Well, the plot thickens. I just received two emails today, one from Olympus
Japan, and another from Olympus US. Both messages assuring me that the 350
will be supported through April 2010. The one from Olympus US stated:
"Regretfully, I am not sure as to whom you have talked to over here. But
the 350 F2.8 lens is still a very repairable lens. The repair cost is $300.
If you wish to obtain parts you can contact our parts department at
631-881-6511."
So I did. Not only do they apparently not stock anything for the 350/2.8,
they also apparently can not obtain anything either. They were kind enough
to fax me an exploded spare parts listing so I'll identify the mount lock
parts I need and call them back--no doubt to be told "NLA" once again--but
worth a shot. The bright side is they will "repair" a 350/2.8 for $300.00. I
guess this means I could score a new lens over a seemingly minor repair
request--but I also have a feeling I would have to wait a very long time to
get the lens "repair" turned around. Longer than I can afford to be without
it unless I were to go buy a Tamron 300/2.8 or something (I suppose I can
use my Tamron 80-200/2.8 with converters as a backup also).
I inquired about the OM-4 body mount Mark posted the part number for,
CE5734, and was told that there are a few of those in stock...but when they
run out, they're going to become NLA too. Guess I better get one of those
while I can.
So, some reassurance, I guess. But, not a whole lot. There does appear to be
a genuine effort by Olympus to support the OM system as best as possible
under the circumstances. I can see, though, that for professional use the
end of the OM is much nearer than I would have liked to realize, or admit. I
intend to stay the course as long as I can get away with it though, and hope
that the 4/3 system brings new hope for this die hard Olympus OM fan and
user of close to 3 decades now. There's really no budget to change horses in
the middle of this stream for me right now anyway--but I do find myself
pricing things like, gasp, D60 bodies, 80-200/2.8L, 300/2.8L and 500/4L
lenses, etc. now--perish the thought.
My winter off-season mission (which lasts all of about 7 weeks from the 23rd
of November to the 11th of January for me) is to get my OM-4T and/or 1.4XA
to not fall off the 350/2.8--and try and build as much billable business as
possible to help the equipment budget ;-)
Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com
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