Loose ring on SMC 1.4 lens

dcdick · 04-13-2021, 10:51 AM

SMC takumar 1.4 M42 lens

The ring with the distance markings on my newly acquired lens is loose & doesn't move properly with the zoom

The lens itself is v.good & the glass looks perfect (as far as I can see) everything else works very well with no unwanted noises etc.....

Could there be a loose screw inside the lens now perhaps ?

I would like to keep the lens if poss, is this a DIY repair or should I just send it back now for a refund (ebay purchase)

Any thoughts please

Dick

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**pepperberry farm** · 04-13-2021, 12:31 PM

was this disclosed by the seller?

does the lens focus properly?

dcdick · 04-13-2021, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

was this disclosed by the seller?

does the lens focus properly?

Thanks for the reply

Seller says sorry, can't understand how this has happened etc.... does seem genuine

As said in my op, lens works fine.

My best guess is something was missed during re-assembly after cleaning.

I'll see if I can find anything in the manuals in the forum database

Was hoping to hear from somebody who has experience of stripping/rebuilding these lenses

Dick

bertwert · 04-13-2021, 05:30 PM - **2 Likes**

Dick, for what it's worth, I have a Tak 55/1.8 with a loose focus distance ring. Never fixed it, and it still works perfectly fine. I also find that I don't particularly miss the distance scale with this lens and my uses for it...

Not a Number · 04-13-2021, 05:32 PM - **4 Likes**

As I recall the ring is just a piece of curved sheet metal glued in place (not even a complete ring). The glue dries out with age and comes loose. You have to disassemble the lens and glue the part back on. Use a contact adhesive that can be pried apart if need be.

~~Search the forum, there should be a thread or two on this.~~

Edit: here you go:

S-M-C Takumar 50mm/1.4 distance scale problem - PentaxForums.com

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-13-2021, 09:15 PM

If the filter threads are dented, it will be difficult to unscrew the trim/"name" ring. Otherwise the repair is not too hard.

Super glue/cyanoacrylate seems like a good idea but gives off fumes that are bad for the rest of the lens. If you decided to use it anyway, keep the focus ring separate from the lens for a while.

When the scale is partly loose, focusing the lens makes a horrible scraping sound and feel. It's a good way to get a lens cheap.

dcdick · 04-14-2021, 01:11 AM - **1 Like**

Thanks for the reply's, appreciated

"Not a Number" your link is great thank you.

I don't get any "noises or disturbances" at the moment & now I'm re-assured there's no screws loose inside the body it's looking good.

And for some icing on my cake the eBay seller has refunded me on a "keep the lens" basis as he would have been liable to refund my return P&P to Japan if I was to return the lens to him

It's a good start to my Pentax journey

Thanks to

Pepperberry farm
Bertwert
Not a Number
Just 1 More Dave

04-13-2021, 05:32 PM - 4 Likes	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	As I recall the ring is just a piece of curved sheet metal glued in place (not even a complete ring). The glue dries out with age and comes loose. You have to disassemble the lens and glue the part back on. Use a contact adhesive that can be pried apart if need be. ~~Search the forum, there should be a thread or two on this.~~ Edit: here you go: S-M-C Takumar 50mm/1.4 distance scale problem - PentaxForums.com Last edited by Not a Number; 04-13-2021 at 05:37 PM.

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04-13-2021, 12:31 PM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,659	was this disclosed by the seller? does the lens focus properly?

04-13-2021, 04:40 PM	#3
dcdick Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: co Durham UK. Posts: 35 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm was this disclosed by the seller? does the lens focus properly? Thanks for the reply Seller says sorry, can't understand how this has happened etc.... does seem genuine As said in my op, lens works fine. My best guess is something was missed during re-assembly after cleaning. I'll see if I can find anything in the manuals in the forum database Was hoping to hear from somebody who has experience of stripping/rebuilding these lenses Dick

04-13-2021, 05:30 PM - 2 Likes	#4
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Dick, for what it's worth, I have a Tak 55/1.8 with a loose focus distance ring. Never fixed it, and it still works perfectly fine. I also find that I don't particularly miss the distance scale with this lens and my uses for it...

04-13-2021, 09:15 PM	#6
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	If the filter threads are dented, it will be difficult to unscrew the trim/"name" ring. Otherwise the repair is not too hard. Super glue/cyanoacrylate seems like a good idea but gives off fumes that are bad for the rest of the lens. If you decided to use it anyway, keep the focus ring separate from the lens for a while. When the scale is partly loose, focusing the lens makes a horrible scraping sound and feel. It's a good way to get a lens cheap.

04-14-2021, 01:11 AM - 1 Like	#7
dcdick Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: co Durham UK. Posts: 35 Original Poster	Thanks for the reply's, appreciated "Not a Number" your link is great thank you. I don't get any "noises or disturbances" at the moment & now I'm re-assured there's no screws loose inside the body it's looking good. And for some icing on my cake the eBay seller has refunded me on a "keep the lens" basis as he would have been liable to refund my return P&P to Japan if I was to return the lens to him It's a good start to my Pentax journey Thanks to Pepperberry farm Bertwert Not a Number Just 1 More Dave

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