Can't get lens off K-x

Karl Myer · 04-23-2012, 02:59 PM

Hello. I'm trying out a friend's lens on my Pentax K-x. Mounting the lens on the camera for the first time, it would not fully seat. It is on straight but wobbles. I can't get it off and that is what worries me. It will turn a small fraction of an inch back and forth but will not come off. Can anyone help? The lens is a Prospec MC Auto Zoom 80-200 zoom, made in Korea. It's quite heavy, seems well made, and has an aperture ring with f 3.9 to 22. This is the first time I have tried to mount it on the K-x. My friend's camera, on which it had been mounted, is a Pentax A3000. Thank you.

**boriscleto** · 04-23-2012, 03:04 PM

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/46816-all-righ...ens-stuck.html

theatre of noise: Ricoh Lenses On Pentax Cameras -- The Ricoh Pin Fix

**LaurenOE** · 04-23-2012, 03:07 PM

Jiggle the AF switch/lever - on the camera - to MANUAL as you are removing the lens. It seems that the Ricoh pin has struck again.

littledrawe · 04-23-2012, 03:14 PM

I like the idea of sliding a peice of 35mm film between the lens and camera to get the pin out, never tried it myself but sounds like it would work.

slip · 04-23-2012, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/46816-all-righ...ens-stuck.html

theatre of noise: Ricoh Lenses On Pentax Cameras -- The Ricoh Pin Fix

once you get it off... grind that sucker down! dremel tool works great for this

good luck

**Ex Finn.** · 04-23-2012, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by Karl Myer

Hello. I'm trying out a friend's lens on my Pentax K-x.

If he grinds it down, the friend could get upset.

Karl Myer · 04-23-2012, 04:06 PM

I'm jiggling the AF/MF switch as I twist the lens back and forth, using considerable force. Should the camera be on or off? I usually have it off but I have also tried with it on.

**Ex Finn.** · 04-23-2012, 04:09 PM

Leave the camera off, your dilemma is strictly mechanical in nature.

.
Read up on the several posts about "removing a lens with Ricoh pin stuck on camera".

Karl Myer · 04-23-2012, 05:26 PM

I've read all the recommended articles and threads. Still trying all the suggestions. No luck yet.

ripit · 04-23-2012, 07:07 PM

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

Leave the camera off, your dilemma is strictly mechanical in nature.

.
Read up on the several posts about "removing a lens with Ricoh pin stuck on camera".

The ricoh pin gets stuck in the Af drive. When you switch from manual focus to auto focus, the drive screw pops forward which sometimes can push the pin enough to release. Try putting light but constant pressure on the lens turning in the direction to remove it. With constant light pressure, try flipping the auto focus switch from manual to auto several times.

Alternatively, if you have some automotive feeler gauges, with the camera off and the auto focus switch set to manual, and light pressure turning the lens in to removal direction, try to work one of the thinest feeler gauges under the pin. The pin is stuck about 45 degrees counter clockwise from the bottom center of the camera. The last time it happened to me, I had to mess with it for a while before I got it to pop loose.

stevebrot · 04-23-2012, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by ripit

Alternatively, if you have some automotive feeler gauges

1+ on that solution...

Steve

Karl Myer · 04-23-2012, 09:01 PM

I have not had success yet. I tried many of the suggestions. Thank you all for your help.
I emailed all your very kind responses, and the "theater of noise" webpage recommended by boriscleto in this thread to my nephew, Brian, and asked him to stop by and try to get this lens off. He said he will come by after work tomorrow. I'll let you all know the results tomorrow.
Thank you again.

**sergysergy** · 04-23-2012, 10:11 PM

I remember reading a similar post long time ago. The solution was pressing the release button and at the same time sliding sth thin (paper?) between the lens and the camera (where the pin is).

ripit · 04-24-2012, 02:18 AM

One other thing. Some ricoh pins will actually retract like the A pin does when you move the aperture ring away from the A position. If the lens is in the A position turn it to one of the number settings.

Karl Myer · 04-25-2012, 07:36 PM

My nephew, Brian, was supposed to stop by and look at my problem last night, but forgot. He did come by this evening, looked at the camera, tried a few things, and then took the camera with him. He said he does have automotive feeler gauges and will try retracting the pin that way. He could feel the pin when he inserted the edge of a metal tape measure into the gap between lens and camera. He said he is optimistic he will be successful.
I will update this thread again when there is further to report. Thank you again for all your help on this forum.

04-23-2012, 02:59 PM	#1
Karl Myer Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 9	Can't get lens off K-x Hello. I'm trying out a friend's lens on my Pentax K-x. Mounting the lens on the camera for the first time, it would not fully seat. It is on straight but wobbles. I can't get it off and that is what worries me. It will turn a small fraction of an inch back and forth but will not come off. Can anyone help? The lens is a Prospec MC Auto Zoom 80-200 zoom, made in Korea. It's quite heavy, seems well made, and has an aperture ring with f 3.9 to 22. This is the first time I have tried to mount it on the K-x. My friend's camera, on which it had been mounted, is a Pentax A3000. Thank you.

04-23-2012, 04:09 PM	#8
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Leave the camera off, your dilemma is strictly mechanical in nature.. Read up on the several posts about "removing a lens with Ricoh pin stuck on camera".

04-23-2012, 07:07 PM	#10
ripit Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NewYork Posts: 899	Originally posted by Ex Finn. Leave the camera off, your dilemma is strictly mechanical in nature.. Read up on the several posts about "removing a lens with Ricoh pin stuck on camera". The ricoh pin gets stuck in the Af drive. When you switch from manual focus to auto focus, the drive screw pops forward which sometimes can push the pin enough to release. Try putting light but constant pressure on the lens turning in the direction to remove it. With constant light pressure, try flipping the auto focus switch from manual to auto several times. Alternatively, if you have some automotive feeler gauges, with the camera off and the auto focus switch set to manual, and light pressure turning the lens in to removal direction, try to work one of the thinest feeler gauges under the pin. The pin is stuck about 45 degrees counter clockwise from the bottom center of the camera. The last time it happened to me, I had to mess with it for a while before I got it to pop loose.

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04-23-2012, 03:04 PM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/46816-all-righ...ens-stuck.html theatre of noise: Ricoh Lenses On Pentax Cameras -- The Ricoh Pin Fix

04-23-2012, 03:07 PM	#3
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Jiggle the AF switch/lever - on the camera - to MANUAL as you are removing the lens. It seems that the Ricoh pin has struck again.

04-23-2012, 03:14 PM	#4
littledrawe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Red Rock Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,514	I like the idea of sliding a peice of 35mm film between the lens and camera to get the pin out, never tried it myself but sounds like it would work.

04-23-2012, 03:31 PM	#5
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	Originally posted by boriscleto https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/46816-all-righ...ens-stuck.html theatre of noise: Ricoh Lenses On Pentax Cameras -- The Ricoh Pin Fix once you get it off... grind that sucker down! dremel tool works great for this good luck

04-23-2012, 04:03 PM	#6
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by Karl Myer Hello. I'm trying out a friend's lens on my Pentax K-x. If he grinds it down, the friend could get upset.

04-23-2012, 04:06 PM	#7
Karl Myer Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 9 Original Poster	I'm jiggling the AF/MF switch as I twist the lens back and forth, using considerable force. Should the camera be on or off? I usually have it off but I have also tried with it on.

04-23-2012, 05:26 PM	#9
Karl Myer Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 9 Original Poster	I've read all the recommended articles and threads. Still trying all the suggestions. No luck yet.

04-23-2012, 07:15 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ripit Alternatively, if you have some automotive feeler gauges 1+ on that solution... Steve

04-23-2012, 09:01 PM	#12
Karl Myer Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 9 Original Poster	I have not had success yet. I tried many of the suggestions. Thank you all for your help. I emailed all your very kind responses, and the "theater of noise" webpage recommended by boriscleto in this thread to my nephew, Brian, and asked him to stop by and try to get this lens off. He said he will come by after work tomorrow. I'll let you all know the results tomorrow. Thank you again.

04-23-2012, 10:11 PM	#13
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	I remember reading a similar post long time ago. The solution was pressing the release button and at the same time sliding sth thin (paper?) between the lens and the camera (where the pin is).

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04-24-2012, 02:18 AM	#14
ripit Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NewYork Posts: 899	One other thing. Some ricoh pins will actually retract like the A pin does when you move the aperture ring away from the A position. If the lens is in the A position turn it to one of the number settings.

04-25-2012, 07:36 PM	#15
Karl Myer Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 9 Original Poster	My nephew, Brian, was supposed to stop by and look at my problem last night, but forgot. He did come by this evening, looked at the camera, tried a few things, and then took the camera with him. He said he does have automotive feeler gauges and will try retracting the pin that way. He could feel the pin when he inserted the edge of a metal tape measure into the gap between lens and camera. He said he is optimistic he will be successful. I will update this thread again when there is further to report. Thank you again for all your help on this forum.