After Olympus also JIP is reacting to the negative press to try to calm the waters:

Regarding Olympus Imaging Business Transfer

Olympus Corporation (“Olympus”) and Japan Industrial Partners Inc. (“JIP”) signed a memorandum of understanding on June 24th regarding the carve-out of Olympus’ Imaging business to a new company (the “New Imaging Company”) and the subsequent transfer of its shares from Olympus to funds managed, operated and advised by JIP.

Founded in 2002, JIP, a leading private equity firm based in Tokyo, specializing in corporate carve-out investments, targets revitalization of traditional businesses in Japan and has provided capital and management support to businesses carved out from established companies.

JIP’s investment principle is to realize potential growth opportunities by making maximum use of existing business foundation and technologies that the investee companies and businesses have. JIP believes that by delivering value-added products and services to customers and by building an attractive company for employees, the business will be able to realize its full potential and seek growth opportunities.

The New Imaging Company would assume and build growth strategy around the renowned Zuiko, OM and other brands, featuring optical and lens technologies developed and cultivated by Olympus over decades. Assuming the R&D and manufacturing frameworks, the New Imaging Company would commit to deliver high quality and reliability products and services to the Olympus customers around the globe.

On July 2nd, Olympus made a global announcement regarding the latest M. Zuiko Digital Lens roadmap. The lens introduction plans presented in this roadmap will continue to be carried out even after the business transfer occurs.

New product development for each product category within the Imaging business will continue and we will keep you up to date as we make progress.

Olympus and JIP will make all necessary preparations for a smooth transfer of the Imaging business, and JIP is committed to make maximum efforts so that the new company will increase its presence within the global market as a vibrant and energetic venture.

If someone can give an example where a JIP  acquired company “increased its presence within the global market as a vibrant and energetic venture.” please comment on this post! Because I haven’t found anything positive about their track record yet…

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You get all info about this lens and preorder it at Amazon US, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES and Amazon NL.

There is a new Q&A with Mr. Aki Murata posted on Explora:

With the support of JIP, we believe the consumer Imaging business will have the ability to build a foundation for improving profit structure and managing the business over the medium to long term as a new company, while accumulating innovative technologies and developing a solid brand position in the market.

Don’t know if those statements are just “damage control” or if they are seriously thinking to somehow continue to work on cameras in partnership with JIP.

Tokina announced this 400mm f/8 Reflex lens which you can use on any MFT camera with the Tokina Mount Adapter TA-015 for Micro 4/3.

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Panasonic G100: Hands-on look at a lightweight multimedia powerhouse

E-M1 III Starry Sky AF test (MirrorlessComparison).
Aw, snap! The 12 best Olympus cameras ever, from Pen F to OM-D (Techradar).
LaCie 1big Dock and 1big Dock SSD Pro Storage and Docking Solutions (Explora).
Olympus Q&A, Photography Chat (Rob Trek).

Plenty of news on the facebook OMD group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.