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New Olympus patent discloses phase detection and optical viewfinder adapter for MicroFourThirds

The japanese website Egami found a new Olympus patent (Google translation doesn’t work very well). I tried to make a small summary:

* Patent publication number 2010-152140 published on 2010/07/08 and filled 2008/12/25

The following patent discloses an adapter (in blue) that adds phase detection and optical viewfinder to current MicroFourThirds cameras. This is not a new concept, we already saw that with the Leica Visoflex (click here to see the Visoflex on eBay).

Such an adapter makes sense because phase detection autofocus is still much faster than the current contrast autofocus system of MicroFourThirds cameras. And not few of us will like the idea to have an optical viewfinder instead of the sometimes noisy and not good enough electronic viewfinder.

That could be also the final solution to merge FourThirds and MicroFourThirds (but that’s just speculation for now!).

UPDATE: Olybold has taken a nice picture of the Leica Visoflex on the Panasonic G1 (Many Thanks!!!)

(FT5) UPDATED-> Also the FZ100, FZ40 and the FX700 leaked

Brief Panasonic-Olympus rumors summary (P.S.: Panasonic 3D camera?)

El fin del 4/3

July 17, 2010 | Reply

[...] [...]

Antonio Rojilla

@Ken, I don’t want big MTF cameras, but others do, so I’m just saying to that that there’s just nothing stopping any future MTF model to be bigger. And there is no need to add just air to grow them up, you can add: a bigger grip for bigger batteries or extra memory card slots (or built in memory), GPS, Wi-Fi or 3G modules (for direct upload to servers), bigger LCD, bigger OVF or EVF, optional or built-in vertical grip, better weathersealing and so on.

Now, they are right that for some uses a big camera works better, but the key to a small system is in the lenses, no the camera (like the Leica M system), and with MTF we can have both small and big cameras but always small lenses. That’s been the biggest criticism to FT: good lenses but as big or even bigger than equivalent lenses for larger formats, so no real benefits for most people (or that’s been the public’s perception). With MTF they can release smaller High Grade lenses (just look at the differences between some FT lenses and their current MTF equivalents) while keeping the sensor size. The problem is that to this date we have only received average lenses.

Nathan

The more I look at this, the more I become convinced that Olympus is coming out with a completely new lens line. The reason I think this is that there is only 20mm to work with from the flange of the micro four thirds camera to the lens mount of four thirds. While it would appear possible that a mirror would fit if it were the same size as the sensor, once you turn it to a 45 degree angle, it would be 18.38mm to give 100 percent coverage.

This means that there is not enough room for the mount, and NO way for 100 percent viewfinder coverage. Swinging a mirror that size around in that space would be a bloody nightmare.

I conclude that this adapter adapts micro four thirds to ANOTHER class of lenses other than Four Thirds.

They just have a need for another few millimeters and they can’t have them. Anywhere the mirror goes that isn’t inside that 20mm by at least 5mm (leaving only 10mm) doesn’t have a clear shot at the ground glass.

Really, what they have is a little over 10 or 12 mm to work with if they tried to do this in between a micro four thirds camera and a Four Thirds lens. It’s just not possible.

However, if they built a DIFFERENT lens with a different flange mounting, it could work fine, and operate even better with their little 0.5x AF adapter that they patented…

It just might work if it were a pellicle type mirror. Maybe. Most likely not like the diagram, though. The AF phase detect sensor would have to be where the ground glass is, or you’d be trying to look through a myriad of opaque rectangles where the sensors are, and the wires for them.

But really, this would only work with some OTHER class of AF lenses.

@Nathan Don’t pay too much attention to patents. Sometimes they just patent something so others can’t come with a similar solution (or have to pay royalties).

I’m convinced that we will not see the modular camera since it makes no sense financially, and it solves no real problems (in fact, it introduces some) other than offering current FT users an updated model. But it is easier to simply release a worthy E3 successor taht will take then a minimum of another two to three years to be updated… Time enough for Olympus to finally release high-end MTF cameras and lenses and try to convert the few remaining FT users.

Or that’s the only thing that makes sense to me. I don’t see a market for a modular model that will be bigger, more cumbersome and more expensive than current solutions. And seeing the acceptance of MTF, I’m sure Olympus is wishing to kill FT. They just can’t do it right now without a revolt from existing users.

I.M.Feoyon

Data transfer to m4/3 camera from mirror box modul?
And where many pins so is in the cable?
I think Olympus engineers develop a quick and good patent to the problem?
And the is big room for to mirror also?
Solution is obvious!

Ross

“Data transfer to m4/3 camera from mirror box modul?
And where many pins so is in the cable?”

This might be by removing the MFT mount module (with EVF) & attaching the FT module (with OVF) similar to the way Ricoh changes modules, though perhaps, dropped in vertically. There could then be a multipin connector to achieve this as well as the room for a normal mirror mechanism with appropriate focusing components. This could all be tied in with previous rumours of modular design.

All food for thought!

July 18, 2010 | Reply

HeHe, right Ross.

Alfons

Let’s forget the current m4/3 lineup for a moment and think about this consept in a new way.
There would be a load of different parts to choose from. One could pic one of several the sensor modules and just stick on that, OR one could add an viewfinder unit and have a larger system with more power.

I bet the design will differ radically from that old Leica.

I bet there will eventually be weatherproof (and shockproof!) modules etc. if the sales go well.

It would be fun to go to a shop and select your favourite sensor module, then add the viewfinder module with the features you prefer, and build your own dream camera!

Yes Alfons, i think aslo the, Olympus have a good ide on modules system, and i hope them go weather and shockproof after E-5.

Do

I think it makes sense to have a camera that is basically light and compact, but can be converted into a fast-focusing but heavier reflex for special purposes – similar to the idea behind the combination of e-p2 and vf2 in contrast to the g1/g2/NX. The main disadvantage is that such a system will probably be more expensive than having two different cameras-and then there is barely no advantage at all.

Do, good profit come after new up grad of camera modul, for you need only camera modul for every new up grading.

We are only missing the option to place the buttons!

On E-3, Oly really mixed up the placement of PLAY/AEL/LIVE VIEW -buttons

Adäquate R-Lösung: Visoflex 4? - Seite 2 - Leica User Forum

July 23, 2010 | Reply

[...] Autofokus bei Evil-Kameras hat kürzlich Olympus für das µFT-System zum Patent angemeldet: Olympus and Panasonic rumors So ganz haben gute Gedanken doch noch keinen Rost angesetzt. Gruß O.-Ly. [...]

Interesting links from the past week | Photo Rumors

July 25, 2010 | Reply

[...] patent hints at optical viewfinder adapter for MicroFourThirds. What? I thought the whole idea of m4/3 was to remove the mirror, not to add it as an [...]

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