mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I've only had the camera (Olympus E-M1) for 3 1/2 months and somewhere in that time frame I noticed what looked like yellow pollen grains around the outer regions of my viewfinder. They were/are scattered in no particular pattern but make it hard to see the full scene. Luckily the center area is still clear and nothing shows in the photos.

I took the camera to the local pro camera store today and showed the problem to someone in the repair department. What I thought was a dirty sensor is actually something in the viewfinder itself. Being that it would be really hard to get something up into, behind and through the viewfinder unit, I couldn't imagine what on earth that could be. It was suggested that the viewfinder was deteriorating. How depressing!!

Anyone out there in UHH land known of anything like this happening to a viewfinder? I was told to send the camera back to Olympus. I bought it at B&H so will check with them first before I part with it.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Definitely check with B&H. They have great customer support and will steer you in the right direction.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Even more reasons to hate viewfinders!

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I used to feel that way too until I bought this camera. In bright daylight I can't see a thing on the LCD screen so I was forced to use the viewfinder. Once I did I realized it made holding my camera more steady and the viewfinder is so crisp and clear. The diopter in the viewfinder makes it so I can see the scene without having to wear my glasses. I do wish that the LCD screen worked better in bright light it would save strain on my neck at times.

WAL

Please explain hating view finders. I am curious. Do you mean and SLR view finder, all view finders?

Bear123 Loc: Wild & Wonderful West Virginia

That's an electronic viewfinder isn't it? I wonder if the electronics in it are mal-functioning? Just a thought.
:hunf:

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Yes it is electronic. I can still see the scene clearly enough through it minus the yellow specks all around the edges. I envisioned someone on an assembly line eating lunch while installing the viewfinder unit. I wish I had a way to photograph it. If not like pollen grains perhaps like tiny mustard splatters. Very curious but the viewfinder seems to be working okay. I've invested so much time and emotion (aggravation) getting to understand this camera that I hate to let go of it. Hope I get all the same settings back into a new one if it comes to that. Will have to go through all the settings and take notes.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Your settings are likely to be reset for you. Make good notes now, before you send it off, so you will have an easier time than you did in the first place.

I have never had an issue with the viewfinders but I read once on a forum of a person who had "yellow flecks" in an OMD viewfinder and had to have it repaired. I did have an LCD screen replaced on my OMD, a result of my 3 year old grandson attempting to service the camera. It would still take photos fine but the back screen looked like something from a sci-fi movie. Repair was quick and uneventful but all settings were reset and the latest firmware was installed.

Bear123 Loc: Wild & Wonderful West Virginia

Lunch is quite possible. I have had 4 and currently use 3 Olympus cameras and understand the pain on going to a different brand with another learning curve. I think once you get the hang of the Olympus menus you'll be OK. I've dealt with B&H and they are very fair, I would check with them first.

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

When I referred to a "new camera" I should have said an E- M1 "replacement." I don't think I'm in the mood to start anew learning a different camera. Outside of noise issues, I am pretty much settled in with this E-M1. Even at 200 ISO I still am not happy with the noise I'm getting at 1/100 and 1/125 sec. Most photos have it no matter what I'm shooting at. I haven't had any photo prints made yet, just running them off my ink jet at the moment which I just use for recording my settings along with the image for notes. Still on the learning curve, but the worst part is over......I think. I am also on a learning curve with Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom 5 and perhaps there is a good noise correction feature in them.....seems I saw something related to that on Youtube or someone's webinar.

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

That would really be merciful if the settings would be replaced.

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

This is the reply that I got from B&H. Apparently they don't support their customers after 30 days even for manufacturer's defects. It's not like I just didn't like the camera, or broke it and wanted my money back after using it for 3 months. What a bummer!!! Will give B&H a call. See if that works out better. Maybe "Nathan", like other representatives of various companies that I've had the misfortune of dealing with, just wasn't trained very well.

Hello , my name is Nathan Z.

Thank you for contacting the Customer Service Department at B&H Photo Video and Pro Audio.

We have reviewed your Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) request. However, based upon the information you have provided, we cannot accommodate your request because it passed our 30 days return policy. At this point you need to deal with the manufacturer directly for service.

You can review our return policy at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/ReturnExchange.jsp.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

Please let us know if there is anything else we can assist you with.



Nathan Z
B&H Photo Video and Pro Audio
The Professional's Source.
E-Mail Customer Service Department
http://www.bhphotovideo.com

:thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ

B&H e-mailed me a copy of my purchase receipt and now it is being packed for shipping to Olympus for repair. Will be going through withdrawal until I get it back. :cry: