DFA 24-70 1:2.8 WR - small wobble when at 24mm

Landscape_with_K1 · 05-21-2020, 02:47 PM

I bought this lens new about two years ago and it has been one of my least used lenses. (Have been using 15-30 and older F and FA primes as well as 3rd party primes). Just recently, I have started to realize the full potential of this lens and have been shooting with it more. It is incredibly sharp and tolerates backlight very well. Even flares look nice.

Just recently I noticed that the lens appears to have some little play/wobble sideways (perpendicular to the lens length). This is clearly less than 1mm and is at its worst when the lens is fully retracted at 24mm and all but, if not all, gone when fully extended at 70mm.

I never paid any attention to this before and it could well have been there from new. This lens is also very little used.

I would assume we have many owners of this lens in this group. It would be interesting to hear from you if your 24-70 is showing the same thing or is mine somehow defective? As I said, this lens was used very rarely and if the play should not be there, it was there when I got it.

So is there a small wobble in your DFA24-70 or not?

ChatMechant · 05-21-2020, 05:18 PM

I hadn't noticed before, but I just checked mine and yes, it is exactly as you described.

Roadboat24 · 05-22-2020, 06:41 AM

Yep, mine also.

**HippyHippo** · 05-22-2020, 09:16 AM

Mine had the same problem as per this thread:

UK Sevice Centre - PentaxForums.com

It had suffered a small fall onto soft carpet but I can’t say for sure that caused it. I found that there was no wobble at max zoom nor when I clicked the ‘lock’ switch.

Optically it seemed ok, but I sent it into Pentax to be checked over. It came back repaired (I.e.no more wobble at wide zoom end) and, of course I was a couple of £100 worse off!

Peril · 12-17-2020, 07:38 PM

Just wanted to chime in even though this is an old thread. I’ve had two copies of the lens and they both suffer from this issue. I believe it is due to too much play between the channels in the zoom barrel components and the plastic runners that slide through these channels. If so many folks have this problem it’s probably a production issue over at Tamron. I haven’t had an opportunity to check out the Tamron branded version but if I do it’ll be interesting to see if the issue occurs there as well (and if parts from those lenses can be used for repairs).

05-21-2020, 02:47 PM	#1
Landscape_with_K1 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 47	DFA 24-70 1:2.8 WR - small wobble when at 24mm I bought this lens new about two years ago and it has been one of my least used lenses. (Have been using 15-30 and older F and FA primes as well as 3rd party primes). Just recently, I have started to realize the full potential of this lens and have been shooting with it more. It is incredibly sharp and tolerates backlight very well. Even flares look nice. Just recently I noticed that the lens appears to have some little play/wobble sideways (perpendicular to the lens length). This is clearly less than 1mm and is at its worst when the lens is fully retracted at 24mm and all but, if not all, gone when fully extended at 70mm. I never paid any attention to this before and it could well have been there from new. This lens is also very little used. I would assume we have many owners of this lens in this group. It would be interesting to hear from you if your 24-70 is showing the same thing or is mine somehow defective? As I said, this lens was used very rarely and if the play should not be there, it was there when I got it. So is there a small wobble in your DFA24-70 or not?

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05-21-2020, 05:18 PM	#2
ChatMechant Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Matsuyama Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,284	I hadn't noticed before, but I just checked mine and yes, it is exactly as you described.

05-22-2020, 06:41 AM	#3
Roadboat24 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 487	Yep, mine also.

05-22-2020, 09:16 AM	#4
HippyHippo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Derby Posts: 98	Mine had the same problem as per this thread: UK Sevice Centre - PentaxForums.com It had suffered a small fall onto soft carpet but I can’t say for sure that caused it. I found that there was no wobble at max zoom nor when I clicked the ‘lock’ switch. Optically it seemed ok, but I sent it into Pentax to be checked over. It came back repaired (I.e.no more wobble at wide zoom end) and, of course I was a couple of £100 worse off!

12-17-2020, 07:38 PM	#5
Peril Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 42	Just wanted to chime in even though this is an old thread. I’ve had two copies of the lens and they both suffer from this issue. I believe it is due to too much play between the channels in the zoom barrel components and the plastic runners that slide through these channels. If so many folks have this problem it’s probably a production issue over at Tamron. I haven’t had an opportunity to check out the Tamron branded version but if I do it’ll be interesting to see if the issue occurs there as well (and if parts from those lenses can be used for repairs).