Help, new XT1 and 18-135

Hi,

I just unpacked my new XT1 and the 18-135. The zoom is VERY stiff to turn, the focus is nice and smooth with a light action. Moreover, there is a sort of extra stiffness trying to zoom beyond 100. I assume this is not usual. As it is I could not use it, it's so stiff I can't turn the zoom and keep the camera aimed. Any one else encounter this?

I want to love this camera, but if they are all like this then I'll not be moving to Fuji. My Panasonic Lumix zooms were very smooth even from new.

Thanks for any help.

Tom

I have not played with that lens so this is just a general idea. If you are in a very cold climate the zoom may be stiffer than usual. Meaning it sat on the UPS truck all day etc. Wait till it gets room temp and then see.

Past that check the filter threads to be sure you can attach a filter ok. It is always possible you are buying a returned lens if the camera store takes returns. Maybe said person had a slight drop as a crazy what if scenario

If ultimately it is a problem return the lens.

drtmw said:

Hi,

I just unpacked my new XT1 and the 18-135. The zoom is VERY stiff to turn, the focus is nice and smooth with a light action. Moreover, there is a sort of extra stiffness trying to zoom beyond 100. I assume this is not usual. As it is I could not use it, it's so stiff I can't turn the zoom and keep the camera aimed. Any one else encounter this?

I want to love this camera, but if they are all like this then I'll not be moving to Fuji. My Panasonic Lumix zooms were very smooth even from new.

Thanks for any help.

Tom

Click to expand...

The 18-135 is a special case - they all seem to stiffen up a bit at the end of the zoom range. I assume this is due to the weather sealing, although the new red-dot lenses are not that way.

However, in terms of it being VERY stiff across the range, mine is certainly not that way. While it may have broken in over time, I never remember it being so stiff as to cause concern. While it is a little stiffer than my 18-55, it is less stiff than my 55-200. None are so stiff as to annoy me.

So perhaps you have one that is outside the normal quality control range. A return may be in order.

--

My Flikr stream: http://flic.kr/ps/Ay8ka

The 18-135 lens that I got was stiffer than the 18-55, but not appreciably, and certainly not sufficiently stiff to throw off zooming to frame. As previously stated, the 18-135 seems to need a little additional pressure at the 135 end of the zomm to get full lens extension, but here again it is not so stiff as to cause functional problems.

I would return it for exchange- it's too good a lens to have an operational flaw.

drtmw said:

Hi,

I just unpacked my new XT1 and the 18-135. The zoom is VERY stiff to turn, the focus is nice and smooth with a light action. Moreover, there is a sort of extra stiffness trying to zoom beyond 100. I assume this is not usual. As it is I could not use it, it's so stiff I can't turn the zoom and keep the camera aimed. Any one else encounter this?

I want to love this camera, but if they are all like this then I'll not be moving to Fuji. My Panasonic Lumix zooms were very smooth even from new.

Thanks for any help.

Tom

Click to expand...

I think we will all have different definitions of very stiff but my 18-135 is stiffer than the average lens and there is definitely extra resistance towards the end of the range.

georgehudetz said:

However, in terms of it being VERY stiff across the range, mine is certainly not that way. While it may have broken in over time, I never remember it being so stiff as to cause concern. While it is a little stiffer than my 18-55, it is less stiff than my 55-200. None are so stiff as to annoy me.

Click to expand...

same here,exactly

So if too stiff, definitly, return the lens

Maybe carry a mole wrench and cloth? I jest. However, I remember my X-T1 EV dial being extra stiff and that has eased up beautifully over time, perhaps some repetitive zooming might set it on its way?

57LowRider said:

Maybe carry a mole wrench and cloth? I jest. However, I remember my X-T1 EV dial being extra stiff and that has eased up beautifully over time, perhaps some repetitive zooming might set it on its way?

Click to expand...

The problem is, maybe repetitive zooming won't help and in the long run the stiffness might not improve and it could even get worse. By then the OP may not be able to return or exchange the lens.

Several weeks ago I bought Fuji's 18mm lens and its aperture ring was too stiff to turn unless it was mounted on the camera where I could gain some leverage by holding the camera instead of the rear of the lens. Turning the ring also produced a faint metallic grinding sound. So I took it back to the store where I compared it with the store's display sample, which turned easily. So I exchanged it and the new 18mm worked just fine. From numerous forum comments it seems that Fuji's QC isn't up to the job, letting too many mis-assembled cameras and lenses end up in user's hands instead of getting pulled out of the production line. My guess is that lax QC is good for Fuji short term because it saves money, but bad long term if it harms Fuji's reputation.

My 18-135 is very smooth to zoom until you hit the "5" in "135", then you have to exert a little pressure to get it over the hump onto the "3" in "135" and it is at full range. As others have noted, it feels like you are just pushing it over or against an o-ring seal. At no point is the torque required likely to twist the camera.

Sounds like you may have a lemon :-(

chicot said:

My 18-135 is very smooth to zoom until you hit the "5" in "135", then you have to exert a little pressure to get it over the hump onto the "3" in "135" and it is at full range. As others have noted, it feels like you are just pushing it over or against an o-ring seal. At no point is the torque required likely to twist the camera.

Sounds like you may have a lemon :-(

Click to expand...

Ditto for mine. I would not have even noticed the extra resistance if I hadn't gotten my duo out and tried it after reading this thread.

Mine was stiffer when I got it. Not much effort to zoom it now until you reach the end. Earlier I feared I was going to break something. Now it is just a small increase in resistance and goes all the way to the end. Not crazy about the noise during a quick zoom, but I imagine it has something to do with sliding against a seal. Have to say that the part that extends out is more solidly mounted than a similarly designed Nikon lens I had.

Hi,

Thanks for all the helpful feedback. I decided to return the camera and lens (it was a boxed set). Perhaps, sometime later I'll look at Fuji again, but not right now. I was not overwhelmed, and I hoped to be . It may well be my unfamiliarity with the camera, but I did not get images that were vastly better (as they would have needed to be to justify selling all my old m4/3 gear and buying anew).

cheers,

Tom

drtmw said:

Hi,

Thanks for all the helpful feedback. I decided to return the camera and lens (it was a boxed set). Perhaps, sometime later I'll look at Fuji again, but not right now. I was not overwhelmed, and I hoped to be . It may well be my unfamiliarity with the camera, but I did not get images that were vastly better (as they would have needed to be to justify selling all my old m4/3 gear and buying anew).

cheers,

Tom

Click to expand...

It can happen with any brand - and your reaction was not perhaps justified. Of course you should get a new lens. If it was difficult to return only the lens, there is a point. Too much trouble and unnecessary waiting....

Anyway, it was not your unfamiliarity with Fuji - the lens had some adjustment issue. All my Fuji lenses just feel "normal"

And there are quite seldom cameras that are vastly better right out of the box. Usually you start experiencing the real differences after some weeks - and you have to trust test reports in the beginning...

Hi,

I think your comments are likely right on. I just lost my nerve. You are right in that one gets used to cameras and then can do better work with them. That is the problem, a couple of grand is a lot for me to risk, even if I could recoup half by resale. I am happy with my current gear, but just wanted to experiment a bit.

Cheers,

Tom

I understand your reaction. I had a similar initial reaction. A friend suggested that I use the Fuji for 2-3 weeks exclusively. As I became more familiar with the camera and its capability, as well as limitations , I became a big fan. One advantage that I had was that I was coming from a Nikon s et up that was heavy, so I had the weight argument working for the Fuji.

My wife is still shooting Nikon, I haven't touched it in 9 months.

There are some great cameras coming to market- good luck with your decision.