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**miltona580** · 09-03-2011, 06:50 AM

I was wondering if all FA31 Limiteds were like this. Mine still focuses great, and the optics are fine. However, there is a slight looseness in the focusing ring/end of the lens. Like if you were to hold the lens in your hand and manually focus, you'd feel it focusing but it would feel slightly loose. It's really hard to describe. If it was mounted to a camera, you could wiggle the end of the lens just a tiny bit. This seems really abnormal to me, but I thought I'd check to see if others have had the same problem.

MysteryOnion · 09-03-2011, 07:41 AM - **1 Like**

You might want to have a look at the repair manual... seems to be the same thing as noted by the poster...

Pentax Manuals

**miltona580** · 09-03-2011, 07:48 AM

Fortunately it is still under warranty. I guess I am calling Pentax on Monday. Thanks!

**1marek** · 09-03-2011, 08:23 AM

No need for that, IMO.
Mine also has a slight wobble to it.

See also:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/130220-calling...ed-owners.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/100500-fa-31mm...ing-loose.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/113384-loose-l...-31mm-ltd.html

pz1fan · 09-03-2011, 09:15 AM

See this thread below. Do the shake test suggested in the thread. If it wobbles, send it in.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/150175-pentax-...t-working.html

**miltona580** · 09-03-2011, 09:58 AM

Yup it failed the shake test. There was a slight wobble to the lens hood. This is kinda sad. I bought it brand new and have only had it for about a month.

pz1fan · 09-03-2011, 10:17 AM

That's partly good. You can get it repaired for the cost of shipping. At least it didn't become loose out of warranty.

Is it still sharp wide open?

**miltona580** · 09-03-2011, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by pz1fan

That's partly good. You can get it repaired for the cost of shipping. At least it didn't become loose out of warranty.

Is it still sharp wide open?

Oh yeah, there's no optical problem with the lens. It's still great.

wlachan · 09-03-2011, 01:06 PM

Then I will just leave it as is. The only way to repair wobble hood is to replace one of the inner metal barrel which isn't stocked outside Japan afaik. They will either replace the lens or send it to Japan if you push it, but might not worth the trouble since it's optically fine.

Also, do you mean the hood section or the focus ring? They are 2 separate issues. Loose but firm focus ring is normal for this lens.

**miltona580** · 09-03-2011, 02:36 PM

The wobble is with the lens hood.

wlachan · 09-03-2011, 09:36 PM

If it were mine, I would probably exchange it while it was within the exchange period. But consider this is so common for the FA31, I won't bother having it fixed if it is optically fine. I doubt the service centre knew what to do about it either, but that's a personal call.

**miltona580** · 09-04-2011, 06:35 AM

I'm concerned the front will literally come with the lens cap one of the times I pull it off. Would it be better to get a Pentax F 58mm lens cap and use that instead of the tight felt cap that came with the lens?

mikeSF · 09-04-2011, 08:40 AM

posted elsewhere, my 3mo old FA77 just spontaneously fell apart while auto focusing...

wlachan · 09-04-2011, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by miltona580

I'm concerned the front will literally come with the lens cap one of the times I pull it off. Would it be better to get a Pentax F 58mm lens cap and use that instead of the tight felt cap that came with the lens?

The hood section is held by 3 rollers + 3 guides, 9 screws together. There is little chance the hood will come off entirely. What you have described is sideway movement of the hood, not forward/backward right? If so, then there is nothing you do will pull the hood off. If you feel uncomfortable with the tight cap, you may consider a metal hood which will double as protector. The only perfect fit I am award of is the Heliopan 58mm hood. Another solution is a 58mm step-down ring with smaller hood like 52 or 55mm depends on the hood diameter (and that's what I do). I just leave all the hoods on most of my lenses and shelf the caps.

Heliopan 58mm Screw-In Metal Lens Hood (Short) 703058 B&H Photo

PentaxMom Felua · 09-04-2011, 12:16 PM

Originally posted by wlachan

The only perfect fit I am award of is the Heliopan 58mm hood. Another solution is a 58mm step-down ring with smaller hood like 52 or 55mm depends on the hood diameter (and that's what I do).

What is its height?

Other fit, same method, old (plastic) screw in Meyer hood. From the m42 lenses. Came with 200 mm tele lenses. A common 58mm pinch cap fits the hood well.

09-03-2011, 06:50 AM	#1
miltona580 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 309	Problem with a FA 31mm Limited? I was wondering if all FA31 Limiteds were like this. Mine still focuses great, and the optics are fine. However, there is a slight looseness in the focusing ring/end of the lens. Like if you were to hold the lens in your hand and manually focus, you'd feel it focusing but it would feel slightly loose. It's really hard to describe. If it was mounted to a camera, you could wiggle the end of the lens just a tiny bit. This seems really abnormal to me, but I thought I'd check to see if others have had the same problem.

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09-03-2011, 07:41 AM - 1 Like	#2
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	You might want to have a look at the repair manual... seems to be the same thing as noted by the poster... Pentax Manuals

09-03-2011, 07:48 AM	#3
miltona580 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 309 Original Poster	Fortunately it is still under warranty. I guess I am calling Pentax on Monday. Thanks!

09-03-2011, 08:23 AM	#4
1marek Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Medjimurje, Croatia Photos: Albums Posts: 40	No need for that, IMO. Mine also has a slight wobble to it. See also: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/130220-calling...ed-owners.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/100500-fa-31mm...ing-loose.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/113384-loose-l...-31mm-ltd.html

09-03-2011, 09:15 AM	#5
pz1fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: United States Posts: 183	See this thread below. Do the shake test suggested in the thread. If it wobbles, send it in. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/150175-pentax-...t-working.html

09-03-2011, 09:58 AM	#6
miltona580 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 309 Original Poster	Yup it failed the shake test. There was a slight wobble to the lens hood. This is kinda sad. I bought it brand new and have only had it for about a month.

09-03-2011, 10:17 AM	#7
pz1fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: United States Posts: 183	That's partly good. You can get it repaired for the cost of shipping. At least it didn't become loose out of warranty. Is it still sharp wide open?

09-03-2011, 12:01 PM	#8
miltona580 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 309 Original Poster	Originally posted by pz1fan That's partly good. You can get it repaired for the cost of shipping. At least it didn't become loose out of warranty. Is it still sharp wide open? Oh yeah, there's no optical problem with the lens. It's still great.

09-03-2011, 01:06 PM	#9
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Then I will just leave it as is. The only way to repair wobble hood is to replace one of the inner metal barrel which isn't stocked outside Japan afaik. They will either replace the lens or send it to Japan if you push it, but might not worth the trouble since it's optically fine. Also, do you mean the hood section or the focus ring? They are 2 separate issues. Loose but firm focus ring is normal for this lens.

09-03-2011, 02:36 PM	#10
miltona580 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 309 Original Poster	The wobble is with the lens hood.

09-03-2011, 09:36 PM	#11
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	If it were mine, I would probably exchange it while it was within the exchange period. But consider this is so common for the FA31, I won't bother having it fixed if it is optically fine. I doubt the service centre knew what to do about it either, but that's a personal call.

09-04-2011, 06:35 AM	#12
miltona580 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 309 Original Poster	I'm concerned the front will literally come with the lens cap one of the times I pull it off. Would it be better to get a Pentax F 58mm lens cap and use that instead of the tight felt cap that came with the lens?

09-04-2011, 08:40 AM	#13
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	posted elsewhere, my 3mo old FA77 just spontaneously fell apart while auto focusing...

09-04-2011, 11:04 AM	#14
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Originally posted by miltona580 I'm concerned the front will literally come with the lens cap one of the times I pull it off. Would it be better to get a Pentax F 58mm lens cap and use that instead of the tight felt cap that came with the lens? The hood section is held by 3 rollers + 3 guides, 9 screws together. There is little chance the hood will come off entirely. What you have described is sideway movement of the hood, not forward/backward right? If so, then there is nothing you do will pull the hood off. If you feel uncomfortable with the tight cap, you may consider a metal hood which will double as protector. The only perfect fit I am award of is the Heliopan 58mm hood. Another solution is a 58mm step-down ring with smaller hood like 52 or 55mm depends on the hood diameter (and that's what I do). I just leave all the hoods on most of my lenses and shelf the caps. Heliopan 58mm Screw-In Metal Lens Hood (Short) 703058 B&H Photo

09-04-2011, 12:16 PM	#15
PentaxMom Felua Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Veluwe Posts: 339	Originally posted by wlachan The only perfect fit I am award of is the Heliopan 58mm hood. Another solution is a 58mm step-down ring with smaller hood like 52 or 55mm depends on the hood diameter (and that's what I do). What is its height? Other fit, same method, old (plastic) screw in Meyer hood. From the m42 lenses. Came with 200 mm tele lenses. A common 58mm pinch cap fits the hood well.

Problem with a FA 31mm Limited?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!