Yet another problem with zuiko lenses!!

[luisflorit]

Louis,
Sorry your having a bad time with this!
I sure hope you insured it!
David

When I sent mine in the first time I did insure it for $800. Now it's going back a second time because it's still not working right..... and I'll be insuring it again.

Mail insurance does not cover what Oly does with the lenses in their own service center... Oly did receive my lens.

True, and that may be even a better deal. If they never find it, they'll have to send you a new one!

Actually, I am not very worried about the lens cost, but with the fact that today I don't have any wide angle lens. I am shooting with my old (trusty!) Panasonic P&S!

L.

--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500

 

[tex]

...and sought to deny it. rationalist!

HORATIO
O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!

HAMLET
And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

clarification: i am pulling your leg, Luis.....or maybe not, entirely. i am not making light of your situation, which i think is appalling. i do think the "stars" can sometimes align, positively or negatively....so i wish you all the best of luck, because you surely need it!

 

[LouHolland]

The best advice I can give you is call again ans ask the Lady for her name etc. and also ask briefly for an email confirmation. Beside that it looks sensible to make an recording of that conversation, so at that moment you got a little more, which you can use, than you got now. But it looks difficult now.

Lou

Louis,

It seems to me that when Olumpus confirmed that they received your lens, that they and only them are very responsible for what could happend to that lens afther that.

What they did with your lens afther receiving it, felt under the responsebility of Olympus.

The only thing you could do is to urge them to keep you properly informed and to ask for a reasonable term to deliver it back in good order, according your local law or the international garanty statements they established themselfs.

Of course you could urge them as well to deliver the lens back, within a reasonable time... for example 1 month.

One of the problems I have is that they didn't even confirmed that they received my lens by email. I sent them several emails asking for confirmation, without an answer.

Today I finally called them, and the girl at the other side of the phone finally confirmed that they've received my lens.

This is the reason why I never sent my 50-200 to Oly, despite all the problems I had with it. I knew that I wouldn't see my lens for several weeks (months?), and I don't have another DSLR gear.

Thanks for your suggestions,
L.

--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500

 

[luisflorit]

The best advice I can give you is call again ans ask the Lady for her name etc. and also ask briefly for an email confirmation. Beside that it looks sensible to make an recording of that conversation, so at that moment you got a little more, which you can use, than you got now. But it looks difficult now.

I sent an email to Oly Japan, with copy to both tech services. I got a phone call from the second one telling me that they actually do have my lens with them (??). The guy also told me that the first service company does not want to fix Oly lenses anymore (didn't tell me why...). So at least I found the lens.

But then the guy told me that they don't even have the service manual of this lens (they asked for it to Oly, and they are sending it to them), and that they have never fixed any E-System lens before. In other words, they have no experience at all with Oly lenses.

So this is Oly tech service in Brazil... The only good point for Oly is that this last guy that called me was extremely nice.

Just as a side note, a friend here in Brazil with a Pany told me yesterday that he had a problem with his camera (flash didn't fire). He sent the camera to Pany and got it back working in one week, with a total cost of $55. And Oly is trying to fight with Pany in m4/3...

Cheers,
L.

--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500

 

[LouHolland]

Louis, at least you got some hands on it now. Lets see what happend next.

Lou

=

The best advice I can give you is call again ans ask the Lady for her name etc. and also ask briefly for an email confirmation. Beside that it looks sensible to make an recording of that conversation, so at that moment you got a little more, which you can use, than you got now. But it looks difficult now.

I sent an email to Oly Japan, with copy to both tech services. I got a phone call from the second one telling me that they actually do have my lens with them (??). The guy also told me that the first service company does not want to fix Oly lenses anymore (didn't tell me why...). So at least I found the lens.

But then the guy told me that they don't even have the service manual of this lens (they asked for it to Oly, and they are sending it to them), and that they have never fixed any E-System lens before. In other words, they have no experience at all with Oly lenses.

So this is Oly tech service in Brazil... The only good point for Oly is that this last guy that called me was extremely nice.

Just as a side note, a friend here in Brazil with a Pany told me yesterday that he had a problem with his camera (flash didn't fire). He sent the camera to Pany and got it back working in one week, with a total cost of $55. And Oly is trying to fight with Pany in m4/3...

Cheers,
L.

--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500

 

[erichK]

I sent an email to Oly Japan, with copy to both tech services. I got a phone call from the second one telling me that they actually do have my lens with them (??). The guy also told me that the first service company does not want to fix Oly lenses anymore (didn't tell me why...). So at least I found the lens.

But then the guy told me that they don't even have the service manual of this lens (they asked for it to Oly, and they are sending it to them), and that they have never fixed any E-System lens before. In other words, they have no experience at all with Oly lenses.

So this is Oly tech service in Brazil... The only good point for Oly is that this last guy that called me was extremely nice.

They may well know how to fix lenses, and have the vises and tools and optical bench to do so. However the degree to which Olympus seems to be farming out support is very disappointing.

Just as a side note, a friend here in Brazil with a Pany told me yesterday that he had a problem with his camera (flash didn't fire). He sent the camera to Pany and got it back working in one week, with a total cost of $55. And Oly is trying to fight with Pany in m4/3...

I don,t really think "fight" is the right word. "Compete" to some degree and also to sell lenses to m4:3rds users with Panasonic bodies might be closer. Nevertheless, your report, combined with what I have heard about Olympus from some Canadian retailers is not encouraging.

Cheers,
L.

--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500

--
erichK
saskatoon, canada

http://erichk.zenfolio.com/

http://www.fototime.com/inv/7F3D846BCD301F3

underwater photos: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?
cat=500&ppuser=5567

 

[SpiralTower]

After dealing with my stuck aperture on my 12-60 as posted above I just discovered this week while staying in Vienna that there are circular smears on the inside of the front element and hazy patches of the same stuff on the lens element before.

It seems to me that these smudges are derived from some kind of lubricant applied during the repair of the stuck aperture. I think I remember somebody having to deal with the same matter, though I can not remember who it was.

So again I have to send in the lens for cleaning I guess, though so far I see no implications on image quality.

This is getting increasingly annoying.

Cheers

Claudius
--
Member of the LAGIMESCE

(local action group for introduction of mandatory environmental sealing in consumer
electronics)

 

[luisflorit]

After dealing with my stuck aperture on my 12-60 as posted above I just discovered this week while staying in Vienna that there are circular smears on the inside of the front element and hazy patches of the same stuff on the lens element before.

It seems to me that these smudges are derived from some kind of lubricant applied during the repair of the stuck aperture. I think I remember somebody having to deal with the same matter, though I can not remember who it was.

So again I have to send in the lens for cleaning I guess, though so far I see no implications on image quality.

This is getting increasingly annoying.

Now tell me: why I am not surprised??? Oly is getting increasingly annoying.

I'm very sorry about your problems. I hope mine does not come back like yours... but I don't really have much hope.

Good luck,
L.

--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500

 

[SpiralTower]

The thing is, the more I use the 12-60 the more I appreciate its usefulness/versatility. It would be hard to find a sealed substitute in another brand.

Besides the better I get at PP, the more I am satisfied by the image quality I get from the E-420. And sizewise it's hard to beat, something very important to me.

So I am not inclined to switch, besides I could have experienced the same problems with other brands.

Cheers

Claudius
--
Member of the LAGIMESCE

(local action group for introduction of mandatory environmental sealing in consumer
electronics)

 

[luisflorit]

The thing is, the more I use the 12-60 the more I appreciate its usefulness/versatility. It would be hard to find a sealed substitute in another brand.

Yes, I know. Recently I went to Iguazu waterfalls and took lots of pictures with my 12-60 in the mist/rain of the waterfalls, where I could have not changed lenses by any means. However, precisely at Iguazu my 12-60 broke. Perhaps not as weather sealed as they claim to be...?

Besides the better I get at PP, the more I am satisfied by the image quality I get from the E-420. And sizewise it's hard to beat, something very important to me.

So I am not inclined to switch, besides I could have experienced the same problems with other brands.

Yes, I understand you perfectly. I enjoy my light wildlife package a lot. The question is to what extent the benefits balance the problems we are experiencing.

Me, I see 3 situations where I would switch brands without a blink: an improved Canon 100-400 (for the 7D or 5DII), an improved Nikkor 80-400 (for the D300s or D700), or a long HG tele for the Panasonic G2 (this would be my favourite). Anyone would do it for me. And some of these will happen soon...

Cheers,
L.

--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500

 

[Gregm61]

Me, I see 3 situations where I would switch brands without a blink: an improved Canon 100-400 (for the 7D or 5DII), an improved Nikkor 80-400 (for the D300s or D700), or a long HG tele for the Panasonic G2 (this would be my favourite). Anyone would do it for me. And some of these will happen soon...

They really need to re-design that 100-400L Canon lens from the current push/pull zoom arrangement to a more standard zoom ring-type setup. When I was using a Canon 10D I owned that lens and it was quite fantastic, but oh, so heavy when extended to 400mm. I couldn't imagne using it in a travel outfit, then in 2007 I saw someone with it hanging off a 1D series body in the Louvre....it made my back hurt!

But it was a nice lens. Wouldn't bother me one bit if I had to buy into that system and get it again.

 

[goblin]

I love a 5 page thread trashing a company and one of the best lenses in the world based on a couple of bad units combined with poor aftermarket service and untrained repair service.

In all fairness, the thread should have been named "Yet another problem with Olympus Brazil / long live Panasonic Brazil", because that's what it basically seems to be.

Gee, because a bad unit can not be repaired in Brazil, that makes Olympus lenses problematic. Right.

 

[SpiralTower]

I love a 5 page thread trashing a company and one of the best lenses in the world based on a couple of bad units combined with poor aftermarket service and untrained repair service.

Sorry, but that is not bashing the company, it is just being annoyed that a second problem with which I can not deal by myself occurs so I have to send it twice in less than 6 months. As I stated I would not want to jump ship.

You are free to deal with my problems if you fetch the lens and handle it for me. That means including a replacement lens for the time I have to send it in. Last year I missed at least 5 photographic opportunities due to lens/body related problems.

And I do not think that I would be better off with another brand, but sh*t happens. So I want to ventilate my frustration.

Cheers

Claudius
--
Member of the LAGIMESCE

(local action group for introduction of mandatory environmental sealing in consumer
electronics)

 

[Gregm61]

I love a 5 page thread trashing a company and one of the best lenses in the world based on a couple of bad units combined with poor aftermarket service and untrained repair service.

Sorry, but that is not bashing the company, it is just being annoyed that a second problem with which I can not deal by myself occurs so I have to send it twice in less than 6 months.

Second that after having to pay to ship my 12-60 in to Olympus a second time just this past week after having just received it back because the new aperture unit they installed that was obviously not callibrated right. So far, $330 in ($290 for the repair and $20 twice to ship it) and no working lens only 18 months after paying $800 to buy the thing new. It would have only taken them testing my lens for a shot or two, to see it was grossly underexposing and get it right before sending it back out the first time.

 

[luisflorit]

Me, I see 3 situations where I would switch brands without a blink: an improved Canon 100-400 (for the 7D or 5DII), an improved Nikkor 80-400 (for the D300s or D700), or a long HG tele for the Panasonic G2 (this would be my favourite). Anyone would do it for me. And some of these will happen soon...

They really need to re-design that 100-400L Canon lens from the current push/pull zoom arrangement to a more standard zoom ring-type setup.

Indeed, but not just that. Overall IQ also, and to accept TCs, specially for FF use.

Cheers,
L.

--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500

 

[luisflorit]

I love a 5 page thread trashing a company and one of the best lenses in the world based on a couple of bad units combined with poor aftermarket service and untrained repair service.

Sorry, but that is not bashing the company, it is just being annoyed that a second problem with which I can not deal by myself occurs so I have to send it twice in less than 6 months.

Second that after having to pay to ship my 12-60 in to Olympus a second time just this past week after having just received it back because the new aperture unit they installed that was obviously not callibrated right. So far, $330 in ($290 for the repair and $20 twice to ship it) and no working lens only 18 months after paying $800 to buy the thing new. It would have only taken them testing my lens for a shot or two, to see it was grossly underexposing and get it right before sending it back out the first time.

And you're not Brazilian.... LOL

Good luck,
L.

--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500

 

[luisflorit]

I love a 5 page thread trashing a company and one of the best lenses in the world based on a couple of bad units combined with poor aftermarket service and untrained repair service.

Sorry, but that is not bashing the company, it is just being annoyed that a second problem with which I can not deal by myself occurs so I have to send it twice in less than 6 months.

Not Brazilian! LOL

As I stated I would not want to jump ship.

No one ever wants to. It's an expensive, stressing and time-wasty thing to do. But there seem to be fanboys that like to think that their systems are perfect and any problem is just a world conspiration.

You are free to deal with my problems if you fetch the lens and handle it for me. That means including a replacement lens for the time I have to send it in. Last year I missed at least 5 photographic opportunities due to lens/body related problems.

And I do not think that I would be better off with another brand, but sh*t happens. So I want to ventilate my frustration.

I think it's not simply a psychological therapy. I think it is a service to other users to point the strengths and weaknesses of a system, even if some feel insecure (psychologist for them...). For me it was quite useful to know that this problem was a common one, for example. In my original post I hadn't sent the lens for repair yet, and I was trying exactly to know what kind of problem I have, and if it has some kind of solution besides Oly repair center.

Cheers,
L.

--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500

 

[SpiralTower]

Well, as I got the European 2 year warranty I am still covered. The problem is that I can not deal with this via the Belgium Service, where I live most of the time at the moment. And I refuse to pay the shipping costs to Olympus Germany.

So I'll have to wait until end of May when I will be back in Munich to send it in. I would not complain so much if it wasn't for the stubborn Belgian service.

Cheers

Claudius
--
Member of the LAGIMESCE

(local action group for introduction of mandatory environmental sealing in consumer
electronics)

 

[Gregm61]

Well, my 12-60 is.....again....on it's way back to me. This time they REPLACED 1G FRAME UNIT AND AF SWD UNIT. ADJUSTED , CHECKED ALL FUNCTIONS AND CLEANED.

I think it's almost brand new on the inside. Even a new SWD AF unit....that could not have been inexpensive. We'll see when it gets back if it actually works right.

 

[luisflorit]

Well, my 12-60 is.....again....on it's way back to me. This time they REPLACED 1G FRAME UNIT AND AF SWD UNIT. ADJUSTED , CHECKED ALL FUNCTIONS AND CLEANED.

I think it's almost brand new on the inside. Even a new SWD AF unit....that could not have been inexpensive. We'll see when it gets back if it actually works right.

Great! Believe me, you're lucky!

Oly said they have to change the aperture unit of my 12-60.

They told me it will cost $ 440 to pre fix my 12-60 (that's 55% of the cost of the new lens). Prefix because it may cost more if there is something else to be done (!!!???). And only 90 day warranty! And it will take about 3 months just to import the part (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Of course it is pointless to fix the lens with that cost, time and risk.

Does anyone here need a very expensive paperweight??



--
My gallery: http://w3.impa.br/~luis/photos



Oly Ee3 + 12--60 + 50--200 + EeC-14 + Oly EfEl50R
Pany FZee50 + Oly EfEl50 + TeeCon17 + Raynx 150 & 250
Nikn CeePee4500; Cann SDee500