Broken Enclosure on PENTAX-DA 18-250mm

MiguelPereira · 02-09-2020, 11:11 AM

Hello:

I would like to have your opinions on the following:
I have an smc PENTAX-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF], recently purchased.
Although I haven't used heavily yet, so far performs, focus and functions smoothly.
Today I noticed this crack on the front barrel.
Any ideas on how to replace this part and where to get it?
Is it worth repairing?

Thank you!

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Last edited by MiguelPereira; 02-10-2020 at 03:26 PM.

Not a Number · 02-09-2020, 12:57 PM - **1 Like**

Get your money back. Ricoh USA doesn't sell parts to end users. Seems to be Ricoh policy for most countries and I haven't heard otherwise about Canada.

MiguelPereira · 02-09-2020, 01:50 PM

Getting money back is not an option.
I purchased this lens with a fully working K200D for $90.00 CAD.
Besides the lens was also not cracked upon purchase.

I'll try to get an estimate from Sun Camera here in Ontario.

**caliscouser** · 02-09-2020, 02:11 PM - **1 Like**

Never seen that before.

You can't get parts and it will be uneconomical to fix it.

If you like the lens I'd suggest picking up another one and selling this one as a parts lens.

MiguelPereira · 02-09-2020, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by caliscouser

Never seen that before.

You can't get parts and it will be uneconomical to fix it.

If you like the lens I'd suggest picking up another one and selling this one as a parts lens.

I've been looking in to buying one used 18-135 WR to pair up with my K-50...
Nonetheless I'll post here the answer from the repair center, once available.

jeallen01 · 02-09-2020, 03:35 PM - **1 Like**

Get a worm-drive clip (We call them "Jubilee clips" for some reason) that will fit around the lens barrel where it is cracked, and some superglue - carefully "paint" a little of the latter along the length of the crack, wipe the excess off very quickly, and then carefully tighten the clip around the crack and wait a few minutes.

That should hopefully "sort" the problem for at least a reasonable period.

Another approach might be to try a PVC cement (think of the stuff used for joining outdoor rainwater pipes, at least in the UK) and the same methodology - but it could be a lot more messy!

**pepperberry farm** · 02-09-2020, 04:23 PM - **1 Like**

replace it - the 18-250 zoom is easily replaced with the same or even the next lens in the series, the 18-270 zoom...

jeallen01 · 02-09-2020, 05:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

replace it - the 18-250 zoom is easily replaced with the same or even the next lens in the series, the 18-270 zoom...

My "methods" would be cheaper - IF they work

MiguelPereira · 02-09-2020, 05:12 PM

I'm considering all options now.
I might as well take the time to clean and sell one of the cameras.
I'm starting to have too much gear. K-m, K200, K50.

stevebrot · 02-09-2020, 05:21 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jeallen01

some superglue

Not a good idea around any camera or lens that might have plastic optics or windows. The vapors are corrosive to such and will craze the surface.

Steve

Kicking but no dust · 02-09-2020, 06:39 PM - **2 Likes**

The "Jubilee Clip" idea sounds good but I think that I would instead use some clear two-part epoxy glue because I don't think that it gives off much in the way of gas and it is slower setting so you have more time to get it right. Use the tip of a toothpick or something similar to work a small amount of glue it to the crack.

Not a Number · 02-10-2020, 12:46 AM - **1 Like**

Precision Camera in the US doesn't have the 18-250 DA listed but quotes $262.50 USD for the 18-270 DA and $172.50 USD for the 18-135 DA.

DIY patching the crack might be ok but what if the optics are off kilter or something else is damaged?

MiguelPereira · 02-10-2020, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Precision Camera in the US doesn't have the 18-250 DA listed but quotes $262.50 USD for the 18-270 DA and $172.50 USD for the 18-135 DA.

DIY patching the crack might be ok but what if the optics are off kilter or something else is damaged?

I'll keep updating the results here for the sake of sharing.
As I stand at the moment, I'll wait first for the reply of Repair Centers here in Ontario.

MiguelPereira · 03-11-2020, 07:39 PM

Hello:

So a quick update on this lens.
The only repair estimates I got as around the CAD $300.00. No guarantee on getting parts, plus I noticed that a few times while using it, won't focus occasionally.
For instance it would focus and suddenly it wouldn't and says MF on the camera. Toggling the AF/MF switch and touching the zoom ring would make it go again.
Also a couple times when turning on the camera, it would ask tho input the lens focal length.

I ended up buying a used copy locally for CAD$150.00.

02-09-2020, 02:44 PM	#5
MiguelPereira New Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 10 Original Poster	Originally posted by caliscouser Never seen that before. You can't get parts and it will be uneconomical to fix it. If you like the lens I'd suggest picking up another one and selling this one as a parts lens. I've been looking in to buying one used 18-135 WR to pair up with my K-50... Nonetheless I'll post here the answer from the repair center, once available. Last edited by MiguelPereira; 02-09-2020 at 03:22 PM.

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02-09-2020, 12:57 PM - 1 Like	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Get your money back. Ricoh USA doesn't sell parts to end users. Seems to be Ricoh policy for most countries and I haven't heard otherwise about Canada.

02-09-2020, 01:50 PM	#3
MiguelPereira New Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 10 Original Poster	Getting money back is not an option. I purchased this lens with a fully working K200D for $90.00 CAD. Besides the lens was also not cracked upon purchase. I'll try to get an estimate from Sun Camera here in Ontario.

02-09-2020, 02:11 PM - 1 Like	#4
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	Never seen that before. You can't get parts and it will be uneconomical to fix it. If you like the lens I'd suggest picking up another one and selling this one as a parts lens.

02-09-2020, 03:35 PM - 1 Like	#6
jeallen01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697	Get a worm-drive clip (We call them "Jubilee clips" for some reason) that will fit around the lens barrel where it is cracked, and some superglue - carefully "paint" a little of the latter along the length of the crack, wipe the excess off very quickly, and then carefully tighten the clip around the crack and wait a few minutes. That should hopefully "sort" the problem for at least a reasonable period. Another approach might be to try a PVC cement (think of the stuff used for joining outdoor rainwater pipes, at least in the UK) and the same methodology - but it could be a lot more messy!

02-09-2020, 04:23 PM - 1 Like	#7
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	replace it - the 18-250 zoom is easily replaced with the same or even the next lens in the series, the 18-270 zoom...

02-09-2020, 05:02 PM - 1 Like	#8
jeallen01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697	Originally posted by pepperberry farm replace it - the 18-250 zoom is easily replaced with the same or even the next lens in the series, the 18-270 zoom... My "methods" would be cheaper - IF they work

02-09-2020, 05:12 PM	#9
MiguelPereira New Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 10 Original Poster	I'm considering all options now. I might as well take the time to clean and sell one of the cameras. I'm starting to have too much gear. K-m, K200, K50.

02-09-2020, 05:21 PM - 1 Like	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by jeallen01 some superglue Not a good idea around any camera or lens that might have plastic optics or windows. The vapors are corrosive to such and will craze the surface. Steve

02-09-2020, 06:39 PM - 2 Likes	#11
Kicking but no dust New Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Fort Bragg, California Posts: 14	The "Jubilee Clip" idea sounds good but I think that I would instead use some clear two-part epoxy glue because I don't think that it gives off much in the way of gas and it is slower setting so you have more time to get it right. Use the tip of a toothpick or something similar to work a small amount of glue it to the crack.

02-10-2020, 12:46 AM - 1 Like	#12
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Precision Camera in the US doesn't have the 18-250 DA listed but quotes $262.50 USD for the 18-270 DA and $172.50 USD for the 18-135 DA. DIY patching the crack might be ok but what if the optics are off kilter or something else is damaged?

02-10-2020, 02:11 PM	#13
MiguelPereira New Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 10 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number Precision Camera in the US doesn't have the 18-250 DA listed but quotes $262.50 USD for the 18-270 DA and $172.50 USD for the 18-135 DA. DIY patching the crack might be ok but what if the optics are off kilter or something else is damaged? I'll keep updating the results here for the sake of sharing. As I stand at the moment, I'll wait first for the reply of Repair Centers here in Ontario.

03-11-2020, 07:39 PM	#14
MiguelPereira New Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 10 Original Poster	Hello: So a quick update on this lens. The only repair estimates I got as around the CAD $300.00. No guarantee on getting parts, plus I noticed that a few times while using it, won't focus occasionally. For instance it would focus and suddenly it wouldn't and says MF on the camera. Toggling the AF/MF switch and touching the zoom ring would make it go again. Also a couple times when turning on the camera, it would ask tho input the lens focal length. I ended up buying a used copy locally for CAD$150.00.