olympus 75-300mm image shake at 300mm

I have an olympus 75-300mm image shake at 300mm and I can't get a decent shot at 300mm, at 75-200mm pictures are ok but at 300mm even on a tripod images are shaky, see attached samples.

I thought the lens is defective but if that were the case it'd probably show at other ranges.

All images shot on a tripod, OMD-E-M5-II. The results are the same shot on an OMD-E-M10-III.

Am I doing something wrong? Or time to send it to Olympus for repair?

1/400 sec, f/9.0,ISO 200 - minimal processing, (anti-shock 0s)

1/400 sec, f/9.0,ISO 200 - minimal processing, cropped (anti-shock 0s)

1/400 sec, f/9.0,ISO 200, 208mm - minimal processing, (anti-shock 0s)

1/400 sec, f/9.0,ISO 200, 208mm - minimal processing, cropped (anti-shock 0s)

1/200 sec, f/11.0,ISO 200, 300mm - minimal processing, cropped (anti-shock 0s) - notice halo on moon top

I would add to your suggestions, set a delay for shutter release to be certain that it was not caused by camera movement.  This looks similar to up/down movement with shutter press and release.  Not as likely with a tripod, but the 75-300 doesn't have a tripod mount, so maybe the camera moved slightly with shutter press and release.

This looks like a serious fault with the lens. The image at 200mm is not fine at all. This is way too much for shutter shock as well, not to mention some of your examples are outside the usual shutter shock range.

Something is seriously wrong with that lens. Does it rattle when you shake it?

If it's still under warranty, send it for repair.

The filter is  a BW, I removed it, no luck.

I took some pictures of the front element, looks good to me.

If I shake the lens I hear no rattle either.

Out of warranty.

Turn off all IS, set the shutter speed to 1/1600 or faster, switch to electronic shutter an take a photo of something close by (to eliminate atmospheric distortion). Can be hand-held - at that shutter speed it shouldn't matter.

Do you still get the halo?

Is your tripod stable and of good quality?  Also when mounted on a tripod the lens itself must be supported and this is even more important if you extend the lens.  Use a remote or use a time delay of at least 5 seconds to trigger the shutter.  It is very hard to handhold this lens at the longer telephoto ranges and get a decently sharp photo. Turn off the IS when using a tripod as per Olympus's instructions.  If you still can't get an acceptable photo send the lens in and have Olympus check it.

This lens has no OIS, it relies on IBIS. IBIS is less effective at long focal lengths. Also, this lens is quite light, it may have little inertia to absorb vibrations.

https://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/technique/camera_skills/master-your-camera-getting-the-most-out-of-image-stabilisation-on-the-olympus-om-d-e-m5-52373 recommends turning IBIS off when using a tripod.

Good night I had less blur hand holding my ZD 70-300mm at similar shutter speeds/f stops last week shooting grandson's football game. Maybe you should experiment with a sandbag. I'd like to post some samples but I'm recovering from knee replacement and can't sit at that computer.

All your blur images are in a vertical direction which suggests something to do with the shutter release or a yank on a remote release. Can't see any camera/lens failure that would cause that pattern of blur.

A. C.

katastrofa wrote:

Turn off all IS, set the shutter speed to 1/1600 or faster, switch to electronic shutter an take a photo of something close by (to eliminate atmospheric distortion). Can be hand-held - at that shutter speed it shouldn't matter.

Do you still get the halo?

Bravo! Worked great for handhelp, I think IS was the culprit here.

Yeah I notice that too the problem is the only Macro lens I had was a Tamron Nikon F mount with no IS, that is why I shot with the D80:-)

I shot with is OFF and ON on the tripod made no difference. Hand-held I had to use a high speed and shut IS off (see my other post forr pictures).

Gato Amarillo wrote:

I am suspicious of your tripod, given the amount and direction of the double image. This kind of focal length is tricky by any standard and calls for very solid support.

Try with a remote release, if you are not already using one. Allow a couple of seconds for the tripod to "settle" between the time you last touch the camera or lens and your shot. Be aware of wind or breeze.

Check your tripod and head for any flex - does it let the lens and camera bob up and down? Does anything vibrate if you touch or tap the lens or camera? For this kind of focal length you need a very solid support. It may be time for an upgrade.

Be sure your stabilization is set correctly -- what does Olympus recommend for tripod use?

Once you rule out movement they you can worry about if the lens has a problem.

Gato

It surprised me, my tripod is a sturdy MANFROTTO 290 MT294A3 WITH MANFROTTO 808RC4 3.

I used a 12 sec timer (tried ant-ishock and silent).

No luck.

I then went to Best Buy and got one of the cheapest and very light tripod ($34.99), I'll be damned! see below