Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

Finger · 09-28-2021, 10:33 AM

Hi, I got a user DA* 16-50mm, I'm surprised by the grinding sensation of the focus ring. Compared with my DA200, it's night and day.
Should the focus ring be smooth or is it normal that it's gritty and a little noisy when turned manually?

Should I keep it or return it?

Thanks

Last edited by Finger; 09-28-2021 at 11:11 AM.

**BigMackCam** · 09-28-2021, 10:37 AM - **2 Likes**

Although I didn't keep it, I did briefly own a brand new DA*16-50 and the focus ring operation was smooth, without any grinding sensation. If I were you, I'd return the lens.

AfterPentax Mark II · 09-28-2021, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by Finger

Hi, I got a user DA* 16-50mm, I'm surprised by the grinding sensation of the focus ring. Compared with my DA200, it's night and day.
Should the focus ring be smooth or is it normal that it's gritty and a little noisy when turned manually?

Should I keep it or return it?

Thanks

BigMackCam is right, you should return it!

Finger · 09-28-2021, 11:27 AM

OK, will do, thanks

pschlute · 09-28-2021, 11:48 AM - **1 Like**

Yep, someone has taken that to the beach

**BigMackCam** · 09-28-2021, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

Yep, someone has taken that to the beach

... or the bench. Either way, not good

**UncleVanya** · 09-28-2021, 09:35 PM

It’s not buttery smooth. Before returning it, you might post a video of it and how it sounds.

**i_trax** · 09-28-2021, 10:54 PM

it is definitely not as smooth as DA*200 , it has a noise ( kind of metal rubbing against metal ) but it is not really like the grinding.
The DA* 50-135 produces similar noise / sensation .

**Pål Jensen** · 09-29-2021, 02:12 AM

I won't call it grinding but there is a noise and friction. Particularly when you turn the ring beyond the focus scale......

09-28-2021, 10:33 AM	#1
Finger Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Québec Posts: 121	16-50 focus ring help Hi, I got a user DA* 16-50mm, I'm surprised by the grinding sensation of the focus ring. Compared with my DA200, it's night and day. Should the focus ring be smooth or is it normal that it's gritty and a little noisy when turned manually? Should I keep it or return it? Thanks Last edited by Finger; 09-28-2021 at 11:11 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
16-50 2.8 focus ring stuck	Stoogie	Repairs and Warranty Service	3	08-11-2020 04:19 PM
Focus ring offset or no infinity focus? (Mamiya 55mm F/1.4)	Doundounba	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	12-22-2015 06:49 PM
Focus, Focus, Focus (or the usefulness of focus charts)	GoremanX	Pentax DSLR Discussion	31	12-21-2014 11:49 AM
K-3 and FA lenses - aperture ring setting / focus ring	zzeitg	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	10	11-05-2014 08:10 PM
Focus Ring on DA 35 macro makes a clicking noise; manual focus ... this normal?	eadrian75	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	2	04-12-2011 12:51 AM

09-28-2021, 10:37 AM - 2 Likes	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,704	Although I didn't keep it, I did briefly own a brand new DA*16-50 and the focus ring operation was smooth, without any grinding sensation. If I were you, I'd return the lens.

09-28-2021, 11:22 AM	#3
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,467	Originally posted by Finger Hi, I got a user DA* 16-50mm, I'm surprised by the grinding sensation of the focus ring. Compared with my DA200, it's night and day. Should the focus ring be smooth or is it normal that it's gritty and a little noisy when turned manually? Should I keep it or return it? Thanks BigMackCam is right, you should return it!

09-28-2021, 11:27 AM	#4
Finger Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Québec Posts: 121 Original Poster	OK, will do, thanks

09-28-2021, 11:48 AM - 1 Like	#5
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,219	Yep, someone has taken that to the beach

09-28-2021, 11:50 AM	#6
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,704	Originally posted by pschlute Yep, someone has taken that to the beach ... or the bench. Either way, not good

09-28-2021, 09:35 PM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,468	It’s not buttery smooth. Before returning it, you might post a video of it and how it sounds.

09-28-2021, 10:54 PM	#8
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	it is definitely not as smooth as DA200 , it has a noise ( kind of metal rubbing against metal ) but it is not really like the grinding. The DA 50-135 produces similar noise / sensation .

09-29-2021, 02:12 AM	#9
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	I won't call it grinding but there is a noise and friction. Particularly when you turn the ring beyond the focus scale......

16-50 focus ring help

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!