Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/03/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The new Leica lens is basically compatible with the Olympus cameras, BUT. . . Image stabilization comes in two modes. In one mode, the IS is on all the time. This mode will work with both Panasonic and Olympus cameras. In the second mode, IS only turns on when you press the shutter. This mode is supposed to be a bit more effective under certain conditions. It only works with the Panasonic 4/3 camera, but not with current Olympus 4/3 cameras. Will both IS modes will work on *future* Olympus bodies? Or eventually be available on the current bodies via a firmware tweak? Technically, it's probably just a matter of sending a byte or pulling a logic line high or low at a crucial moment. Easy. As for whether Panasonic will permit this, who knows? It would be nice for Olympus users. But at the moment, Panasonic can claim that only they get the most out of the Leica lens, therefore, you should buy a Panasonic. When interviewed, somebody at PMA--I forget if it was a Leica or Panasonic person--freely said that the lens would work with Olympus cameras, but only in one IS mode. --Peter