Trouble with my Pentax A 50mm 1.7!

Tuner571 · 05-19-2008, 04:14 PM

Was cleaning up my equipment today and I noticed for the first time that the aperture ring on my 50mm gets stuck at f/11 and it takes some jiggling to get it back to the A position which is what I use all the time. So I was wondering if this is the start of a serious problem here? The lens works wonders on my K100D Super and it would be a shame to lose one of my favorite lenses.

Here is a shot of it to show the condition it's in.

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 05-19-2008, 05:01 PM

I think this is a known problem, that the aperture rings are the weakest points on the A-lenses, my A50/1.7 has also the same tendency. For what its worth, it has not got worse since I first noticed it. I don't know what the actual cause is, and if there is something to do, besides sending it to Pentax. Anyone?

Ole · 05-19-2008, 06:01 PM

The A 50/1.7 has a poorly made plastic aperture ring. I don't have any issues with my other A lenses; they appear to be of M-lens build quality (16/2.8, 50/1.4, 50/2.8 macro, 85/1.4, 135/1.8, 200/4 Macro, 70-210).

JMS · 05-20-2008, 07:33 AM

Same here. I have no problems with my other A- 28mm f2.8.

BBear · 05-20-2008, 07:43 AM

Am I missing something here? if you have the A model, wouldnt you just leave at "A" and control aperture in the camera?

I have three A lenses and I always leave them at the A setting. I know i am missing something here....

garth1948 · 05-20-2008, 07:45 AM

Like probably most people here, I haven't taken my a-50mm 2.0 off the A setting since the day I bought it. Thanks all for the warning.

Tuner571 · 05-20-2008, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by BBear

Am I missing something here? if you have the A model, wouldnt you just leave at "A" and control aperture in the camera?

I have three A lenses and I always leave them at the A setting. I know i am missing something here....

Your right, I always have the lens on the A setting. However yesterday while cleaning my lenses I just happened to move it off the A setting and thats when I noticed the problem.

Fl_Gulfer · 05-20-2008, 12:17 PM

No problems here with my SMC-A 50 1.7

Not Registered · 05-20-2008, 12:23 PM

I have had 2 A50 f1.7 and both had a similar problem. I dont think that it would get worst considering the few times that you will have to change the aperture ring.

ftpaddict · 05-20-2008, 01:05 PM

I'm fine with my A 50mm f/1.7

bentax · 05-20-2008, 02:25 PM

My A 50 1.7's ring turns fine as you'd like.
As far as can can tell you have to use the ring on my SuperA cos if you leave it on A you have no control.

JMS · 05-20-2008, 04:56 PM

You have to use the ring on EVERY film SLR except the *ist.

séamuis · 05-21-2008, 03:01 AM

no problems with my copy either.

séamuis · 05-21-2008, 03:03 AM

Originally posted by JMS

You have to use the ring on EVERY film SLR except the *ist.

thats not entirely true. you don't have the same ease of use of say Av mode on older models but you don't have to use the aperture ring.

calicojack · 05-21-2008, 03:12 AM

Originally posted by Tuner571

Was cleaning up my equipment today and I noticed for the first time that the aperture ring on my 50mm gets stuck at f/11 and it takes some jiggling to get it back to the A position which is what I use all the time. So I was wondering if this is the start of a serious problem here? The lens works wonders on my K100D Super and it would be a shame to lose one of my favorite lenses.

Is it just the aperture ring that gets stuck? If it's left in A, does the actual aperture work smoothly?
Brian

05-19-2008, 04:14 PM	#1
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549	Trouble with my Pentax A 50mm 1.7! Was cleaning up my equipment today and I noticed for the first time that the aperture ring on my 50mm gets stuck at f/11 and it takes some jiggling to get it back to the A position which is what I use all the time. So I was wondering if this is the start of a serious problem here? The lens works wonders on my K100D Super and it would be a shame to lose one of my favorite lenses. Here is a shot of it to show the condition it's in.

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05-19-2008, 05:01 PM	#2
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	I think this is a known problem, that the aperture rings are the weakest points on the A-lenses, my A50/1.7 has also the same tendency. For what its worth, it has not got worse since I first noticed it. I don't know what the actual cause is, and if there is something to do, besides sending it to Pentax. Anyone?

05-19-2008, 06:01 PM	#3
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	The A 50/1.7 has a poorly made plastic aperture ring. I don't have any issues with my other A lenses; they appear to be of M-lens build quality (16/2.8, 50/1.4, 50/2.8 macro, 85/1.4, 135/1.8, 200/4 Macro, 70-210).

05-20-2008, 07:33 AM	#4
JMS Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 273	Same here. I have no problems with my other A- 28mm f2.8.

05-20-2008, 07:43 AM	#5
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	Am I missing something here? if you have the A model, wouldnt you just leave at "A" and control aperture in the camera? I have three A lenses and I always leave them at the A setting. I know i am missing something here....

05-20-2008, 07:45 AM	#6
garth1948 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 293	Like probably most people here, I haven't taken my a-50mm 2.0 off the A setting since the day I bought it. Thanks all for the warning.

05-20-2008, 11:07 AM	#7
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549 Original Poster	Originally posted by BBear Am I missing something here? if you have the A model, wouldnt you just leave at "A" and control aperture in the camera? I have three A lenses and I always leave them at the A setting. I know i am missing something here.... Your right, I always have the lens on the A setting. However yesterday while cleaning my lenses I just happened to move it off the A setting and thats when I noticed the problem.

05-20-2008, 12:17 PM	#8
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	No problems here with my SMC-A 50 1.7

05-20-2008, 12:23 PM	#9
Not Registered Guest	I have had 2 A50 f1.7 and both had a similar problem. I dont think that it would get worst considering the few times that you will have to change the aperture ring.

05-20-2008, 01:05 PM	#10
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	I'm fine with my A 50mm f/1.7

05-20-2008, 02:25 PM	#11
bentax Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Australia Posts: 190	My A 50 1.7's ring turns fine as you'd like. As far as can can tell you have to use the ring on my SuperA cos if you leave it on A you have no control.

05-21-2008, 03:01 AM	#13
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	no problems with my copy either.

05-20-2008, 04:56 PM	#12
JMS Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 273	You have to use the ring on EVERY film SLR except the *ist.

05-21-2008, 03:03 AM	#14
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by JMS You have to use the ring on EVERY film SLR except the *ist. thats not entirely true. you don't have the same ease of use of say Av mode on older models but you don't have to use the aperture ring.

05-21-2008, 03:12 AM	#15
calicojack Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,124	Originally posted by Tuner571 Was cleaning up my equipment today and I noticed for the first time that the aperture ring on my 50mm gets stuck at f/11 and it takes some jiggling to get it back to the A position which is what I use all the time. So I was wondering if this is the start of a serious problem here? The lens works wonders on my K100D Super and it would be a shame to lose one of my favorite lenses. Is it just the aperture ring that gets stuck? If it's left in A, does the actual aperture work smoothly? Brian