40-150 f2.8 bricked by EM1mkii

Photo Pete wrote:

Just tried updating the 40-150 f2.8 with Olympus Camera Updater via the EM1 mkii.

As soon as I pressed 'update' I got a message on the computer screen saying 'unable to communicate with camera'. The rear of the camera was, however, showing the updating symbols. Assuming that the camera was actually updating despite the 'failure to communicate' message, I left the camera connected to the computer in that state, waiting for the OK message to display, until the camera eventually turned itself off (must have been around 50 minutes).

Result - a totally bricked 40-150 f2.8 lens. Turn the camera on with the 40-150 connected and it doesn't display any image. It won't autofocus or respond in any way whatsoever.

Bl**dy stupid that the update process can put the camera and lens at risk like this should some communication error or software error occur.

Anyone know of a way to rescue the lens without sending it back to Olympus?

Did you ever find the cause? I had a similar issue yesterday updating my 12-40. It is going to Olympus to get un-bricked today.

Glad your lens has been fixed, Pete

I always apply some more basic rules when updating:

Ensure camera, USB cable and hub (!) are all stable - settle them into positions where they will not/cannot move during update.

Do not even touch any of them during update!

Follow ALL Olympus instructions to the letter ...

Never had a failure yet, thankfully.

Photo Pete wrote:

rsmithgi wrote:

Photo Pete wrote:

Just tried updating the 40-150 f2.8 with Olympus Camera Updater via the EM1 mkii.

As soon as I pressed 'update' I got a message on the computer screen saying 'unable to communicate with camera'. The rear of the camera was, however, showing the updating symbols. Assuming that the camera was actually updating despite the 'failure to communicate' message, I left the camera connected to the computer in that state, waiting for the OK message to display, until the camera eventually turned itself off (must have been around 50 minutes).

Result - a totally bricked 40-150 f2.8 lens. Turn the camera on with the 40-150 connected and it doesn't display any image. It won't autofocus or respond in any way whatsoever.

Bl**dy stupid that the update process can put the camera and lens at risk like this should some communication error or software error occur.

Anyone know of a way to rescue the lens without sending it back to Olympus?

Did you ever find the cause? I had a similar issue yesterday updating my 12-40. It is going to Olympus to get un-bricked today.

No. Just a blip in connection or software error I guess.

The lens is now back from Olympus though. It has been to Portugal (I'm based in the UK) and been cleaned, serviced and reinstalled with the latest firmware... all within a week. All under warranty.

The problem must be avoidable somehow, but I certainly can't fault Olympus's service when a fault arises. Very reassuring indeed and deserves me coming back to this thread to post that experience.

i can happily report that my experience with Olympus service was also outstanding. They received it on Monday and I had it back today. This is my second experience with Olympus service and both have been great.

For many years I have been updating all my Olympus gear using the camera updater that is part of OV3, and never have had a problem. But I always ensure the camera has a freshly charged Olympus battery (don't trust clones), that the connection is good, that the internet is working and that the (windows), computer is not busy doing things like updating itself. In addition all you need to ensure you select 'storage' on the camera  when the camera connects to the computer.

Just tonight prior to heading off on a long trip, I updated my E-M1, 12-40 f2.8 and after changing lenses, my 40-150 f2.8, all in the one session with no drama whatsoever.

Now I do realise, that folks can have problems beyond their control, and I sympathise with them, but it's very unlikely that the Olympus process is at fault, it has never failed me in the decade or more I have been using Olympus cameras.

Rgds, Rob

PS. As a side note I did notice the computer gave a message 'camera disconnected' after checking what updates were needed, and whilst it was downloading the relevant update. The screen on the E-M1 was blank during this time. Just ignore this and let the process continue, takes several minutes depending on the update and network connection speed.