Since when did the 18-55mm CONTRACT!?

jct us101 · 08-07-2009, 11:45 AM

After going to different places of various temperatures, I started to realize that my lenses focus and zoom ring were so stiff that they wouldn't move on their own, and would start to stick together. I soon realized that this was because the plastic was contracting and expanding due to the heat and changes in weather conditions. This has never happened to me before though, but before I always had a Canon camera and lens, so is this lens just prone to being impossible to focus when the temperature changes because of the type of plastic used on it?

Jasvox · 08-07-2009, 12:00 PM

What kind of heat and temperature changes are we talking about here?

Jason

little laker · 08-07-2009, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by jct us101

After going to different places of various temperatures, I started to realize that my lenses focus and zoom ring were so stiff that they wouldn't move on their own, and would start to stick together. I soon realized that this was because the plastic was contracting and expanding due to the heat and changes in weather conditions. This has never happened to me before though, but before I always had a Canon camera and lens, so is this lens just prone to being impossible to focus when the temperature changes because of the type of plastic used on it?

I've had the kit lens in screaming hot weather, and -40 temperatures, without any problems. Although I was using the K100 or K10D kit lens, which I know that they've redesigned.

So my guess is that your lens was made with tighter tolerances than mine.

If it's still under warranty I'd send it on in, telling them what's happening.

jct us101 · 08-07-2009, 12:10 PM

Going from 60 degrees to 90 degrees in a single day.

Marc Sabatella · 08-07-2009, 12:21 PM

No way should that kind of temperature swing do that. I've gone from 90 to 30 in the space of a couple of hours (!) with no problems.

Steve Beswick · 08-07-2009, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by jct us101

Going from 60 degrees to 90 degrees in a single day.

That sounds like a pretty normal day.

séamuis · 08-07-2009, 03:24 PM

its not temperature related at all if this is the extremes were talking.

jct us101 · 08-07-2009, 05:08 PM

I wonder what's wrong with it then. Sometimes it won't rotate at all either auto or manually and other times it moves just fine.

Mike Cash · 08-08-2009, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by jct us101

I wonder what's wrong with it then. Sometimes it won't rotate at all either auto or manually and other times it moves just fine.

Has the lens been dropped at any time? If so, it could be that some small piece got knocked either out of place or out of alignment and at random times gets in between some surfaces and causes them to bind up. I had that happen with a cheap Cosina 19-35 zoom. The solution in my case was to open up the rear of the mount and remove the offending piece. Fortunately, its absence had no effect on the usability of the lens.

jct us101 · 08-08-2009, 11:23 AM

I haven't dropped it, but I guess it might be possible that some sand could have gotten inside of the lens.

08-07-2009, 11:45 AM	#1
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793	Since when did the 18-55mm CONTRACT!? After going to different places of various temperatures, I started to realize that my lenses focus and zoom ring were so stiff that they wouldn't move on their own, and would start to stick together. I soon realized that this was because the plastic was contracting and expanding due to the heat and changes in weather conditions. This has never happened to me before though, but before I always had a Canon camera and lens, so is this lens just prone to being impossible to focus when the temperature changes because of the type of plastic used on it?

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08-07-2009, 12:00 PM	#2
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	What kind of heat and temperature changes are we talking about here? Jason

08-07-2009, 12:09 PM	#3
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,703	Originally posted by jct us101 After going to different places of various temperatures, I started to realize that my lenses focus and zoom ring were so stiff that they wouldn't move on their own, and would start to stick together. I soon realized that this was because the plastic was contracting and expanding due to the heat and changes in weather conditions. This has never happened to me before though, but before I always had a Canon camera and lens, so is this lens just prone to being impossible to focus when the temperature changes because of the type of plastic used on it? I've had the kit lens in screaming hot weather, and -40 temperatures, without any problems. Although I was using the K100 or K10D kit lens, which I know that they've redesigned. So my guess is that your lens was made with tighter tolerances than mine. If it's still under warranty I'd send it on in, telling them what's happening.

08-07-2009, 12:10 PM	#4
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793 Original Poster	Going from 60 degrees to 90 degrees in a single day.

08-07-2009, 12:21 PM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,686	No way should that kind of temperature swing do that. I've gone from 90 to 30 in the space of a couple of hours (!) with no problems.

08-07-2009, 03:17 PM	#6
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	Originally posted by jct us101 Going from 60 degrees to 90 degrees in a single day. That sounds like a pretty normal day.

08-07-2009, 03:24 PM	#7
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	its not temperature related at all if this is the extremes were talking.

08-07-2009, 05:08 PM	#8
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793 Original Poster	I wonder what's wrong with it then. Sometimes it won't rotate at all either auto or manually and other times it moves just fine.

08-08-2009, 05:55 AM	#9
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Originally posted by jct us101 I wonder what's wrong with it then. Sometimes it won't rotate at all either auto or manually and other times it moves just fine. Has the lens been dropped at any time? If so, it could be that some small piece got knocked either out of place or out of alignment and at random times gets in between some surfaces and causes them to bind up. I had that happen with a cheap Cosina 19-35 zoom. The solution in my case was to open up the rear of the mount and remove the offending piece. Fortunately, its absence had no effect on the usability of the lens.

08-08-2009, 11:23 AM	#10
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793 Original Poster	I haven't dropped it, but I guess it might be possible that some sand could have gotten inside of the lens.

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