Update on Panasonic Leica DG Summilux Clicking Noise on Olympus Pen Bodies - Page 3

Jackpot · #21 December 14th, 2011, 10:39 AM

I've ordered the 25mm for my E-P3, and it arrives today. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Jonathan F/2 · #22 December 14th, 2011, 10:46 AM

I don't see the issue, my 14mm pancake rattlesnaked on my G3 in bright sunlight. I can live with the noise.

manju69 · #23 December 14th, 2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan F/2

I don't see the issue, my 14mm pancake rattlesnaked on my G3 in bright sunlight. I can live with the noise.

Me too - well, I'd like it fixed, but it does not disturb me too much that I could not use it. I am surprised to read that some folk swap bodies because of it - maybe it's way worse on some bodies than others. The 20mm was a baby rattlesnake when I had it and I have never heard the 14mm...

i'll take a fix if it comes though.

Jonathan F/2 · #24 December 14th, 2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manju69

Me too - well, I'd like it fixed, but it does not disturb me too much that I could not use it. I am surprised to read that some folk swap bodies because of it - maybe it's way worse on some bodies than others. The 20mm was a baby rattlesnake when I had it and I have never heard the 14mm...

i'll take a fix if it comes though.

A firmware would be welcomed, but it's not like the PL 25 is the first lens to make noise.

Armanius · #25 December 14th, 2011, 11:13 AM

Oly is thinking that if we don't fix the rattlesnake, maybe people will buy our 12-50 super slow lens instead! It's practically silent! :)

georger · #26 December 14th, 2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amin Sabet

There has been a fair amount of discussion about clicking aperture noises coming from the Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4 DG Summilux lens when used on Olympus PEN bodies, and I reached out to contacts at Panasonic regarding this issue.

The folks at Panasonic were responsive, able to reproduce the problem, and quickly determined that it is likely an Olympus camera firmware issue. They reached out to Olympus, who were aware of the issue. Olympus is currently studying the problem and do not see a need to work with Panasonic to solve it but cannot commit to any timeline for a fix.

At this point, I think that those who are affected and want a remedy may want to contact Olympus directly to voice their concerns. The telephone number to call is (484) 896-5000.

I have a Lumix/Leica 25mm F1.4 lens making the soft grinding noise. I called the above phone number but there was no answer, so I called 1-888-553-4448 and talked to Dan. I was the second person he has talked to regarding this problem, the first person called last week. His first suggestion was to update the firmware, but then he checked that the last firmware release was in August, which is already installed on my EP2. We tested this lens on my EP1 and the noise was the same, I actually let him listen to it so he knows what this noise is. I certainly mentioned Amin's discussion with Panasonic folks especially how responsive they were. He will contact the product manager and will relay the results to me. Let’s cross our fingers, I like the lens, but this noise is annoying.

George.

starlabs · #27 December 14th, 2011, 12:42 PM

I hope Olympus will look into and fix this, but I'm not holding my breath.

In my opinion, it's a fault on Panasonic as much as Olympus. There's no reason to use such a noisy aperture mechanism on their lens. For $600, they should have made the aperture silent. Period.

georger · #28 December 14th, 2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starlabs

I hope Olympus will look into and fix this, but I'm not holding my breath.

In my opinion, it's a fault on Panasonic as much as Olympus. There's no reason to use such a noisy aperture mechanism on their lens. For $600, they should have made the aperture silent. Period.

The loud aperture mechanism should be present on Panasonic bodies as well. If it is not than culprit could be in Olympus’ aperture firmware control. On other hand I looked into noise timing and it seems as the primary noise is during opening or closing the aperture between fully open and resting in “on” position. I am struggling to understand why this is shall by primarily Olympus issue.

I wish that Olympus and Panasonic together, The Mu4/3 key guys, would address the problem without the customer being a middle man.

George.

stillshunter · #29 December 14th, 2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georger

The loud aperture mechanism should be present on Panasonic bodies as well. If it is not than culprit could be in Olympus’ aperture firmware control. On other hand I looked into noise timing and it seems as the primary noise is during opening or closing the aperture between fully open and resting in “on” position. I am struggling to understand why this is shall by primarily Olympus issue.

I wish that Olympus and Panasonic together, The Mu4/3 key guys, would address the problem without the customer being a middle man.

George.

Well from my experience with the PL25 on the EP3 vs the GF1. A noise is present on both whenever the lens is exposed to strong light. Difference being that the Panasonic clicks once to the aperture required to 'save' the sensor/liveview from the harsh light, while the Olympus appears to click all the way through the aperture range (in definitive 'steps') until it finds its comfort zone. So we are talking one confident click rather than a seriously unhappy rattlesnake.

So maybe Panasonic could make the whole thing silent through firmware to the lens - odds aren't good. While it seems Oly could simply provide firmware to have the body adjust the aperture in a single step (as is the case with the Panasonic). Will they?...well with enough pressure from Amin they might

, but I still wonder what's in it for Olympus?

georger · #30 December 14th, 2011, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stillshunter

Well from my experience with the PL25 on the EP3 vs the GF1. A noise is present on both whenever the lens is exposed to strong light. Difference being that the Panasonic clicks once to the aperture required to 'save' the sensor/liveview from the harsh light, while the Olympus appears to click all the way through the aperture range (in definitive 'steps') until it finds its comfort zone. So we are talking one confident click rather than a seriously unhappy rattlesnake.

So maybe Panasonic could make the whole thing silent through firmware to the lens - odds aren't good. While it seems Oly could simply provide firmware to have the body adjust the aperture in a single step (as is the case with the Panasonic). Will they?...well with enough pressure from Amin they might

, but I still wonder what's in it for Olympus?

Your explanation makes o lot of sense. Can the problem be eliminated by Olympus firmware, very likely; by lens firmware – maybe? It seems that this detail is not defined in m4/3 standard so what is there for Olympus is a good question. It could lead to dissatisfaction with m4/3 overall and both companies could suffer. Finger pointing will not shed good light on both companies. Will this issue force me to break away from m4/3, not likely, but it certainly will be annoying if not resolved so let's hope; how annoying?:

Nikon D200 - 69dBA,
EP2, Lumix 25-1.4 - 66dBA,
EP2, Lumix 20-1.7 - 63dBA,
EP2, Olympus 9/18 - 60dBA.
all measured from the distance of 3'.

George.