replace or repair FA 50 mm 1/4??

BethC · 11-04-2013, 06:11 AM

Last weekend my FA 50 1.4 quit focusing

It was odd, I had used it the day before and it was fine, took it out the next day, wouldn't focus. Put it on a different body, nothing. It's my go to lens right now during my busy season doing family and Senior portraits (I'm learning to love my 50 - 135 while my 50 is down) But I'm curious if it's worth fixing. I have an e mail in to CRIS and Eric from the pentax repair site but when I put in for a quote from CRIS I got a message saying that some of the parts for this lens may not be available. I'm curious if anyone has had any experience with having a 50 1/4 fixed? Is it possible? Or should I just buy a new one, since they are only $399?

I am anxious to hear back from both sites regarding this, but wanted to ask here hoping someone will say they've had one repaired recently no problem!

I think I can make it through my busy time with what I have and then replace the 50 in the Spring before next busy season starts. I'd rather not spend the $ right now right before the Holidays. But I feel lost without it!

Na Horuk · 11-04-2013, 07:44 AM

Are you sure it wasnt bumped or dropped or something? Does the camera even try to AF but is unsuccessful, or nothing at all?

Here are the things you can check on your own, to come closer to finding out what the problem is:
Can you check the lens mount and make sure the contacts and AF screw are clear of particles or dirt?
Does MF work normally, does the focus ring turn smoothly?
Does catch in focus (focus trapping) work?

**k0og** · 11-04-2013, 07:51 AM

I'm sorry to hear of your problem! My daughter is a photographer and hers failed a few months ago (she had to use her A50/f2 to get by), so I sent hers to Eric. He did a SUPERB job at a very reasonable price. The repair plus shipping to and from Eric was much less than buying even a used one.

-Joe-

BethC · 11-04-2013, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Are you sure it wasnt bumped or dropped or something? Does the camera even try to AF but is unsuccessful, or nothing at all?

Here are the things you can check on your own, to come closer to finding out what the problem is:
Can you check the lens mount and make sure the contacts and AF screw are clear of particles or dirt?
Does MF work normally, does the focus ring turn smoothly?
Does catch in focus (focus trapping) work?

It tries to focus, it makes a noise kind of like a grunt. sorry, I can't think of any other way to describe it. It will not manual focus either. The focus ring does move smoothly, Contacts seem clean and free of particles. I will have to look into focus trapping and try that. I'm not familiar...I'll look it up. Thanks for the reply

BethC · 11-04-2013, 08:08 AM

Originally posted by k0og

I'm sorry to hear of your problem! My daughter is a photographer and hers failed a few months ago (she had to use her A50/f2 to get by), so I sent hers to Eric. He did a SUPERB job at a very reasonable price. The repair plus shipping to and from Eric was much less than buying even a used one.

-Joe-

Glad to hear that. I have an email in to Eric. I'm anxious to hear what he says! Thanks!

cyclone3d · 11-04-2013, 01:13 PM

With the lens off of the camera, move the focus ring. Does the screw drive spin?

when you move the focus ring, can you see the glass inside the lens moving?

There really isn't much in the 50 1.4 to really go wrong unless something came loose or a gear stripped.

BethC · 11-04-2013, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by cyclone3d

With the lens off of the camera, move the focus ring. Does the screw drive spin?

when you move the focus ring, can you see the glass inside the lens moving?

There really isn't much in the 50 1.4 to really go wrong unless something came loose or a gear stripped.

With the lens off camera, the screw drive does spin. But I can not see the glass inside moving.

11-04-2013, 06:11 AM	#1
BethC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pennsylvannia Photos: Albums Posts: 289	replace or repair FA 50 mm 1/4?? Last weekend my FA 50 1.4 quit focusing It was odd, I had used it the day before and it was fine, took it out the next day, wouldn't focus. Put it on a different body, nothing. It's my go to lens right now during my busy season doing family and Senior portraits (I'm learning to love my 50 - 135 while my 50 is down) But I'm curious if it's worth fixing. I have an e mail in to CRIS and Eric from the pentax repair site but when I put in for a quote from CRIS I got a message saying that some of the parts for this lens may not be available. I'm curious if anyone has had any experience with having a 50 1/4 fixed? Is it possible? Or should I just buy a new one, since they are only $399? I am anxious to hear back from both sites regarding this, but wanted to ask here hoping someone will say they've had one repaired recently no problem! I think I can make it through my busy time with what I have and then replace the 50 in the Spring before next busy season starts. I'd rather not spend the $ right now right before the Holidays. But I feel lost without it!

11-04-2013, 07:51 AM	#3
k0og Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rolla, Missouri Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	Eric Repairs Them... I'm sorry to hear of your problem! My daughter is a photographer and hers failed a few months ago (she had to use her A50/f2 to get by), so I sent hers to Eric. He did a SUPERB job at a very reasonable price. The repair plus shipping to and from Eric was much less than buying even a used one. -Joe-

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version E-mail to a Friend	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FA 50 f/1.4 - to repair or not?	Designosophy	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	07-20-2012 11:28 AM
Pentax SMC FA 50 mm f/1.4 Standard Autofocus Lens	Utkarsh	Pentax K-5	4	03-14-2012 03:19 PM
Wanted - Acquired: Pentax A, F, or FA 50 mm (1.4 or 1.7)	reivax	Sold Items	4	08-01-2011 08:36 AM
Keen idea: replace SMC 1.4/50 and F 1.7/50 with A 1.2/50 (?)	Egg Salad	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	35	03-07-2010 11:25 AM
FA 50/1.4, M 50/1.7, or SMC Tak 50/1.4?	yenemy	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	06-08-2008 08:30 PM

11-04-2013, 07:44 AM	#2
Na Horuk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,504	Are you sure it wasnt bumped or dropped or something? Does the camera even try to AF but is unsuccessful, or nothing at all? Here are the things you can check on your own, to come closer to finding out what the problem is: Can you check the lens mount and make sure the contacts and AF screw are clear of particles or dirt? Does MF work normally, does the focus ring turn smoothly? Does catch in focus (focus trapping) work?

11-04-2013, 08:07 AM	#4
BethC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pennsylvannia Photos: Albums Posts: 289 Original Poster	Originally posted by Na Horuk Are you sure it wasnt bumped or dropped or something? Does the camera even try to AF but is unsuccessful, or nothing at all? Here are the things you can check on your own, to come closer to finding out what the problem is: Can you check the lens mount and make sure the contacts and AF screw are clear of particles or dirt? Does MF work normally, does the focus ring turn smoothly? Does catch in focus (focus trapping) work? It tries to focus, it makes a noise kind of like a grunt. sorry, I can't think of any other way to describe it. It will not manual focus either. The focus ring does move smoothly, Contacts seem clean and free of particles. I will have to look into focus trapping and try that. I'm not familiar...I'll look it up. Thanks for the reply

11-04-2013, 08:08 AM	#5
BethC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pennsylvannia Photos: Albums Posts: 289 Original Poster	Originally posted by k0og I'm sorry to hear of your problem! My daughter is a photographer and hers failed a few months ago (she had to use her A50/f2 to get by), so I sent hers to Eric. He did a SUPERB job at a very reasonable price. The repair plus shipping to and from Eric was much less than buying even a used one. -Joe- Glad to hear that. I have an email in to Eric. I'm anxious to hear what he says! Thanks!

11-04-2013, 01:13 PM	#6
cyclone3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 422	With the lens off of the camera, move the focus ring. Does the screw drive spin? when you move the focus ring, can you see the glass inside the lens moving? There really isn't much in the 50 1.4 to really go wrong unless something came loose or a gear stripped.

11-04-2013, 01:38 PM	#7
BethC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pennsylvannia Photos: Albums Posts: 289 Original Poster	Originally posted by cyclone3d With the lens off of the camera, move the focus ring. Does the screw drive spin? when you move the focus ring, can you see the glass inside the lens moving? There really isn't much in the 50 1.4 to really go wrong unless something came loose or a gear stripped. With the lens off camera, the screw drive does spin. But I can not see the glass inside moving.