Olympus 35-100 Lens problem, users please chime in!

B

Benjamin Eckstein

Well-known member
I received the Oly 14-35 and 35-100 lenses last Friday but just today received the adapter for these lenses. The 14-35 works great. This will be my all around lens.

The 35-100 though makes a terrible clicking sound when I focus it. I can't imagine this is normal, otherwise these would make fairly horrible video lenses. When it's not powered the ring is smooth, but I also noticed when it came out of the box that when the lens shakes a bit not on the camera, it sounds like something is rattling.

Can other users confirm that the focus ring should in fact be relatively silent when you adjust the focus.

I am wondering if I received a faulty unit.

Thanks,
Benjamin
 
No you did not receive a faulty unit. Mine has everything you describe. remember this is designed as a still lens and is not a zoom. Think of it more as a variable prime.
 
I understand that I wouldn't actually use it as a zoom, but changing focus with a prime lens is a common practice too, so that is too bad that it is so noisy when focusing the lens. I hope this won't be a deal breaker. We'll see.
 
I hear no rattling on my lens. I hear no terrible clicking when focusing. I hear the normal clicking when aperture is changing.
Perhaps your lens was damaged during shipping ?
 
Hmmm, interesting MonkeyKing. I have one report from Editman that his too has a rattle when the lens is not powered and that his too makes noise when manually focusing, and then a report from you that it's not. Maybe I'll see if a local dealer carries one.

Obviously if it's a dud, I'll get it replaced. If this is normal for the lens, though, I just did a little interview test and on playback couldn't hear any of the refocusing so that's good.

Thanks for your feedback.
 
I just put up my Oly 35-100. I didn't experience any rattling at all. The Lens does make a little noise when focusing, but not a loud clicking noise. It almost sound like turning the focus ring also turns the focus motor and the motor's parts turning is the noise I hear. I might be a little concerned that the on camera mic "might" pick up that noise, but other than that, it shouldn't be a sound issue.
 
Thanks Derek. I may post a video just so other users can tell me if what I'm hearing is normal or if I need to send this back to B+H or Olympus.
 
I used my Olympus on a shoot last week, and just check it again today. The only noise I get is from the iris. IF you leave it in auto iris and pan around or zoom in and out you hear a slight noise from the iris changing. Nothing major, and it can be avoided in manual iris. That is the only sound I hear.
 
Thanks again. Definitely sounds like there is something wrong then. Basically what I am hearing is that the focus ring, when turned is MUCH louder than on the 14-35. It sounds like several are confirming this is NOT the case with their lenses.
 
D10S said:
I used my Olympus on a shoot last week, and just check it again today. The only noise I get is from the iris. IF you leave it in auto iris and pan around or zoom in and out you hear a slight noise from the iris changing. Nothing major, and it can be avoided in manual iris. That is the only sound I hear.
Click to expand...

I've got the Zuiko 12-60 and the only sound I hear is the iris in auto mode but not a problem since I never shoot anything in auto. Only disappointment I have is there is no push/auto focus on the 12-60. Occasionally I like the option to push-focus but the manual focus is so smooth, again, it's not a big problem. What is great is the 12-60 range and sharpness of the image. Director and client on Monday were clearly blown away by the AF100/Zuiko combo while watching downloaded clips on the MacBook Pro.
 
Benjamin Eckstein said:
Thanks again. Definitely sounds like there is something wrong then. Basically what I am hearing is that the focus ring, when turned is MUCH louder than on the 14-35. It sounds like several are confirming this is NOT the case with their lenses.
Click to expand...

This IS definitely the case with mine compared to the 14-35. The only time my 35-100 doesn't make clicking noises when focusing is when the ring is manually turned without the camera being powered on. This is true on the AF100 as well as all the GH1s and the GH2 I've used it with. I thought this was normal for a fly-by-wire lens of this size. Just measured it at around 4dB at around 3.5 feet away.
 
Thanks Tflak. I think that's the case. Again, I did a little audio test in an interview setup and any focus changes were not picked up by the mics. I am fine if this is the way it's supposed to act; I just wanted to make sure it was normal.

Otherwise, these 2 lenses are phenomenal.
 
These issues are just problems with the version 1.1 firmware on the Olympus 35-100 f2 I reckon
Version 1.2 has increased compatibilty with the Lumix range [inc the AF100]

- checkout the link below for updating AF 100 firmware AND some lenses [but only those on Pana's official compat list]
the lens firmware is updated thru the camera body etc. it's pretty cool stuff... you don't need to send your lenses back anywhere - just read all the instructions provided

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/cs/csregistp2m/ep2main/soft/upgaf100_e.htm

NOTE the Oly 35-100 f2 aint on the list because it's not 'officially' sanctioned by Pana [possibly because of the weight and Pana needs to cover thier ass - which does make sense I guess]
how many people are out there already shooting with no lens support!
BUT the Zuiko 35-100 f2 Vers 1.2 firmware can be found here [on this link below], you just need an Olympus body to put your 35-100 on and hey presto!

http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/firm/e1/#pana_ml

Interestingly there are also Pana Lumix lenses listed with firmware updates eg the Lumix 7-14mm f4 - the update overcomes various probs when shooting video

We live in a digital age peeps, if 'it' don't work properly you either need more 1's or more 0's : )

Cheers
 
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