pentax 20-40 owners: zoom ring movement

**UncleVanya** · 02-22-2022, 09:27 AM - **1 Like**

My silver DA 20-40 on my KP will only lift the edge of the camera if I move the ring at extremely fast speed. It is an unnatural movement that I wouldn’t do. It doesn’t stay in the air it merely lifts slightly and falls back down. It also doesn’t feel stiff just nicely dampened.

**mikesbike** · 02-22-2022, 03:48 PM

I just got out my DA 55-300mm HD WR lens from a drawer to manipulate and refresh my recollection. The zooming feel of mine is not at the level of my DA* and Ltd zoom lenses, but pretty good, especially for a lens in this class and cost. The focusing is not at all damped, but turns smoothly, and has quite a long-throw turning distance- no doubt part of the reason for its reputation for slower AF, but better for MF fine tuning.

---------- Post added 02-22-22 at 04:04 PM ----------

Originally posted by cport

I am aware of the technical difference ... still using the zoom ring is comfortable when using just two fingers.

In the case of this lens, yes indeed. The size and ribbing on the zoom ring appear to be made with this in mind. I guess the damping can also be useful as a finger exerciser (LOL). One thing is for sure- once you set the zoom for the framing you want, you are not likely to accidentally nudge it off your setting!

**Astropaps** · 03-14-2022, 04:33 AM - **1 Like**

The zoom ring on mine is quite stiff.

cport · 03-14-2022, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by Astropaps

The zoom ring on mine is quite stiff.

Many thanks to all of you for your feedback. I tend to admit that some stiffness is normal ...

Jonathan Mac · 03-15-2022, 04:37 AM - **1 Like**

The zoom ring on mine works just fine, I'd say it's just the right amount of resistance.

02-22-2022, 03:48 PM	#32
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	I just got out my DA 55-300mm HD WR lens from a drawer to manipulate and refresh my recollection. The zooming feel of mine is not at the level of my DA* and Ltd zoom lenses, but pretty good, especially for a lens in this class and cost. The focusing is not at all damped, but turns smoothly, and has quite a long-throw turning distance- no doubt part of the reason for its reputation for slower AF, but better for MF fine tuning. ---------- Post added 02-22-22 at 04:04 PM ---------- Originally posted by cport I am aware of the technical difference ... still using the zoom ring is comfortable when using just two fingers. In the case of this lens, yes indeed. The size and ribbing on the zoom ring appear to be made with this in mind. I guess the damping can also be useful as a finger exerciser (LOL). One thing is for sure- once you set the zoom for the framing you want, you are not likely to accidentally nudge it off your setting! Last edited by mikesbike; 02-22-2022 at 04:05 PM.

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02-22-2022, 09:27 AM - 1 Like	#31
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	My silver DA 20-40 on my KP will only lift the edge of the camera if I move the ring at extremely fast speed. It is an unnatural movement that I wouldn’t do. It doesn’t stay in the air it merely lifts slightly and falls back down. It also doesn’t feel stiff just nicely dampened.

03-14-2022, 04:33 AM - 1 Like	#33
Astropaps Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 121	The zoom ring on mine is quite stiff.

03-14-2022, 05:56 AM	#34
cport Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 428 Original Poster	Originally posted by Astropaps The zoom ring on mine is quite stiff. Many thanks to all of you for your feedback. I tend to admit that some stiffness is normal ...

03-15-2022, 04:37 AM - 1 Like	#35
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	The zoom ring on mine works just fine, I'd say it's just the right amount of resistance.

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