Request for guidance - sticking blades on my A 50/1.2

**jeffshaddix** · 04-02-2015, 08:43 PM

So I'm a bit bummed. For a while now I've been wondering why my A50/1.2 has been over-exposing when I stop down to f/2 or higher. I finally happened to try the DOF preview at f/5.6, and found that the viewfinder darkened, but way too slowly. I turned the camera around and looked in the lens - sigh, the aperture blades were not snappy like they should be.

Playing with the coupler with the lens off, the blades don't necessarily stick like there is something on them. Nor are they scratchy like there's too much dust. It just feels like they're a might bit tight. There certainly is no oil on the blades. The lens lived in a science lab before I picked it up - barely ever used and gorgeously clean.

So, what should I do? I've had good luck with KEH repair in the past. Is this something fixable, or will they just resort to putting something on the blades that will make matters worse down the road?

Thanks guys...yargh.

Dlanor Sekao · 04-02-2015, 09:27 PM - **1 Like**

Send it to Eric Hendrickson.....plain and simple.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/273314-change-address-eric.html
He is the end all... do all Pentax lens Guru expert of all times. You will not ever regret it and he is the best.
Sent the exact same lens to him for the exact same problem. I had it back within 10 days of sending it.
I guarantee you its oil and smudge somewhere but I personally don't open a $600 vintage lens.

**pentaxus** · 04-02-2015, 10:32 PM - **1 Like**

Grease can evaporate and get deposited evenly enough that you don't see it. You know it is there by how the diaphragm acts.

**jeffshaddix** · 04-02-2015, 10:50 PM

Sent him an email - cheers guys!

Dlanor Sekao · 04-02-2015, 11:30 PM

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

Sent him an email - cheers guys!

He isn't much one for talk and email and such , just gets right to the point.
Just send it and before long it will be back and be just perfect.

**ismaelg** · 04-03-2015, 03:56 AM - **1 Like**

Option 1: Eric
Option 2: try it yourself, panic in the middle of it and send to Eric.
Option 3: Send elsewhere then to Eric for salvation.

I have experience in the first 2

Dlanor Sekao · 04-03-2015, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by ismaelg

Option 1: Eric
Option 2: try it yourself, panic in the middle of it and send to Eric.
Option 3: Send elsewhere then to Eric for salvation.

I have experience in the first 2

Very True....lol. Im guilty of the last two also. Lesson well learned.

04-02-2015, 08:43 PM	#1
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Request for guidance - sticking blades on my A 50/1.2 So I'm a bit bummed. For a while now I've been wondering why my A50/1.2 has been over-exposing when I stop down to f/2 or higher. I finally happened to try the DOF preview at f/5.6, and found that the viewfinder darkened, but way too slowly. I turned the camera around and looked in the lens - sigh, the aperture blades were not snappy like they should be. Playing with the coupler with the lens off, the blades don't necessarily stick like there is something on them. Nor are they scratchy like there's too much dust. It just feels like they're a might bit tight. There certainly is no oil on the blades. The lens lived in a science lab before I picked it up - barely ever used and gorgeously clean. So, what should I do? I've had good luck with KEH repair in the past. Is this something fixable, or will they just resort to putting something on the blades that will make matters worse down the road? Thanks guys...yargh.

04-02-2015, 09:27 PM - 1 Like	#2
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Send it to Eric Hendrickson.....plain and simple. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/273314-change-address-eric.html He is the end all... do all Pentax lens Guru expert of all times. You will not ever regret it and he is the best. Sent the exact same lens to him for the exact same problem. I had it back within 10 days of sending it. I guarantee you its oil and smudge somewhere but I personally don't open a $600 vintage lens. Last edited by Dlanor Sekao; 04-02-2015 at 09:40 PM.

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04-02-2015, 10:32 PM - 1 Like	#3
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	Grease can evaporate and get deposited evenly enough that you don't see it. You know it is there by how the diaphragm acts.

04-02-2015, 10:50 PM	#4
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473 Original Poster	Sent him an email - cheers guys!

04-02-2015, 11:30 PM	#5
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Originally posted by jeffshaddix Sent him an email - cheers guys! He isn't much one for talk and email and such , just gets right to the point. Just send it and before long it will be back and be just perfect.

04-03-2015, 03:56 AM - 1 Like	#6
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	Option 1: Eric Option 2: try it yourself, panic in the middle of it and send to Eric. Option 3: Send elsewhere then to Eric for salvation. I have experience in the first 2

04-03-2015, 11:25 AM	#7
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Originally posted by ismaelg Option 1: Eric Option 2: try it yourself, panic in the middle of it and send to Eric. Option 3: Send elsewhere then to Eric for salvation. I have experience in the first 2 Very True....lol. Im guilty of the last two also. Lesson well learned.