Focus creep or defect?

**Banskojoe** · 08-29-2014, 05:04 PM

I got my Pentax WR 18-135 ten months ago. I am aware of "focus creep" through reading the Forum, but am unsure what is normal and what is a lens defect.

A video of my lens concern can be found at

Youtu.be

When pointing down, the lens is firm at 18mm. When nudged, it immediately goes to 70mm and stays there. When nudged again, it goes to 135mm

When pointing up, it is firm at 135mm but after a second or two slides by itself down to 18mm.

Is this normal and acceptable? Or should I send it in for repair or replacement?

Thank you

**jatrax** · 08-29-2014, 05:18 PM

That is not 'focus creep'. Zoom creep is perhaps more accurate. Most zooms exhibit that to some degree some are really bad. My wife's 18-135 is not, maybe, as bad as that but it is close. I would say that is within normal parameters.

narual · 08-29-2014, 06:35 PM

definitely normal.
If it bugs you, grab one of these: Stop Zoom Creep - LENS BAND

Or if you don't care what it looks like, a rubber band works, too. But the LensBands are only $5 and they look pretty nice. Plus they're handy to wrench off a filter that's misbehaving.

Parallax · 08-29-2014, 07:22 PM

Moved to the proper forum.

**crewl1** · 08-29-2014, 07:36 PM - **1 Like**

Wait till you buy a Sigma xxx-500mm zoom and it does that.

Slam! The first time will scare you.

What you are seeing is normal for most consumer zooms.
( Why lensBand is in business. )

hcc · 08-29-2014, 08:34 PM

I agree with others that it is zoom creep. There have been several threads about 'lensband-aids', incl.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/161684-da18-250m...ion-works.html

However I would note that zoom creep is fairly rare among the DA18-135mm. In fact your thread is possibly the first one that I read (I could be wrong). I have myself the DA18-135mm and my 2.5 years old one has no creep. (MY DA18-250mm definitely has zoom creep!) If indeed this is rare, I would consider to call upon Pentax Warranty, unless you are happy with the len-band-aid solution.

My 5 cents....

**Banskojoe** · 08-30-2014, 09:41 AM - **1 Like**

Thank you all!

My practical education continues

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08-29-2014, 05:18 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	That is not 'focus creep'. Zoom creep is perhaps more accurate. Most zooms exhibit that to some degree some are really bad. My wife's 18-135 is not, maybe, as bad as that but it is close. I would say that is within normal parameters.

08-29-2014, 06:35 PM	#3
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	definitely normal. If it bugs you, grab one of these: Stop Zoom Creep - LENS BAND Or if you don't care what it looks like, a rubber band works, too. But the LensBands are only $5 and they look pretty nice. Plus they're handy to wrench off a filter that's misbehaving.

08-29-2014, 07:22 PM	#4
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Moved to the proper forum.

08-29-2014, 07:36 PM - 1 Like	#5
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Wait till you buy a Sigma xxx-500mm zoom and it does that. Slam! The first time will scare you. What you are seeing is normal for most consumer zooms. ( Why lensBand is in business. )

08-29-2014, 08:34 PM	#6
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	I agree with others that it is zoom creep. There have been several threads about 'lensband-aids', incl. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/161684-da18-250m...ion-works.html However I would note that zoom creep is fairly rare among the DA18-135mm. In fact your thread is possibly the first one that I read (I could be wrong). I have myself the DA18-135mm and my 2.5 years old one has no creep. (MY DA18-250mm definitely has zoom creep!) If indeed this is rare, I would consider to call upon Pentax Warranty, unless you are happy with the len-band-aid solution. My 5 cents....

08-30-2014, 09:41 AM - 1 Like	#7
Banskojoe Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 181 Original Poster	Thank you all! My practical education continues