18-55 DA Query

Having recently purchased an *istDS with this lens I was suprised to find that the front section of the lens has slight radial movement when fully extended ie when set to 18 or 55.It doesn't appear to cause a problem but all my M series lenses have no movement at all.The question I'm asking is,is this normal or is the lens faulty?
Any comments/observations would be welcome.

John

Hello JC,

It would seem to be quite normal, judging by the fact that a number of owners have reported this sort of thing recently.
It has always been the case that some lenses (different types and brands) have some degree of 'play'. Individuals of same model built to Pentax's exacting standards should all be identical and only by comparing your's directly with somebody else's will you be able to confirm whether or not your's is excessive.
If it's not affecting the image and you don't feel as though the lens is about to fall apart, I wouldn't worry too much - as a new lens, it's unlikely to be faulty!

Thanks for that Kimbo.I don't believe now that I have a problem,it's just that I wasn't expecting any play at all.

There's a big difference between K and M lenses, and the latest AF lenses.

The biggest difference is that the focussing mechanism on autofocus lenses has to be very easy to operate, so as to minimise the size and battery consumption of the AF motor. Gone is the heavily greased helicoid, which felt so smooth on the older lenses.

The use of plastics also gives a completely different feel, and, as people inevitably associate lightness with flimsiness, the newer lenses feel less solid.

How long they will last is anyone's guess. I suspect that advances in sensor technology will allow the use of smaller sensors, and therefore smaller lenses, so the K series may become obsolete. I'm hanging on to my Auto 110.

G