[striker_]

Ive owned a couple limiteds.

Da15 - rock solid

Fa43 black late version - wobbly

Fa43 early silver version - rock solid.

The silver one feels much better in quality making the black one feel plastic in comparison. :/

[rrstuff]

Mine DA40 has wobble too. I guess it's just a design feature.

[jddwoods]

When I started this thread I had 2 limiteds a new 15 and the used 40 that started the discussion. Since them I have acquired 3 more, a used 21, a new 35 macro and a used 70 mm. So now I have experience with all 5 SMC Limiteds. The 15, 21 and 35 are all tight and solid with no play in the inner barrel, The 70 seems the worst but if I remove the hood, it actually has less play or wobble than the 40. It really seems that there can be considerable variation from the same lens to another copy of the same lens, as Striker_ noted with 2 copies of the same lens, the FA 43. Reading everyones posts it seems the one of the limiteds with the tightest construction is the 15 mm and the most likely to have some play in the inner barrel are the 40 and 70. Most importantly, I have not seen where anyone who noticed their lenses being more wobbly also saw a poorer image quality due to the wobbly barrel. That holds true with mine as well. My 40 and 70 limiteds are every bit as sharp as the more solid feeling 15, 21 and 35 mm siblings.

[Ellisian]

Came across this thread while wondering if my DA15mm (green) was normal. My findings below.
DA15mm - worst I have for barrel play. Not sure if this affects optics, I have good centre sharpness but very weak edges.
HD DA21mm - rock solid.
HD DA 35 macro - rock solid
DA 40mm - minor play
DA 70mm - minor play.

Sounds like my 15mm may be a little too wobbly. It's the least impressive across the image, which is a shame as I love the focal length and sunstars it produces. It was second half though so maybe not in the best condition.