Help with Pentax-F 70-210 zoom

sandstone · 03-07-2013, 03:21 PM

I just bought a Pentax-F 70-210mm zoom on line sight unseen and it arrived today. While it looks pretty good, I immediately found two issues. The first is that the zoom seems very stiff. I own 3 other F series zoom lenses (80-200, 35-70 and 35-135) and they all zoom smoothly and with little effort. This lens requires you to squeeze the zoom ring tightly and turn hard! Is this normal for this lens? The other issue is what appears to be fogginess or a film on the inside of the front element when you look at it in bright sunlight. There is also an apparent circle the size of a dime visible in that film. So much for buying online from Goodwill!

**monochrome** · 03-07-2013, 03:34 PM

I would not consider either of those conditions normal. My F70~210 zooms and focuses freely and the lens elements are clear.

Adam · 03-07-2013, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by sandstone

I just bought a Pentax-F 70-210mm zoom on line sight unseen and it arrived today. While it looks pretty good, I immediately found two issues. The first is that the zoom seems very stiff. I own 3 other F series zoom lenses (80-200, 35-70 and 35-135) and they all zoom smoothly and with little effort. This lens requires you to squeeze the zoom ring tightly and turn hard! Is this normal for this lens? The other issue is what appears to be fogginess or a film on the inside of the front element when you look at it in bright sunlight. There is also an apparent circle the size of a dime visible in that film. So much for buying online from Goodwill!

If the lens hasn't been used for a while, then the stiffness may go away after some use. This was the case with my A series 35-105mm lens. Not sure about the AF lens, though...

**jatrax** · 03-07-2013, 03:57 PM

That lens should zoom freely, and of course having haze on the inner elements is not normal.

As Adam states sometimes you can free up a stiff lens by exercising it. This loosens up grease that may have gotten stiff. However, I have only seen this on A series and older lenses, the F series and newer all generally seem to move freely. Possibly a different type of grease, possibly a different design. Or maybe I've just never run into one with the problem.

Anyway, just one more reason to never buy anything from goodwill.com. Hope you did not pay too much for it. Good, nearly mint, ones go for maybe $100 plus or minus.

DSims · 03-07-2013, 06:08 PM

I had a second copy of this lens for a short time, which IIRC I had to send back to the private party I got it from. It sounds almost like you got the same lens. Perhaps the zoom stiffness happens more often on this particular model, but even if it does that doesn't mean it's OK.

sandstone · 03-07-2013, 07:26 PM

I appreciate all the responses, and figure I bought a bad lens. I'll see what the Goodwill Store in Eugene, OR that was selling the lens online decides to do. Hopefully they will refund my money, but you never know with all their disclaimers. You don't find any great deals on shopgoodwill.com and I think you take a much larger chance than on Ebay, where I have been stung before as well. That's what I get for exercising my LBA from the sticks!

**Just1MoreDave** · 03-07-2013, 08:24 PM

The front element probably is separating. I have one like that but not unusable. The zoom should be like the F35-135 in effort.

03-07-2013, 03:21 PM	#1
sandstone Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sedona, Arizona Posts: 57	Help with Pentax-F 70-210 zoom I just bought a Pentax-F 70-210mm zoom on line sight unseen and it arrived today. While it looks pretty good, I immediately found two issues. The first is that the zoom seems very stiff. I own 3 other F series zoom lenses (80-200, 35-70 and 35-135) and they all zoom smoothly and with little effort. This lens requires you to squeeze the zoom ring tightly and turn hard! Is this normal for this lens? The other issue is what appears to be fogginess or a film on the inside of the front element when you look at it in bright sunlight. There is also an apparent circle the size of a dime visible in that film. So much for buying online from Goodwill!

03-07-2013, 03:45 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by sandstone I just bought a Pentax-F 70-210mm zoom on line sight unseen and it arrived today. While it looks pretty good, I immediately found two issues. The first is that the zoom seems very stiff. I own 3 other F series zoom lenses (80-200, 35-70 and 35-135) and they all zoom smoothly and with little effort. This lens requires you to squeeze the zoom ring tightly and turn hard! Is this normal for this lens? The other issue is what appears to be fogginess or a film on the inside of the front element when you look at it in bright sunlight. There is also an apparent circle the size of a dime visible in that film. So much for buying online from Goodwill! If the lens hasn't been used for a while, then the stiffness may go away after some use. This was the case with my A series 35-105mm lens. Not sure about the AF lens, though... Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

03-07-2013, 07:26 PM	#6
sandstone Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sedona, Arizona Posts: 57 Original Poster	Thanks for all the help! I appreciate all the responses, and figure I bought a bad lens. I'll see what the Goodwill Store in Eugene, OR that was selling the lens online decides to do. Hopefully they will refund my money, but you never know with all their disclaimers. You don't find any great deals on shopgoodwill.com and I think you take a much larger chance than on Ebay, where I have been stung before as well. That's what I get for exercising my LBA from the sticks!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
zoom repair F 70-210	DeniseH	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	01-14-2013 11:18 AM
For Sale - Sold: Price DROP Kiron 70-210 zoom lock, Vivitar Series 1 70-210, MIR-1, Jupiter,	alanjoke	Sold Items	23	06-27-2012 09:38 AM
DA 50-200 vs DA 55-300 vs Vivitar S1 70-210 vs Pentax-A 70-210; Tele-Zoom Comparo	PentHassyKon	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	16	04-28-2010 03:40 PM
Test Shot with K20D & smc Pentax F 70-210	Chr1st0ph3r	Post Your Photos!	2	01-07-2009 09:19 PM

03-07-2013, 03:34 PM	#2
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I would not consider either of those conditions normal. My F70~210 zooms and focuses freely and the lens elements are clear.

03-07-2013, 03:57 PM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	That lens should zoom freely, and of course having haze on the inner elements is not normal. As Adam states sometimes you can free up a stiff lens by exercising it. This loosens up grease that may have gotten stiff. However, I have only seen this on A series and older lenses, the F series and newer all generally seem to move freely. Possibly a different type of grease, possibly a different design. Or maybe I've just never run into one with the problem. Anyway, just one more reason to never buy anything from goodwill.com. Hope you did not pay too much for it. Good, nearly mint, ones go for maybe $100 plus or minus.

03-07-2013, 06:08 PM	#5
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	I had a second copy of this lens for a short time, which IIRC I had to send back to the private party I got it from. It sounds almost like you got the same lens. Perhaps the zoom stiffness happens more often on this particular model, but even if it does that doesn't mean it's OK.

03-07-2013, 08:24 PM	#7
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The front element probably is separating. I have one like that but not unusable. The zoom should be like the F35-135 in effort.