Locking or...???

[hruissen]

I now have my E-M1 for a few weeks and was (am) very happy with it but this afternoon as I was taking some pictures, encountered a problem which first reminded me of all the locking issues reported in this forum. What happened was the following: I took some pictures with the 12-40 MFT Pro lens and then decided to change the lens for my 50-200 FT SWD lens using the MMF-3 adapter. I tried to zoom and suddenly the EVF and the screen went black. But all my set up and information was still visible but no picture displayed. I switched the camera off and on but no result. Battery out and in again; still no image. Then I noticed that the focus mode was set to manual. I tried to change it but couldn't. Not in the main menu, not in de super control screen. All menus could be opened with all options except that one. Then I changed the lens again to my 12-40 but still all black. Removed the battery, still all black. All menu options available except the autofocus set up. Then I cleaned the contacts on the body and the lens and (what a relief) all worked again. Changed to 50-200 again, worked nicely until I zoomed in. Black again. So I cleaned the contacts of the MMF-3, the body and the lens and it worked.
After that I changed lenses a few times and when the 50-200 was on, it happened a few times again but now I could make the camera work again by switching it off and on.
Feel a bit uncertain now how to solve this really. I bought the camera because ii seemed very reliable. Do you think it has to do with dirty contacts? Might the MMF-3 be malfunctioning? Any suggestions or help is welcome.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Locking or...???

I think it might be the lens release button not returning properly from some dirt in the locating hole which may have ended up on the pin perhaps. It can certainly give problems if not free of dirt & burrs. It's something to check anyhow.

[crimbo]

Re: Locking or...???

firmware up to date? v 2.2

[hruissen]

Re: Locking or...???

My main suspect is now the MMF-3 adapter as I also have the same problem with my Sigma 105mm lens which also needs the adapter. The problem never appears with my 12-40 MFT lens.

For now a workaround is saving all the setting in a Myset and when the screen goes black, do a reset with these settings. All is fine again.

Strange thing is that it is so unpredictable. Can shoot many many pictures and then suddenly without changing anything the EVF and screen turn black, the focus mode is set to Manual Focus and cannot be changed anymore.

Updated to 2.1 firmware (2.2 seems to be not available yet in The Netherlands). See if that makes a difference.

Next week I will visit the shop and ask for advice.

Thanks for the help so far

[DerekW]

Re: Locking or...???

The firmware updates are international, what program are you using to update them?

[gazza95]

Re: Locking or...???

Henk, I have taken over 10,000 pics with MMF-3 and v2 firmware without lockup. Then last week I get 10 at one event with two different batteries and cards.... There were no change in settings.

This is not like old lockups, as you say screen is black and functions seem to work. You can switch camera of and on and still have black screen. Only way to clear is remove battery.

What is also different is that the lockup occurs on shutter half press not necessarily when taking picture.

As far as I can tell I did not loose a picture.

Camera seems fine at moment so I am not sure why this occurred.

Gary

[hruissen]

Re: Locking or...???

Hi Gary,
Indeed this is not like the 'old' lockups. Something is wrong with the focus settings I think. If I have the black EVF, I still can take pictures and the exposure seems to be correct. . All menu functions seems to work correctly.My 'lockups' appear when I zoom in or out with the 50-200 FT and the MMF-3. Not pressing a button, only zooming.
I did some shooting this afternoon and changed the lenses many, many times and no problem at all.

[hruissen]

Re: Locking or...???

Derek,
I'm using Olympus Digital Camera Updater version v1.2 (Dutch language). Only showed v2.1 firmware update

[DerekW]

Re: Locking or...???

Strange Perhaps they have not translated any new text yet - do you use the camera with English text or with Dutch text.

Have you contacted the Oly help desk over this issue?

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Locking or...???

I still think sounds like the release button not making it fully home, either on the MMF-3 or the camera. The locating hole in the MMF-3 could have a little wear & be burred & that needs to be cleaned up using a jewellers screw driver to ensure the pin of the camera does not get stuck or preventing full insertion in it at all. Alternatively, the pin of the MMF-3 could be burred.

If this is the problem, then pressing either release pin will show the same symptom, which is what it should do for replacing a lens (but return to normal after being release).

[hruissen]

Re: Locking or...???

Hi Ross,
A brilliant observation. Pushing the release button when the camera is switched on causes exactly the same effect with switching to Manual and a black EVF/screen. Releasing the button again makes all normal again.

I cleaned the hole with a soft brush and had a walk in the woods this afternoon and deliberately switched lenses many times. No black screens anymore (and a nice set of pictures).

Tomorrow, in brought daylight I will have a look at all my lenses and the EVF and clean them if necessary. Quite relieved that is not a software or inside camera problem. Shows how sensitive our cameras are nowadays. I tiny bit of dirt can spoil a nice afternoon of taking pictures.

Thanks for all the help

[hruissen]

Re: Locking or...???

Derek,
My camera language is in Dutch but that shouldn't make a difference I presume. The firmware is multi-language???
I will contact Olympus helpdesk this week about it

Thanks

[DerekW]

Re: Locking or...???

You might try using the English version of the Installer to see if that detects the 2.2 version being needed.


It is available at
http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/...era/camera.cfm

I set my camera to Dutch and it appeared to operate and then reset it to English.

[gazza95]

Re: Locking or...???

will try resetting mmf-3/lens when I get next lockup.

What used to happen in that situation was that the aperture display would go to f-.-. Reseating lens would clear the problem. This occurred with both the 14-54 and 90-250 so was not dependant on size of lens.

Gary

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Locking or...???

will try resetting mmf-3/lens when I get next lockup.

What used to happen in that situation was that the aperture display would go to f-.-. Reseating lens would clear the problem. This occurred with both the 14-54 and 90-250 so was not dependant on size of lens.

Gary

Yes, it's all crucial to the locking pin of both the camera & MMF-3 making it back to home (locked) position without dirt or burrs obstructing it. I had problems on my E-30 when I added a certain lens & it was prone to getting pressed because of how I was holding the camera & lens, so once I was aware of it I was able to change the way I held the gear without bumping the release button.