HELP! 50-200mm SWD Reported Focal Length

[GFrankow]

Hi everyone!

I just came across a little something that has me a little perplexed.

When I take a shot with my 50-200 SWD zoomed to 200mm (as it reads on the lens scale), the photo data (on the camera screen and in the ORF file when viewed in Olympus Master 2) says the focal length is only at 158mm. The other "index" marks (50, 70, 100, and 150) seem to give the right report.

(I just noticed this as I was taking some shots this week using the 50-200 with the EC-14 and it was only reporting 224mm max for the focal length.) This happens on both my E-3 and my E-500.

I also checked my 12-60 and 35-100 by themselves, and both seem to match the index marks on the lens. The 35-100 with the EC-14 reports 141.0mm -- close enough for my taste! Certainly seems to be a lens issue -- although everything else about the lens seems fine. (Although I am a little disappointed with the focus on the 35-100 -- I will probably post some images later and ask about that one in another thread.)

I checked the contacts and everything seems to be OK there -- no crud, scratches, or bending/denting.

I have had the lens and cameras for several years. I have taken a look back at a number of shots over the years, it looks like I sometimes get 158mm reported, and sometimes 200mm.

My firmware for the E-3 is version 1.4, the E-500 is version 1.2, and the version for the lens is 1.1. Olympus Master tells me that I am running the most recent versions of each.

Any help with this issue would be appreciated!!

Thanks everyone

[Bikie John]

My 50-200 SWD seems to report correctly. I usually use it with the EC-14 converter and at full stretch the EXIF reports it as 283mm, which is what it should be. I don't check very often, but I have never noticed any anomalies like yours.

I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as the photos are OK!

Ciao ... John

[GFrankow]

John,

I was hoping someone would send me some reassurance. The images coming from the lens seem to be fine, so I will indeed take your advice and not worry.

Enjoy the day

Gary

[Ian]

Originally Posted by GFrankow

John,

I was hoping someone would send me some reassurance. The images coming from the lens seem to be fine, so I will indeed take your advice and not worry.

Enjoy the day

Gary

Hi Gary, this is an unusual fault. Is the lens still under warranty? It could potentially be problematical because the image stabilisation system needs to know the correct focal length.

Ian

[GFrankow]

Ian,

Thanks for the insight! I hadn't thought of that aspect -- although I hadn't seen anything that would have told me that the IS was not working appropriately.

Is there a place on the forums that I can post some images and ask for some technical analysis? (I thought the Critique forum was for more of a composition analysis than a technical analysis -- but I could certainly be mistaken!)

Gary

[Ian]

Originally Posted by GFrankow

Ian,

Thanks for the insight! I hadn't thought of that aspect -- although I hadn't seen anything that would have told me that the IS was not working appropriately.

Is there a place on the forums that I can post some images and ask for some technical analysis? (I thought the Critique forum was for more of a composition analysis than a technical analysis -- but I could certainly be mistaken!)

Gary

By all means post some shots here in this thread

Ian

[GFrankow]

Ian,

Thank you so much! Unfortunately, I have never had anyone with a photography background look at what I have shot -- and I need corneal transplants, so they all look pretty good to me. Now that I have found this issue, I am really wondering if I have more than just an issue with the lens -- possibly a focus issue with the E-3 as well.

Here is one of a shot of a local little bird that I shot about a week ago. The EXIF is reporting 224mm FL, but this was shot at 200mm with the 1.4X convertor. This was a handheld shot. I have also included a crop of the image.

Is there a way to post the original file (or at least a somewhat larger .JPG that would have the EXIF data included?)







Gary

[mige0]

Originally Posted by GFrankow

I checked the contacts and everything seems to be OK there -- no crud, scratches, or bending/denting.

Clean all contacts (camera, lens, converter) with isopropanol

[Ian]

You can send me some files to my dropbox account here:

http://www.dropitto.me/IanBurley

I will send you the password by forum Private Mail.

Ian

[GFrankow]

Ian,

Happy Easter! I hope all is well with you.

I was wondering if you have had an opportunity to review the RAW files that I sent to your dropbox?

Please do not feel that I am "pushing" you -- I just wanted to make sure that I actually did send the files correctly.

Thanks again for any help you can offer!

Gary