Latest Electronic Flash Rounds Out “Designed For Digital” Product Offerings and Provides Impressive and Cost-Effective Performance

Melville, New York, September 27, 2004 – Olympus America Inc. today introduced the FL-36 Electronic Flash, an external flash unit that joins the existing members of the Olympus electronic flash family. Designed specifically for use with digital cameras, the FL-36 rounds out the comprehensive lineup of “designed for digital” accessories for the E-System Digital SLR cameras and other prosumer models from Olympus. The FL-36 flash offers the robust and full-featured functionality of the larger FL-50 combined with cost effectiveness.

“The FL-36 provides photographers with an additional option from the existing suite of electronic flashes Olympus offers for our E-System Digital SLR cameras and prosumer models like the C-8080 Wide Zoom and C-5060,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Olympus America. “As a result of its completely digital framework, the FL-36 achieves a higher level of exposure accuracy than flash units designed for film based cameras.”

The FL-36 Electronic Flash is specifically designed for digital with an accurate 1/8 step illumination control to provide the precision required by digital cameras, while minimizing illumination reduction. The built-in wide-angle diffuser panel will allow the flash to provide even illumination with wide angle lenses like the new Zuiko Digital 14mm-45mm zoom. The inclusion of a lockable bounce and swivel mechanism offers a variety of bounce photography options including left-right, as well as top-bottom in addition to a compact zoom head to accommodate lenses from wide angle to telephoto.

The FL-36 also features a newly designed energy circuit that improves recharge rates and enables the flash to operate on just two AA batteries or one CR-3 Volt lithium. In addition, the FL-36 incorporates an ultra-precision mounting technology communicating with the E-1 and new EVOLT E-300 for control. The FL-36 is compact, lightweight and extremely portable, and is approximately 25% shorter and 35% lighter than the larger FL-50 flash, a significant space and weight savings.

Availability
The FL-36 External Flash will be available in November 2004.

U.S. Pricing:
FL-36 External Flash MSRP: $249.99

FL-36 Specifications*
Type
External electronic flash camera
Guide Number
GN / Focal Lengths at ISO 100 equivalent	39 ft / 12m at 8mm (Wide Panel) 45.5ft / 14m / 10mm (Wide Panel) 65ft / 20m at12mm 71.5ft / 22m at 14mm 84.5ft / 26m at 18mm 91ft / 28m at 25mm 104ft / 32m at 35mm 117ft / 36m at 42mm
Firing Angle
Up-down / Left-right / Focal lengths	61.9 / 78.2 / 12mm 54.6 / 69.9 / 14mm 45.4 / 58.8 / 18mm 33.5 / 43.9 / 25mm 25.2 / 33.1 / 35mm 21.4 / 28.1 / 42mm
Recharge Time
AA alkaline CR-3V type lithium battery AA NiMH AA Oxide	8 sec 7 sec 7 sec 6 sec
Flash Emission Period
Approx. 1 / 20000sec – 1 / 500sec
Flash Emission Count
AA alkaline LB-01 type lithium battery packs AA NiMH AA Oxide	120 flashes 200 flashes 150 flashes 150 flashes
Flash Modes
TTL Auto: Flashes after measuring appropriate illumination with a pre-flash FP-TTL Auto: Flashes after measuring appropriate illumination with pre-flash. Shutter speeds of 1/30 sec. To 1/4000 sec. Auto: Controls illumination to match lens aperture, using the FL-36's light receptor window Manual: Flash Uses guide number setting FP-Manual: FP flash at manually set illumination with shutter speeds of 1/30 sec to 1/4000 sec.
Illumination Correction
Correct flash illumination in a range of ± 3 EV, in fine-grained steps of ± 1/3 EV.
Bounce Angles
Up Down Left Right With lock button	90 ° , 75 ° , 60 ° 45 ° 1.5 90 ° , 60 ° , 30 ° 150 ° ,120 ° , 90 ° , 60 ° , 30 °
AF Illuminator
One illuminator with 3 points
Use together with camera built in Flash
Depends on camera type; Can use with E300 Built in Flash
Power Supply
AA NiCad AA alkaline AA NiMH AA Lithium CR-V3 lithium battery pack (LB-01) AA manganese AA Oxide	2 2 2 2 1 2 2
External Power Supply
N/A
Auto Power Off
1) Synchronizes with auto power off operation of cameras 2) Power switch on flash body
Operating Environment
0 ° - 40 ° C, 0 ° - 80% humidity
Dimensions
65 x 105 x 95
Weight
9.45oz/270g (excluding batteries)
Others
Built-in wind panel Soft case, Manual
More Photos
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*Specifications subject to change without notice.

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Olympus is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in healthcare and consumer electronics worldwide.

Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its parent company, Tokyo-based Olympus Corporation, to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include:

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• Digital and film cameras, and digital voice recorders.

In the U. S. and Canada, Olympus serves healthcare, scientific and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers efficiently, reliably, safely, and easily achieve superior results. Olympus is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. The company's market-leading consumer electronics business spans North and South America. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.

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