[infosyn]

I've stumbled over a problem with a Pentax DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3: with the weight of just a filter and the hood, the lens will extend on its own when you point it down, for example while it's draped around your neck. And it'll retract when you point it up.

Very frustrating. Makes it impossible to take an almost-macro picture of a flower from directly above! This lens does have a zoom lock, but that engages only at the 18mm (fully retracted) position so the lock is not very useful.

The Pentax 18-250 is said to be basically a re-badged Tamron, and indeed someone here mentioned the 18-250 Tamron was marginal in this regard, too. But my Pentax 50-200 behaves perfectly.

So my question is, is this creep a common problem with "economy" (< $500) zoom lenses? Other Pentax lenses? Would a DA*, with its weatherproofing seals be immune? Is this one of the reasons you pro's avoid the ultra-zoom "vacation" lenses?

Is there any practical way to increase the friction of the mechanism so it stays wherever you put it?

[G M Fude]

My DA 18-250 shows zoom creep too, but from what you write it doesn't sound like it's as bad as yours. The camera has to be 'shaken' or nudged, like if I have it pointing down while I'm walking down stairs. It won't creep solely under the influence of gravity.

I can see how a very slick one would be frustrating. I'd think it will tighten up over time with the ingress of dust into the zoom mechanism. But maybe it will loosen up as the oils distribute themselves more thoroughly.

I hate to have to say this, but a bit of electrical tape on the barrel over the lapped sections once you have zoomed might do the job for the macro-type situation you describe. Sounds like a very agricultural solution for an otherwise fine lens, though. I say electrical tape as in my experience (but not for the suggested use) it's less likely to leave adhesive residues.

[dstar]

I had exactly same problem and i place call to Pentax technical support.And receive very nice response." dont worry this normal lens behavioral'' lens just fine.

[m8o]

So my question is, is this creep a common problem with "economy" (< $500) zoom lenses?

Yup, both my zooms creep ... it's common with many many zooms, even expensive ones from my readings.... it's sucky. Search for |zoom creep| for all the mentions of it on here.

[WendyB]

Yup, both my zooms creep ... it's common with many many zooms, even expensive ones from my readings.... it's sucky. Search for |zoom creep| for all the mentions of it on here.

From what I have read in this thread. First of all if one lets a camera body with lens attached "fly freely from a neck tether" to "fly free and KNOCK up against things" in ones travels. The lens has not half a chance of focusing properly.

This is not quite difficult to explain. Move along with your equipment in your carrying bag, then pull it out of the bag, and shoot.

Just plain common sense

[clawhammer]

zoom creep has always been a problem with these 'superzoom' lenses, that's why they have the locks on them. You really just have to learn to work around it; for me if I'm hand-holding the camera (ie not using a tripod) I usually always have at least a finger on the zoom ring, and that should be enough to keep it from creeping. However, in tripod situations I can see where it would become a pain in the neck.

They're 'do-it-all' lenses, not 'do-it-all-perfectly' lenses (except perhaps Canon's 28-300 L series behemoth, that thing is insane).

[Lowell Goudge]

I don't know why people are now just discovering zoom creep. it has been around since the early 1980's

my vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.5 did it when new.

The fact of life is that many zooms, especially those who's front elements move significantly while zooming, will creep to some extent due to the weight of the elements.

Some makers have put locks on the lens, my tamron 28-75 f2.8 for example to lock it at minimum length for carrying (around your neck on the camera strap)

Others, I believe hav a brake that can hold the zoom ((i have read this but never seen one myself)

it is natural, but can be frustrating if you are attempting to do macro or more importantly copy functions with the lens pointed streight down.

[m8o]

From what I have read in this thread. First of all if one lets a camera body with lens attached "fly freely from a neck tether" to "fly free and KNOCK up against things" in ones travels. The lens has not half a chance of focusing properly.

This is not quite difficult to explain. Move along with your equipment in your carrying bag, then pull it out of the bag, and shoot.

Just plain common sense

Ok... valid but different point.... not sure why you quoted my post.

[m8o]

I don't know why people are now just discovering zoom creep. it has been around since the early 1980's

What I've seen a lot of late of a major influx of new D/SLR users. infosyn just joined and may be new to this stuff (dunno). Being in that boat in as little as just a 1/2 year ago, I can understand. Search is your Friend yes, but but one needs to know the terms to search for. I struggled with that too.

[Chako]

Lots of zooms exhibit the same behaviour. More so if they are a push pull design. As someone else has mentioned, some lenses have an adjustable brake, but this can bet rather annoying to use. I do believe the Canon 100-400L has such a mechanism, and I hear a few people complaining about that also.

The Tamron and Pentax 18-250 does this, and is the reason why they were nice enough to give use a lock for transportation. I haven't found this to be an issue out in the field myself. At least they do give you a lens lock. I can remember constantly walking around with my camera held up with one hand, so that the push pull zoom wouldn't extend during travels.

[G M Fude]

This is not quite difficult to explain. Move along with your equipment in your carrying bag, then pull it out of the bag, and shoot.

Ha ha, if I had to muck around doing that every time I wanted to take a photo, I wouldn't bother taking photos!

Camera around neck... always ready for that 'moment'. Haven't damaged a lens in 35 years.

[dstar]

I don't know why people are now just discovering zoom creep. it has been around since the early 1980's

my vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.5 did it when new.

The fact of life is that many zooms, especially those who's front elements move significantly while zooming, will creep to some extent due to the weight of the elements.

Some makers have put locks on the lens, my tamron 28-75 f2.8 for example to lock it at minimum length for carrying (around your neck on the camera strap)

Others, I believe hav a brake that can hold the zoom ((i have read this but never seen one myself)

it is natural, but can be frustrating if you are attempting to do macro or more importantly copy functions with the lens pointed streight down.

Yes all this is not fresh news ,but i have older minolta zoom and this lens creep very slowly '
Yes i have look 18mm position on my Pentax 18-250.
But i never saw before when i slightly turn lens to macro target for example 100mm position or more and turn lens probably 10-15* down .Lens just very fast fly to 18 mm position.
When i talk with Pentax sevices response look like mostly was " what do you want .what you paid what you have."Its normal good buy.
I have small magnet device what i use for work system,but i don't know how this magnet will be effective to chip and all camera itself.I try this before for film camera without any problem ,but digital????

[roy]

another work around is to take a wide rubberband and put it on the zoom ring with part of it touching the barrel to add some friction.. i know it works with the A70-210/4.. yes, i know ''why do i have to do this with a NEW lens''.