Check the status of the lens error

[Malkyk]

The first lens i had on my epl1 failed after just under 3000 shots.Im told there is no diy fix for this problem.lens will work up to about 25mm then fails.I really like this lens as its very sharp and produces useable pics up to a3 size.Just bought another one from Ebay so i shall live in hope.Any one else had this problem !

 

[baxters]

I've never seen that error, but have read posts from other people who had it. I think this blog is useful reading.

http://andyflorint.blogspot.com/2013/05/broken-lens-olympus-mzuiko-digital-14.html

My thoughts on reading the comments is that the flex cable probably wears out. If you were handle with a soldering iron, you might be able to jumper it with fine wires.

Then again, you can probably buy a 14-42 used for not much, and I see you did.

 

[hindesite]

The first lens i had on my epl1 failed after just under 3000 shots.Im told there is no diy fix for this problem.lens will work up to about 25mm then fails.I really like this lens as its very sharp and produces useable pics up to a3 size.Just bought another one from Ebay so i shall live in hope.Any one else had this problem !

Yep. After minimal use.

 

[apathyman]

The first lens i had on my epl1 failed after just under 3000 shots.Im told there is no diy fix for this problem.lens will work up to about 25mm then fails.I really like this lens as its very sharp and produces useable pics up to a3 size.Just bought another one from Ebay so i shall live in hope.Any one else had this problem !

Yes - with my 40-150 f4-5.6 (early version). I dropped it from about 12 inches onto soft carpet. It never occurred to me that there would be a problem, but the next time I wanted to use it I got that error.

After nil responses from Olympus, Sydney via their website, I got a quote from a camera repair shop that I've used before. The quote was about $20 -$50 less than the cost of a new one. So I bought a new one.

Cheers

Brian

 

[Malcolmwh]

Yep I have the same problem with my Pen EP3 and Olympus digital 14-42 lens. Most annoying. Did try an update to the firmware but still have problem.

 

[RienOnVanIsle]

Same here. “please check the status of a lens” comes up if I try to zoom past 30mm. We had a similar problem with a Nikon 1 10-30mm lens, but at least Nikon had the decency to start a recall and still to this day fixes that lens for free. Olympus on the other hand has apparently given up on this piece of $%1§. Stay away from this lens!

 

[Vedochiaro]

Mine showed the same problem, luckily after 3 years. I contacted Olympus to have ir fixed but the asked price was not convenient. I bought a Panasonic 14-42 II, and I think it's much better in terms of sharpness and build quality.

 

[Orchardz]

I began having this issue 1 year into owning the Olympus Pen Mini E-PM1

At first , the issue "check the status of a lens" would happen here and there. It became more frequent as I used it. Now it doesn't work at all.

Do not buy this camera or lens.

 

[FouSurLaColline]

Same problem here. Now the lens doesn't work at all. I hope Olympus stops making these lemons.

 

[techie takes pics]

How old is your lens?

I have one as well, but I bought it second hand.

I have a pancake lens with the same zoom levels, but the construction is of course different. This seems to be an issue with this particular lens.

So, how old is yours, when did you get it?

 

[John_Lynch]

Remove the lens. Wipe the contacts on both lens and camera with vinegar. Problem solved.

 

[apathyman]

Well, that might have worked for you but in most cases the message is an indicator of a more serious problem. So, sadly, problem not solved.

Cheers

Brian

 

[hindesite]

Don't put vinegar anywhere near your gear, and especially not on the contacts. If you must clean the contacts, use either dust-free abrasive methods or proper cleaner.

In this case the fault is due to a failed ribbon cable inside the lens, so wiping the contacts is a waste of time.

 

[Dann T Mann]

I have had my lens for about 5 years and over 40k pics divided between this on and the 150. I had noticed this on my last vacation when I had to change my style of picture taking. Getting as close as I could to the subject, a bird, and zooming in as close as I could before the error shows up, and using the fast sequential shooting I am able to zoom it all the way and the error does not appear until I release the button.

 

[Vern777]

Hi

its not just this lens that is prone to this fault.

I had the Olympus 9-18, that had the check the status of the lens error.
Now my Olympus 75-300 has the same fault and now unusable, it started only on the long end of the zoom, but is now is dead.

Both lenses are out of warranty, so Olympus repairs would be almost as much as a new lens.

Both had light use on my Pen F, i love Olympus but the lenses seem to be unreliable and cheaply made, so am contemplating a system change to Fuji as the quality of their products seem more reliable and less toy like.

 

[tedolf]

Hi

its not just this lens that is prone to this fault.

I had the Olympus 9-18, that had the check the status of the lens error.
Now my Olympus 75-300 has the same fault and now unusable, it started only on the long end of the zoom, but is now is dead.

Both lenses are out of warranty, so Olympus repairs would be almost as much as a new lens.

Both had light use on my Pen F, i love Olympus but the lenses seem to be unreliable and cheaply made, so am contemplating a system change to Fuji as the quality of their products seem more reliable and less toy like.

It is an easy fix, it is just a ribbon connector. Sooner or later they are going to fail because they are flexing all the time on zooms. Just get the replacement part and put it on. It just plugs in.

Tedolph

 

[Bernard de Clairvaux]

Same here. “please check the status of a lens” comes up if I try to zoom past 30mm. We had a similar problem with a Nikon 1 10-30mm lens, but at least Nikon had the decency to start a recall and still to this day fixes that lens for free. Olympus on the other hand has apparently given up on this piece of $%1§. Stay away from this lens!

i think this lens goes for 250.00 new.

Its not worth that. it may be pretty decent optically, but probably not made real well.

Alot of m4/3 kit lenses are optically pretty good.

Most people get this lens for 50 to 100 dollars as part of a kit. i would bet that if it breaks they buy a used one or a refurb for no more than 100. dollars. They may even upgrade to a better lens.

but should there really be a recall on a throw away lens???

Now the em5 mk iii bottom camera plate/ tripod threaded insert is an issue to get worked up about.... lol

Best Regards,

Bernard

 

[Vern777]

Yep optically I love Olympus plus the compact design is great, I just wish the lenses would last a bit longer.

I've recently invested in the Pro 12-45mm
hopefully that won’t die

 

[Vern777]

Oh really I’ll maybe get another quote for the 75-300mm.

Thanks

 

[tedolf]

Oh really I’ll maybe get another quote for the 75-300mm.

Thanks

It is a five dollar part.

Just do it yourself.

Tedolph