Good A 50mm F1.4 aperture lever ruined by "vandals", is there a way to cure it?

minahasa · 09-14-2011, 10:37 PM

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Thank you all for responding.
I can't say more about the condition of the lens because its still on the way to me. I have to confess that it is part my mistake. The seller did not say it, but I also failed to see that this lens has been mutilated. It was selling on a local internet marketplace here, I bought and paid in a hurry before really examine the pics given by the seller. The seller did ensure that the aperture ring operates with 'clicks' and in "A" setting it can still be detected on camera body. I could send the lens back to the seller, but after I see how much damage is done. Like I said earlier, if this is not A 50/1.4 then this thread won't exist and I would not be here to trouble you all

So without the lever, how much handicapped this lens would be, other than become "preset", if working in other than DSLR M mode?

RioRico · 09-15-2011, 01:10 AM

Originally posted by minahasa

So without the lever, how much handicapped this lens would be, other than become "preset", if working in other than DSLR M mode?

If the iris still closes and opens when you set the aperture ring, then the lens is as usable as any with a simple PK mount or adapter. It would behave like a T2 or M42 or one of my chop-jobs. No aperture automation at all, but still usable. How happy you would be with it, is another matter.

borno · 09-15-2011, 02:40 AM

I think you would be much happier returning it and finding one with the lever as you will probably get exposure errors with stop-down metering.

**Just1MoreDave** · 09-15-2011, 08:21 AM

The aperture ring clicks at 1.4, 2, then half and full stops to 16, then 22. So setting f1.7 is harder with just the aperture ring; you'd have to stop in the middle somewhere. Metering might be off, and might be different between bodies. Using it on the Super-Program is tricky, because the uncrippled mount can tell where the aperture ring is set, but the camera can't stop down the lens to that point. I can't figure out how to trick the Super Program.

Resale value is affected. The minimum is about the price of the M version. On a Canon site, it might be worth more.

Here's a lens that I don't mind seeing vandalized:

PENTAX TAKUMAR 135MM F/2.5 CONVERTED TO CANON AF EOS MOUNT | eBay

RioRico · 09-15-2011, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

Here's a lens that I don't mind seeing vandalized:

PENTAX TAKUMAR 135MM F/2.5 CONVERTED TO CANON AF EOS MOUNT | eBay

Notice that the scum-sucking misrepresenting seller doesn't disclose that it's the Takumar Bayonet. Is this normal in the Canon market?

minahasa · 09-15-2011, 09:35 AM

To my surprise a about 2 hours ago the seller send me a message that he offers full refund and the lens is in fact not mailed yet! So he is either a very good seller that gives full service, or a very good seller that sells to the highest bidder.. probably another Pentaxian that feel capable of servicing this with a breeze. FYI the seller sold this to me $55 shipped

RioRico · 09-15-2011, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by minahasa

To my surprise a about 2 hours ago the seller send me a message that he offers full refund and the lens is in fact not mailed yet! So he is either a very good seller that gives full service, or a very good seller that sells to the highest bidder.. probably another Pentaxian that feel capable of servicing this with a breeze. FYI the seller sold this to me $55 shipped

Good. You will be happier with a better copy. I only accept trashed lenses if they're REALLY cheap.

VaSA · 09-15-2011, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by minahasa

To my surprise a about 2 hours ago the seller send me a message that he offers full refund and the lens is in fact not mailed yet! So he is either a very good seller that gives full service, or a very good seller that sells to the highest bidder.. probably another Pentaxian that feel capable of servicing this with a breeze. FYI the seller sold this to me $55 shipped

I don't know dude, that's a pretty good price for that lens, even if its a little crippled, they usually go for ~$150 here in States.

minahasa · 09-15-2011, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

Good. You will be happier with a better copy. I only accept trashed lenses if they're REALLY cheap.

Yeah, I already have plenty of 50's anyway

Originally posted by VaSA

I don't know dude, that's a pretty good price for that lens, even if its a little crippled, they usually go for ~$150 here in States.

..yet, can't have too much 50's ..i'ts never enough

**Just1MoreDave** · 09-15-2011, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

Notice that the scum-sucking misrepresenting seller doesn't disclose that it's the Takumar Bayonet. Is this normal in the Canon market?

That's normal everywhere, sadly.

I hear the Bayonet version is simply awesome on the full-frame Canon!

(actually corner performance is noticeably bad on APS-C at 6Mp, don't tell them.)

09-15-2011, 01:10 AM	#17
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by minahasa So without the lever, how much handicapped this lens would be, other than become "preset", if working in other than DSLR M mode? If the iris still closes and opens when you set the aperture ring, then the lens is as usable as any with a simple PK mount or adapter. It would behave like a T2 or M42 or one of my chop-jobs. No aperture automation at all, but still usable. How happy you would be with it, is another matter. Last edited by RioRico; 09-15-2011 at 07:31 AM.

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09-14-2011, 10:37 PM	#16
minahasa Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minahasa, North Celebes (Sulawesi) Photos: Albums Posts: 586 Original Poster	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Thank you all for responding. I can't say more about the condition of the lens because its still on the way to me. I have to confess that it is part my mistake. The seller did not say it, but I also failed to see that this lens has been mutilated. It was selling on a local internet marketplace here, I bought and paid in a hurry before really examine the pics given by the seller. The seller did ensure that the aperture ring operates with 'clicks' and in "A" setting it can still be detected on camera body. I could send the lens back to the seller, but after I see how much damage is done. Like I said earlier, if this is not A 50/1.4 then this thread won't exist and I would not be here to trouble you all So without the lever, how much handicapped this lens would be, other than become "preset", if working in other than DSLR M mode?

09-15-2011, 02:40 AM	#18
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	I think you would be much happier returning it and finding one with the lever as you will probably get exposure errors with stop-down metering.

09-15-2011, 08:21 AM	#19
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The aperture ring clicks at 1.4, 2, then half and full stops to 16, then 22. So setting f1.7 is harder with just the aperture ring; you'd have to stop in the middle somewhere. Metering might be off, and might be different between bodies. Using it on the Super-Program is tricky, because the uncrippled mount can tell where the aperture ring is set, but the camera can't stop down the lens to that point. I can't figure out how to trick the Super Program. Resale value is affected. The minimum is about the price of the M version. On a Canon site, it might be worth more. Here's a lens that I don't mind seeing vandalized: PENTAX TAKUMAR 135MM F/2.5 CONVERTED TO CANON AF EOS MOUNT \| eBay

09-15-2011, 08:48 AM	#20
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave Here's a lens that I don't mind seeing vandalized: PENTAX TAKUMAR 135MM F/2.5 CONVERTED TO CANON AF EOS MOUNT \| eBay Notice that the scum-sucking misrepresenting seller doesn't disclose that it's the Takumar Bayonet. Is this normal in the Canon market?

09-15-2011, 09:35 AM	#21
minahasa Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minahasa, North Celebes (Sulawesi) Photos: Albums Posts: 586 Original Poster	To my surprise a about 2 hours ago the seller send me a message that he offers full refund and the lens is in fact not mailed yet! So he is either a very good seller that gives full service, or a very good seller that sells to the highest bidder.. probably another Pentaxian that feel capable of servicing this with a breeze. FYI the seller sold this to me $55 shipped

09-15-2011, 10:10 AM	#22
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by minahasa To my surprise a about 2 hours ago the seller send me a message that he offers full refund and the lens is in fact not mailed yet! So he is either a very good seller that gives full service, or a very good seller that sells to the highest bidder.. probably another Pentaxian that feel capable of servicing this with a breeze. FYI the seller sold this to me $55 shipped Good. You will be happier with a better copy. I only accept trashed lenses if they're REALLY cheap.

09-15-2011, 10:20 AM	#23
VaSA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 173	Originally posted by minahasa To my surprise a about 2 hours ago the seller send me a message that he offers full refund and the lens is in fact not mailed yet! So he is either a very good seller that gives full service, or a very good seller that sells to the highest bidder.. probably another Pentaxian that feel capable of servicing this with a breeze. FYI the seller sold this to me $55 shipped I don't know dude, that's a pretty good price for that lens, even if its a little crippled, they usually go for ~$150 here in States.

09-15-2011, 10:21 AM	#24
minahasa Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minahasa, North Celebes (Sulawesi) Photos: Albums Posts: 586 Original Poster	Originally posted by RioRico Good. You will be happier with a better copy. I only accept trashed lenses if they're REALLY cheap. Yeah, I already have plenty of 50's anyway Originally posted by VaSA I don't know dude, that's a pretty good price for that lens, even if its a little crippled, they usually go for ~$150 here in States. ..yet, can't have too much 50's ..i'ts never enough

09-15-2011, 10:40 AM	#25
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by RioRico Notice that the scum-sucking misrepresenting seller doesn't disclose that it's the Takumar Bayonet. Is this normal in the Canon market? That's normal everywhere, sadly. I hear the Bayonet version is simply awesome on the full-frame Canon! (actually corner performance is noticeably bad on APS-C at 6Mp, don't tell them.)