sircarl
Well-known
I am tempted by an Olympus SPn on eBay, but the seller says there is "a slight play in the lens," which he claims is "as with most of these cameras that I have ever examined." When I wrote asking him about this, he replied:
"When I take hold of the front lens bezel and twist back and forth, the hash mark between the f stop ring and the focus ring moves slightly. Since this lens is permanentely attached, somewhere there are some loose screws. My best guess is that they are the ones that attach the shutter speed and iris rings to the focus mount. I don't think it is play in the focus helicals, but it is very hard to tell. I have owned 7 of these cameras over the years and they have all had the same problem more or less. I guess Olympus has never heard of Loctite. As I stated, the focus is smooth and this camera has less play than most I have examined."
So, my question for SP owners here -- have you found this to be so with your cameras? Is this something I should be wary of in bidding for this camera?
"When I take hold of the front lens bezel and twist back and forth, the hash mark between the f stop ring and the focus ring moves slightly. Since this lens is permanentely attached, somewhere there are some loose screws. My best guess is that they are the ones that attach the shutter speed and iris rings to the focus mount. I don't think it is play in the focus helicals, but it is very hard to tell. I have owned 7 of these cameras over the years and they have all had the same problem more or less. I guess Olympus has never heard of Loctite. As I stated, the focus is smooth and this camera has less play than most I have examined."
So, my question for SP owners here -- have you found this to be so with your cameras? Is this something I should be wary of in bidding for this camera?
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
I have about six or seven SPs, SPns and UC's and what you desribe is perfectly normal - as long as the movement/play is not more than 2-3mm.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
What Rich said. One of my SPs has virtually no play, another has the most minute amount. Both have had CLAs within the last year or so, so that may be a factor.
As Rich knows, I don't have any experience with a black SP or a UC. :bang: :bang: :bang:
As Rich knows, I don't have any experience with a black SP or a UC. :bang: :bang: :bang:
sircarl
Well-known
Thanks to you SP users for the advice.