18-250mm lens F-stop issue

PD63 · 08-05-2018, 11:59 AM

I have a Pentax 18-250mm lens that all of a sudden the F-stop has stopped working. I have tried it on my K3 and K5iis with the same result. No matter where I set the Fstop all the pics are the same. This happens in AF of MF mode. When in AF mode the AF is spotty and doesn't always focus, possibly a motor issue as that sounds a little funny also. Has anyone else had this issue? The lens is 10 years old and I have tried cleaning the contacts, tightening screws, etc.

Thanks

Phil

**Pentax Syntax** · 08-05-2018, 12:20 PM

Aperture control lever is probably sticking. If you have the right screwdriver you can remove the three retaining screws on the bottom of the lens and check the lever. May be slightly bent and binding. My copy had that problem.

PD63 · 08-05-2018, 12:40 PM

Any chance you have a picture of what screws I need to remove and the lever?

**Pentax Syntax** · 08-05-2018, 01:15 PM - **1 Like**

Bottom should look like this. Four screws and lever is at left. The lever should be spring loaded and return to small aperture upon release. Start by loosening screws and see if the lever frees up. If not you can remove them all and check the lever. Mine was binding to the the side of the lens mount. Pay attention to the screw at photo right. If over tight it can make the opposing lever bind. Very little tolerance in spacing for that lever.

Since it can’t get to open aperture for focusing and viewfinder brightness, this can make focusing malfunction also. First thing to do is check to make sure the spring will close the aperture.

Attached Images

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Last edited by Pentax Syntax; 08-05-2018 at 01:39 PM.

PD63 · 08-05-2018, 01:38 PM - **1 Like**

Ok, thanks. That is definitely the issue. I can move the lever but it does not spring back. I can see the spring next to the lever. I loosened the screws and then tightened them back up again it seems to be ok now. One screw may have been a little to tight. Thanks for your help it is much appreciated!

**Pentax Syntax** · 08-05-2018, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by PD63

Ok, thanks. That is definitely the issue. I can move the lever but it does not spring back. Thanks for your help it is much appreciated!

No problem

Glad I could help 😊

PD63 · 08-05-2018, 01:45 PM

Huge help, I was getting ready to buy a new lens! This lens is 10 years old I just figured it was on it's last leg as it is pretty much my go to lens. Thanks again!

**Pentax Syntax** · 08-05-2018, 01:51 PM - **1 Like**

One of my favorite travel lenses. Hope to keep mine going for many more years. It used to live on my K-7 and K-3 before I got the 16-85. Still the 18-250 gets lots of use when I want to go light.

PD63 · 08-05-2018, 02:06 PM

I use that lens the most and the 24-70...I bought that so I'd have something for the K1 when I get it...

**Pentax Syntax** · 08-05-2018, 02:37 PM

I think you will like full frame. I use the K-1ii and upgraded K-1 for everything other than hiking. Nice for car trips. To much mass for me to lug around

PD63 · 08-05-2018, 02:49 PM

I do lots of landscape photography so I am sure I'll like it for that. I also hike a lot, I bought a little fujifilm XP120 16mp camera for hiking to lighten the load a bit but, I think I took it on one hike without my K3 and now I take both. I use the K3 with the 18-250 the fuji for video. So you got the K1 and upgrade to the K-1ii? How do you like it, is the upgrade worth it?

**Pentax Syntax** · 08-05-2018, 05:08 PM

I thought the upgrade was definitely worth it. Bought the K-1ii preorder and evaluated it for a couple of months compared to my faithful K-1. It is equal to, or better than the K-1 for all of my applications . Autofocus seems much improved and the dynamic pixel shift can really pull the most out of landscapes. Worth the slight price increase if you are buying new. I thought of it as insurance against future developments.

PD63 · 08-05-2018, 08:09 PM

Thats good to know. I was thinking of the K1 at the discounted price, but I will probably just go with the K-1ii instead. Thanks for the input.

PD63 · 10-06-2018, 07:39 AM

I thought I would ask you this before posting the question in a forum, seeing you were able to help me with my last issue? I have a Mac and d/l my pics to I-Photo. When I am in info mode going through pics it shows which camera and lens was used. However, for some reason it does not show which lens when I use my Pentax 24-70mm or my Sigma 18-300mm, any idea why?

**Pentax Syntax** · 10-18-2018, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by PD63

I thought I would ask you this before posting the question in a forum, seeing you were able to help me with my last issue? I have a Mac and d/l my pics to I-Photo. When I am in info mode going through pics it shows which camera and lens was used. However, for some reason it does not show which lens when I use my Pentax 24-70mm or my Sigma 18-300mm, any idea why?

The EXIF info is a little variable depending upon the lens. With the Sigma, it may not be able to confer the information from the body. Most Pentax lenses should convey the information. What happens when you use a third party EXIF reader? I like an iphone app called Investigator.

08-05-2018, 11:59 AM	#1
PD63 New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 13	18-250mm lens F-stop issue I have a Pentax 18-250mm lens that all of a sudden the F-stop has stopped working. I have tried it on my K3 and K5iis with the same result. No matter where I set the Fstop all the pics are the same. This happens in AF of MF mode. When in AF mode the AF is spotty and doesn't always focus, possibly a motor issue as that sounds a little funny also. Has anyone else had this issue? The lens is 10 years old and I have tried cleaning the contacts, tightening screws, etc. Thanks Phil

08-05-2018, 12:40 PM	#3
PD63 New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 13 Original Poster	Any chance you have a picture of what screws I need to remove and the lever? Last edited by PD63; 08-05-2018 at 12:46 PM.

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08-05-2018, 12:20 PM	#2
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	Aperture control lever is probably sticking. If you have the right screwdriver you can remove the three retaining screws on the bottom of the lens and check the lever. May be slightly bent and binding. My copy had that problem.

08-05-2018, 01:38 PM - 1 Like	#5
PD63 New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 13 Original Poster	Ok, thanks. That is definitely the issue. I can move the lever but it does not spring back. I can see the spring next to the lever. I loosened the screws and then tightened them back up again it seems to be ok now. One screw may have been a little to tight. Thanks for your help it is much appreciated!

08-05-2018, 01:39 PM	#6
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	Originally posted by PD63 Ok, thanks. That is definitely the issue. I can move the lever but it does not spring back. Thanks for your help it is much appreciated! No problem Glad I could help 😊

08-05-2018, 01:45 PM	#7
PD63 New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 13 Original Poster	Huge help, I was getting ready to buy a new lens! This lens is 10 years old I just figured it was on it's last leg as it is pretty much my go to lens. Thanks again!

08-05-2018, 01:51 PM - 1 Like	#8
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	One of my favorite travel lenses. Hope to keep mine going for many more years. It used to live on my K-7 and K-3 before I got the 16-85. Still the 18-250 gets lots of use when I want to go light.

08-05-2018, 02:06 PM	#9
PD63 New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 13 Original Poster	I use that lens the most and the 24-70...I bought that so I'd have something for the K1 when I get it...

08-05-2018, 02:37 PM	#10
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	I think you will like full frame. I use the K-1ii and upgraded K-1 for everything other than hiking. Nice for car trips. To much mass for me to lug around

08-05-2018, 02:49 PM	#11
PD63 New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 13 Original Poster	I do lots of landscape photography so I am sure I'll like it for that. I also hike a lot, I bought a little fujifilm XP120 16mp camera for hiking to lighten the load a bit but, I think I took it on one hike without my K3 and now I take both. I use the K3 with the 18-250 the fuji for video. So you got the K1 and upgrade to the K-1ii? How do you like it, is the upgrade worth it?

08-05-2018, 05:08 PM	#12
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	I thought the upgrade was definitely worth it. Bought the K-1ii preorder and evaluated it for a couple of months compared to my faithful K-1. It is equal to, or better than the K-1 for all of my applications . Autofocus seems much improved and the dynamic pixel shift can really pull the most out of landscapes. Worth the slight price increase if you are buying new. I thought of it as insurance against future developments.

08-05-2018, 08:09 PM	#13
PD63 New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 13 Original Poster	Thats good to know. I was thinking of the K1 at the discounted price, but I will probably just go with the K-1ii instead. Thanks for the input.

10-06-2018, 07:39 AM	#14
PD63 New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 13 Original Poster	I thought I would ask you this before posting the question in a forum, seeing you were able to help me with my last issue? I have a Mac and d/l my pics to I-Photo. When I am in info mode going through pics it shows which camera and lens was used. However, for some reason it does not show which lens when I use my Pentax 24-70mm or my Sigma 18-300mm, any idea why?

10-18-2018, 03:55 PM	#15
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	Originally posted by PD63 I thought I would ask you this before posting the question in a forum, seeing you were able to help me with my last issue? I have a Mac and d/l my pics to I-Photo. When I am in info mode going through pics it shows which camera and lens was used. However, for some reason it does not show which lens when I use my Pentax 24-70mm or my Sigma 18-300mm, any idea why? The EXIF info is a little variable depending upon the lens. With the Sigma, it may not be able to confer the information from the body. Most Pentax lenses should convey the information. What happens when you use a third party EXIF reader? I like an iphone app called Investigator.