Pen F Problem Autofocus with the Zuiko 12-40mm f2.8

The problem with the new Pen F is there with the Zuiko 12-40 f2.8...It struggles to autofocus and 70% of the times just doesn't autofocus...

So there is definitely a compatibility issue with the lens...Maybe they will fix it with firmware..When using the primes 17mm f1.8 and 45mm f1.8 it just autofocus fast and snap...

I am definitely frustrated because i have tried everything and it just doesn't work...My old E-P5 plays nicely with the 12-40 f2.8

Any ideas to try?

My 12-40mm AF works fine with my Pen-F, maybe you have dirty lens contacts?

goodbokeh wrote:

My 12-40mm AF works fine with my Pen-F, maybe you have dirty lens contacts?

Mine seems fine too.

goodbokeh wrote:

My 12-40mm AF works fine with my Pen-F, maybe you have dirty lens contacts?

No problems here.

its weird because the lens works ok at the E-P5...

The problem is magnified indoors at lower light conditions...At the same lighting conditions the P-5 behaves much much better at autofocus...Indoors the pen -F cannot autofocus easily and 60-70% is getting confused..!!

the settings that i am using when cannot autofocus is at 1/20 f2.8 and ISO 400...The exposure metering at Manual Mode shows +0.3 and the thing cannot autofocus!

Today i was outdoors with the Pen -F and the 12-40mm..The day was sunny and the autofocus was fast and snap..I just got indoors with a normal lighting from the bulbs and again the lens cannot autofocus at 70% of the times...

Trying with the E-P5 the focus is snap..!Also trying with the primes with the Pen-F the focus is snap...Again everything seems a compatibility issue...If it was because of a faulty body it could not focus right outdoors or with the primes...

So..Olympus ..come on....Waiting for an official answer...I have also contacted with Olympus Service and send them some videos that showing the problem and waiting for their response....

Thx everyone here!

My 12-40 is not doing what your 12-40 is doing on the Pen-F in low light, so another possibility is your lens is faulty. Also, is your lens firmware up to date?

The firmware is the latest..

Can anyone else confirm that at low lighting the 12-40mm on a Pen F can autofocus accurate and fast?

I just uploaded the two videos showing the difference....

the one from 12-42mm f.2.8 and the other of 17mm f1.8 (i chose f2.8)

Sorry for the kid's yelling

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/53219731/Pen%20F%2012-40mm%20f2.8.MOV

and

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/53219731/Pen%20F%2017mm%20f1.8.MOV

If the Pen F was faulty then autofocus would be problematic at the 17mm as well ...am i right or not?

The problem is that i just sold the E-P5 this morning and i cannot upload a video from 12-40 at E- P5 anymore...! Also once again...today outdoors the autofocus at 12-40 was perfect...

Thx for all guys!

I've just done a totally unscientific test comparing the EM-1 and the Pen-F with the 1-40 Pro indoors. I agree that the Pen-F doesn't focus as well, failing to lock focus more often. When it does work it is snappy though.

When fitted with the 12mm f/2 it does much better. Of course this could be due to double the light reaching the AF system.

Nick

zikman wrote:

The problem with the new Pen F is there with the Zuiko 12-40 f2.8...It struggles to autofocus and 70% of the times just doesn't autofocus...

I just pulled my Pen F out mounted the M.Zuiko 12-40/2.8 for the first time and AF was all over the place...except in focus.  Then I went back into the Menu settings and made a couple of minor changes and from that point it was spot on.  Inside fairly low light...ISO 2500 shooting around f/4 @ 1/50.

I am definitely frustrated because i have tried everything and it just doesn't work...My old E-P5 plays nicely with the 12-40 f2.8

Then I took my new 60/macro out of the box and it went bonkers for a few seconds on the Pen F then settled down and AF was right on target.

These were the first shots I had taken with the Pen F, but I had messed with the menu settings a couple of days ago and must have got one wrong.  But with the macro I had left the Menu untouched...it almost seemed like the body and lens took a few seconds to get acquainted with one another.

I probably had spent 20 minutes with the camera turned on, setting Menu items, mounting different lenses and taking shots...maybe 30 min. at the outside.  I was surprised how warm the right side of the body got. I had not shut it off except when I changed the lens.   I noticed that it got warm a couple of days ago when I was running thru the Menu settings.

Is that slight heat build up normal??  I haven't rec'd the grip yet, haven't even attached the neck strap. Just a bare camera.

That 12-40 is a lot more comfortable on the E M1 than on the Pen F...I don't have large hands and it was torquing my right hand quite a bit.  Hope I get used to it, or the grip will help, but it will probably be used most with the f1.8 primes and macro.

Don't know if this helps...

Any ideas to try?

One last note...the green AF box was flying all over the LCD as I got acquainted with the controls.  In a few instances I didn't even know where it was on the LCD...but I finally figured it out.

Is your Pen F Menu set to take the shot even if focus is not confirmed?  Might be a factor.  I'm just guessing at answers

i can't find a setting that fixes the autofocus yet...

zikman wrote:

i can't find a setting that fixes the autofocus yet...

I just took the first shots with it today.  The AF settings should be similar to the settings in your other Olympus, if you have one.  Though it will not have a PDAF setting and I only set minefor single frame to start.  I think my mistake was setting it to an HDR setting when I was ffirst playing in the Menu.  If you have done somethng ike that just do a full reset.  You can't lose anything but te date.

Mine works and focuses normally so far with Zuiko 12-40 as well as with other lenses that I have tested that  isLeica DG Summilux 25mm F1.4, Zuiko 17mm F1.8, Zuiko 75mm F1.8.

Pekka

zikman wrote:

i can't find a setting that fixes the autofocus yet...

I just checked your profile, which I should have done before replying.  I did not realize that you just signed up on DPR and may not own another Olympus, as there is no gear listed.

if this is you first Olympus experience, I must tell you that the menu is not the most intuitive you will ever run into.

What mystifies me is how it worked outside and not inside.  One explanation is that you turned the 12-40 into Manual Focus mode by sliding the front lens barrel ring backwards.  That turns off AF and the lens must be manually focused.

If you see the apertures on the top of the lens...it is in MF...just slide the front ring forward and you will be back in AF mode.

Happened to me...just always make sure that ring is forward.  It is common to most M.Zuiko lenses.  They don't have AF/MF switches on the side ofbthe lens barrels.