How do we properly break this 14-42mm kit lens in? Does this get better over time? The zoom ring is not smooth and sticks. :(
1276778
You can try moving it in and out slowly while watching TV or something to give it some extra use. I had the same problem with the 100-300 and it got better, not perfect- but better.
1276779
It has a very plastic feel to it. My 14-45mm does have a smoother zoom but I think a lot of that has to do with the rubber covering on the zoom ring, how much could that band have added to the production cost, pennies? I bought a collapsible Olympus 14-42mm and the feel of it's zoom mechanism is very smooth, but performance wise I think both of the Panasonics perform better on my G1s. I use the Oly on my GF3 because it is better balanced on the small camera. I thought the 14-42mm OIS Panasonic was replaced with a more recent model. Did you get the new model or the old model?
1276780
Lots of people complain about that, mine was not that bad comparatively. It did seem to get a little smoother with use. Mine was never jerky or sticky but it was never buttery smooth either. Definitely has a cheap feel to it. How long have you had it?
1276781
I am experiencing the same symptoms and I strongly suspect, the grabbing and sticking of the zoom ring is a design problem. I am giving it two more weeks or until my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AIS manual focus lens comes. At that point i want look back. I say sale it and go for the nikon of course you have to buy a nikon to Micro 4/3 adapter for about 25.00. I don't know what level a shooter you are but it will solve all your problems. learning to shoot manually will be a breeze (patience) is required. The 14-42mm kit lens is just bad news, however i read that the Olympus 14-42mm is a better built lens??? Oh the Nikon is priced from 90-118 dollars use and new at 135 there about. Good Luck. I am experiencing the same symptoms and I strongly suspect, the grabbing and sticking of the zoom ring is a design problem. I am giving it two more weeks or until my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AIS manual focus lens comes. At that point i want look back. I say sale it and go for the nikon of course you have to buy a nikon to Micro 4/3 adapter for about 25.00. I don't know what level a shooter you are but it will solve all your problems. learning to shoot manually will be a breeze (patience) is required. The 14-42mm kit lens is just bad news, however i read that the Olympus 14-42mm is a better built... » Read More I am experiencing the same symptoms and I strongly suspect, the grabbing and sticking of the zoom ring is a design problem. I am giving it two more weeks or until my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AIS manual focus lens comes. At that point i want look back. I say sale it and go for the nikon of course you have to buy a nikon to Micro 4/3 adapter for about 25.00. I don't know what level a shooter you are but it will solve all your problems. learning to shoot manually will be a breeze (patience) is required. The 14-42mm kit lens is just bad news, however i read that the Olympus 14-42mm is a better built lens??? Oh the Nikon is priced from 90-118 dollars use and new at 135 there about. Good Luck. « Show Less
1485413
Mine does the same thing. Lens seems to work just fine. Probably has a friction clutch which permits the focus ring to turn past the stops
1796672
Hi Jorge, it's beautiful. I normally use the 50mm 1:1.2. I'm spoiled and prefer this over any zoom.
574863
Funny you should ask, Bryan. I just noticed a slight lifting on the back side of the zoom ring today. I've shot a couple thousand frames so far and I carry my camera in a bag where it rubs up against other gear. The knob on the front of the ring is wearing a hole in the bag divider against which it sits. So I've been a little rough with my camera. IMO the loose ring is probably normal. Unless our cameras are both defective. Everything works as it should.
479374
There are a number of things that could be happening. . . . is it blurry image, or camera shake. . . have you shot anything that is sharp. . . this is a very heavy lens and requires a bit of expertise to handle. . . . let's eliminate the obvious before jumping to conclusions about the lens. . . . my email address is bobglicksmith@me.com. . . send me an email and I'll be glad to setup a time to talk with you . . . . bgs.
871931
Sorry, I haven't had this problem. I think I remember it's best to focus from a normal angle to assure good focus zooming in. I presume you are also careful to center the image on the subject you want sharp. Ther might also be a setting to tell the camera how to handle close up shots. There may be levels orb types if selectivity possible. Depth of field is more critical in telephoto so it doesn't take much to throw it off. Sorry I don't have the camera or manual handy.
342901
I as well have a focus problem, I have to bump the zoom a bit when I first start the camera. Not aware of any solutions and am looking for a warranty fix.
298942
I second guessed myself as well in the beginning. The lens has a pretty long manual throw. i.e. it takes some big turns to get things into focus manually. Keep trying and it should eventually get things into focus.
557615
I've stopped using the kit-zoom-lens (14-42). I have a 14-mm and a 20-mm prime lens ($300). I like night-photography too; I mostly use the 20-mm-lens, however. I like the 14-mm lens though, since it's small ... if you only want to get one more lens, get the 20-mm prime lens. It's worth it. If you don't wanna spend 300, spend the 150 or so (ebay) on the 14-mm lens ... it's small and good for night shots ...
724507
Hey Barbara,I would definitely try one a little sturdier. I have this one now on a lighter Nikon (D7000) and primarily use a smaller lens (18-105) and I think it is about at capacity and maybe a little under-qualified. Just one man's opinion but I think something more robust would suit your very nice set up better.
1276663
I've been using the 14-24mm f2.8 for a year now. Tack sharp! No lens creep. I was worried about no filters to protect glass also. Built in lens hood protects front element well enough. Lens cap fits OVER hood when not in use. I am comfortable with that. No VR doesn't seem to be an issue, as a lot of light comes through the glass and allows higher shutter speeds I feel. I generally shoot with a standard ISO of 400 to kick it up the speed a bit. Great lens. I also use the 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses, both at f2.8 as well. Throw any pic from these three lenses on you monitor and you could cut yourself on the sharpness. LOL. I've been using the 14-24mm f2.8 for a year now. Tack sharp! No lens creep. I was worried about no filters to protect glass also. Built in lens hood protects front element well enough. Lens cap fits OVER hood when not in use. I am comfortable with that. No VR doesn't seem to be an issue, as a lot of light comes through the glass and allows higher shutter speeds I feel. I generally shoot with a standard ISO of 400 to kick it up the speed a bit. Great lens. I also use the 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses, both at f2.8 as well. Throw any pic from these three lenses on you monitor and you could cut... » Read More I've been using the 14-24mm f2.8 for a year now. Tack sharp! No lens creep. I was worried about no filters to protect glass also. Built in lens hood protects front element well enough. Lens cap fits OVER hood when not in use. I am comfortable with that. No VR doesn't seem to be an issue, as a lot of light comes through the glass and allows higher shutter speeds I feel. I generally shoot with a standard ISO of 400 to kick it up the speed a bit. Great lens. I also use the 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses, both at f2.8 as well. Throw any pic from these three lenses on you monitor and you could cut yourself on the sharpness. LOL. « Show Less
1591776
I have the same equipment. The situation you describe is not normal in any lens mounted in any camera. But this combination lens/camera use to do it. Put the lens and the camera on manual focus, because the autofocus in this lens on this camera is a nightmare. But in manual mode, this lens is pristine, wonderful.
1184475
I'm almost sure youre lens is good. As it is a prime lens, you cant control the f-stop with the camera body, so the the camera can't detect that there is a lens attached as it would with your kit lens. Go into your camera's menu, go to the section designated by the picture of the gear. Scroll down until you see the option that says "Release w/o lens" and enable it. You should be able to use the lens now.Hope this helps!-Andrew
185173
Another possibility. The lens will actually zoom (optically) to 28X+ mag at lower resolutions. As stated in the owners manual with possible (I forget the exact wording) degradation of the image. Is it possible you may using a lower res?
518183
sounds like you need to adjust the eye piece, " the lens nearest your eye ". There's a lock ring behind the zoom adjustment , loosen this ring and twist the eye piece to meet your needs. Hope this helps you.
1270941
On all of the canons I have owned it works this way:There should be a rubber piece around the eyepiece. It usually slips off by pushing it up. Take that piece off and slip this lens in its place. You won't need the rubber piece anymore.
1540757
i DROPPED MINE ON A HARD WOOD FLOOR WITH THE LENS OUT AND THOUGHT WAS BROKEN - THEN FOUND OUT IT WOULD COST THE SAME AS NEW TO FIX SO - I THOUGHT WHAT DO I HAVE TO LOSE - SO I TOOK HOLD OF THE LENS AND JUST BENT IT TO BE STRAIGHT AGAIN - AND IT WORKED I THOUGHT I WOULD CRACK IT OFF BUT IT POPPED BACK INTO PLACE AND PERFECT AGAIN.