Olympus releases new products

By Kim Tae-gyu

Olympus Korea Tuesday unveiled two high-end external flash units tailored to its flagship mirrorless camera, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, which was introduced late last year.

The Korean affiliate of the Tokyo-based camera manufacturer hopes that the FL-900R and the STF-8 wins the hearts and minds of photographers by meeting their needs.

The FL-900R electronic flash is dust-, splash- and freeze-proof so that it enables people to take pictures even during the coldest days of winter when the mercury drops to minus 10 degrees Celsius.

When paired with the E-M1 Mark II, the flash boasts 10 frames per second (fps) sequential tracking speed, the fastest in its class. Plus, its recycle time at full power is just 2.5 seconds.

The other product, the STF-8 twin flash, is the world’s first flash that features durable weatherproofing, which Olympus says will give users peace of mind when shooting in various extreme conditions.

Designed to weather low temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius, it is also dust-, splash- and freeze-proof. That’s why Olympus Korea claims that it is a perfect fit for the weatherproof E-M1 Mark II.

The price tags of the FL-900R and the STF-8 are 699,000 won and 599,000 won, respectively.

In addition, the Korean affiliate came up with a premium camera system backpack, the CBG-12, priced at 349,000 won, and a multi-purpose case, the CS-50SF, priced 39,000 won and an advanced underwater housing of the PT-EP14 priced 1.59 million won.

“Since its launch last year, the E-M1 Mark II customers report they love the E-MI camera. We expect that the top-end flashes and quality accessories introduced this month will add value to the camera,” an Olympus Korea official said.

The E-M1 Mark II offers functions comparable to a digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) as it is capable of 18 fps sequential shooting with continuous autofocus, or 60 frames in single autofocus mode.

Olympus Korea projects that the device will draw both professional and amateur users.