Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

[Ross the fiddler]

I knew my bargain priced 'preloved' 12-60 SWD lens showed signs of playing up a month ago but it seemed OK after reseating it. However, today while taking a few photos of my daughter all dressed up for a Harry Potter book release anniversary party at a book stall tonight, it started to play up again with sticky aperture blades, just like my 50-200 SWD lens did last year. Is it worthwhile having it serviced or just move on & spend on a M.ZD 12-40 (f2.8) lens instead? I would miss the focal range though & rely on using the 40-15 Pro lens more to cover that range as well (I have it on the camera a fair bit of the time already). No, I can't really afford another lens, especially the 12-100 f4 lens, nor repair costs really (at the moment) because I'm in enough trouble buying a new camera body.

Thanks in advance for a reply.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

Maybe with all the views of this posting with no comment, the general consensus is; "Move on, it's an old lens!"

[David M]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

Maybe with all the views of this posting with no comment, the general consensus is; "Move on, it's an old lens!"

I don't think it's just that it's an old lens, the 12-60 has developed a bit of a reputation for being unreliable. Mine is dying and has been for some time, it's just a matter of when it dies. I won't be getting it repaired, why spend money on something that could die again. I'm watching the online classifieds in Ontario for a used 14-54 MK II.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

I don't think it's just that it's an old lens, the 12-60 has developed a bit of a reputation for being unreliable. Mine is dying and has been for some time, it's just a matter of when it dies. I won't be getting it repaired, why spend money on something that could die again. I'm watching the online classifieds in Ontario for a used 14-54 MK II.

Thanks. I still have my 14-54 MK II lens that I bought as soon as it came out to use on my E520 then (I bought a used E30 a year later to pair with it), but it isn't as fast at focussing though on the E-M1 Mk II, as it makes a few steps to get there. I used it on the EM-5, especially since it was opimised for Live View shooting, so long as there was no movement it eventually focussed ( ), the E-M1 with only horizontal PD-AF sensing made it a little difficult sometimes (especially across hazy valleys) & I found it a little frustrating as it tried to focus, whereas the 12-60 SWD lens performed much better with AF (being much quicker in movement) & was great for night & indoor photography. The quality & range is nice too.
The 14-54 MK II lens does focus much more reliably on the E=M1 Mk II though (just had another little check).

[RobEW]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

Don't know how much repair would cost, but used 12-60s turn up quite cheaply from time to time. It's a great lens. My most used one by a long way.

[Phill D]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

I'd invest in lots of flowers in the short term and work towards getting a 12-100

[Jim Ford]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

Don't know how much repair would cost, but used 12-60s turn up quite cheaply from time to time. It's a great lens. My most used one by a long way.

In 2008 dpreview:

"Indeed the Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 SWD is quite simply a superb lens, which can lay claim to being one of the very best standard zooms currently available."

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/oly...2-60-2p8-4-o20

Jim

[Wally]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

I think you've basically answered your own question?

"No, I can't really afford another lens, especially the 12-100 f4 lens, nor repair costs really (at the moment) because I'm in enough trouble buying a new camera body. "

It all depends - useage wise / how much bang for buck it gives you - whether or not you feel it worth holding onto for a repair job at some time in the future? A cheap same lens replacement - which may end up with similar problem(s) - or, request a quote from Olympus and take it from there?

[griffljg]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

A few years ago, mine had the same problem. I think that it was a design fault. I sent it in for a quote for the repair. This was $350.00 Ouch!

But then I looked at the cost of a replacement. - Of the order of $1300.00 and asked myself "If you don't get it repaired, what will you get as a replacement?" The answer was quite simple.-> It is such an amazing lens that I would probably have gone for the same again.

So I had the lens repaired and it hasn't given me any trouble since.

My $0.02 worth. - Since you still have the 14-54 MK II as a backup lens, get the 12-60 repaired as soon as you can afford it. (I still had an old 14-45 on my old E-300 and used it while I was getting the 12-60 repaired.)

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

A few years ago, mine had the same problem. I think that it was a design fault. I sent it in for a quote for the repair. This was $350.00 Ouch!

But then I looked at the cost of a replacement. - Of the order of $1300.00 and asked myself "If you don't get it repaired, what will you get as a replacement?" The answer was quite simple.-> It is such an amazing lens that I would probably have gone for the same again.

So I had the lens repaired and it hasn't given me any trouble since.

My $0.02 worth. - Since you still have the 14-54 MK II as a backup lens, get the 12-60 repaired as soon as you can afford it. (I still had an old 14-45 on my old E-300 and used it while I was getting the 12-60 repaired.)

Yes, I think you may be right. I only bought it early last year for a bargain price of about $350, but I've been pretty impressed with it for range,
quality, focussing speed & all time focus adjustment with the SWD system. My 50-200 SWD lens I also bought used in early 2015 didn't last two
years for the same fault as well, but it cost me a lot more being a very clean looking lens from Japan. I went for the 40-150 Pro +MC14 instead
then, but still miss the older lens for how good it was (except the large bucket used for a lens hood).

At least it's only an hours drive to Olympus in Macquarie Park (Sydney metro) & usually it's a week turn around where I can have it posted back.

Anyhow, these images were taken at Vivid Sydney 2016 with the 12-60 SWD lens (& many more on my computer).

[Wally]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

Looking at the above photo's I'd say when you can afford it... go for it via Olympus. If they provide some sort of 'free' warranty then that would be a bonus if / when SWMBO complains. In between times, sitting in a cupboard it isn't eating any corn. An A$ a week pocket-money saved, will soon add up.

[griffljg]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

Lovely photos. You'll curse yourself if you don't get the lens repaired. ;-)

[Wally]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

Just to add to my above post... As you play the fiddle, why not do some busking? If you're good, people will put dosh in the cap. If you're bad, people will still put money in the bag to pay you to leave. Cash problem solved and pocket money saved... a win-win situation.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

Looking at the above photo's I'd say when you can afford it... go for it via Olympus. If they provide some sort of 'free' warranty then that would be a bonus if / when SWMBO complains. In between times, sitting in a cupboard it isn't eating any corn. An A$ a week pocket-money saved, will soon add up.

I have a birthday coming up but hers follow not a long time later & it is a special one that I particularly want to make sure I can give her the desired gazebo, if we can find a suitable design & builder to do it (useless nearby & maybe Wollongong or Queensland), so I really have to be careful what I spend on my self now for the time being.

Lovely photos. You'll curse yourself if you don't get the lens repaired. ;-)

I think that may be the case. It came from a previous owner in the north of Sydney (Mt Colah) & he only used it for a relatively short time having bought it used as well, so I don't know anything about its past or country of selling origin. I'm hoping it will only be a service & not a replacement part (aperture drive), as it is pretty much stuck closed now that I've been trying to free it with it at f22 & pressing the Preview button.

Anyhow, thanks everyone for all the comments as I think I will get a quote from Olympus in due course & see where that takes me.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Is it worthwhile repairing a 12-60 SWD lens?

Just to add to my above post... As you play the fiddle, why not do some busking? If you're good, people will put dosh in the cap. If you're bad, people will still put money in the bag to pay you to leave. Cash problem solved and pocket money saved... a win-win situation.

It's funny you should say that. One of my old customers that I sold a violin to busks (tries to) in our home town & people can only be giving it to her out of the kindness of their hearts, because she is terrible. At one time in her life she did play well & worked in a science field (can't remember what area of science now) but age & health have taken their toll.
I just have to spend more time repairing the instruments I already have waiting to be done (instead of playing around pointing faulty lenses at the sky etc.).