[kristaps]

Hi,

My problem is this - I cannot zoom the WR kit lens (DA-L 18-55) to the 18mm. A few weeks ago I could feel a little resistance at approx. 24mm mark, but it would still turn all the way. Now a few days ago I cannot anymore get it past the 24mm. At least without applying force, which I think would be the wrong thing to do.
I guess something, a sand grain or dirt speck, might have gotten inside the lens?

The problem is, in my country (Latvia) they don't have a Pentax repair shop anymore, it would cost me 40 EUR just to send it checked. Which is kind of steep considering what this lens costs used.
So my question is this - how hard is it to disassemble and get back together this lens? Has anyone done it? maybe I can open it up and see if the obstacle can be removed manually?

Thanks!

[Blacknight659]

You have nothing to lose then! I day rejected it apart, its is hardly worth it to pay for the repair. you could probably find a used 18-55wr for 80-90 us $. I dont know what that would be in EUR off hand, but it hardly seems worth it. I think you should either upgrade or buy a used lens.

[ZoeB]

I'd suggest that it's just dirt in the lens (I have a similar problem occasionally-- one of my camera bags got some sand in it a few years ago, which is just as bad as glitter for getting out), but since its a WR lens, you'd think that that would be less of an issue. Make sure not to loose any springs or contacts!

[LensBeginner]

I have personally never tried to disassemble it, and hope that someone will chime in with some advice.
I'd say that if I were in you situation, I'd just upgrade it and be done with it.
Stepping up from a 6MP sensor to a 16MP one the first thing I noticed was that the quality of the kit lens wasn't up to scratch anymore...
A 16-45 or the new 16-85 come to mind.

[steve500]

It likely just comes apart in layers with some included felt pads and o-ring seals. Take it upon yourself and dive in, be sure to take plenty of photos for yourself (for reassembly purposes) and for us

I entirely disassembled my 18-250mm Pentax DA lens a couple years ago. It was a bit of a nightmare being my first-ever lens disassembly; it was full of dirt. It went back together entirely, lost two of the little plastic nylon bushings in the carpet, miraculously recovered them- just don't be a moron like me and work on a desk with enough room for your work and plenty of light- and patience.

[ZoeB]

I'm planning on totally pulling apart my old kit lens after I get my K3. It's kinda ruined anyway, so i really can't do any harm.

[kh1234567890]

Here and here ? The WR version is probably only slightly different.

[kristaps]

Here and here ? The WR version is probably only slightly different.

Wow, many thanks! I'll have a look at those before I dive in.
With little kids in the house though, I'll have to wait for a quiet night ... otherwise some parts might dissappear

[Kerrowdown]

Good luck with the surgery, I'd be using this as an excuse to self to buy another lens a really fancied.