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Focus, thankfully, we don't have to worry

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My E400 has just failed on autofocus. Centre spot no longer focusing. Having to use one of the other two, or manual, while I quickly find a back up body, so I can send it in for repair. After only 4 months, but fairly heavy use, I'm more than a little disappointed. I had been waiting to check out the e410 as a back up. But now I have to make the decision, and I can get myself a Nikon d80 for the same as I would pay for the e410, I'm tempted to uses the opportunity to jump ship, something I've been wrangling over for some time. This morning I will decide whether to go D80 and the upgrade path beyond, or sit it out with an e410, both options make me nervous, and I may yet spring for an Epson v750, a Graphlex and a Holga, which would keep me plenty amused whilst the e400 is in for repair. Looks like the failing autofocus is at least giving me options...
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Blue.

E400, [E1 sold 2007], [E300 sold 2007], zd14-54, zd40-150, zd50macro, zd35, zuiko 50/1.8, LB2.0, and the rest...

http://www.blueskystudio.co.uk
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueskystudio/
 
...the one thing really causing resistance is that I just love the zd50/2 macro, and use it almost all the time on my camera now, and cannot find a substitute in the Nikon range. Or Canon for that matter. I just love that lens.

Anyone else suffered autofocus failure on their e400?
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Blue.

E400, [E1 sold 2007], [E300 sold 2007], zd14-54, zd40-150, zd35, zuiko 50mm
f1.8, LB0, LB2.0, and the rest...

http://www.blueskystudio.co.uk
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueskystudio/
 
Sounds like you need to clean the AF sensor, especially mentioning only one zone doesn't work after your fairly heavy use.

The ultrasonic only cleans the image sensor, you have to care for the AF one yourself. Luckily there are only three zones on the E-400 AF-sensor to keep clean. ;o)

Hope you get it easily fixed.

I have an E-400 also, and enjoys this little tool. Currently the cheapest dSLR body on the Swedish market.
Blueskystudio said:
My E400 has just failed on autofocus. Centre spot no longer
focusing. Having to use one of the other two, or manual, while I
quickly find a back up body, so I can send it in for repair. After
only 4 months, but fairly heavy use,
Click to expand...
 
Interesting. Thanks for the info Knight...don't suppose you know if I can do this myself with a blower? Where do I locate the offending autofocus sensor? I would prefer not to have to send my e400 in for a job like that if I could...
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Blue.

E400, [E1 sold 2007], [E300 sold 2007], zd14-54, zd40-150, zd35, zuiko 50mm
f1.8, LB0, LB2.0, and the rest...

http://www.blueskystudio.co.uk
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueskystudio/
 
Well why not pick up a 510 body instead of a 410? You would spend a little more but you would them have the 510 for the image stabilization, quicker shortcuts (arrow keys), longer battery life, better built in flash, and I personally find it more comfortable to hold than the 410. Something to think about.

Defiantly check out the other offerings that are out there, I did and other do as well. I just personally don't like any other manufactures offerings over Olympus unless I want to spend about $5,00 on a body. Which I almost did recently, but then to replace the excellent Olympus glass that I have was going to run more than the body, and honestly I didn't find the glass to be as good. There is allot to say about the 4-3 standard once you get used to it.
Good luck.

--
Relax it's a hobbie!
If your a pro, relax enjoy the forums. We are all out for your job! :-)
God Bless. John
 
Blueskystudio said:
Interesting. Thanks for the info Knight...don't suppose you know if
I can do this myself with a blower? Where do I locate the offending
autofocus sensor? I would prefer not to have to send my e400 in for
a job like that if I could...
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Click to expand...
If you don't know what your doing, don't!

If you do, take a Hama 5610 Bellows Blower 55mm Diameter Bulb

and see if it helps to clean the AF sensor located under the mirror, which you have to carefully lift up, in order to access and clean.

I've done this twice on my E-300, even if I didn't had to, since the AF was working correctly.
 
Or the D50, or in fact most Nikons .......... When it comes to AF in a budget DSLR, I'd only trust a Nikon or an Oly - Pentax and Sony suffer the front/back missiness too Like Canon.

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Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

 
Knight...thanks...I had that very blower in my hand when you posted, usually use it to clean the viewfinder, which seems paricularly prone to bits of dust, unlike the sensor [who wants a nikon anyway : ) ]. MEanwhile, I shot a few blasts under the mirror, carefully of course [I trained in an electronics lab], and am now testing the camera. So far, so good, no fail yet. If all goes well, I'm in luck, and can merely choose whether to buy another e400 body, or an e410, and treat myself to a zuiko 50/1.4 to celebrate! Waiting for some cash to arrive to buy the 50/1.2 and the 85/2. I've seen good things done with these lenses on a Canon 5d, which is another future prospect, although would be in addition to my go everywhere Oly kit. Guess I might be in love with Oly after all...

: )
--
Blue.

E400, [E1 sold 2007], [E300 sold 2007], zd14-54, zd40-150, zd35, zuiko 50mm
f1.8, LB0, LB2.0, and the rest...

http://www.blueskystudio.co.uk
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueskystudio/
 
Can happen to any camera - my E500 did it. Just clean it. I can't tell you how to clean it, because all the tooth suckers will be jumping in telling you how dangerous it is and how anyone who suggests you so much as change the strap is a dangerous loony, but it is under the mirror and a good jet of air shifts dust, so I'm sure you'll manage :-)
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/acam
 
.. . lens and body contacts on the mount. See if that helps. It worked for me we two different cameras that had AF trouble.
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--
Comments are always welcome.

Zach Bellino

'Nothing, like something, happens anywhere.”
-- from 'I Remember, I Remember'
Philip Larkin (1922-1985)
 
The test did seem to show the Mark III had focus lock issues compared to the Mark II N, but.... what's with the complaint that the system can't hold AF lock on a static subject? So what, haven't they every heard of SAF?

CAF on a static subject is like using a nail gun to hang a picture frame. You can, but why?

I'm just a little confused by their line of reasoning.

--
  • Adam
Equipment in plan
 
Hi Louis. It seems I cracked the problem earlier, after the first tip re: blower pointed under the mirror. All is working great again. Thanks for the info though. To think, the camera shop would have me mail the thing back to Olympus for basics like this...

Thanks all for the tips.
--
Blue.

E400, [E1 sold 2007], [E300 sold 2007], zd14-54, zd40-150, zd35, zuiko 50mm
f1.8, LB0, LB2.0, and the rest...

http://www.blueskystudio.co.uk
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueskystudio/
 
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