OM-1 More Focus Issues - What would you do?

[stevevp]

I was an early adopter of the OM-1 and took delivery on 1 April 2022. In retrospect, perhaps this date was auspicious?!

I immediately had focussing issues (soft focus or a failure to focus) and the camera went back to Olympus in May. I've no idea what they did but it seemed to come back fixed.

Fast forward to February 2023 and I've just returned from three weeks in Panama, mainly birding and mainly using the 300mm Pro lens. Whilst there, I experienced serious but erratic focussing issues. I had problems with missed focus eg focussing on a nearby branch and, at times, a complete reluctance to focus on anything, requiring me to use manual focus. I missed a lot of shots which was extremely frustrating. I was mainly using CAF, silent shutter, smallest point and Bird ID. FW was 1.3 - 1.4 wasn't out when I left.

I did a full reset of the OM-1 a couple of times and it seemed to improve for a while but would then have problems again. I wondered if the processing engine was getting bogged down. Against this, at times, the OM-1 was still able to find the eye of a small bird against a complex background so the performance was completely erratic (and hence unreliable).

In addition to the focussing issue, I also had a card management issue with photos being written to card 2 before card 1 was full - I only realised this when I found that photos were missing during my daily download to my iPad.

I seem to have four options (my main usage is birding):

1. Send the OM-1 back again for repair under warranty. This will entail work and time in preparing my case for repair with no guarantee or confidence that anything will be done or permanently resolved. The camera will be away for 4-6 weeks.
2. Sell my current OM-1 and buy another one. Some other poor soul would then have to sort the problem out. I'd feel morally bad about this. I would also take a financial hit.
3. Sell my current OM-1 and buy an EM1iii or an EM1x.
4. Sell everything and jump ship to Canon - very mindfull that eg an R7 has issues too.

I have accumulated quite a lot of Olympus kit and even though the weight savings arent't great once you get into Pro gear, I am reluctant to jump ship. I still like the brand and am happy with the results when things work as they should.

What would you do? Grateful for any thoughts and advice.

 

[Danielvr]

What would you do?

Upgrade to firmware 1.4. Then take new images and post some of the ones that gave you trouble, to help figure out what went wrong.

 

[mchnz]

If you've cleaned all the lens contacts, sd-card contacts, battery contacts, and it's on the latest firmware, is it still under warranty? If yes, send it back in. If not, contact them and see if they'll do anything for you as it's clearly failing way too soon (local consumer protection laws relating to expected lifetime may be on your side).

One reason I've kept buying Olympus is that I've found that they back up what they sell with good warranty service (at least in Australia/New Zealand). Here, OM-D appears to have retained the same service practices and local servicing agents, so I'm happy to continue with OM-D.

However, unlike Olympus, since they transitioned to OM-D, I haven't had a warranty issue, or any need for service, so I've yet to put them to the test.

I was an at-release purchaser of the OM-1. Aside from the S-AF long-lense focusing issue fixed by firmware, I haven't had any issues. But I haven't taken it to any steamy or wet locations, so perhaps I haven't really given it a proper workout.

 

[ahaslett]

I tend to take a forensic approach to diagnosis, including the null hypothesis that it’s something I’m doing.

Forgive me if you have already done this…

1) Working after a reset but gradually going bad again sounds like a settings issue. Do you use Custom Modes and do you have them reset to base when you switch away from them, or are any changes permanent. If using Custom Modes with permanent changes, I’d do another factory reset and set up Custom Modes to revert rather than remember changes. If you don’t use Custom Modes, I’d start using them, so you can isolate settings effects to a Custom Mode - if the problem happens with C1 but not C2, then it must be a settings interaction.

2) I keep knocking the snap focus ring on my recently acquired 300mm. You could disable this, just in case sometimes the problem is that, clearly not every time given the symptoms.

3) I’d want to eliminate the lens as an issue. Checking that rather depends on what other lenses you have and how you can do a controlled test. It doesn’t seem to fit the symptoms, but you don’t want to swap the OM1 and carry on with the problems.

What firmware v1.4 does is a bit vague, but I have updated to it. OMDS will do that too, then say they can’t find a problem.

Best of luck.

Andrew

--
Infinite are the arguments of mages. Truth is a jewel with many facets. Ursula K LeGuin
Please feel free to edit any images that I post

 

[Regor250]

I tend to take a forensic approach to diagnosis, including the null hypothesis that it’s something I’m doing.

Forgive me if you have already done this…

1) Working after a reset but gradually going bad again sounds like a settings issue. Do you use Custom Modes and do you have them reset to base when you switch away from them, or are any changes permanent. If using Custom Modes with permanent changes, I’d do another factory reset and set up Custom Modes to revert rather than remember changes. If you don’t use Custom Modes, I’d start using them, so you can isolate settings effects to a Custom Mode - if the problem happens with C1 but not C2, then it must be a settings interaction.

2) I keep knocking the snap focus ring on my recently acquired 300mm. You could disable this, just in case sometimes the problem is that, clearly not every time given the symptoms.

3) I’d want to eliminate the lens as an issue. Checking that rather depends on what other lenses you have and how you can do a controlled test. It doesn’t seem to fit the symptoms, but you don’t want to swap the OM1 and carry on with the problems.

What firmware v1.4 does is a bit vague, but I have updated to it. OMDS will do that too, then say they can’t find a problem.

Best of luck.

Andrew

Totally with you. As for the SD card "issue", I am more inclined to think OP "forgot" he/she/it/they has different settings at different custom modes. My bet is probability of user issue > camera issue until we see images and conditions.

--
Roger

 

[ahaslett]

I tend to take a forensic approach to diagnosis, including the null hypothesis that it’s something I’m doing.

Forgive me if you have already done this…

1) Working after a reset but gradually going bad again sounds like a settings issue. Do you use Custom Modes and do you have them reset to base when you switch away from them, or are any changes permanent. If using Custom Modes with permanent changes, I’d do another factory reset and set up Custom Modes to revert rather than remember changes. If you don’t use Custom Modes, I’d start using them, so you can isolate settings effects to a Custom Mode - if the problem happens with C1 but not C2, then it must be a settings interaction.

2) I keep knocking the snap focus ring on my recently acquired 300mm. You could disable this, just in case sometimes the problem is that, clearly not every time given the symptoms.

3) I’d want to eliminate the lens as an issue. Checking that rather depends on what other lenses you have and how you can do a controlled test. It doesn’t seem to fit the symptoms, but you don’t want to swap the OM1 and carry on with the problems.

What firmware v1.4 does is a bit vague, but I have updated to it. OMDS will do that too, then say they can’t find a problem.

Best of luck.

Andrew

Totally with you. As for the SD card "issue", I am more inclined to think OP "forgot" he/she/it/they has different settings at different custom modes. My bet is probability of user issue > camera issue until we see images and conditions.

I would never assume user failure without sitting with someone. It’s very frustrating when you have done a proper forensic diagnosis and Support assume you must be doing something wrong. It’s only my null hypothesis when I’m in the loop!

Andrew

 

[drj3]

See my post on this issue and update to firmware 1.4

OM1 Firmware 1.4: A Significant Update: Micro Four Thirds Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

This update fully corrected my OM1 focusing issues which had been present since my camera was new one year ago.

 

[Andersonm]

As mentioned, updating to firmware 1.4 and testing again is number 1 priority.

You could also rent another OM1 and compare, or if there is a photography club or someone with an OM1 nearby, meet up and compare.

I echo that it's probably firmware, or that it works as intended.

 

[PhotoMac503]

For a minute I thought I had written this post but, alas, I've not been to Panama recently.

My OM-1 was unreliable. Subject Detection failed in some seemingly very easy situations to the point I didn't use it. Settings would change on their own.

I sent it back and they replaced some major circuit boards.
I've taken it once since then but, honestly, I don't trust it to be reliable. My EM1.2 gets the work because the OM-1 has been so unreliable.

I'm hesitant to sell my OM-1 because I don't think it would be ethical to sell a camera with such poor history. If I'm honest, I'd take a huge loss (not to mention the expenss of spare OEM batteries and charger). So, it sits on a shelf somewhere. I honestly don't recall where it is right now.

Like the OP, I considered leaving m43 but was tempted by the marketing of the OM-1, which has not been accurate in my case. The OM-1 will be the final m43 camera I buy.

This is the only camera I've used in about four decades that I truly dislike because of its lack of reliability.

I wish I had a suggestion for the OP but I'm also at a loss (of about $2,000).

I miss Olympus.

 

[stevevp]

Many thanks for your replies.

I do use custom modes which reset to base if I change anything. I note that when I did a reset I was using the phone app to save and reload the custom settings. This was successful except for shutter speeds which all reloaded incorrectly.

I am aware of the manual focus clutch on the 300mm Pro so it's not that. Also the focus wouldn't hunt in manual mode.

I have tried a different battery (both are genuine OM-D) and have used different storage cards. All are SanDisk ExtremePro 300MB/s. The newest two are direct from the manufacturer and all are reformated in camera.

I didn't notice the issue the odd occasion I used a different lens but that doesn't mean it's the 300mm. I've also now updated the firmware on that.

I've now updated the OM-1 firmware but am not sure when I will be able to get out and given the camera anything like the workout it had in Panama in a British winter!

 

[johnsigs]

One thing that screwed me up was the af scanner was set to off . I have 2 om-1s and returned one of them back to firmware 1.2. I think it was the most stable for me. As a group to rule out settings we could share setting files using workspace . Someone with great results could share theirs with you , if it dosent work on your camera then you know it is the camera. I also felt i was getting better results when the camera was new.

 

[ahaslett]

[No message]

 

[Gary from Seattle]

I was an early adopter of the OM-1 and took delivery on 1 April 2022. In retrospect, perhaps this date was auspicious?!

I would think you have sufficient experience with the camera to be roughly accurate in your observations.

I immediately had focussing issues (soft focus or a failure to focus) and the camera went back to Olympus in May. I've no idea what they did but it seemed to come back fixed.

Fast forward to February 2023 and I've just returned from three weeks in Panama, mainly birding and mainly using the 300mm Pro lens. Whilst there, I experienced serious but erratic focussing issues. I had problems with missed focus eg focussing on a nearby branch and, at times, a complete reluctance to focus on anything, requiring me to use manual focus. I missed a lot of shots which was extremely frustrating. I was mainly using CAF, silent shutter, smallest point and Bird ID. FW was 1.3 - 1.4 wasn't out when I left.

I am sure you realize that the autofocus will not be 100% accurate all the time. Both Thomas Eisl and Mike Lane have thoroughly documented performance in CAF. Are your findings in line with those reviewers?

I did a full reset of the OM-1 a couple of times and it seemed to improve for a while but would then have problems again. I wondered if the processing engine was getting bogged down. Against this, at times, the OM-1 was still able to find the eye of a small bird against a complex background so the performance was completely erratic (and hence unreliable).

In addition to the focussing issue, I also had a card management issue with photos being written to card 2 before card 1 was full - I only realised this when I found that photos were missing during my daily download to my iPad.

I seem to have four options (my main usage is birding):

1. Send the OM-1 back again for repair under warranty. This will entail work and time in preparing my case for repair with no guarantee or confidence that anything will be done or permanently resolved. The camera will be away for 4-6 weeks.
2. Sell my current OM-1 and buy another one. Some other poor soul would then have to sort the problem out. I'd feel morally bad about this. I would also take a financial hit.
3. Sell my current OM-1 and buy an EM1iii or an EM1x.
4. Sell everything and jump ship to Canon - very mindfull that eg an R7 has issues too.

If you send your camera in, be sure to enclose full documentation of your issues, their duration and frequency. Imagine yourself a repair specialist. A simple test would reveal, most likely, nothing wrong; though I am sure they test electronically, as well. I had an EM-1 years ago that had erratic behavior and they did repair it (after my documentation) by replacing a main circuit board.

I have accumulated quite a lot of Olympus kit and even though the weight savings arent't great once you get into Pro gear, I am reluctant to jump ship. I still like the brand and am happy with the results when things work as they should.

What would you do? Grateful for any thoughts and advice.

 

[David5833]

EDIT: THIS WAS MEANT FOR THE OP, NOT GARY. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

Let's hope the update fixed it. If not, I would send it for repair before the warranty expires. You indicated that you have other cameras, so you won't suffer too badly.

I had a Nikon mount Tamron 24-70 G2 that had to make three round trips to the repair center; they finally escalated it to a "senior tech" on the third trip and got the AF sorted.

I don't know what you have tried in the way of different focus zone sizes and shapes and other settings, but some things definitely work far better than others on some targets. For example, some subjects are really hard to get the "single" AF box to settle on but snap into focus with the "small" box and hardly hunt at all. Ambient light also makes a big difference with far less hunting and indecision in better light. Some hues seem to fool the AF, red especially being a problem at times for me. Such things happen with my 300 Pro much more often than my 12-45 Pro. If you have worked through all these variables and still can't get a handle on it, then it might be the camera.

Regardless, I'd send it back and describe in detail the circumstances where it failed and include photos (prints) if possible. It might be a good idea to send the lens with it.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/143821723@N06/

 

[grsnovi]

...after only 2 outings my experience has been so different.

I'm shooting in shutter-priority (at 1/800 or 1/1000) and using auto-ISO with the PL 100-400.

I'm using C-AF and the e-Shutter shooting 20fps bursts of between 5 and 7 shots per burst.

I'm then using OM Workspace's FOCUS tool to cull the bursts.

I have been blown away by the speed of focus in the field on the two times I've been out. I usually immediately loch on a bird, often also the eye.

I'd try using the above settings and see what you get.

 

[Neilatolds]

I recently returned from Panama and first thing I will say is that often these were the toughest shooting conditions I have worked in. We went with guides through dense bush chasing small birds with limited light due to the thick bush. I have had difficulty with focus in many situations and found I had to work very hard to get good images. Having said that I was amazed at how well it did work. I think some people, not sure about you, have unrealistic expectations of the bird AI. Under these conditions all cameras stuggle. My wife was shooting with a Sony A7R4 and she was having a much more difficult time with focus than I was with my OM1.

I recently posted some images from Panama on this forum where I was using ISO 12800 in low light. When the camera can see the bird it locks on quickly.

 

[grsnovi]

.

 

[PV Hiker]

In addition to the focussing issue, I also had a card management issue with photos being written to card 2 before card 1 was full - I only realised this when I found that photos were missing during my daily download to my iPad.

What would you do? Grateful for any thoughts and advice.

You mentioned that you use "Custom Modes" As you use your card slots each "Custom Mode" can save images to different card slots. They will remember what card it was last saving to. If you switch back and forth to different "Custom Modes" during different phases recording to Card 1 & 2 then you could be recording as you have experienced.

I see it all the time on mine and need to go to each "Custom mode" on dial and set what card I want to record to.

Patrick

 

[number_5]

I picked up the OM-1 (with kit lens, 1.2 firmware), 300/4, and 1.4TC at the same time, and I was VERY disappointed with its performance when there were obstacles/branches around the birds. That changed after I updated to 1.3 firmware. It still has some quirks, but it's good enough that I often leave my FF birding setup at home.

I did not acquire any lenses before the 1.3. That's how bad it was (compared to my FF), but after the 1.3, I picked up a PL200/2.8 and a 40-150/2.8, and that how much it gotten better. I shoot 90% @ 840mm, and I use the 2.8 when I need the extra light.

The focus is less of an issue for me after 1.3.

 

[Andersonm]

I picked up the OM-1 (with kit lens, 1.2 firmware), 300/4, and 1.4TC at the same time, and I was VERY disappointed with its performance when there were obstacles/branches around the birds. That changed after I updated to 1.3 firmware. It still has some quirks, but it's good enough that I often leave my FF birding setup at home.

I did not acquire any lenses before the 1.3. That's how bad it was (compared to my FF), but after the 1.3, I picked up a PL200/2.8 and a 40-150/2.8, and that how much it gotten better. I shoot 90% @ 840mm, and I use the 2.8 when I need the extra light.

The focus is less of an issue for me after 1.3.

I notice several of the unhappy people above don't say whether they have upgraded the firmware.... it's more "it has been gathering dust for a long time" ;-)