc.).

• To avoid operational damage or malfunctions, ensure that

to ensure that the camera is used within acceptable environmental conditions:

permissible ambient temperature range: 0 °C to 40 °C.
permissible air humidity range (non-condensing): 30% to 90%.

• To avoid operational damage or malfunctions, ensure that

to ensure that the camera is stored within acceptable environmental conditions:

permissible ambient temperature range: -20 °C to 40 °C.
permissible air humidity range (non-condensing): 10% to 90%.

VR series offers big zoom in a compact body Olympus VR-310 is a unique proposition

Finally a camera that proves you don't have to spend a lot of money to get great photos. The new Olympus VR-310 offers unrivaled value for money - a combination of the latest technology, the most compact body and a sensationally low price. In its price category, this model is unrivaled. None of the competing models even come close to the functionality of the VR-310: powerful optical zoom, ultra-thin body, seven Magic Filters and HD video shooting. With features like these, the VR-310 is more than a good buy. A wide-angle 10x optical zoom lens (24-240mm*) ensures the highest quality photos and videos. Automatic features such as Dual Image Stabilization and Intelligent Auto (i-Auto) complete the portrait of the new Olympus VR series, a series that makes cameras available with a powerful zoom lens, a super-compact body and easy-to-use controls. The VR-310 will go on sale in January 2011.

Miniature optics, maximum quality

The VR-310's lens is unique even for Olympus, which is famous for its lenses. It took a miracle for engineers to fit a high-quality 10x optical zoom lens (24-240mm*) into such a thin and compact body. The VR-310 is only 19.3mm thick, which is significantly thinner than competing models. And in such a thin body, users have access to the full power of 10x optical zoom, allowing them to shoot both group portraits and close-ups of distant objects. 14 Megapixel resolution and 720p HD video shooting will delight users with quality even when viewed on a large-diagonal TV.

Great Design, Maximum Convenience

The VR-310 is housed in a lightweight, super-compact body that makes it easy to carry and use.
Ergonomic controls and a full range of modern Olympus technologies guarantee excellent results when shooting both photos and HD video. Dual Image Stabilization compensates for blur caused by camera movement, while Tracking AF and a 3-inch diagonal LCD make shooting and viewing photos easy.
Tracking autofocus continues to track your subject even if he or she leaves the frame. Other features such as i-Auto mode, Scene programs and Shadow Correction technology automatically adjust the camera to suit the shooting conditions. Magic Filters, Maximum Creativity
The VR-310 features seven Magic Filters that were previously only available on higher-end cameras. Now users can give free rein to their creativity without purchasing an expensive camera with a lot of unnecessary features. In addition to the already known Soft Focus, Fish Eye, Pop Art and Punk filters, this model introduces the new Star filter, which adds sparkle to the surface of shiny objects. Whatever filter the user chooses, getting photos with a unique mood is now very simple.

The Olympus VR-310 is available in four colors: silver, black, red and lilac. It will go on sale in January 2011.

Key Features:
Image Quality

10x super wide-angle zoom (24-240mm*) for close-ups and group portraits
720p HD video recording with audio
14 Megapixel resolution for large prints
Dual image stabilization for always-sharp shots

Simplicity
3” LCD (230,400 dots) for easy framing and viewing
Face Detection and Shadow Correction Technology for great portraits
Smart Auto (i-Auto) and Tracking AF for easy setup and focusing
Scene programs to automatically adjust to specific conditions (eg Landscape, Night Scene)

Creativity and flexibility

Magic filters for creative effects:
Punk, Pop Art, Pinhole, Drawing, Fisheye, Soft Focus and the new Starry filter

Other features:
All-metal slim body
[ib] software for viewing and organizing photos by people, places or events
ISO 100 – 1600
SDHC memory card support**
USB battery charging

Interview with Haruo Ogawa (Olympus) and micro 4/3 perspectives

Currently in Paris, Olympus is hosting the Perspective Playground exhibition.
Unfortunately, for some reasons I was not able to go there, but I will try to talk about these events later, since, according to rumors, interesting announcements are still expected.
In the meantime, let’s talk about the Prospects themselves :)

The French magazine Focus Numerique did an interview with the director of the Olympus photographic equipment division, Haruo Ogawa .
As always, everything is quite vague and without specifics, but I will try to make some summary summaries.

— The company is working on updating the sensor, but the 20-megapixel matrix that is relevant for micros, which Panasonic launched this year, is not satisfactory in terms of noise.
Therefore, for now, a resolution greater than 16 megapixels can only be obtained through the sensor-shift shooting mode. And this regime will be improved.

— Full frame is not planned. First of all, the reason is full-frame optics, which do not fit into the concept of a compact camera.

— In the coming years there will be an emphasis on the development of ultra-fast lenses.

— Electronic viewfinders will be improved, the goal is to reduce the absolute response time to 6 ms and below - this is a delay that is practically not perceived by the eye.

- The hybrid autofocus system (contrast + phase detection), which is currently only available in the E-M1, will be improved.

— The company will “try to create” a camera with 4K video mode. The main problem for 4K at the moment is the stabilization system, which is not yet adapted to this video resolution. Olympus engineers are impressed by the capabilities of the Sony A7S camera, but it is impossible to achieve such results on an m4/3 format sensor, or it must be a 3-megapixel sensor (we are apparently talking about the cell size - my note).

How would I personally characterize the m4/3 system today and its prospects?
Firstly, cameras come and go, but good optics remain and last for decades.
And it’s precisely in terms of optics that m4/3 is the coolest modern system. There are any lenses for every taste and budget, manual, autofocus, anything can be installed through an adapter, including tilt adapters.
As I already emphasized in the “Battle Canon FF vs Olympus m4/3” test, the difference in picture quality is not as great as is commonly said. However, for some photographers, the issue of shallow depth of field still remains important. And this issue is slowly being resolved. In any case, we already have an f/0.95 lens that will give blur roughly equivalent to a full-frame f/1.8 aperture. Although for some this is not enough.

To be fair, I will say that, in my experience, at the most universal focal length of 35 mm, the special “magic” of the picture begins precisely with the f/1.8 aperture, but is best manifested at f/1.4. To get an analogue on a double crop, you will need f/0.7 glass. These are the lenses Kubrick used on the set of Barry Lyndon. Of course it is expensive and probably weighty. But progress does not stand still. Since there are a ton of f/0.95 lenses out there, many of which are reasonably priced, I think nothing is impossible.

In fact, in about 80% of professional tasks, the problem is precisely too small a depth of field. Reporting, subject matter, landscape, travel - here a large depth of field is more necessary than a small one. But I wouldn’t mind having a very light autofocus 35 and a fifty-fifty lens (on a double-crop lens - 17 and 25 mm, respectively). And similar optics at Olympus, as I understand it, will appear in the coming years.

There are no particular problems with autofocus, although DSLRs are still ahead in burst shooting of moving objects. But here the technology is improving. I think the hybrid focus will be improved and eventually included in the entire OM-D line.

According to the video, the question is complex.
And we're not just talking about 4K. It’s just that so far the market looks as if Olympus and Panasonic have officially divided it - Olympus has taken the niche of cool photography, and Panas has taken the niche of professional video.
This is, of course, speculation, and I don’t know anything about the agreements, but in general it’s quite noticeable that Olympus’ video is rather amateurish, and not in terms of quality (although it has its pros and cons), but namely conceptually and marketing-wise.

Otherwise, instead of the useful, but not quite standard Flat Movie Mode, we would get V-Log or S-Log in the new firmware - technically there is no problem, the full range is read from the matrix, and what curve and profile to apply to it before the codec is a question rather software and solvable.

Yes, even the current sensor can do 4K. But the processor and codec chip definitely need to be updated for 4K. So the problem here is complex. Perhaps the stabilization reveals some errors that are too noticeable in high resolution - it’s not for nothing that Ogawa said this. In short, today you cannot (as many people fantasize) “just go and make firmware with 4K.”

In general, so far Olympus is not fighting for the professional video market, and, as it seemed to me, it is not even really testing it. But 4K is already an obvious standard, there is no turning back. And Olympus will have a 4K camera. Not this year, but next year.

In general, the development is interesting. I will continue to keep you updated.

Impressions from the Olympus C-720 Ultra Zoom digital camera and the electronics trade in Singapore

Remember the “classic” Kozlovsky Vegetable Gardens four years ago? Now this is history, and perhaps even with a capital letter. However, nothing prevents us from returning to it from time to time to once again enjoy the inimitable language of their author, to follow the fascinating vicissitudes of searching, buying or exchanging the next “tasty” computer or photo piece of hardware from familiar store directors, to sympathize with the author in his sometimes clumsy attempts to make these masterpieces of technical thought to work the way the consumer (and not the manufacturer) wants, and, finally, grain by grain, like gold from river sand, to fish out from the “beds” priceless technical details of the next new product, so that the next day after reading it you can run to the same store and, holding out his last crisp pieces of paper with hands shaking with impatience, barely audibly squeeze out: “To me, this is like Kozlovsky’s!”

With Evgeniy’s transfer to another job (the position of the country’s Chief Gardener was abandoned for the not-so-soft chair of the Chief Editor of the best computer magazine), the “goats”, given into the not very caring paws of the young “CompuFerrovites”, became orphans. And although Evgeniy himself, no, no, and will shake off the old days (brace yourself, old man!), his raids on the “beds” no longer carry the former unique mischief - apparently, wisdom prevails, and the frivolous “vegetable garden” itself now bears the obligatory name “farm” " We (“Ferrovites”), due to modesty of strength and poverty of talent, only occasionally try to weed the beds in the classic style , not allowing the wonderful genre to fade away completely. So, a couple of issues ago, Andrei Volov spoke at our farm about collisions, allusions and illusions in connection with the now fashionable Microlab SOLO-1 computer stereo speakers. And today your humble servant will try to tell you “according to the laws of the garden genre” about the newest digital camera Olympus C-720 Ultra Zoom. Just don’t judge harshly - after all, we are well aware of the gap between us and the Classic, especially since it was he who discovered the genre of digital photography to the general non-professional public many years ago. So let's get started.

Once upon a time... however, let’s omit the details of a past life. While basking on the California beaches a couple of months ago, I was scrolling through local Internet pages in search of a suitable (inexpensive and multifunctional) digital camera to replace the rather boring film one. My search was given a little frenzy by the pleasant golden sand, which jammed the shutter of the “film camera”, so that the immortalization in celluloid of “apparently the most beautiful” on the Pacific coast and the half-naked persons of the opposite sex flitting past (secretly or with their kind consent) threatened to be a complete fiasco. It just so happened (see the omitted details of my past life) that I decided to make the final choice of “digital speaker” among the compact products of Olympus and another (the most famous) Japanese company. However, the high prices of the latter (even where they are one and a half times lower than ours) left almost no doubt about choosing the former. And the example of Kozlovsky, who is an ardent fan of digital Olympus (read his numerous gardens about them), was infectious.

So, after wandering around www.olympusamerica.com , I was indecisively frozen between the well-deserved four-megapixel C-4040 Zoom and the newest, but three-megapixel C-720 Ultra Zoom. The first one cost quite a lot of money, but the simpler four-megapixel camera, the D-40 Zoom, was somehow not particularly impressive. But the C-720 Ultra Zoom impressed me greatly and immediately (at least with this ultrazoom alone), but the philosophy of the average person who thirsted for “as many megahertz and megabytes as possible” did not allow me to sacrifice a whole million pixels . In addition, the C-720 UZ turned out to be so fresh that not a single online store there had it yet (even a search on pricewatch.com and pricegrabber.com did not yield anything). In addition, its recommended price on its home website was not according to my credit card. And since the Boeing 767 impatiently waved its wing at me, insistently inviting me to return to the hot Moscow summer, I had to forget about these dreams for a while.

The opportunity to dream again presented itself soon enough: on a flight from a country where wild penguins organize a daily parade at six o’clock in the evening (and this is the absolute truth), I stayed for a day in “equatorial” Singapore. Bearing in mind the stories that prices for audio-video and computer equipment there are amazingly low (they said that in local dollars they are the same as in our US dollars, while the Singapore dollar is now 1.75 times weaker than the American one), I decided to wander around around the local electronics markets and spend a little time being an oriental genie (the one from the bottle ) for yourself - fortunately, my birthday was just around the corner. That is, try to fulfill any of your desires regarding electronics and computers. It should be noted here that these desires turned out to be surprisingly modest and purely momentary, probably due to upbringing. First of all, it was necessary to buy some small things from a computer kit, rare flat batteries for an advanced player (the player itself turned out to be cheaper in the States), and, finally, a digital camera with its accompanying trinkets. Preliminary inquiries and a map of the area taken from a charming Chinese woman at Changi airport allowed us to quickly carry out reconnaissance and focus on the main thing.

Olympus improves zoom technology

So I post all sorts of photographs on my blog, from Crimea, not from Crimea. But the attentive reader probably remembers that back in February of this year I sadly wrote about the fact that my running Olympus stood on end. More precisely, its retractable lens stood on end - it stopped moving back, and every time the camera was turned on, the message “Zoom Error” was displayed on the display.

For a long time there were no new photographs on the blog, but now they have appeared. But no one asks - how, in what way?! I understand that you are not at all interested in this - you have enough things to do, just like I do. But I’m such a meticulous blogger that you won’t get away from me from this story, even if you didn’t ask - you’ll have to listen to it.

. consequences of the Zoom Error.

“The Zoom bug” - that’s how I dubbed my Olympus since that cold February day - lay for a long time on the edge of the table in a plastic bag (to prevent it from getting dusty) and did not work. I checked this sometimes hoping for a miracle. The miracle did not happen, and how could it, if at the very beginning of the breakdown I aggravated it - I held the closing, but already broken, lens with my finger, thinking that this way it would grunt, fall into place and forget about the mistake.

I even talked to one of their manager-consultants at the photo store and honestly told me how it all happened. The friend listened, waved his hand and said that changing the objective capsule was more expensive than buying a new device. But I was not ready to buy. Now I didn’t want the same “erroneous” one. And for what I wanted there was no money.

And now, dear reader, let me take you to an ancient era. Perhaps in those years you walked under the table, or maybe you didn’t do that, because you didn’t exist at all.

And here I am, existing. And I was already with a camera.

True, not with his own, but with his father’s. Dad let me hold it, then press the button, and then he showed me everything else, told me, taught me, and by the age of six I already knew the entire cycle of producing black and white photography from buying film in a store (though I couldn’t do this myself) and before drying the finished prints on the glosser.

I myself am very surprised now, but, indeed, my father revealed the wonders of photography to me very early. I remember that we sat with him at night under a red light and, under his guidance, I dangled the developing imprint in the solution with tweezers. We crawled out of the bathroom with him at 4 in the morning, or even later - I with square eyes, and he with ordinary ones. The mother was unhappy - it was harmful for the child. And I liked it.

And then I went to school. Lessons, early rises. They began printing cards less often, and then completely - mom and dad broke up, the photos were cut up. sometimes it's right for me. And the nightly gatherings stopped for the time being.

A few years later, I became interested in astronomy, began reading books on its practical side, and got into amateur astrophotography - it turns out that simple cameras can photograph stars - I didn’t know this, but I found out and, of course, I immediately wanted to. Here's where to find a camera. As where!? At my father's.

I ran up to my father - “Dad, give me the camera!” I’ll shoot the stars!”

My father had only one camera and in those years it cost half his salary, no less. And if you consider that my father spent his best years with this then quite modern camera “FED 3”, then my request was, to say the least, harsh. But I didn't understand. But my father understood me and gave me a camera. And then along with it there was a photo enlarger, tanks, ditches and everything that was lying around in this part.

It took me a long time to remove even one star. It turned out that over these few years I had lost a lot of my skills and, without my father’s experienced hand, I was capable of little. Either through negligence he exposed the film, or immersed the captured film in a solution that was too hot. and before anything started to work out, I broke this camera - it seemed to me that some thing in it was not working correctly, I decided to take it apart and figure it out. but I couldn’t collect it anymore.

In general, I raked all the gears out of the case and continued photographing the stars with this dummy. And to photograph the stars, you don’t need any more - I loaded the film (I cut one frame in the dark), installed it on a tripod-clamp, pointed at approximately the desired part of the sky, opened the lid for a few seconds, closed it and - running to the bathroom - develop, fix, rinse and look - did I point there?

And everything worked out, everything was fine, but there was no way I could return the camera to my father in this form.

When I successfully passed the exams in the 8th grade, my mother bought me a Zenit E and I forgot about the broken FED. The Zenith photographed everything better, brighter, easier, and besides, it was not broken. Years later, I bought a set of interchangeable lenses for Zenit, a good tripod, filters, went on expeditions and hikes, and switched to color film.

And Father also bought himself a simple compact soap dish - he didn’t want anything more - he pointed and clicked - it worked. And at his age there is no need to think about aperture, shutter speed, keep in mind the sensitivity of the emulsion and measure the distance in steps. But I’m sure he didn’t forget his FED.

A lot of time passed when I also remembered FED - when I once saw such a camera in some stall selling used junk, I really wanted to buy one. But to my disappointment, on the back of the camera body there was an engraving “To Alexey on his coming of age” - my father’s name is not Alexey, such a camera cannot be returned to him. And I postponed the settlement with dad until I got better cameras.

A few years later, my friend Artem got me just such an outwardly brand new and working “FED 3”. I have already given up hope that such a product can be preserved somewhere other than a photo museum. And here is such a pleasant surprise.

And with this surprise I came to my father. The father smiled. He knew that I had broken the camera, but he was pleased that I still made some effort and brought something back. On that day 35 years ago, we went to the ravine to photograph nature, swamps and each other. Half the film was shot. It hasn’t been developed yet (unless my father sent it to the developer while I’m writing about him here).

And when in the evening I went about my countless business, I went into some store, saw a suitable camera there, and the thirst for photography awoke in me again.

It was Olmpus. And the one that broke recently was also an Olympus. And then I swore off buying Olympus. But after briefly looking at its characteristics, I came to the conclusion that I couldn’t find anything better for the money, and I can’t spend more on it now.

Naturally, I didn’t rush to buy it right away. I came home, turned on the Internet and read about the new Olympic models and realized that - no luck - I don’t need this camera. It doesn’t have a manual mode that suits me, and there’s something else wrong with it. Yes, everything is wrong in Olympus. I also studied the current market for inexpensive cameras with a good zoom (flawless) and decided to postpone the purchase until the better economic situation in the country and pocket.

My marketing research dragged on past midnight and I was already starting to pass out and fall asleep. And before going to bed, I took the “Zoom Error” out of the bag and before they slammed it against the wall, I decided to turn it on again (this despite the fact that the bots, not entirely fresh, had been languishing in it for six months already).

The camera turned on and there were enough batteries. But to my surprise, she immediately moved the lens, it grunted, went inside, went back out and no error was displayed on the display! The camera was ready to go. Did I fall asleep on the Internet?! - flashed through my consciousness. I stretched my arm forward, bent it at the elbow, touched my nose with my finger, pinched my nose - everything looked like reality. Pictures taken immediately unambiguously confirmed the next day the reality of what happened between night and morning.

So I became a photographer again.

I admit, I even managed to experience a slight panic because Crimea was getting closer, but buying a camera was not. But, as you can see, everything worked out well and now I continue my photo trips (though not as often as I would like) and I can even share their results with you, provided that you read this confession to the last line:

June 22, 2010 | Chertanovo and surroundings, Moonlit evening

June 24 - 27, 2010 | Evening, night and morning shots

July 17, 2010 | Chertanov's adventures

July 27, 2010 | The path to “Help Yourself”

July 27, 2010 | Alley of Cosmonauts at the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

July 27, 2010 | VDNH

July 27, 2010 | SAI - summer 2010

July 27, 2010 | Fountains VDNKh, Botanical Garden, Ostankino, MMK