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E-M1 water damage warning!

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jaybp said:
We recently went to Jamaica, where I used my E-M1 with the 12-40 for most of the trip. On the second day, the thumb dial started to only work intermittently, requiring 3-5 clicks before it'd register. I dealt with this for the rest of the trip, and brought it in for repair as soon as I returned home.

I just received a call, stating that the Olympus technician diagnosed it as water damage, and that it's not even economical to repair!

The camera/lens certainly did get wet during the trip, but much less so than the infamous "E-M1 under a faucet" video that Olympus put out last year.

Thus, read this post as a warning: Despite all the weather sealing on the E-M1, a few splashes of water can be enough to cause the thumb dial to fail and require replacement of THE ENTIRE CAMERA!

I don't really feel like spending $1200 less than a year after buying the camera, so I'll probably move my aperture control to the front dial, and hope that exposure comp on the back dial doesn't infuriate me too much.
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Oooops..

I already gave my E-M1
2 showers (I mean heavy, with a bidet)... the past 2 months...
it is a quick and great way of removing the floating fibers..
Now I am afraid about the consequence...

However the camera still works perfectly (including the thumb dial)...
 
Go to Youtube and search all the Olympus own advertisements and official videos about OM-D weatherproof videos. Store them to the tablet or smartphone and then go back to Olympus service and just ask the short question, does Olympus lie to consumers in their product sales material?

Example: What happens you mix a waterfall and an OM-D? - by Olympus

Now I would ask, if Olympus presents officially that their camera can withstand specific kind usage, then do they want that consumer watchdog layer calls them next about false advertising?
jaybp said:
"False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising, and misrepresentation of the product at hand, which may negatively affect many stakeholders, especially consumers. As advertising has the potential to persuade people into commercial transactions that they might otherwise avoid, many governments around the world use regulations to control false, deceptive or misleading advertising. "Truth" refers to essentially the same concept, that customers have the right to know what they are buying, and that all necessary information should be on the label.

False advertising, in the most blatant of contexts, is illegal in most countries. However, advertisers still find ways to deceive consumers in ways that are legal, or technically illegal but unenforceable."
Click to expand...
 
Fri13 said:
Go to Youtube and search all the Olympus own advertisements and official videos about OM-D weatherproof videos. Store them to the tablet or smartphone and then go back to Olympus service and just ask the short question, does Olympus lie to consumers in their product sales material?

Example: What happens you mix a waterfall and an OM-D? - by Olympus

Now I would ask, if Olympus presents officially that their camera can withstand specific kind usage, then do they want that consumer watchdog layer calls them next about false advertising?
Fri13 said:
"False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising, and misrepresentation of the product at hand, which may negatively affect many stakeholders, especially consumers. As advertising has the potential to persuade people into commercial transactions that they might otherwise avoid, many governments around the world use regulations to control false, deceptive or misleading advertising. "Truth" refers to essentially the same concept, that customers have the right to know what they are buying, and that all necessary information should be on the label.

False advertising, in the most blatant of contexts, is illegal in most countries. However, advertisers still find ways to deceive consumers in ways that are legal, or technically illegal but unenforceable."
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
In the UK and I'm sure elsewhere, there is legislation to cover this, which offers consumers protection against (amongst other things) "Misleading actions and ommissions" including

"providing misleading information about the main characteristics, availability or origin of a product, or false information about the trader himself (e.g. qualifications or awards);"

Clearly EM-1 advertising would strongly suggest the EM-1 is weatherproof, and I don't think Oly would have a leg to stand on if they rejected a warranty claim on these grounds.

--

Colin K. Work
www.ckwphoto.com
www.pixstel.com
 
jaybp said:
jaybp said:
Thus, read this post as a warning: Despite all the weather sealing on the E-M1, a few splashes of water can be enough to cause the thumb dial to fail and require replacement of THE ENTIRE CAMERA!

I don't really feel like spending $1200 less than a year after buying the camera, so I'll probably move my aperture control to the front dial, and hope that exposure comp on the back dial doesn't infuriate me too much.
Click to expand...
And I should note: the rear dial began to fail *before* there had been any exposure to water. Any splashing that occurred happened during the rest of the trip. Sigh.
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Don't sigh get mad. There are a lot of good posts here about consumer laws and there is small claims court at least where I live. Companies will usually settle because it costs more to fight the claim unless they are 100% in the right. It sounds to me that Olympus is on shakey ground here.
 
Fri13 said:
Go to Youtube and search all the Olympus own advertisements and official videos about OM-D weatherproof videos. Store them to the tablet or smartphone and then go back to Olympus service and just ask the short question, does Olympus lie to consumers in their product sales material?

Example: What happens you mix a waterfall and an OM-D? - by Olympus

Now I would ask, if Olympus presents officially that their camera can withstand specific kind usage, then do they want that consumer watchdog layer calls them next about false advertising?
Fri13 said:
"False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising, and misrepresentation of the product at hand, which may negatively affect many stakeholders, especially consumers. As advertising has the potential to persuade people into commercial transactions that they might otherwise avoid, many governments around the world use regulations to control false, deceptive or misleading advertising. "Truth" refers to essentially the same concept, that customers have the right to know what they are buying, and that all necessary information should be on the label.

False advertising, in the most blatant of contexts, is illegal in most countries. However, advertisers still find ways to deceive consumers in ways that are legal, or technically illegal but unenforceable."
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Good Lord, this is too much, E-M1 is an endless list of failures, complaints and problems. Very disappointing indeed.
I'm sorry for you and hope you can sort it out somehow. Regards.
 
Zephir 750 said:
Zephir 750 said:
Go to Youtube and search all the Olympus own advertisements and official videos about OM-D weatherproof videos. Store them to the tablet or smartphone and then go back to Olympus service and just ask the short question, does Olympus lie to consumers in their product sales material?

Example: What happens you mix a waterfall and an OM-D? - by Olympus

Now I would ask, if Olympus presents officially that their camera can withstand specific kind usage, then do they want that consumer watchdog layer calls them next about false advertising?
Zephir 750 said:
"False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising, and misrepresentation of the product at hand, which may negatively affect many stakeholders, especially consumers. As advertising has the potential to persuade people into commercial transactions that they might otherwise avoid, many governments around the world use regulations to control false, deceptive or misleading advertising. "Truth" refers to essentially the same concept, that customers have the right to know what they are buying, and that all necessary information should be on the label.

False advertising, in the most blatant of contexts, is illegal in most countries. However, advertisers still find ways to deceive consumers in ways that are legal, or technically illegal but unenforceable."
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Good Lord, this is too much, E-M1 is an endless list of failures, complaints and problems. Very disappointing indeed.
Click to expand...
It would appear that way, but its not as bad as all that (otherwise I'd have dumped both my E-M1's a long time ago).

Not as bad as the auto industry recalls, and not nearly as hazardous to one's health and well being. ;)
 
Bobo Hodls said:
Zephir 750 said:
Bobo Hodls said:
Go to Youtube and search all the Olympus own advertisements and official videos about OM-D weatherproof videos. Store them to the tablet or smartphone and then go back to Olympus service and just ask the short question, does Olympus lie to consumers in their product sales material?

Example: What happens you mix a waterfall and an OM-D? - by Olympus

Now I would ask, if Olympus presents officially that their camera can withstand specific kind usage, then do they want that consumer watchdog layer calls them next about false advertising?
Bobo Hodls said:
"False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising, and misrepresentation of the product at hand, which may negatively affect many stakeholders, especially consumers. As advertising has the potential to persuade people into commercial transactions that they might otherwise avoid, many governments around the world use regulations to control false, deceptive or misleading advertising. "Truth" refers to essentially the same concept, that customers have the right to know what they are buying, and that all necessary information should be on the label.

False advertising, in the most blatant of contexts, is illegal in most countries. However, advertisers still find ways to deceive consumers in ways that are legal, or technically illegal but unenforceable."
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Good Lord, this is too much, E-M1 is an endless list of failures, complaints and problems. Very disappointing indeed.
Click to expand...
It would appear that way, but its not as bad as all that (otherwise I'd have dumped both my E-M1's a long time ago).

Not as bad as the auto industry recalls, and not nearly as hazardous to one's health and well being. ;)
Click to expand...
 
Zephir 750 said:
Zephir 750 said:
Zephir 750 said:
Good Lord, this is too much, E-M1 is an endless list of failures, complaints and problems. Very disappointing indeed.
Click to expand...
It would appear that way, but its not as bad as all that (otherwise I'd have dumped both my E-M1's a long time ago).

Not as bad as the auto industry recalls, and not nearly as hazardous to one's health and well being. ;)
Click to expand...
I need to believe that, Bob, as I have been an Olympus user in what seems a lifetime and keep hoping Oly's people would listen and fix all the problems afflicting their products, but whenever I am about ready to buy again into the Brand here we go with further issues and claims. All the best. Cheers,
Click to expand...
I have a low tolerance for frustration. I'd rather go to the dentist than pack and ship off something. I've worried about the reports others have experienced (not only with this model and format, though the years), so I'd often get a backup (maybe the same model) for insurance. That doubled my chances of getting something needing servicing, but I've only had one cause to send one camera back for warranty service. It was the E-M1 (lever failure, for which I may or may not have caused), and if one went by my experience alone they'd call Olympus the king of customer service, of all time. Those experiences don't get the press, nor the sustained pile on outrage that keeps topics like this one in our faces longer, which may skew the impression. That's no comfort if one does need warranty service, granted. But should that happen and it's properly dealt with. . . there should be no frustration moving forward. Service centers vary, so unreasonable responses from such places should be kicked up to a higher level. It shouldn't be necessary, but it's not uncommon in all industries where customer service is involved.
 
I am sorry to hear about your troubles. All of the advice previously given is excellent.

I recently sent my camera (was shipped to the 7 Anngina Drive, Enfield CT, USA address) for the same rear dial issue. The camera was 2 months out of warranty. It was repaired and shipped back to me within 2 weeks free of charge except for my initial shipment.

Very please with their service and response (The $183.99 charge was reversed without any pressure or call from me).

As a side note, some credit cards have extended warranty and damage coverage on purchases. You may want to check that out (assuming you bought it with a credit card). I was going that route until Olympus sent the camera back, repaired (replaced "Top Cover Unit 3) free of charge. My credit card would have covered the Olympus repair charge.
 
I think the same low tolerance for frustration applies to some repair techs. I'm sure they see some pretty idiotic things happen to products that are then sent in to be repaired. It can color their opinion of all consumers, generating a low opinion of customers and an "us against them" kind of mentality. It frequently takes a supervisor stepping in and adjusting some attitudes- repair techs don't have jobs without customers, and they need to remember that.
 
Zephir 750 said:
Zephir 750 said:
Zephir 750 said:
Zephir 750 said:
Go to Youtube and search all the Olympus own advertisements and official videos about OM-D weatherproof videos. Store them to the tablet or smartphone and then go back to Olympus service and just ask the short question, does Olympus lie to consumers in their product sales material?

Example: What happens you mix a waterfall and an OM-D? - by Olympus

Now I would ask, if Olympus presents officially that their camera can withstand specific kind usage, then do they want that consumer watchdog layer calls them next about false advertising?
Zephir 750 said:
"False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising, and misrepresentation of the product at hand, which may negatively affect many stakeholders, especially consumers. As advertising has the potential to persuade people into commercial transactions that they might otherwise avoid, many governments around the world use regulations to control false, deceptive or misleading advertising. "Truth" refers to essentially the same concept, that customers have the right to know what they are buying, and that all necessary information should be on the label.

False advertising, in the most blatant of contexts, is illegal in most countries. However, advertisers still find ways to deceive consumers in ways that are legal, or technically illegal but unenforceable."
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Good Lord, this is too much, E-M1 is an endless list of failures, complaints and problems. Very disappointing indeed.
Click to expand...
It would appear that way, but its not as bad as all that (otherwise I'd have dumped both my E-M1's a long time ago).

Not as bad as the auto industry recalls, and not nearly as hazardous to one's health and well being. ;)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I'm an E-M5 user but my camera experienced water damage after being in a light rain shortly after I bought it. It was repaired by Olympus under warranty but a year later the mode dial doesn't register well.

I like the camera for a great many reasons but was very disappointed to have had so many problems with it: water damage that ruined the screen and a mode dial that flips between settings without even being touched. I'm a serious photographer and shoot with their pro line glass and nice primes like the 75mm. I like the portability but the manufacturing or engineering defects are just not what I want to have come to mind when I think Olympus. The experience has sadly discouraged my speaking as favourably about Oly cameras as I once did.

Iain.
 
sparklite said:
I'm an E-M5 user but my camera experienced water damage after being in a light rain shortly after I bought it. It was repaired by Olympus under warranty but a year later the mode dial doesn't register well.

I like the camera for a great many reasons but was very disappointed to have had so many problems with it: water damage that ruined the screen and a mode dial that flips between settings without even being touched. I'm a serious photographer and shoot with their pro line glass and nice primes like the 75mm. I like the portability but the manufacturing or engineering defects are just not what I want to have come to mind when I think Olympus. The experience has sadly discouraged my speaking as favourably about Oly cameras as I once did.

Iain.
Click to expand...
 
MayaTlab0 said:
Rear dial failure is a common problem with the EM1 and, as others have already said, doesn't need water damage to happen. It's very likely, if everything else works as normal, that it's just one of those common cases of rear dial failure and has nothing to do with water damage (in the same way many claims from Nikon of "impact damage" are pure BS). I'd insist to have the camera reexamined and point to the numerous threads dealing with rear dial failure on these forums and others.
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Hrm, so how common are various mechanical or electrical issues for E-M1? I'm wondering if I should add a 1- or a 2-year Square Trade warranty to my used Olympus E-M1 purchase. 1-year is $114, and 2-year is $174. If anything fails, repair will probably cost more than that, out of warranty. Just don't know if I should be watching out for something specific (will now be extra gentle with the rear dial!)
 
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It's really hard to ascertain failure rate from forum comments on a very popular camera model (since nobody posts "Here's what didn't break so far" comments) but one does get a feel for failure mode. So the rear dial, like the E-M5 display bezel cracks, is anecdotally a known failure point. What we can't know is 1 in 100, 1 in 10,000...? I'd want to know before plunking down for an extended warranty.

My E-M1 is in for repair because a tab that holds the eyecup in place broke off. Since I've not read another account, my guess is it's a 1 in 500,000 failure rate. Darn you, Oly!!! What I can say is it's the first of five Oly bodies to go in for service.

Cheers,

Rick
 
Skeeterbytes said:
It's really hard to ascertain failure rate from forum comments on a very popular camera model (since nobody posts "Here's what didn't break so far" comments) but one does get a feel for failure mode. So the rear dial, like the E-M5 display bezel cracks, is anecdotally a known failure point. What we can't know is 1 in 100, 1 in 10,000...? I'd want to know before plunking down for an extended warranty.

My E-M1 is in for repair because a tab that holds the eyecup in place broke off. Since I've not read another account, my guess is it's a 1 in 500,000 failure rate. Darn you, Oly!!! What I can say is it's the first of five Oly bodies to go in for service.
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That's why I thought I'd ask. For example, I'd done a lot of reading about a convertible laptop on the manufacturer support forums, and it seemed there was a reasonably high risk of the screen cracking just due to less reinforced glass and the strong tension of the hinges. After reading a handful of reports of the screen cracking like that, I decided to pay a bit for accident protection warranty (was an extra $59), and glad I am that I did! I baby that laptop, but indeed my screen cracked too after a few months of daily use--not from excessive finger pressure but starting at one of the corners next to a hinge: when flipping the screen 360-degrees into tablet mode, there can be enough pressure for a crack to begin developing. Now I'm planning on sending it in for RMA. I don't think the manufacturer would have accepted it as "manufacturing defect", and without my additional accident protection warranty, I might have been out of a lot of money on screen replacement.

Long story short, I'm trying to decide if there are known points of weakness that I can't really do anything about--just like that laptop screen, which cracked in normal use despite my best attempts to keep it nice.
 
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sparklite said:
I'm an E-M5 user but my camera experienced water damage after being in a light rain shortly after I bought it. It was repaired by Olympus under warranty but a year later the mode dial doesn't register well.

I like the camera for a great many reasons but was very disappointed to have had so many problems with it: water damage that ruined the screen and a mode dial that flips between settings without even being touched. I'm a serious photographer and shoot with their pro line glass and nice primes like the 75mm. I like the portability but the manufacturing or engineering defects are just not what I want to have come to mind when I think Olympus. The experience has sadly discouraged my speaking as favourably about Oly cameras as I once did.

Iain.
Click to expand...
 
Just wondering, having read OP problems re water damage I notice that the EM1 has problems with rear dial/knob then in previous post problems re lens cap & others re viewfinder & screen issues etc on EM5 do manufacturers like Olympus etc just keep on repairing these sort of faults or when a given number arise with the same fault do they put them right on later production runs

I seem to recall when the 12-40mm was first released many DPReviewers reported lots of problems re broken mounts but lately I have not heard of any.Indeed when I purchased my copy I haven't had any issues with it.Does this mean that all issues are now solved in the latest production runs.

I'm just asking as I am thinking of buying an EM1 and am wondering/ hoping all issues have been resolved in the latest batches of cameras.

regards all

Bryan
 
If you buy a brand new model from a proper retailer, it will come with warranty. Either way, you can buy a 2-year extended warranty from Olympus for a reasonable price, which is what I plan on doing for my used recently acquired E-M1. I called Olympus CS, and they said it'd be okay for me to purchase extended warranty, despite getting my camera used. I don't anticipate any problems, but the failing rear dial seems to be a common reported problem after a search I've done on Google (some discussion about it on multiple sites), so I think it's worth having warranty for it just in case, since it seems like a defect in manufacturing.

Regarding recent fixes in the production line, I haven't found any evidence of that. When I searched google for "olympus e-m1 rear dial failure", I see reports from late 2014. You never know what batch your camera is from anyway--it might be an older one sitting around in a warehouse for a long time. I'd err on the safe side and assume there's a possibility of failure.
 
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