Pentax 150-450mm tripod mount keeps working loose

**stemked** · 08-31-2018, 07:51 PM

I have this continuous issue with the tripod mount on this lens when I mount it on a tripod. It keeps working it's way loose so I have to remove the tripod mount and tighten it. The screws are very small, I don't know if that is the issue. I really wish Pentax had designed this better. Is there a fix for this? New screws? Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Doug

boydbowlin · 08-31-2018, 08:13 PM

Originally posted by stemked

I have this continuous issue with the tripod mount on this lens when I mount it on a tripod. It keeps working it's way loose so I have to remove the tripod mount and tighten it. The screws are very small, I don't know if that is the issue. I really wish Pentax had designed this better. Is there a fix for this? New screws? Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Doug

Locktight Mate . Should work well especially if it has worked loose a couple of times as it may never stay tight without it .

**tduell** · 08-31-2018, 08:18 PM

Originally posted by boydbowlin

Locktight Mate . Should work well especially if it has worked loose a couple of times as it may never stay tight without it .

Yes, this is the solution.
I used Loctite 277, a very small droplet on each of the screws, and everything has remained firm ever since.

Cheers,
Terry

**david94903** · 08-31-2018, 10:01 PM

Interesting. Had to go look at mine. All tight. But I'll be keeping an eye on it just in case. Not a lens one would want to drop.

biz-engineer · 08-31-2018, 10:34 PM

This tripod mound is a new design idea from someone at Ricoh who has not a clue about using long lenses... Mine has quite a bit of play that other long lenses from Sigma, Nikon and Canon dont have this problem.

**clickclick** · 09-01-2018, 03:51 PM

A trick when you can't get your hands on any loctite is to snug up the screws and put a dab of nail polish bridging the edge of the screw.

**stemked** · 09-04-2018, 10:14 AM

Thanks all!

**SteveinSLC** · 09-04-2018, 11:30 AM

I wouldn't use the red loctite...it can be very hard to unscrew items with that. I'd probably use the blue one instead(243).

SSGGeezer · 09-04-2018, 12:09 PM - **1 Like**

The red requires high levels of heat to remove if I recall correctly. Expensive lenses don't like uneven expansion due to heat I suspect.

**clickclick** · 09-05-2018, 08:34 AM

Loctite 222 would probably be about right:

"LOCTITE® 222 is a low-strength threadlocker that allows the adjustment of screws including countersunk head screws and set screws. Good on low-strength metals which could fracture during disassembly, e.g. aluminum or brass."

LOCTITE 222

**clickclick** · 09-05-2018, 08:39 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

The red requires high levels of heat to remove if I recall correctly. Expensive lenses don't like uneven expansion due to heat I suspect.

Yep, the red, typically 271 or 272, is considered for "permanent" type applications. Special tools and/or heat often required for disassembly. Don't think you want to put the breaker bar on your lens mount

08-31-2018, 07:51 PM	#1
stemked Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 527	Pentax 150-450mm tripod mount keeps working loose I have this continuous issue with the tripod mount on this lens when I mount it on a tripod. It keeps working it's way loose so I have to remove the tripod mount and tighten it. The screws are very small, I don't know if that is the issue. I really wish Pentax had designed this better. Is there a fix for this? New screws? Any other suggestions? Thanks. Doug

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08-31-2018, 08:13 PM	#2
boydbowlin Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: northern nsw Photos: Albums Posts: 41	Originally posted by stemked I have this continuous issue with the tripod mount on this lens when I mount it on a tripod. It keeps working it's way loose so I have to remove the tripod mount and tighten it. The screws are very small, I don't know if that is the issue. I really wish Pentax had designed this better. Is there a fix for this? New screws? Any other suggestions? Thanks. Doug Locktight Mate . Should work well especially if it has worked loose a couple of times as it may never stay tight without it .

08-31-2018, 08:18 PM	#3
tduell Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,514	Originally posted by boydbowlin Locktight Mate . Should work well especially if it has worked loose a couple of times as it may never stay tight without it . Yes, this is the solution. I used Loctite 277, a very small droplet on each of the screws, and everything has remained firm ever since. Cheers, Terry

08-31-2018, 10:01 PM	#4
david94903 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Rafael, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 806	Interesting. Had to go look at mine. All tight. But I'll be keeping an eye on it just in case. Not a lens one would want to drop.

08-31-2018, 10:34 PM	#5
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	This tripod mound is a new design idea from someone at Ricoh who has not a clue about using long lenses... Mine has quite a bit of play that other long lenses from Sigma, Nikon and Canon dont have this problem.

09-01-2018, 03:51 PM	#6
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	A trick when you can't get your hands on any loctite is to snug up the screws and put a dab of nail polish bridging the edge of the screw.

09-04-2018, 10:14 AM	#7
stemked Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 527 Original Poster	Thanks all!

09-04-2018, 11:30 AM	#8
SteveinSLC Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568	I wouldn't use the red loctite...it can be very hard to unscrew items with that. I'd probably use the blue one instead(243).

09-04-2018, 12:09 PM - 1 Like	#9
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	The red requires high levels of heat to remove if I recall correctly. Expensive lenses don't like uneven expansion due to heat I suspect.

09-05-2018, 08:34 AM	#10
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Loctite 222 would probably be about right: "LOCTITE® 222 is a low-strength threadlocker that allows the adjustment of screws including countersunk head screws and set screws. Good on low-strength metals which could fracture during disassembly, e.g. aluminum or brass." LOCTITE 222

09-05-2018, 08:39 AM - 1 Like	#11
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Originally posted by SSGGeezer The red requires high levels of heat to remove if I recall correctly. Expensive lenses don't like uneven expansion due to heat I suspect. Yep, the red, typically 271 or 272, is considered for "permanent" type applications. Special tools and/or heat often required for disassembly. Don't think you want to put the breaker bar on your lens mount