Originally posted by biz-engineer I have it, and what you say matches my observation. I also wondered why Pentax never refreshed that DFA 50 macro , with a better built "limited" like body and new coatings, because having a 50 macro is quite versatile, it can be great for minimal kit to takes classic documentary pictures as well as close-ups. If I would have only one prime lens, it would be a 50 macro,
I actually had both non WR D FA's macro lenses at the same time along with Pentax K-r and later K-30 as my job documentation tools, both brand new, and found the 50 to be better for daily use, but while I had used it a lot more, the wobble it had from the start was awfull. It eventually led to braking the clamp switch(that I maybe used two or three times within few years, it just stopped to work) and later lens barrel got loose to point of almost splitting in two parts. The hood and lens cap design ware pain to use to point I got them replaced with no-name rubber folded hood and a new design front cap from other Pentax lens. At the end I was glad to get rid of it (sold as broken item/parts donor) in favour of Sigma 70mm Macro that was strikingly more accurate, almost the same in terms of sharpness, it had no quick-shift but I've found this not so needed anymore because the lens was almost spot-on every time.
I think those two ware the most cost-cutting Hoya designs ever made for Pentax along with DA-L kit lenses.
Still, if there ever be a reissued version of this lens with properly designed housing and mechanics(Like the DFA WR 100 have) I would go for it because optics are class leading here in my opinion.