Olympus C-5060 WZ owners

I'm beginning to think there is a problem with the AF system on my Olympus C-5060 WZ. If you also own one:

1) Do you think AF is fast? I think mine is slow.

2) Does it make a noise. Mine makes a sound while focusing. Perhaps like a slipping belt or cogwheel.

3) If you let the camera AF (halfway pressing the shutter button) and then press the focus mode select button to convert to MF and read the distance setting - do you think the results are consistent with what you expect and between attempts. I don't!

I'm mainly interested in knowing how other owners would describe the sound the camera makes while focusing.

/Anders

Anders

My 5060 and PT-020 housing get delivered today or tomorrow. I will do the same tests and let you know the results.

In my research, I found that the auto focus on the 5060 (and the G5) were supposed to be slow but I hope it is not super slow!!!!!

Ian H

Thanks,

I realize the sound/noise I'm hearing could be just normal "stepping". I noticed the sound, as being odd or too loud, the very first time I used the camera.

Yesterday I started to test what distances the AF actually set. I'd say it's random and/or highly inaccurate.

/Anders

I called Olympus first thing this (monday) morning and described my experiences with the C-5060 WZ AF. They agreed something seemed to be wrong, and recommended I send the camera to them.

Anders,

I wouldn't be too quick to ship the camera back to Olympus.

1. Has your camera always behaved this way, or is this a new symptom.

2. What is your definition of "slow" autofocus. >1 sec, >2 sec?

3. What lighting are you testing in? I notice very quick autofocus in good light, but much slower in low light.

4. It does make a (quiet) noise, sounds like a stepper motor hunting around to obtain the correct focus. Nothing that has alarmed me.

5. Autofocus->MF - yes I have noticed on rare occasion conflicting readings, but I find these are typically indoor low light when the focus is struggling anyway, and I find it hard to hold the camera pointing at exactly the same part of an object. In any case the readings are never way out, and give acceptable pictures in all but the extreme cases.

Have you updated your firmware? I thing I have v79 or maybe v80 - I don't remember, but the V82 firmware is available for user install at the olympus website. I did read somewhere that users were reporting better AF performance, particularly in macro. That may help.

Paul.

Thanks Paul,

Olympus did give me a new camera. It shows all the same symptoms (especially indoors in low light) but significantly less so. The new camera definitely performs better!

It has firmware v79 and I found v81 at Olympus web site (which has no changes related to focusing). Where did you get v82?

/Anders

Glad to hear you're happier with the new camera. Don't know if the low light autofocus is an issue with 5050s also, but I'm sure they'll tell us about the fantastic advantages of f1.8 super fast night vision lenses for indoor use :roll:

Don't get too excited about firmware versions :oops: - I meant v81 or whichever was on the Olympus site . I 'm sure mine is v79 but I haven't updated yet, simply because I haven't gotten around to it though I did download the firmware in case Olympus have a change of heart and remove it! :wink:

On the subject of firmware enhancements, v81 may not list focusing enhancements, but the much publicised beta v80b software that was released before Olympus formally went public did greatly improve autofocus especially in macro / supermacro according to anecdotal evidence posted on dpreview, yahoo 405060 list etc. I can't speak from experience because I haven't bothered to upgrade yet. :|

You housed yet? My Ike housing is somewhere between USPS, Her Majestys Customs, and The Royal Mail at the moment. Teasingly B&H shipped the sync cord in a different box (same day) which arrived this Monday, so I'm hoping the housing isn't too far behind as I'm diving this Sunday. 8)

I've upgraded to v81. Haven't noticed any dramatic improvements. (The camera IS new to me. I haven't really used it for anything.)

I've got the PT-020, and a trip coming up shortly. Had the Ikelite housing been available earlier I probably would have gotten that instead.

I also ordered an Ikelite DS-50, but due to an unfortunate choice of dealer, haven’t gotten it yet. I’ve given up on that order and made a new one with a different dealer. It should arrive in time for my trip, but with no time to test it before I go.

May not be a dealer problem because Ikelite was almost a month behind in shipping strobe orders.............

May not be a dealer problem because Ikelite was almost a month behind in shipping strobe orders.............

For 3 weeks I've been told there are no (further) complications or delays.

I've even been given a shipment tracking number. It’s just that I never received anything, and the tracking web site doesn’t recognize the shipment number.

Picked up my 5060 and PT-020 on Friday. What an awesome piece of gear. The only thing this camera does not do is add smell to the photo's.

I am impressed.

There is no noticable unusual noise when focusing. (Very smooth compared to my Nikon F801 35mm.)

The autofocus is slow in very low light conditions but is very quick in all other conditions.

The autofoucs length is slightly different at times in low light conditions but the distance meter is only a guide and a couple of centimeters in a meter focus range is quite acceptable.The photos are all exactly the same as far as focus, exposure depth each time you come back and take the same shot.

Battery life is 5 times better than I expected.

Macro and super macro both in manual and AF are exceptional.

The two storage cards should be standard on every digital.

The built in flash has a mind of it's own.Very smart.

If this baby can perform as good under water as it does above I will be a very happy camper.

Can't wait to get wet.

Anders, let us know how your trip goes and how the 5060 performs without a strobe.(hope your DS-50 arrives before you go)

Ian H

Just a thought - I was told by photographers better than myself that sometimes you just have to turn the camera off to make it focus and also if you point it out to a wide open space it will not focus until you turn it off & back on pointed at something specific. lbogy