Hi all,
Long time reader first time poster here..
As the title explains, I picked myself up a 2nd hand Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 (from Cash Converters of all places), I wasn't really keen on buying 2nd hand but I had a chat with the salesman about warranty and this particular store offers a good warranty on all their products (3 months, even on CDs). The lens is in pristine condition and had a UV filter already attached also, so I have a feeling whoever owned it previously had looked after it, the only downside is that it is a MIV copy.
I queried him a bit further on what this warranty would cover, and it includes anything that involves the lens not operating as it should (including things like misaligned lens elements, sticky aperture rings and so forth).
So as I now have the lens in my possession, please give me some advice as to all of the things I should test in the coming weeks to make sure there is no issues with it whatsoever, whilst it will still be covered for service.
I have done a bit of testing already, like a brick wall shot to look at the edge to edge softness, and it is amazing how much sharper it gets from f1.8->2.8->8.
A few quick things I have noticed;
I find the focus ring to be quite "loose" or "free" as such, it turns relatively easily, but I am used to my Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 which is quite rough in comparison. Is this usual?
When looking at the aperture rings with a aperture between 1.8-8, the shape of the inner ring (made by the blades) is not perfectly even (I have read that it is the case with the 9 blade design) is that true?
Apologies for the 100 questions, just want to be 100% that everything is in order, and to test all the things I can whilst the lens is still under warranty
Thanks in advance!!
p.s. This was the first shot it took, straight after leaving the store went and got a big brekky