Oly 50mm ED Macro f2.0 grinding noise

[AbyssalPlains]

Just got my new Oly 50mm ED Macro f2.0 lens. I do know that the Zuiko lenses "fly by wire" and I'm used to my 14-54mm lens giving off a soft whirr when I move the focus ring with the cam set to MF, but the macro lens sounds as if tiny gearwheels are being moved against their will, just not quite right. The whole camera vibrates slightly, but noticeably, especially when turning the ring counterclockwise, toward minimum focussing distance. Nothing really bad, but just kinda funky. It doesn't have MF/AF switch like my Sigma 105mm, so all I need to do to focus manually is set the camera menu to MF, correct? I'm using the E-330, btw. Am I overly sensitive? Bad lens? What is your experience?

 

[jlyle]

I just tried my 50mm in manual and I do hear a soft noise, like gears turning, when I move the focus ring. It doesn't sound as if the gears are grinding...

Does a local camera store have the 50mm ED in stock? Take your camera to the store and "try" another lens.

BTW, when using the 105 in manual mode, make sure the lens reset on the the camera is OFF. If the camera tries to reset the lens with the 105 in manual, it will grind the gears. This is not a problem with the 50mm lens.

 

[AbyssalPlains]

Yep - I guess grinding is not the right word. It's more like gears turning and whirring with a little bit of vibration, and when I turn it extremely slowly, it almost sounds like a very soft "clickety-clickety..." I'd be curious to know whether your focus ring, like mine, makes a stronger sound when you turn it counterclockwise, i.e. extending the tubus?

Thanks for your help!

 

[AbyssalPlains]

...as far as a local camera store goes -- I wish we had one. Tucson is in the desert, and this is especially true for photography supplies. It's a total disaster. Best Buy and Pawn shops - that's pretty much it. Very sad.

 

[jlyle]

From your description, my 50mm makes the same sounds. If I turn the focus ring very slowly and listen carefully, it sounds a little louder when extending the lens...

 

[AbyssalPlains]

Cool. Thanks for giving me peace of mind! Have a great weekend.