This post is for reallllllly serious photography gear heads.

[AndyS]

I ran across this article in one of the several photo sites I regularly monitor. It gets down in the weeds of how lens design works.

But for me the real revelation is the elegance, complexity and interdisciplinary thinking that engineers use to CREATE something no one has ever made before.

Yes, I just used create and engineer in the same sentence! All that dry math and studious research becomes a true work of art and a thing of beauty in the hands of an engineer that is given free reign to design the thing only s/he can dream of.

https://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2021/03/04/a-deep-technical-dive-on-the-amazing-olympus-150-400mm-super-tele-zoom

*disclaimer: The article is about a specific product from a specific manufacturer: Olympus. Anyone who knows me knows that if I'm cut I bleed Olympus blue. Even so it will answer questions like 'Why does this Nikon lens cost $12,000? and Why is this Canon lens white when all the others are black?' The Earth's rotation comes into play for f**k's sake!!!

[George McGovern]

1. Excellent Article - Sounds like an amazing lens

Hello AndyS - Thank you for your in-depth posting about this new lens from Olympus. The technology is pretty much mind boggling. I look forward to more photography posts from you.

You say you bleed Olympus blue. About a year ago I traded all my Nikon digital equipment for an Olympus E-MI Mark II and two lenses: an Olympus 12-45 f/4 and a 40-150 f4-5.6. I shot Nikons for 35 years, but I love Olympus now. Olympus' 150-400 is unattainable, but knowing what I do about the quality and durability of Olympus cameras and lenses, that new zoom must be something else.

I look forward to future photography posts from you.

[AndyS]

2. Welcome to DU and to the Photo group!

Yes, I do indeed bleed Olympus blue. I worked for the company for 5 years back in the '80s and actually met Miaitani a number of times. That said, there is no single perfect camera platform, they all have their place and every one is a good buy. (I say grudgingly )

I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with people like this who make things no one ever conceived of. It may be a bit of a stereotype but they seem to be quiet and retiring. I remember when Texas was first home to the Super Conducting Super Collider I called on the site before the first (and only) shovel was turned to make the tunnel for it. I saw engineers with feet on their desks, hands clasped behind their head thinking deep thoughts. From this came a new generation of magnets that improved Magnetic Imaging which made it possible to diagnose my back condition! Whoda' thought!

You have a good kit. I look forward to seeing some of your work here. If you need help with navigating posting pics see the pined threads here or PM me.

Great to "meet" ya'!

[George McGovern]

3. Thank You Kindly

Last edited Fri Mar 19, 2021, 01:35 AM - Edit history (1)

How do I PM you? There is a photo I'd like to contribute, but I can't figure out how. What camera(s) and lens(es) do you use?
I look to DU every day for encouragement, inspiration, secure there are lots of others who care, really care for their country. I chose "George McGovern" for a username because I voted wholeheartedly for him for president. Broke my heart when he lost. I consider Mr. McGovern the greatest president who never was. Still, Mr. Biden's doing a heckuva job.

[George McGovern]

4. Guess I'm too new to DU yet

Hello AndyS, When I tried to send you a PM, this came up "You don't have enough posts to initiate private messages. Please reply to a few threads and try again." Nonetheless, I am curious what Olympus equipment you have. Thanks.

[AndyS]

5. I guess that explains why you didn't get my PM to you.

About posting images see the pinned thread at the top of the photo group for instructions.

My equipment list is kinda long. Two bodies; a 5 mkII and a 1 mkii. Lenses are 12-100 f4, 40-150 f2.8, 300 f4, 1.4 extender, 60mm f2.8 macro and a cheap 8 mm fisheye. I also have an old Pen EPL-1 with the 14-42 that I converted to IR.

I'm really lusting after the 150-400 but can't justify it's cost as an amateur shooter.

There will be a thread later about this week's update to my smugmug page. You can follow the link there if you want to see some of my work.