HELP! "Please check the status of the lens"

[Paul19]

Firstly; sorry if this has already been covered, but I couldn't find it.
A couple of months ago I sold my E-M5 with 14-42 II lens to a friend (to enable me to buy E-M1). He has approached me as he is now having trouble with the lens. When extended it will take photos no trouble, however when you then zoom (in or out) the screen goes black with the wording, "Please check the status of the lens". Camera needs to be turned off then on again to reset the lens.
I have tried some of my lenses on the E-M5 with no problems, and have tried his lens on my E-M1 which produces the same message.
To me it sounds like the lens has had it. Anyone else know of this? Is it repairable? and on a kit lens is it economical to repair? Or can I throw it up in the air, turn around 3 times then catch it and it will work properly again?

[Guest]

Re: "Please check the status of the lens"

I take it you've gently cleaned the contacts on the lens, I've used, in the past, a clean pencil eraser being careful to keep the shreds of rubber out of the lens itself. Now I tend to use a cotton bud with some elctrocleaning solution dampening the bud.

[Paul19]

Re: "Please check the status of the lens"

Yes, I had hoped that that was the trouble, but not so.

[Guest]

Re: "Please check the status of the lens"

Ah! Sounds bad then. If the lens needs servicing it would be cheaper to buy a second hand one. As a kit lens it often gets over-looked in the second hand market and so goes cheap.

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: "Please check the status of the lens"

Very often when the screen goes black, it's because the lens lock is not fully engaged, or the user has pressed it by mistake.

Look to see if there is anything in the little lens locking hole that is preventing full engagement.

[Paul19]

Re: "Please check the status of the lens"

Second hand lens is an idea, but as a kit lens I would hate for the same thing to happen again.
Graham, the lens lock check is a great idea - onto that now.
Cheers...

[Paul19]

Re: "Please check the status of the lens"

...unfortunately that's not it - so have had to ring him with the bad news

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: "Please check the status of the lens"

Very often when the screen goes black, it's because the lens lock is not fully engaged, or the user has pressed it by mistake.

Look to see if there is anything in the little lens locking hole that is preventing full engagement.

Just to highlight Graham's suggestion, that is definitely an area that does need to be checked thoroughly, because some slight burring of the hole can cause problems, but if it is only when zooming & there is no chance of bumping the lens release button that is definitely fully released into the locking pin hole then there may be an issue with the lens.