[bigted]

Hi Folks,

I'm looking for advice on repairing a plastic lens mount. This afternoon I went to use my DA L 55-300mm lens and it wouldn't fasten tight to the camera. When I took it off the camera I noticed the damage to the mount. Has anyone had experience in having one of these lenses repaired. Since I can replace it new for $249 is it even worth having it professionally repaired?

Thanks in advance for your input,

Stevi



Flickr is driving me nuts tonight. If you cannot see the image please try clicking on the box where it should be or on the image name if you can see it.

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Last edited by bigted; 09-02-2014 at 06:18 AM.

[boriscleto]

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/127674-pent...placement.html

Getting parts from Pentax is tricky, CRIS is no longer an option because Pentax switched repair providers. The best option might be cannibalizing the mount from a 18-55.

[Imageman]

I would add that if you are cannibalising a mount, try to find a metal one that fits

[officiousbystander]

Can you recall what might have caused the damage? Is it a reason to avoid plastic mounts altogether?

[boriscleto]

SMC Pentax-DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

This review included a way to modify the lens to accept a metal mount from a DA 18-55.

[bigted]

Can you recall what might have caused the damage? Is it a reason to avoid plastic mounts altogether?

I have no idea what caused the damage. Until the damage it had been a very good lens and it was one of my most used lenses. It was the first lens I bought after I picked up my fist DSLR - a K-r and I have had it almost 3 years. But I have to be honest and say I am seriously considering picking up the HD version as a replacement. Largely because it has a metal mount (being a WR version helps too).

[cav]

The actual part costs 15$.You can replace it yourself very easy. Here is a link to the service manual for that lens : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/127674-pent...ml#post2630211

[Imageman]

If you replace the mount with a plastic one be very careful.


Its easy to break the mount where a screw pierces the mount. Its usual for screws to put too much pressure when even slightly overtightened and this causes a fracture at that point.


Don't over tighten, the correct tightness if anything feels slightly slack, you cant run screws up hard on plastic mounts they drill into the mount too easily when you overtighten. Metal doesn't have this issue. Keep checking for tightness to make sure its not working loose.


The significance of the later version using a metal mount is not lost. I think early failures like yours proved an issue and necessitated the replacement of plastic with metal mounts in the later version. If the plastic mount was satisfactory the metal would not have been used they would have continued to use plastic mounts in that model.


Gentle tightening is the key good luck.

[Peter Marsland]

Hello. I have DAL 18-55 with a damaged mount and a DAL 55-300 with a sound mount but internal damage. Can I just use the 55-300 mount on the 18-55? Is it just a matter of removing screws? Are there springs or other surprises inside? Thanks for any tips.

[que es tu]

Well, for $250 you can probably find a used HD DA 55-300 f4-5.8 WR lens.

[kypfer]

Hello. I have DAL 18-55 with a damaged mount and a DAL 55-300 with a sound mount but internal damage. Can I just use the 55-300 mount on the 18-55? Is it just a matter of removing screws? Are there springs or other surprises inside? Thanks for any tips.

I've not needed to disassemble a Pentax lens, but removing the mount on a PK-fit Sigma held all sorts of nightmares … pins and springs and connecting cables
FWIW, I broke the "plastic" mount on my Samsung NX 18-55mm (they don't bounce well!) … I put it back together with superglue and haven't had a problem

[Peter Marsland]

Thanks for this, kypfer. This is my fear: removing the mount will lead to springs flying out and connecting cables which need de-soldering then re-soldering. I have repaired my damaged mount with non-foaming clear gorilla glue. I've yet to see if it holds up when on a camera. I don't think I'll try to swap mounts.

[Peter Marsland]

I put my lens on a K-70 body and it seems to be okay. It fits snugly, and allows correct exposure. I'll leave it on this body for now, rather than taking it on and off regularly to use other lenses.