100-400 Problems Screws fell out

[DerekC]

On Sunday I had the 100-400 on E-M1X at hand becuase we had Blue Tits and Robins on the feeders. I put the camera on the kitchen work top and thought it was sat at a funny angle.
Closer inspection revealed that 2 of the 3 screws holding the ring onto which the lens hood and cap fit onto had fallen out.

The screws are really tiny and as you can imaging they are long gone.
I will have to send the lens in for repair, but after reading some peoples experience recently with the repair centre I am concerned as to how long it will take.

[Phill D]

I'd suggest talking to Luton Camera Repairs, they might even be able to send you some screws so you could fix it yourself.

[BDennis]

That is disappointing, sorry to hear about it. I noticed that ring with the blue trim is slightly loose on mine. I carry it around quite a lot so I will check the screws.

This should be covered under the warranty - I usually contact Olympus support when this sort of thing happens, the answer always being to send it for repair of course.

[Dave in Wales]

I have read on DPR about these screws falling out, not good.

[blackfox]

Rushed to check mine after seeing this ,will check with screwdriver in a bit. I do have a small container full of lens screws if you want to try a home fix

[DerekC]

Thanks I have looked through the small selection of lens screws I have, but hese are tiny. Much smaller than anything I have.

[moggi1964]

A tip for when you do get some replacement screws:

Whenever I have a screw loosen I take it out and apply a PROPORTIONATE amount of blue 242 threadlock to it and put it back in.

I had a screw on my old glasses that would loosen (so probably about the same size as yours) and I used a toothpick, got a tiny blob of blue and put that on it. Next time it came out was when my optician took the frames apart to clean them and it came out without an issue.

[blackfox]

forewarned in time thanks , mine were in need of a tighten

[timboo]

Thanks will check mine also. Is this a common thing with a lot of lenses?

[blackfox]

I have a fair few screws here Derek if you want me to send them to you ?

[OM USer]

Cwmrhwyddfor campsite - Nicely placed for both the Corris and Tallyllyn railways. Not too far to Fairbourne either. Spoilt for choice. The Centre for Alternative Technologies is on your doorstop as well.

[DerekC]

We had booked on this site last year, but we all know what happened to last years holidays. We have stayed at Dolgellau and Dinas Mawddwy before. We have visited Porthmadog for the West Highland Railway, but not the others. We have picked the location for a couple of reasons. Mach Loop for the low flying military aircraft and Cadra Idris. Fairbourne we have walked the old railway line from Dolgellau to Fairbourne and over the bridge to Barmouth.

[OM USer]

Porthmadog has 3 railways - the Welsh Highland Railway (FFestiniog), FFestiniog Railway, and the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (the start of the path of the old WHR railway before it closed and before the new loop around the town to the harbour cut it off) .

[blackfox]

no idea if there are any the RIGHT size but just looked through and there are a couple of countersunk ones in them .send me your address via p.m and I'll pop them in the post ,just sorted out about 10 various sizes and lengths ready to post worth a go whatever

[DerekC]

PM sent Thanks

[DerekC]

A big thank you. I have secured the lens with a couple of the screws.

[AMc]

You can get massive packs of assorted tiny screws suitable for repairing sunglasses/glasses or packs for repairing laptops from eBay for a fiver or so.
Search on "glasses screws" and "laptop screws"
I'd steer clear of the ones in mixed bags unless you have a lot of time on your hands.
I've used a tiny blob of poundshop superglue to lock screws but I'd probably use something "proper" on a lens vs. a £20 pair of sunnies!

Sad to hear about the fault though, you'd have hoped for better from Olympus in the first place.

[MikeOxon]

Would a ring of adhesive tape around the barrel hold things together temporarily, while you find the correct screws? Many years ago, I dismantled a zoom lens and was very surprised to find that all that held the front part to the back was a ring of adhesive tape - hidden under the outer casing! I can't remember which lens it was now but it was a reputable make.

[DerekC]

For the time being I have put one of those rubber wrist band around which over laps both it and the silver ring. It is holding everything tight.

[Bengeo]

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for the info. I checked my lens and the screws looked tight, but I got a fraction of a turn on two of them. So it is worth checking for anyone else with this lens.

[BDennis]

It sounds like I had better find a small screw driver the right size and check the screws on mine are tight. I hope you can get it sorted out. I have had screws fall out of tripod mounts on Olympus cameras and lenses before but not the actual lens barrel. I’m wondering if they loosened due to the stress of attaching / removing the lens hood which seems quite stiff and awkward to attach on mine, so I tend to leave it on most of the time.

[Ross the fiddler]

I think it would be from taking the hood on & off. With mine the hood usually stays on because it is mostly just used around home (I don't get out enough).

[Melaka]

Just done that!