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My E-5 has major problem

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nazca8

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Hi,
Hoping you can help guide me as I'm a new E-5 user.

Whenever I take pictures using P or A, the picture would come up white as the processor decides that it needs a 1 to 3 second shutter on bright daylight. I tried changing every setting, even resetting the camera to no avail. However, if I use Liveview, it takes pictures fine using 1/300 sec or so. Also, if I use shutter priority, then it would work fine, because I control the shutter speed.

Now, I thing that I did before this happened was updating my 12-60mm's firmware to 1.2. I thought that was the problem, however, even when I switch to a 70-300mm, same problem occurs, so it's not the lens or the firmware. At least I don't think it is.
Any help from Olympus experts here would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
 
What does the meter say in the OVF when in aperture priority or program mode? If it says 3" at f/4 in daylight, the metering sensor is bad. But if it reads 1/500 or so while the camera ignores it, that's a separate problem. Either way, send it back to Oly.
 
These are the things I would check:
  • check your lenses on another camera (you stilll have the 510?)
  • when you put your lenses on do not hold the button down for the lens release - some people turn it too far.
  • You have exposure comp dialed in
  • Can you still see through the viewfinder? - it is almost like the mirror behind the main mirror is stuck or fell off....
Before trying to "fix" anything I would try and get a hold of Oly service - do not want to screw up the warranty...

good luck!
brent
 
one other thing to check - make sure you don't have bracketing turned on.

--
Roberto M.
 
Too many variables.

Post an example image and copy and paste the entire exif for that image along with your post.
Otherwise, our answers are poorly informed guesses.
nazca8 said:
Hi,
Hoping you can help guide me as I'm a new E-5 user.

Whenever I take pictures using P or A, the picture would come up white as the processor decides that it needs a 1 to 3 second shutter on bright daylight. I tried changing every setting, even resetting the camera to no avail. However, if I use Liveview, it takes pictures fine using 1/300 sec or so. Also, if I use shutter priority, then it would work fine, because I control the shutter speed.

Now, I thing that I did before this happened was updating my 12-60mm's firmware to 1.2. I thought that was the problem, however, even when I switch to a 70-300mm, same problem occurs, so it's not the lens or the firmware. At least I don't think it is.
Any help from Olympus experts here would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
--
Will - AccidntlTourist
http://www.flickr.com/photos/accidntl/

(Please do not list equipment in your signature as this adversely affects searching. - dpreview)
 
Thank you all for the help. Much appreciate your response.

I also just noticed that it also automatically forced the iso to 1600 in bright daylight.

The meter in the OVF, top panel and LCD all says the same, usually 1 to 4 seconds shutter.

Brent, I know I put the lens in correctly, tried several times, but haven't tried it back on my E-510 (I'm travelling right now). The exposure is at normal/mid-level and I can still see through the viewfinder fine.

pikme, no, I don't have the bracketing on.

I will try to post the two sample pics later today.

Thanks
 
Here are some samples of the problem. One shot with "Program mode", one with "Apreture Priority" and the last normal pic with "shutter priority". ISO was set to "Auto", except on the noraml "S" pic where I manually set it to 400. Hope I post this right.











 
Gidday Nazca

You haven't set the metering mode to Hi/Lo Key by any chance ... ?

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(see profile for current gear)
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nazca8 said:
Thank you all for the help. Much appreciate your response.

I also just noticed that it also automatically forced the iso to 1600 in bright daylight.

The meter in the OVF, top panel and LCD all says the same, usually 1 to 4 seconds shutter.

Brent, I know I put the lens in correctly, tried several times, but haven't tried it back on my E-510 (I'm travelling right now). The exposure is at normal/mid-level and I can still see through the viewfinder fine.

pikme, no, I don't have the bracketing on.
Click to expand...
It looks more to me like you are accidentally using spot-metering... the metering spot is very small and this is totally unsuitable for snapshots, it will give VERY erratic exposures when not used correctly.

;-)
Lourens
 
Just to make sure, check your Auto ISO settings. High Limit and Default.
nazca8 said:
You can set the upper limit and default ISO values when ISO is set to [AUTO].
Click to expand...
[Manual page 100]

--
Jyrki Leskelä

 
. . . so we can paste it in a thread such as this?
I downloaded image but the exif is very limited.
It does say the metering is Pattern.

Odd that the framing on three samples seems identical (hard to see); I can see why some might think bracketing is going on.

Thanks for the sample shots.
Did you save them as jpeg or jpeg with exif?
Are you using Olympus Viewer software - or ..?

There are so many possibilities and without the full excif - as you can see - we can only make stabs.

I would recommend a reset.

A lot of us - intentionally or not - will explore a new camera and - of course push a few buttons.

I would go to your manual and look for the instructions on performing a reset to factory settings - unless other advise against (there is probably also a more radical reset - which you should avoid, at least for now).

--
Will - AccidntlTourist
http://www.flickr.com/photos/accidntl/

(Please do not list equipment in your signature as this adversely affects searching. - dpreview)
 
You need to check the metering of the camera.

There is only one way to do this, with a fixed known light source, spot metering, and a handheld light meter.

Fortunately, there are a few acceptable short cuts:
  • Set your camera for ISO 100, spot metering, and MANUAL EXPOSURE MODE
  • Wait for a sunny clear day at Noon, set the camera to f/16, 1/125 and point the camera at the north sky. The meter should be close to 0 + - EV.
  • Now point it at something white. You should be between +4 to +5 EV.
  • Now point it at something black. You should be -4 EV.
If this happens, your meter is more or less working properly.

Now, for your shots posted, you need to check if you have added substantial exposure compensation. At +5 EV, in Aperture priority, matrix metering, with Auto ISO, and pointed at something darker than 18% gray, my E-3 gives me f/3.5, 1/10, ISO 3200, which results is almost 100% white frame capture.

(EDIT) - I just checked and you don't have any EC on those shots, so scratch the last part. Are you using ESP+AF or plain ESP for matrix metering?

--
Good shooting.
  • Adam
Equipment in plan
 
Hi, sorry for the late response as I just got back home.

I forgot to mention that I even a reset of all setting and I know I wasn't using spot-metering or using Hi/lo key. Auto ISO setting was set to 1600, but the problem is again the metering thinks that it's really dark, so it not only use very high ISO at 1600, but also use very slow shutter.

sorry if I didn't include all of the exif, I'm still new to this posting image and especially with exif file. I will try again later tonight. Btw, the only reset I found in the manual is to reset all settings, which I did. Not sure if that's the same as resetting to factory setting or not.

acwalbur, thank you for the instruction to check the metering; it will com in very handy for next time. However, I don't have a hand held light meter to be able to test it. Also, since I did a reset two days go, I know I didn't use any extra exposure at all; I most don't anyway.

In any case, I called Oly support earlier today. After explaining the situation and after several tests that they asked me do, they determine that the problem is with the metering. They mentioned that the E-5 has two metering, one for LiveView and one for OVF. Looks like the metering for OVF might have gone bad somehow and they asked me to send my E-5 to an authorized Oly repair center. Since I live in LA area, I decided to drop it off there myself earlier today. Estimated repair to e completed by Jan 5th. Once repair is done, they are to tell me exactly what's wrong with my camera. So I will surely update everyone with their findings. When I as them if this is a known problem for an E-5, the guy said not that this is the first that he've ever heard of this problem.

Thanks again to everyone here who's trying to help me with my E-5 issue. Hope this is just a one off issue on an E-5.

Andy
 
Thanks for the update Andy.
About a six day turn-around doesn't sound too bad for this holiday season.
Look forward to hearing your report after repairs.
nazca8 said:
Hi, sorry for the late response as I just got back home.

I forgot to mention that I even a reset of all setting and I know I wasn't using spot-metering or using Hi/lo key. Auto ISO setting was set to 1600, but the problem is again the metering thinks that it's really dark, so it not only use very high ISO at 1600, but also use very slow shutter.

sorry if I didn't include all of the exif, I'm still new to this posting image and especially with exif file. I will try again later tonight. Btw, the only reset I found in the manual is to reset all settings, which I did. Not sure if that's the same as resetting to factory setting or not.

acwalbur, thank you for the instruction to check the metering; it will com in very handy for next time. However, I don't have a hand held light meter to be able to test it. Also, since I did a reset two days go, I know I didn't use any extra exposure at all; I most don't anyway.

In any case, I called Oly support earlier today. After explaining the situation and after several tests that they asked me do, they determine that the problem is with the metering. They mentioned that the E-5 has two metering, one for LiveView and one for OVF. Looks like the metering for OVF might have gone bad somehow and they asked me to send my E-5 to an authorized Oly repair center. Since I live in LA area, I decided to drop it off there myself earlier today. Estimated repair to e completed by Jan 5th. Once repair is done, they are to tell me exactly what's wrong with my camera. So I will surely update everyone with their findings. When I as them if this is a known problem for an E-5, the guy said not that this is the first that he've ever heard of this problem.

Thanks again to everyone here who's trying to help me with my E-5 issue. Hope this is just a one off issue on an E-5.

Andy
Click to expand...
--
Will - AccidntlTourist
http://www.flickr.com/photos/accidntl/

(Please do not list equipment in your signature as this adversely affects searching. - dpreview)
 
Thanks for the followup.

I've had the metering go "wonky" after pulling the focus screen for cleaning. A puff of the rocket blower in the mirror box must have dislodged some dust over the metering sensor, because it was back to normal after that.

Sending a brand new non functioning camera in is the best way to ensure that you get a brand new perfectly functioning camera back :)

Best of luck with this, let us know how it turns out!

Happy New Year!

--
Good shooting.
  • Adam
Equipment in plan
 
check limits on auto iso and shutter speed (in wrench settings). Beyond that, sounds like time to call Olympus or send it in.

let us know what the issue was after you get it solved.

--
Roberto M.
 
and I can't seem to get these posted correctly to follow the person I am answering!

This one is meant to say I didn't see that you have already decided to send the camera in for repair, before I posted last message with some more things to check.

btw, at least with the E30, doing a 'reset' does not reset all functions.

--
Roberto M.
 
Andy,

Did they offer you a loaner while your's was out for repair? Don't know if you have a spare or not.

Definitely let us know what you find out but in the past Olympus has been a little "cryptic" with their explanations...ie codes and what not but not too much straight English.

It should come back in great shape though bummer about the timing however!

Dan

;)
 
Just wanted to point out how the Sunny 16 Rule works.

When taking an outside shot on a sunny day your meter should read f16 at 1/(ISO setting). If your ISO is set to 100 then f16 at 1/100 second; if set at ISO 400 then f16 at 1/400 and so on.

--
Sincerely,

James A. Rinner

 
Dan said:
Andy,

Did they offer you a loaner while your's was out for repair? Don't know if you have a spare or not.
Click to expand...
Now why would they do that?

A loaner camera is not part of the original manufacturers warranty . . .

--
J. D.
Colorado

 
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