Lens Communication Error

[Oxfordian]

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I have a Panasonic 85mm / f1.8 for my SL2, it has performed very well and given some excellent results however, when I went to use it the other day it wouldn't register on the SL2 just whirled away then eventually gave a 'Lens Communication Error' message on the back of the camera and nothing works.

In an attempt to resolve the issue, I have turned the camera off, removed the battery, SCL4 50% charged, cleaned the lens contacts using a Zeiss lens wipe, none of which has helped the problem still persists.

With the lens still under a 6 month warranty (purchased second hand) I have contacted the store I bought it from and await their response.

I wondered if anyone else has had a similar issue and how did they resolve it, I have a Leica 50mm / f2 ASPH, Sigma 24-70 Art (latest model) and a Sigma 20mm Contemporary lenses, all of which are fine when mounted on the camera which has the latest firmware installed. This is the first time that I've had an issue with a lens not functioning properly on any camera in 40 years so a bit puzzled.

Any suggestions on how this can be resolved would be welcomed.

Thanks.

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[wizard]

Lenses can have firmware, too, so it might be worth a try to update the lens to its latest firmware. Just a thought.

[Oxfordian]

1 hour ago, wizard said:

Lenses can have firmware, too, so it might be worth a try to update the lens to its latest firmware. Just a thought.

I have looked on Panasonic's website but whilst there is firmware for cameras and camcorders I can't find anything to suggest that there is a firmware section for lenses.

[wizard]

vor 32 Minuten schrieb Oxfordian:

I can't find anything to suggest that there is a firmware section for lenses.

Well, then I guess it's up to the dealer to shed some light on this issue. Perhaps the lens is indeed malfunctioning, the more so since the problem only occurred quite recently.

[jaapv]

I had something quite similar on a CL with an 18-56. Leica replaced the lens. 

[Jean-Michel]

It is likely a lens issue. I once had this happen on a Canon 24-105 and it required a lens repair; I think that it is a hardware and not software issue.

Edited September 17 by Jean-Michel
typo

[BernardC]

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2 hours ago, Oxfordian said:

I have looked on Panasonic's website but whilst there is firmware for cameras and camcorders I can't find anything to suggest that there is a firmware section for lenses.

Here it is on their international site:

https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index4.html

The 85/1.8 doesn't have an update at this time.

Maybe you've done this already, but I would try the lens on a different L-Mount body, just to confirm that the lens is faulty. Any used or new body at your local dealer's will do if you don't have a second body.

[Oxfordian]

23 minutes ago, BernardC said:

Here it is on their international site:

https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index4.html

The 85/1.8 doesn't have an update at this time.

Maybe you've done this already, but I would try the lens on a different L-Mount body, just to confirm that the lens is faulty. Any used or new body at your local dealer's will do if you don't have a second body.

Thanks for this, unfortunately I don't have another L mount body, guess I'll have to wait for the camera store to get back to me.

[Chuck Albertson]

I had this happen with a 35 SLAPO. After trying various combos of turning off the camera/battery pull/detach the lens/clean the contacts, it went to Wetzlar for a warranty repair. It came back after three months and the problem hasn't recurred. No idea what they did to it, the note from Customer Care simply says "Repairs as needed."

[Oxfordian]

Update on this issue;

Having contacted the supplying dealer I was asked to take the lens into store so that could examine it. This was done and they decided that whilst they couldn't replicate the issue (neither could I after the initial problem) that they would exchange the lens and have another one sent to me from a different store as they didn't have a used version of the lens in stock.

They also pointed out that the lens would come with another 6 month warranty giving me peace of mind going forward.

The replacement lens arrived on Monday, in a Panasonic box whereas the first was just in a white box, and was marked up at £50 more than the old one. I can't fault the dealership in how they handled the problem, perfect customer service in my eyes.

Well done London Camera Exchange in Exeter and thank you.