DA* 60-250 mod for FF

bdery · 01-30-2017, 06:01 AM - **1 Like**

Well, performances are certainly impressive regarding vignetting. Even better than I would have thought.

do you notice any decrease in sharpness for regular shooting? That's my main concern as an optical designer, I worry that the baffle was there for a valid reason.

**jbondo** · 01-30-2017, 03:35 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by bdery

do you notice any decrease in sharpness for regular shooting?

Only had time to snap a couple of bird pics in the back yard, and a few around the house, but on first inspection, I am not seeing any increase in abberations, nor any notable bad behavior. My guess is that the baffle just reflects that the FF designed lens was optimized for aps-c since Pentax had no FF at the time it came to market. Next time I have a chance, I'll do some astro-photos with it, which are an 'acid test' of any lens. I'll post the results next time I have an outing with it.

dave2k · 02-05-2017, 09:06 AM

Thanks to all who have contributed to this very helpful thread. I am contemplating this mod. One question though... regarding the three JIS screws that need to be removed, have folks had success using Phillips head screwdrivers or are JIS screwdrivers necessary? I have an assortment of small Phillips head screwdrivers but it seems that I could damage the screws if they are tight and really need JIS tools. And I assume it might be a good idea to mark the baffle before removing it so that it's clear where to cut the corners out in the baffle.

**jatrax** · 02-07-2017, 05:12 PM

Quote:

regarding the three JIS screws that need to be removed, have folks had success using Phillips head screwdrivers or are JIS screwdrivers necessary?

It is certainly possible to remove JIS with a Phillips. But you are also taking a chance on messing up the head. If the screw was on something non-critical. Like maybe a toaster, I would probably go ahead and try the Phillips. On a lens that costs this much, no way. Get the JIS set. It is a risk reward equation. The reward is saving a few dollars. The risk is messing up a screw in a $1,000 lens. A screw you have to get out and then back in securely. With a very difficult job of locating a replacement if you mess it up and have to drill it out. YMMV of course. I bought the JIS set.

**mattb123** · 02-07-2017, 05:43 PM - **1 Like**

I got these and they worked well.

**MJSfoto1956** · 02-07-2017, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by dave2k

Thanks to all who have contributed to this very helpful thread. I am contemplating this mod. One question though... regarding the three JIS screws that need to be removed, have folks had success using Phillips head screwdrivers or are JIS screwdrivers necessary? I have an assortment of small Phillips head screwdrivers but it seems that I could damage the screws if they are tight and really need JIS tools. And I assume it might be a good idea to mark the baffle before removing it so that it's clear where to cut the corners out in the baffle.

Don't do it. Not worth the risk.

M

dave2k · 02-07-2017, 06:57 PM

Thanks for the advice. I've ordered the recommended JIS screwdrivers.

dave2k · 02-25-2017, 02:06 PM

I've joined the club as I completed the mod today. Thanks to the earlier contributors for the information that made this possible. The smallest JIS screwdriver worked perfectly. At first glance the screwdriver looks too big, but it's a perfect fit. BTW, don't order these screwdrivers if you want to do the mod soon as they come directly from China, perhaps by pigeon. I kept the baffle and the flange together at all times and I used the Dremel technique. The grinding was taking a long time so I switched to a rat-tail metal file and it worked much faster. Since the file was pretty coarse I did the finishing with the Dremel. I probably could have taken a little more off the flange, but I didn't want to get too close to the perimeter as all of my work was hand-held. The metal was very shiny after the grinding so I used some satin paint to cover the bare edges, which I did after taking the picture below. I took a couple of test pictures with the modified lens and they looked pretty good, but I didn't compare to any older shots.

**W.j.christy** · 04-10-2017, 01:34 PM - **1 Like**

Hi all, not to revive a dead thread, but I have seen on here were people have mentioned being able to purchase the tube and baffle assembly for $25.00. Can anyone tell me where they saw this at, or where the bought it from? I am thinking about this as well and would like to perform the mod on spare parts that way should something go wrong or I sell the lens, I have the ability to revert back to stock with no damage....

VoiceOfReason · 04-12-2017, 07:17 AM

I still need to do this mod unless I can get mine sold or traded for a DA* 300 f/4.

**mattb123** · 04-12-2017, 10:19 AM

My modded 60-250 has AF problems and I haven't quite decided what to do with it. KEH couldn't fix it and they recommended Precision.
Before I send it to them to be gone for who knows how long, tying up my money, I think I'm going to replace it. Maybe with a 70-200/2.8 (probably Tamron for now due to budget constraints).

So if anyone might be interested in it for the modified baffle, or to repair yourself, I may willing to make a deal.

bdery · 04-12-2017, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by mattb123

So if anyone might be interested in it for the modified baffle, or to repair yourself, I may willing to make a deal.

You mean you'd sell the whole lens so someone could Frankenstein the baffle out of it? If you'd consider selling only the baffle, I'd be interested.

**mattb123** · 04-12-2017, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by bdery

You mean you'd sell the whole lens so someone could Frankenstein the baffle out of it? If you'd consider selling only the baffle, I'd be interested.

I'm not ready to part it out myself because if I remove the baffle the rest becomes a lot less valuable!
So I guess I'd want to sell or trade as-is, at least for now. Just thought I'd put this here in case anyone was looking for something like this.

**shardulm** · 04-14-2017, 11:13 PM

Not to revive the thread but is the baffle material plastic or aluminium? Also I am thinking if I remove only 1 screw the one on the side of the ring and not the ones for the SDM contacts, the ring+baffle should still come out.. right?
I may want to ry this out if so.

**BWG** · 04-28-2017, 02:30 PM

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. My method for grinding the baffle was to put a grinding stone with a 1/4" shaft into my drill press. I lowered the quill into the tube and locked it. Then I simply moved the tube around on the table around the stone and let the grinder do the work. It was easy to be fairly precise. I put masking tape inside the tube, and it was easy to see when I got close to the edge. The entire surgery took about an hour, and that included twenty minutes to let the paint dry. I disassembled and reassembled the lens inside a magnetic tray. My thought was if I dropped a screw it wouldn't bounce away. I didn't drop one, but it was nice to have a little insurance. Teeny/tinyist screws I've ever handled.
This forum ROCKS!

02-25-2017, 02:06 PM	#158
dave2k Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 419	Mod Completed I've joined the club as I completed the mod today. Thanks to the earlier contributors for the information that made this possible. The smallest JIS screwdriver worked perfectly. At first glance the screwdriver looks too big, but it's a perfect fit. BTW, don't order these screwdrivers if you want to do the mod soon as they come directly from China, perhaps by pigeon. I kept the baffle and the flange together at all times and I used the Dremel technique. The grinding was taking a long time so I switched to a rat-tail metal file and it worked much faster. Since the file was pretty coarse I did the finishing with the Dremel. I probably could have taken a little more off the flange, but I didn't want to get too close to the perimeter as all of my work was hand-held. The metal was very shiny after the grinding so I used some satin paint to cover the bare edges, which I did after taking the picture below. I took a couple of test pictures with the modified lens and they looked pretty good, but I didn't compare to any older shots.

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01-30-2017, 06:01 AM - 1 Like	#151
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Well, performances are certainly impressive regarding vignetting. Even better than I would have thought. do you notice any decrease in sharpness for regular shooting? That's my main concern as an optical designer, I worry that the baffle was there for a valid reason.

01-30-2017, 03:35 PM - 1 Like	#152
jbondo Loyal Site Supportaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 503	Originally posted by bdery do you notice any decrease in sharpness for regular shooting? Only had time to snap a couple of bird pics in the back yard, and a few around the house, but on first inspection, I am not seeing any increase in abberations, nor any notable bad behavior. My guess is that the baffle just reflects that the FF designed lens was optimized for aps-c since Pentax had no FF at the time it came to market. Next time I have a chance, I'll do some astro-photos with it, which are an 'acid test' of any lens. I'll post the results next time I have an outing with it.

02-05-2017, 09:06 AM	#153
dave2k Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 419	Thanks to all who have contributed to this very helpful thread. I am contemplating this mod. One question though... regarding the three JIS screws that need to be removed, have folks had success using Phillips head screwdrivers or are JIS screwdrivers necessary? I have an assortment of small Phillips head screwdrivers but it seems that I could damage the screws if they are tight and really need JIS tools. And I assume it might be a good idea to mark the baffle before removing it so that it's clear where to cut the corners out in the baffle.

02-07-2017, 05:12 PM	#154
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Quote: regarding the three JIS screws that need to be removed, have folks had success using Phillips head screwdrivers or are JIS screwdrivers necessary? It is certainly possible to remove JIS with a Phillips. But you are also taking a chance on messing up the head. If the screw was on something non-critical. Like maybe a toaster, I would probably go ahead and try the Phillips. On a lens that costs this much, no way. Get the JIS set. It is a risk reward equation. The reward is saving a few dollars. The risk is messing up a screw in a $1,000 lens. A screw you have to get out and then back in securely. With a very difficult job of locating a replacement if you mess it up and have to drill it out. YMMV of course. I bought the JIS set.

02-07-2017, 05:43 PM - 1 Like	#155
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	I got these and they worked well.

02-07-2017, 05:46 PM	#156
MJSfoto1956 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 1,305	Originally posted by dave2k Thanks to all who have contributed to this very helpful thread. I am contemplating this mod. One question though... regarding the three JIS screws that need to be removed, have folks had success using Phillips head screwdrivers or are JIS screwdrivers necessary? I have an assortment of small Phillips head screwdrivers but it seems that I could damage the screws if they are tight and really need JIS tools. And I assume it might be a good idea to mark the baffle before removing it so that it's clear where to cut the corners out in the baffle. Don't do it. Not worth the risk. M

02-07-2017, 06:57 PM	#157
dave2k Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 419	Thanks for the advice. I've ordered the recommended JIS screwdrivers.

04-10-2017, 01:34 PM - 1 Like	#159
W.j.christy Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 558	Hi all, not to revive a dead thread, but I have seen on here were people have mentioned being able to purchase the tube and baffle assembly for $25.00. Can anyone tell me where they saw this at, or where the bought it from? I am thinking about this as well and would like to perform the mod on spare parts that way should something go wrong or I sell the lens, I have the ability to revert back to stock with no damage....

04-12-2017, 07:17 AM	#160
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	I still need to do this mod unless I can get mine sold or traded for a DA* 300 f/4.

04-12-2017, 10:19 AM	#161
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	My modded 60-250 has AF problems and I haven't quite decided what to do with it. KEH couldn't fix it and they recommended Precision. Before I send it to them to be gone for who knows how long, tying up my money, I think I'm going to replace it. Maybe with a 70-200/2.8 (probably Tamron for now due to budget constraints). So if anyone might be interested in it for the modified baffle, or to repair yourself, I may willing to make a deal.

04-12-2017, 01:01 PM	#162
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by mattb123 So if anyone might be interested in it for the modified baffle, or to repair yourself, I may willing to make a deal. You mean you'd sell the whole lens so someone could Frankenstein the baffle out of it? If you'd consider selling only the baffle, I'd be interested.

04-12-2017, 02:48 PM	#163
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	Originally posted by bdery You mean you'd sell the whole lens so someone could Frankenstein the baffle out of it? If you'd consider selling only the baffle, I'd be interested. I'm not ready to part it out myself because if I remove the baffle the rest becomes a lot less valuable! So I guess I'd want to sell or trade as-is, at least for now. Just thought I'd put this here in case anyone was looking for something like this.

04-14-2017, 11:13 PM	#164
shardulm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 793	Not to revive the thread but is the baffle material plastic or aluminium? Also I am thinking if I remove only 1 screw the one on the side of the ring and not the ones for the SDM contacts, the ring+baffle should still come out.. right? I may want to ry this out if so.

04-28-2017, 02:30 PM	#165
BWG Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Monterey County, California Posts: 165	I want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. My method for grinding the baffle was to put a grinding stone with a 1/4" shaft into my drill press. I lowered the quill into the tube and locked it. Then I simply moved the tube around on the table around the stone and let the grinder do the work. It was easy to be fairly precise. I put masking tape inside the tube, and it was easy to see when I got close to the edge. The entire surgery took about an hour, and that included twenty minutes to let the paint dry. I disassembled and reassembled the lens inside a magnetic tray. My thought was if I dropped a screw it wouldn't bounce away. I didn't drop one, but it was nice to have a little insurance. Teeny/tinyist screws I've ever handled. This forum ROCKS!