Replace Plastic Mount with Metal?

**lawsonstone** · 04-03-2013, 01:51 PM

I have a broken DA 55-300mm with the metal mount. I want to replace the lens, and wondered whether I could by the cheaper DAL 55-300mm and then replace it's plastic mount with the metal mount from my busted DA 55-300.

Is that possible?

**THoog** · 04-03-2013, 02:04 PM

I looked at doing that with a DA L 18-55 and a broken DA II 18-55. I got as far as removing the mount, but it didn't look like I could just swap them - the body for the plastic mount had additional metal connections to make up for the mount not being conductive. Someone else may have been more determined and gotten further than me.

If the durability of the plastic mount is worrying you, I don't think I have read any reports of plastic mounts failing. It's a 'problem' that gets discussed a lot, but never seems to actually happen. On the down side, IIRC, the DA L 55-300 lacks quick-shift focus capability.

Docrwm · 04-03-2013, 02:06 PM

I've seen it done by some folks but haven't seen a step-by-step to know how complicated or simple the process would be.

**paulh** · 04-03-2013, 02:15 PM

Probably not worth the time & effort. I think the "fragility" of the plastic mount is way overstated. As Thoog stated, the lack of quickshift on the DA L would probably be more of a concern.

Ken T · 04-03-2013, 04:12 PM

I have a friend who had the DA L 55-300 mounted on his K-x, hanging on his neck with the neck strap. When he saw his little boy felt by his side, and by reaction he bent down quickly to catch his son and did not think about the camera. The lens hit hard on the pavement and broke right off the camera, leaving the plastic mount still stayed on the camera mount. When got home, he took the broken lens mount off to inspect the camera mount and found no sight of damage at all. Since then he liked the plastic mounts more than the metal ones.

Sagitta · 04-03-2013, 07:19 PM

I was nosy about this subject a while ago so posed the question - only one person managed to break a plastic mount in that thread.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/201458-have-yo...ens-mount.html

**Kerrowdown** · 04-04-2013, 12:34 AM

Originally posted by lawsonstone

Replace Plastic Mount with Metal

I think the adage applies here "if it aint broke, don't fix it", in other words until, or if the plastic mount gives problems, leave well alone.

Would having the original lens repaired, not be an option?

04-03-2013, 01:51 PM	#1
lawsonstone Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wilmore, KY Posts: 376	Replace Plastic Mount with Metal? I have a broken DA 55-300mm with the metal mount. I want to replace the lens, and wondered whether I could by the cheaper DAL 55-300mm and then replace it's plastic mount with the metal mount from my busted DA 55-300. Is that possible?

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04-03-2013, 02:04 PM	#2
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	I looked at doing that with a DA L 18-55 and a broken DA II 18-55. I got as far as removing the mount, but it didn't look like I could just swap them - the body for the plastic mount had additional metal connections to make up for the mount not being conductive. Someone else may have been more determined and gotten further than me. If the durability of the plastic mount is worrying you, I don't think I have read any reports of plastic mounts failing. It's a 'problem' that gets discussed a lot, but never seems to actually happen. On the down side, IIRC, the DA L 55-300 lacks quick-shift focus capability.

04-03-2013, 02:06 PM	#3
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I've seen it done by some folks but haven't seen a step-by-step to know how complicated or simple the process would be.

04-03-2013, 02:15 PM	#4
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,319	Probably not worth the time & effort. I think the "fragility" of the plastic mount is way overstated. As Thoog stated, the lack of quickshift on the DA L would probably be more of a concern.

04-03-2013, 04:12 PM	#5
Ken T Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California, USA Posts: 536	I have a friend who had the DA L 55-300 mounted on his K-x, hanging on his neck with the neck strap. When he saw his little boy felt by his side, and by reaction he bent down quickly to catch his son and did not think about the camera. The lens hit hard on the pavement and broke right off the camera, leaving the plastic mount still stayed on the camera mount. When got home, he took the broken lens mount off to inspect the camera mount and found no sight of damage at all. Since then he liked the plastic mounts more than the metal ones.

04-03-2013, 07:19 PM	#6
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	I was nosy about this subject a while ago so posed the question - only one person managed to break a plastic mount in that thread. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/201458-have-yo...ens-mount.html

04-04-2013, 12:34 AM	#7
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Originally posted by lawsonstone Replace Plastic Mount with Metal I think the adage applies here "if it aint broke, don't fix it", in other words until, or if the plastic mount gives problems, leave well alone. Would having the original lens repaired, not be an option?