Anyone had a lens go bad? My 25mm f/1.2 heading in for service...

To be clear, this isn't a rant about Olympus quality control or service. I've been extremely pleased with my 25mm f/1.2 PRO since I purchased it this past April, and only recently noticed that its performance has degraded quite seriously. To my knowledge, my lens has never been dropped or suffered any impacts that might damage its internals.

I do a lot of night shooting at marginal shutter speeds, so when recent shots weren't as sharp as I've become accustomed to from the 25mm f/1.2, I chalked it up to poor technique and moved on. A recent cover shoot in daylight revealed that something is seriously wrong, however.

The lens seems to be suffering from a massive amount of lateral chromatic aberration at wider apertures, particularly on the left side of the frame. I'm used to shots at f/1.2 lacking a bit of contrast and resolution compared to shots taken stopped down, but images have now taken on a very unattractive, smeared appearance at anything wider than f/2. Shots at f/1.2, excepting closeups, are now completely unusable at anything other than web resolution. It really defeats the purpose of owning an f/1.2 lens.

Focus error isn't an issue.

I compared my recent shots with some taken back in the springtime to make sure my eyes (or unrealistic expectations) weren't deceiving me, but there really is a stark difference. My worry is that Olympus service will consider the lens 'within spec' and do nothing, but I'm fairly confident that its issues are obvious enough not to be ignored.

It's just very mysterious!

Is very simple - send it to Olympus service.

They will tell you what is the problem and then they will fix it if you agree to pay the cost.

If the lens is in waranty, then you do not pay anything. So very easy decision.

Lacking any unfortunate incidents as cause, it sounds as though something in the (very complex) optical chain has come out of adjustment or perhaps even unmoored. Time to send it in, to be sure. IIRC lenses have a two-year warranty so having it brought back to your satisfaction is fully up to Oly.

I've never needed a lens serviced but did once get a dud teleconverter that wouldn't communicate with a particular lens. Oly fully resolved that.

Good luck!

Rick

I've never had one go bad but have only been using them since 2009. I've had Nikon lenses go bad but my use of them goes much further back. IMO anyone can have a lens go bad even if not dropped or abused. My opinion isn't formed by that of a company. How good the customer service is after forms my opinion. Please let me know how it goes for you.

I have had three lenses repaired by Olympus In the USA (two under extended warranty and one after 6 years) and all were fixed and work as well as when new. It did take 3 weeks for the 6 year old lens to get the parts.

Any samples you can post?

Searching said:

Any samples you can post?

Click to expand...

I'll see about posting some samples later today.

I haven't taken the lens in for service yet, so I was considering putting the lens through its paces to better identify what's wrong.

I am fortunate to have an Olympus flagship store here in Seoul that's relatively convenient to visit.

Millsner said:

Searching said:

Any samples you can post?

Click to expand...

I'll see about posting some samples later today.

I haven't taken the lens in for service yet, so I was considering putting the lens through its paces to better identify what's wrong.

I am fortunate to have an Olympus flagship store here in Seoul that's relatively convenient to visit.

Click to expand...

If it were me I'd definitely do some tests, time permitting, it not to figure out what's wrong then to merely keep a record of what state it's in. Something simple like an upside down or four corners test could give you an idea whether it's a decentering or alignment issue, as well as comparing some MF shots with some taken with AF.

No.

But I've always wondered why they don't go bad, quicker. Especially anything with O.I.S - lots of moving parts that only have to slip a little to throw things out.