[Kevin B123]

Hi all,
Just a quick question if I may.
I have just bought a SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR, used in mint condition from a dealer in the UK. It is optically fine, but I have noticed that both the zoom and focus rings have some play in them. I compared this to both my 18-135 and 55-300 WR and these have none. The in depth staff review on this lens noted:

"The first impression upon handling the Pentax 18-55mm WR is its mechanical tolerance. The zoom and focus ring feel tighter than its predecessor, the AL II version. The extension of the lens barrel has barely any wiggle room if any at all."

Read more at: Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 WR Review - Construction and Handling | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Also, owner reviews noted similar observations.
So, do I have a dud or is this normal variation?
If this is a fault I can return it as such.
Thanks in advance.

btw, I like it's small size and weight

[Cambo]

are you expecting Leica build quality? It's plastic. Take some shots and move on.

Marvellous lens as I've stated many, many times...

All of these were taken, hand held, with either the 18-55 or the 50-200 on a K5 except the final, cedar wood church interior.

PENTAX : PENTAX Photo Gallery artist page

PENTAX : PENTAX Photo Gallery artist page

Cheers,
Cameron

[Kevin B123]

Hi Cameron, Nice shots!.
I agree about the lenses qualities and I really like the form factor weight and general aesthetic. I perhaps read more than I should into the reviews regarding the build quality. I'm fine with it if some play is normal, and you make a good point, my other lenses are at a different price point.
Regards
Kevin

[kh1234567890]

After 6+ years mine has a little bit of wobble, but it's always been like that and does not seem to make any noticeable difference to shots taken with it.

Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with smcpda1855mmf3556alwr

[Kevin B123]

After 6+ years mine has a little bit of wobble, but it's always been like that and does not seem to make any noticeable difference to shots taken with it.

Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with smcpda1855mmf3556alwr

Thanks for your reply, and yes it enables some great images as your gallery testifies, in good hands of course.
Mine is a keeper even with a little wobble and I already think of it as a happy lens with the little use I have had from it.
Funny really, because I really wanted a 28 mm prime and thought a DFA 28 mm might be on the horizon, but seeing the new highly corrected and heavy lens announced at CP+2017 I realised it was not going to happen and cast around for alternatives. What I wanted was inside a HD DA 20-40, but then I saw that it was also in side this lens and I am really quite happy with it's small unobtrusive size and nice features.
So all good.