Originally posted by D1N0 My FA 50 1.7 has a metal barrel. As far as I can tell only the aperture ring is plastic.
It seems there is a mix of metal or plastic inner barrels in the F and FA series lenses. I have an FA 50 1.7 and it is all plastic except for the mount. Others, like yourself have versions with metal inner barrels. I also have an F 28 mm 2.8 and it is plastic on the outside but has a metal inner barrel. Others have copies of this lens with a plastic inner barrel. I bought the F 28 mm back around 1989 or 1990 new, I only recently bought the FA 50 mm 1.7 used. My thought is that early copies probably had the metal inner barrels and later copies used plastic throughout. While the metal barrel version feels much more solid, I would think from a picture quality perspective they are the same.
---------- Post added 09-03-16 at 04:00 PM ----------
Originally posted by BigMackCam I'd be happier still if my FA50 f/1.4 was built like the FA43
Having said that, I think we've had reports of barrel wobble on several of the FA and DA Limited primes, so ...
Regarding my DA Limited primes:
Wobbly inner barrel: SMC DA 70
Very slight wobble, barely noticeable: SMC DA 21 and HD 40 limiteds
Absolutely no wobble or play in the inner barrel: SMC DA 15 and SMC DA 35 Macro Limiteds
All are in pristine condition with no marks, dents or paint scrapes, even on the lens caps. 15, 35 Macro and HD 40 bought new, DA 21 and 70 bought used in like new condition.
Optically all are fine.