CeBit 2005: Konica Minolta has announced three digital lenses designed specifically for use with digital cameras that use an APS-C size sensor such as its Maxxum series of digital SLRs, the first of which is the Maxxum 7D. All three Digital Technology (DT) lenses are wideangle optics and will be available in the summer/fall. The first is the AF DT Zoom 18-70mm f3.5 - 5.6(D) (which on the 7D would provide an equivalent field of view as a 27 - 105 mm lens), secondly there's the AF DT Zoom 11-18mm f4.5 - 5.6(D) (16.5 - 27 mm equiv) and lastly the AF DT Zoom 18-200mm f3.5 -6.3(D) (27 - 300 mm equiv).

Press Release:

KONICA MINOLTA ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF THREE NEW “DT” INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES DESIGNED FOR THE MAXXUM 7D DIGITAL SLR CAMERA

Konica Minolta AF DT ZOOM 18-70mm F3.5-5.6(D), AF DT ZOOM 11-18mm F4.5-5.6 (D), and AF DT ZOOM 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 (D) lenses will be available in the fall of 2005

Mahwah, NY (March 10, 2005) – Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc., announces the development of three new “DT” lenses – interchangeable Digital technology (DT) lenses designed for the Maxxum Series digital SLR cameras, including the Maxxum 7D. These new zoom lenses will expand the lineup of Konica Minolta interchangeable lenses for Maxxum Series cameras. The DT Lenses employ a new optical system that is specifically designed for digital SLR cameras, including the Maxxum 7D, which incorporate an APS-C size CCD image sensor. Plans are to launch these Digital Technology (DT) Lenses worldwide in the summer/fall of 2005.

Developing interchangeable lenses for digital SLR cameras with an optical system optimized for the popular Maxxum 7D, meets the needs of users who would prefer to take ultra-wide-angle pictures, users who would like to take pictures with a compact standard zoom, and users who would like to easily take telephoto shots without changing the lens.

“Today’s digital photographers require the same versatility and high quality images that they’ve come to expect with their Maxxum 35mm cameras in the past,” said Todd Schrader, vice president of marketing for Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. “The announcement of these new DT lenses sends a strong message to photographers everywhere that Konica Minolta recognizes the importance of the Maxxum 7D SLR as a central building block for their digital camera systems.”

Konica Minolta is committed to developing interchangeable lenses for the Maxxum Series based on the following principles:

1) To establish a lens lineup that covers both APS-C and 35mm formats.
Konica Minolta will develop both wide-angle lenses for APS-C size digital and conventional 35mm format lenses so as to meet wide variety of consumers’ needs.

2) Develop lenses with unique features
• Konica Minolta will develop lenses incorporating such features as seen in the large aperture “G lenses” and the innovative “STF” lens.
• With its unique body-integral Anti-Shake function, Konica Minolta will develop a variety of lenses which enable users to expand their photo-shooting opportunities.　　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　
3) Always stay on the leading edge of researching and developing new technologies.
Research and develop new technologies such as noiseless activator drives incorporating new principles of operation.

Product Highlights of the new Maxxum DT Lenses

• Delivers high performance owing to the optical system specially designed to correspond to the characteristics of digital SLR cameras.
• Gains an anti-shake blur correction effect* with a shutter speed 2 - 3 steps slower when used with the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D.
• Enables high precision ADI (Advanced Digital Integration) flash metering when mounted on the Maxxum 7D by incorporating a distance encoder (distance information internally provided in lens).
• Beautiful defocused images thanks to a circular aperture. Using a round aperture not only ensures extremely sharp photos but even allows the defocused areas to show smooth gradations that depict natural scenes perfectly.

* Anti-shake picture blur correction effect amount varies with shooting conditions

Konica Minolta will continue to develop digital SLR camera bodies and interchangeable lenses, and sequentially upgrade systems.

Note 1: Optics have been optimized for a small diameter image circle in order to work with the APS-C size CCD, therefore the lenses cannot be used with 35mm AF SLR film cameras.
Note 2: Product name has been tentatively named for this release, with the final name to be announced at later date.
　
These lenses will be exhibited at the following trade shows:
• March 10-16, 2005, CeBIT 2005
http://www.cebit.de/homepage_e?x=1
• March 17-20, Photo Imaging Expo 2005
http://www.pie2005.jp/