55-300 PLM issue, any help appreciated

Buntzbooze · 01-27-2021, 02:33 PM

I recently purchased a second hand PLM zoom and tested it out yesterday with no issues. Having a play today and when I start up my KP the lens makes a focussing sound followed by a rapid sequence of clicks as if the aperture or some other mechanism is activating. It lasts about five seconds, then the lens appears to be back to normal. It also does this when waking the camera up from standby. I tested it on my K70 to see if it was a KP issue same thing happens. I can't find any reference to this issue anywhere o the internet, I would appreciate any advice (other than returning the lens, which will be a last resort).

jddwoods · 01-27-2021, 02:55 PM

That does not sound normal for this lens. Mine does not make any similar sounds like that you describe. On mine the focus motor is barely audible only indoors in a totally quiet room and there are no other sounds from the lens that I can detect. I would consider returning it.

**Kobie** · 01-27-2021, 04:41 PM - **1 Like**

That definitely doesn't sound normal at all. Have you tried cleaning the contacts on the lens? (stretching here) Are you starting up the camera with the lens retracted or is it already out (not that it should matter but you never know, stranger things have happened).

swanlefitte · 01-27-2021, 04:45 PM

If I put my ear up to the barrel on start up I hear a slight sound. If the lense is closed or at 55mm it is even quicker than at 300mm which is less than a second. No clicking. Just a very quiet even "eeeuh".

Buntzbooze · 01-27-2021, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by Kobie

That definitely doesn't sound normal at all. Have you tried cleaning the contacts on the lens? (stretching here) Are you starting up the camera with the lens retracted or is it already out (not that it should matter but you never know, stranger things have happened).

Thanks for the response, I have tried cleaning the contacts, it didn't solve the issue. I have tried starting up the camera with the lens retracted and at several different focal lengths. I managed once or twice to get the lens to start up without making the noise, both times after taking a burst of shots (out of frustration!).

SharkyCA · 01-27-2021, 05:14 PM

I don't have experience with this lens, but sounds to me like gears not meshing properly 😐

https://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/photo-articles/lens-autofocus-drive-comparison.html

Buntzbooze · 01-27-2021, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by swanlefitte

If I put my ear up to the barrel on start up I hear a slight sound. If the lense is closed or at 55mm it is even quicker than at 300mm which is less than a second. No clicking. Just a very quiet even "eeeuh".

Thanks, if I put my ear up to mine it gives me a headache! I wonder if the pulse motor/electromagnet needs to be 'exercised', and being a second hand lens it has been sitting around a while.

---------- Post added 01-27-21 at 05:37 PM ----------

Originally posted by SharkyCA

I don't have experience with this lens, but sounds to me like gears not meshing properly 😐

The 5 Lens Autofocus Drive Types Explained - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

It certainly does sound like that. Thank you for the link. I believe the PLM has a small internal screw that is driven by the pulse motor, so it could be the issue. It only occurs at start up or wake up from standby, as far as I can determine it works fine after that.

SharkyCA · 01-27-2021, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by Buntzbooze

I recently purchased a second hand PLM zoom and tested it out yesterday with no issues. Having a play today and when I start up my KP the lens makes a focussing sound followed by a rapid sequence of clicks as if the aperture or some other mechanism is activating. It lasts about five seconds, then the lens appears to be back to normal. It also does this when waking the camera up from standby. I tested it on my K70 to see if it was a KP issue same thing happens. I can't find any reference to this issue anywhere o the internet, I would appreciate any advice (other than returning the lens, which will be a last resort).

I don't know if it has an effect on your lens, but check this out! HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE / Telephoto Lenses / K-mount Lenses / Lenses / Products | RICOH IMAGING

**Kobie** · 01-27-2021, 09:11 PM

Originally posted by SharkyCA

I don't know if it has an effect on your lens, but check this out! HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE / Telephoto Lenses / K-mount Lenses / Lenses / Products | RICOH IMAGING

The OP has a KP

**ramseybuckeye** · 01-27-2021, 09:47 PM

I think somebody sold you a damaged lens, unless it was nearly free, return it.

syyrmb · 01-27-2021, 10:12 PM

Were you using live view? PLM 553 adjust aperture from wide open to f8-ish aperture in live view when the scene is too bright, and that aperture change can cause some noise.

Buntzbooze · 01-28-2021, 01:00 AM - **1 Like**

Ok, woke up this morning and tried my K70 with PLM (had to do this in the spare room as the other half was getting sick of the noise!) and so far, so good. The issue has gone away. I have a theory; I had removed my KP's battery for a few hours to charge it yesterday morning with the PLM attached. Could the the electromagnet in the PLM have 'drained' whilst conected to the camera, therefore making the motor work extra hard when tested later that evening? As I mentioned it was second hand, so who knows how long it has sat around. It gas also been freezing here in UK and delivery time was quite long, possibly exposing the lens to sub zero temperatures for a few days if sat on a wagon...
Thanks so much for the advice everyone, particularly pointing me to those diagrams on the Pentax page. Cheers.

---------- Post added 01-28-21 at 01:02 AM ----------

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

I think somebody sold you a damaged lens, unless it was nearly free, return it.

Hi, thanks. It was less than half price, but looks in mint condition. No evidence of a knock. If the noise persists I might keep it as the image quality and focus speeds I am getting are great.

---------- Post added 01-28-21 at 01:03 AM ----------

Originally posted by syyrmb

Were you using live view? PLM 553 adjust aperture from wide open to f8-ish aperture in live view when the scene is too bright, and that aperture change can cause some noise.

Hi, no I wasn't using Live view. Interesting to know to expect some noise in that case though, thanks.

01-27-2021, 02:33 PM	#1
Buntzbooze Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 60	55-300 PLM issue, any help appreciated I recently purchased a second hand PLM zoom and tested it out yesterday with no issues. Having a play today and when I start up my KP the lens makes a focussing sound followed by a rapid sequence of clicks as if the aperture or some other mechanism is activating. It lasts about five seconds, then the lens appears to be back to normal. It also does this when waking the camera up from standby. I tested it on my K70 to see if it was a KP issue same thing happens. I can't find any reference to this issue anywhere o the internet, I would appreciate any advice (other than returning the lens, which will be a last resort).

01-27-2021, 02:55 PM	#2
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	That does not sound normal for this lens. Mine does not make any similar sounds like that you describe. On mine the focus motor is barely audible only indoors in a totally quiet room and there are no other sounds from the lens that I can detect. I would consider returning it. Last edited by jddwoods; 01-27-2021 at 03:01 PM.

01-27-2021, 05:14 PM	#6
SharkyCA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 806	I don't have experience with this lens, but sounds to me like gears not meshing properly 😐 https://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/photo-articles/lens-autofocus-drive-comparison.html Last edited by SharkyCA; 01-27-2021 at 05:19 PM.

01-27-2021, 06:47 PM	#8
SharkyCA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 806	Originally posted by Buntzbooze I recently purchased a second hand PLM zoom and tested it out yesterday with no issues. Having a play today and when I start up my KP the lens makes a focussing sound followed by a rapid sequence of clicks as if the aperture or some other mechanism is activating. It lasts about five seconds, then the lens appears to be back to normal. It also does this when waking the camera up from standby. I tested it on my K70 to see if it was a KP issue same thing happens. I can't find any reference to this issue anywhere o the internet, I would appreciate any advice (other than returning the lens, which will be a last resort). I don't know if it has an effect on your lens, but check this out! HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE / Telephoto Lenses / K-mount Lenses / Lenses / Products \| RICOH IMAGING Attached Images

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01-27-2021, 04:41 PM - 1 Like	#3
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	That definitely doesn't sound normal at all. Have you tried cleaning the contacts on the lens? (stretching here) Are you starting up the camera with the lens retracted or is it already out (not that it should matter but you never know, stranger things have happened).

01-27-2021, 04:45 PM	#4
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	If I put my ear up to the barrel on start up I hear a slight sound. If the lense is closed or at 55mm it is even quicker than at 300mm which is less than a second. No clicking. Just a very quiet even "eeeuh".

01-27-2021, 05:06 PM	#5
Buntzbooze Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 60 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kobie That definitely doesn't sound normal at all. Have you tried cleaning the contacts on the lens? (stretching here) Are you starting up the camera with the lens retracted or is it already out (not that it should matter but you never know, stranger things have happened). Thanks for the response, I have tried cleaning the contacts, it didn't solve the issue. I have tried starting up the camera with the lens retracted and at several different focal lengths. I managed once or twice to get the lens to start up without making the noise, both times after taking a burst of shots (out of frustration!).

01-27-2021, 05:24 PM	#7
Buntzbooze Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 60 Original Poster	Originally posted by swanlefitte If I put my ear up to the barrel on start up I hear a slight sound. If the lense is closed or at 55mm it is even quicker than at 300mm which is less than a second. No clicking. Just a very quiet even "eeeuh". Thanks, if I put my ear up to mine it gives me a headache! I wonder if the pulse motor/electromagnet needs to be 'exercised', and being a second hand lens it has been sitting around a while. ---------- Post added 01-27-21 at 05:37 PM ---------- Originally posted by SharkyCA I don't have experience with this lens, but sounds to me like gears not meshing properly 😐 The 5 Lens Autofocus Drive Types Explained - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com It certainly does sound like that. Thank you for the link. I believe the PLM has a small internal screw that is driven by the pulse motor, so it could be the issue. It only occurs at start up or wake up from standby, as far as I can determine it works fine after that.

01-27-2021, 09:11 PM	#9
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by SharkyCA I don't know if it has an effect on your lens, but check this out! HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE / Telephoto Lenses / K-mount Lenses / Lenses / Products \| RICOH IMAGING The OP has a KP

01-27-2021, 09:47 PM	#10
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	I think somebody sold you a damaged lens, unless it was nearly free, return it.

01-27-2021, 10:12 PM	#11
syyrmb Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Qingdao Posts: 94	Were you using live view? PLM 553 adjust aperture from wide open to f8-ish aperture in live view when the scene is too bright, and that aperture change can cause some noise.

01-28-2021, 01:00 AM - 1 Like	#12
Buntzbooze Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 60 Original Poster	Ok, woke up this morning and tried my K70 with PLM (had to do this in the spare room as the other half was getting sick of the noise!) and so far, so good. The issue has gone away. I have a theory; I had removed my KP's battery for a few hours to charge it yesterday morning with the PLM attached. Could the the electromagnet in the PLM have 'drained' whilst conected to the camera, therefore making the motor work extra hard when tested later that evening? As I mentioned it was second hand, so who knows how long it has sat around. It gas also been freezing here in UK and delivery time was quite long, possibly exposing the lens to sub zero temperatures for a few days if sat on a wagon... Thanks so much for the advice everyone, particularly pointing me to those diagrams on the Pentax page. Cheers. ---------- Post added 01-28-21 at 01:02 AM ---------- Originally posted by ramseybuckeye I think somebody sold you a damaged lens, unless it was nearly free, return it. Hi, thanks. It was less than half price, but looks in mint condition. No evidence of a knock. If the noise persists I might keep it as the image quality and focus speeds I am getting are great. ---------- Post added 01-28-21 at 01:03 AM ---------- Originally posted by syyrmb Were you using live view? PLM 553 adjust aperture from wide open to f8-ish aperture in live view when the scene is too bright, and that aperture change can cause some noise. Hi, no I wasn't using Live view. Interesting to know to expect some noise in that case though, thanks.