Posted by Jim DeWitt on November 26, 2011 at 1:14 PM
For those of you who haven't followed the unfolding financial scandals at Olympus, it's clear now that the company has for decades cooked its books. The disclosure has cost Olympus 70% of its value on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and triggered an ongoing series of firings, resignations, apologies and lawsuits. It probably also means the end of the marginally profitable digital SLR division. If the company survives at all.
Additional financial roadkill will include the talented engineers who design and manufacture Zuiko lenses and the E-series cameras. And a small but vocal community of photographers who really like the E-series cameras and Zuiko lenses.
I'd love to be wrong about this, but I don't think I am.
It's greed, folks, pure and simple. The photography world will be a poorer place without Zuiko lenses, and it didn't have to happen. But if I want a new camera in the future, it's looking like it won't be an Olympus E-series. is it Nikcanon or Canikon? I can never remember.
Posted by Charlie Baugh on November 26, 2011 at 2:23 PM
I have loved my Olympus E series bodies and Zuiko lens for years and have accepted the limitations of the 4/3 system, and enjoyed it's advantages, believing that someday it will be too far substandard to continue. I have limitations of my own and felt that Olympus will serve me for my future.
When you decide to sell that 300mm fixed FL lens, I'd be interested.
Charlie
Posted by Richard Ditch on November 26, 2011 at 3:10 PM
Although I've never owned or even shot an Olympus camera I'll be sad to see the end of their cameras and lenses. I hope you find a path forward that fits your needs and keeps you shooting.
Posted by Ron Dudley on November 26, 2011 at 8:19 PM
As soon as I started seeing these reports I thought of you Jim. I figured you'd be upset and I don't blame you. I too hope you find a way you're comfortable with to keep shooting, whatever happens.
Posted by Fred Stearns on December 4, 2011 at 9:50 PM
Sometime back in the dark ages when there was no choice but film, I purchased what I thought was a great camera made by Olympus, the OM-1. Actually, I got great use out of it. I also bought an OM-G for the wife because she wanted an Automatic camera. It was not good at either manual or automatic, but few cameras were. By the time I was wanting to upgrade, Olympus had gone out of the SLR market. I felt abandoned. At that time, I vowed I would not buy another Olympus. I still haven't and it looks like I will not have that opportunity again.
Discussion
4 repliesAdditional financial roadkill will include the talented engineers who design and manufacture Zuiko lenses and the E-series cameras. And a small but vocal community of photographers who really like the E-series cameras and Zuiko lenses.
I'd love to be wrong about this, but I don't think I am.
It's greed, folks, pure and simple. The photography world will be a poorer place without Zuiko lenses, and it didn't have to happen. But if I want a new camera in the future, it's looking like it won't be an Olympus E-series. is it Nikcanon or Canikon? I can never remember.
When you decide to sell that 300mm fixed FL lens, I'd be interested.
Charlie