Pentax 18-250 issues

metalfab · 02-10-2008, 08:27 PM

I took my Pentax version out for the first time today and wasn't overly impressed. Partly cloud weather and bright, the FAj 75-300 I had seemed noticeably better.

I also noticed when on the tripod if I point the lens down on an angle there is huge zoom creep, the zoom extends fully by itself. The lock is only good at the 18mm position for transport in the bag.

Now I'm thinking it might be a mistake. Also feel foolish as I bought the FAj 75-300, returned it for the 18-250 and now might switch back ...the store will love me

jgredline · 02-10-2008, 08:32 PM

Well, I have the Tamron version and it's darn hear perfect...No zoom creep what so ever and it's pretty sharp...I would venture to guess, you have a bad one...I would exchange it, before returning it and give it another try...

henzo · 02-10-2008, 10:03 PM

My copy has shown major zoom creep as well, but according to pentax it's normal.

jgredline · 02-10-2008, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by henzo

My copy has shown major zoom creep as well, but according to pentax it's normal.

Now how in the world is zoom creep normal?

metalfab · 02-10-2008, 10:19 PM

Well, I feel really dumb now. Looking at the 18-250 off the camera I noticed a heavy finger print on the element that faces the camera. This culprit is a 5 year old. LOL. How/when he did it I don't know. Kids today. ;-)

Lens cleaned and a test shot of the Moon tonight (albeit through haze) looks pretty good.

RAW
Focal Length 250 mm
Exposure Time 1/20 sec
Aperture f/8
ISO Equivalent 200

G M Fude · 02-10-2008, 10:25 PM

Could be worse -- you might've taken it back to the shop for exchange and they found the fingerprint on the rear element!

I have a DA 18-250 and okay it's not the world's greatest lens but it wasn't mega expensive and for versatility it is terrific. Mine doesn't zoom creep just by pointing it down though, it has to be shaken a little.

ACImages · 02-11-2008, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by jgredline

Now how in the world is zoom creep normal?

because some of it is normal.. send it back to pentax and have then tighten it up to stop the creeping.. then we can all complain that the focusing ring is hard to turn...geeeesh.

jgredline · 02-11-2008, 08:55 PM

Originally posted by ACImages

because some of it is normal.. send it back to pentax and have then tighten it up to stop the creeping.. then we can all complain that the focusing ring is hard to turn...geeeesh.

Well, it may be normal in your world, but not mine...Nice and smooth and no creep.

ACImages · 02-11-2008, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by jgredline

Well, it may be normal in your world, but not mine...Nice and smooth and no creep.

Well best of luck to ya.

KFrog · 02-11-2008, 09:13 PM

My lens does exhibit zoom reep. It is kind of annoying but nothing I can't deal with.

clawhammer · 02-11-2008, 10:04 PM

The fact that pentax kept the lock @18mm shows they expect zoom creep from this guy. This lens is pushing a whole lot of boundaries, and zoom creep is one of the tradeoffs.

mongoose · 02-11-2008, 11:53 PM

I too used mine for the first time on the weekend. Aside from noisy AF and zoom creep it performed well. Great for overseas travel where lugging 10kgs of kit isn't an attractive option.

egordon99 · 02-12-2008, 09:41 AM

Heck, my excellent Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 has zoom creep. It was less than $400, it takes awesome photos. As long as it doesn't creep while I'm taking a picture, I don't care

WendyB · 02-13-2008, 12:20 AM

Originally posted by G M Fude

Could be worse -- you might've taken it back to the shop for exchange and they found the fingerprint on the rear element!

I have a DA 18-250 and okay it's not the world's greatest lens but it wasn't mega expensive and for versatility it is terrific. Mine doesn't zoom creep just by pointing it down though, it has to be shaken a little.

I have to hit mine with a 24-ounce carpenters hammer to make it creep.

I have found no creep with this lens ( unless my husbands poker bud's are visiting)

Confused · 02-13-2008, 12:04 PM

Hi Wendy

Re your comment:

Quote:

I have to hit mine with a 24-ounce carpenters hammer to make it creep.

Ouch ! You sound like one 'mean' kinda woman to me.....LOL ! Makes me wonder what else you keep in your toolbox ?
Ay think I'm gettin' out'ah here pronto !

Best regards
Richard

02-10-2008, 08:27 PM	#1
metalfab Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 302	Pentax 18-250 issues I took my Pentax version out for the first time today and wasn't overly impressed. Partly cloud weather and bright, the FAj 75-300 I had seemed noticeably better. I also noticed when on the tripod if I point the lens down on an angle there is huge zoom creep, the zoom extends fully by itself. The lock is only good at the 18mm position for transport in the bag. Now I'm thinking it might be a mistake. Also feel foolish as I bought the FAj 75-300, returned it for the 18-250 and now might switch back ...the store will love me

02-13-2008, 12:20 AM	#14
WendyB Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Posts: 189	Originally posted by G M Fude Could be worse -- you might've taken it back to the shop for exchange and they found the fingerprint on the rear element! I have a DA 18-250 and okay it's not the world's greatest lens but it wasn't mega expensive and for versatility it is terrific. Mine doesn't zoom creep just by pointing it down though, it has to be shaken a little. I have to hit mine with a 24-ounce carpenters hammer to make it creep. I have found no creep with this lens ( unless my husbands poker bud's are visiting) Last edited by WendyB; 02-13-2008 at 12:27 AM.

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02-10-2008, 08:32 PM	#2
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Well, I have the Tamron version and it's darn hear perfect...No zoom creep what so ever and it's pretty sharp...I would venture to guess, you have a bad one...I would exchange it, before returning it and give it another try...

02-10-2008, 10:03 PM	#3
henzo Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 37	My copy has shown major zoom creep as well, but according to pentax it's normal.

02-10-2008, 10:07 PM	#4
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Originally posted by henzo My copy has shown major zoom creep as well, but according to pentax it's normal. Now how in the world is zoom creep normal?

02-10-2008, 10:19 PM	#5
metalfab Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 302 Original Poster	Well, I feel really dumb now. Looking at the 18-250 off the camera I noticed a heavy finger print on the element that faces the camera. This culprit is a 5 year old. LOL. How/when he did it I don't know. Kids today. ;-) Lens cleaned and a test shot of the Moon tonight (albeit through haze) looks pretty good. RAW Focal Length 250 mm Exposure Time 1/20 sec Aperture f/8 ISO Equivalent 200

02-10-2008, 10:25 PM	#6
G M Fude Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 439	Could be worse -- you might've taken it back to the shop for exchange and they found the fingerprint on the rear element! I have a DA 18-250 and okay it's not the world's greatest lens but it wasn't mega expensive and for versatility it is terrific. Mine doesn't zoom creep just by pointing it down though, it has to be shaken a little.

02-11-2008, 08:52 PM	#7
ACImages Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: tx Posts: 28	Originally posted by jgredline Now how in the world is zoom creep normal? because some of it is normal.. send it back to pentax and have then tighten it up to stop the creeping.. then we can all complain that the focusing ring is hard to turn...geeeesh.

02-11-2008, 08:55 PM	#8
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Originally posted by ACImages because some of it is normal.. send it back to pentax and have then tighten it up to stop the creeping.. then we can all complain that the focusing ring is hard to turn...geeeesh. Well, it may be normal in your world, but not mine...Nice and smooth and no creep.

02-11-2008, 09:09 PM	#9
ACImages Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: tx Posts: 28	Originally posted by jgredline Well, it may be normal in your world, but not mine...Nice and smooth and no creep. Well best of luck to ya.

02-11-2008, 09:13 PM	#10
KFrog Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Katy, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 294	My lens does exhibit zoom reep. It is kind of annoying but nothing I can't deal with.

02-11-2008, 10:04 PM	#11
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	The fact that pentax kept the lock @18mm shows they expect zoom creep from this guy. This lens is pushing a whole lot of boundaries, and zoom creep is one of the tradeoffs.

02-11-2008, 11:53 PM	#12
mongoose New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 17	I too used mine for the first time on the weekend. Aside from noisy AF and zoom creep it performed well. Great for overseas travel where lugging 10kgs of kit isn't an attractive option.

02-12-2008, 09:41 AM	#13
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Heck, my excellent Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 has zoom creep. It was less than $400, it takes awesome photos. As long as it doesn't creep while I'm taking a picture, I don't care

02-13-2008, 12:04 PM	#15
Confused Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,067	Hi Wendy Re your comment: Quote: I have to hit mine with a 24-ounce carpenters hammer to make it creep. Ouch ! You sound like one 'mean' kinda woman to me.....LOL ! Makes me wonder what else you keep in your toolbox ? Ay think I'm gettin' out'ah here pronto ! Best regards Richard