Back in December I wrote about how my Fuji 55-200mm lens had been returned. I bought the lens second hand from Wex Photographic a couple of months earlier but then never really tested it. Yes, I took a couple of reference shots but nothing more. It was only when I had the lens on a shoot with me that something didn’t seem quite right. By then I had passed the 30 days return period which was my own fault.
In case you’re wondering what was wrong, I had problems achieving a sharp image either hand held or at any shutter speed. Look at this example of trees (click it to see the full resolution version). The left side of the image is out of focus but the right side is much sharper. This isn’t a depth of field issue as that would be front to back sharpness.
Despite being outside the return window I contacted Wex who advised the lens comes with a 6-month warranty. The lens was returned to Wex who then returned it to Fuji for repair. Just before Christmas I received a message from Wex advising Fuji could find nothing wrong with the lens and it had been returned as working fine.
I called Wex and spoke to one of the team managers who was excellent – he understood photography. He spoke to me for around 20 minutes looking over in detail the hi-resolution sample images I had provided. His view was that there was a fault, possibly in the IS.
The lens has now been returned to Fuji and I’m waiting on the outcome. In the interim, the longest focal length I can shoot with the Fuji is 55mm. I keep returning to the EM5 for long shots.
The Lightweight Photographer 
I had a similar experience with Canon many years ago. Had to send a decentered lens to them FOUR times to get them to understand the problem and fix it. Sheesh.
Dear Robin,
“A long lens is an essential part of a Landscape Photographer’s kit.” It sure is! Here’s a shot I took with my E-PL5 and Oly 40-150mm, way back in November 2013. I also wish to acknowledge my debt to you (yet again) for two downloads from the Lenscraft site, ‘Darkroom secrets of the Masters’ and ‘Magic Masking’. Very inspirational 🙂
*P.S. *I was dismayed to learn you’ve been quite unwell – even lost your voice. Could be the stiff breeze up on Higgin Tor (did I get that right?) – I noticed your throat was exposed. A turtleneck sweater would have helped…loved that video, though. Ihope you are better now. Subroto
On 9 January 2017 at 23:51, The Lightweight Photographer wrote:
> thelightweightphotographer posted: ” Back in December I wrote about how my > Fuji 55-200mm lens had been returned. I bought the lens second hand from > Wex Photographic a couple of months earlier but then never really tested > it. Yes, I took a couple of reference shots but nothing more. It wa” >
Thank you for the positive feedback. I’m very pleased that you enjoyed the resources on my Lenscraft website. Thanks also for your concern over my health and thankfully I am on the mend now (although my voice isn’t right). I think I picked up the bug from my Grandson who was visiting from France. Higger Tor was cold and windy but I’m used to much worse.
P.S. I have to keep my neck exposed otherwise it would cover my Mic and you wouldn’t hear me.