SMC Pentax-F 50mm F1.7 Disassembly

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-06-2020, 06:49 PM - **14 Likes**

Recently I bought a P3N with an F 50/1.7 attached on Mercari. I already have the lens, but I got the combination for a good price. The individual selling it really didn't know much about it, she thought something was wrong with the camera's shutter because there were black marks on the focus screen. Looks like the camera should be OK, but I noticed a little fungus starting on the inside of the front element of the lens. I knew it would not effect the lens now, but it needed to be stopped if it is active. So I decided to try to remove the fungus myself, I figured this lens might be an easy one to try. I started this Monday night during a hurricane, probably not a good idea, my first hurricane and it was predicted to not be too bad.

I tried to do this a few years ago on an M 40-80 that was really unsalvageable with fungus and failed with the wrong tools. So this was really by first serious attempt, I had read that the 50s were pretty simple in design, so why not. I've got a few 40-80 parts if anyone needs them

Here's the pre-disassembly view of the front element. Dust is more prominent than the fungus in this view:

The tools I started with, thanks to the many people of the years in this forum that have mentioned the JIS screwdrivers, they are a must:

The first screws to remove are these on the inner barrel that moves in and out with focus, rotate until it is out all of the way and you'll see them, there are three, I used the #0 JIS screwdriver.:

This is a magnetic arm band (laying on the work surface) I'm using to keep the screws in order, they are very tiny and need to be held in place. I have a magnetic tray in my shed, but there was hurricane outside when I started this, so I decided to use the armband which worked OK. There will be different size screws here so I wanted to keep them separated:

The first part removed:

About this time the power went out. I spent the next morning and afternoon cleaning up debris, not damage to the house! The power came back on after 5:00 PM, later that night I got back to the lens. Next I took off some parts that did not have to come off, namely the focus ring, I won't show that part, so we will go on to this next ring, I'm not sure what it is called, it's kind of conical in shape and the small part contacts the front element, I don't have a picture of the removal, it just screws out, to loosen it I used a flat rubber jar opener, it was pretty easy:

I removed these three screws with a JIS #00, I'm really not sure they needed to be removed, they may have been holding the optics assembly, but I don't really think so.:

Once that part is out you can lift out the front optics assembly, notice it has two indentations on the edge for a spanner:

Here is what the assembly looks like, it holds the front element and the next two elements I believe:

At this point I had to stop, because I did not have the spanner and was not willing to jury rig something together, went to Amazon and ordered the spanner that was able to be delivered soonest without additional cost, the Andoer DSLR Camera Tool Set 3 Tips Lens Repair Set 6 Screws and 2 Hexagon Wrench cost me $21.34 with tax, I ordered it Tuesday night after 9:14PM and received it at 10:09 this morning (Thursday), pretty fast shipping!

With the spanner I loosened the retaining ring holding the front element in place and was able to remove it and inspect the element behind it, which was clean. It was hard getting a good photo here as I was using a cell phone and holding the element in the light, but you can kind of see the fungus:

With a new microfibre cloth I cleaned the element with alcohol, then put it in a bath of hydrogen peroxide to soak. After soaking I wiped it down with another new microfibre cloth, then cleaned it again with the hydrogen peroxide and dried it with the part of the cloth still dry. Looked at the optic assembly agin to make sure the glass looked clean, blew it out with a rocket blower, blew off the front element with a rocket blower, seated it and screwed the retainer back in and hand tightened it:

Blew out the open lens with several blasts from the rocket blower and reassembled. I mounted it on the KP (which is getting cleaned tonight) and took a couple of test shots. It dawned on me that I had not even tested this lens yet, so I was at least glad to see that the autofocus works.

I cleaned the other non element parts of the lens as I disassembled them using a microfibre cloth and Monster Screenclean

Tools and supplies used:
JIS Screwdrivers, sizes #0 and #00
Andoer lens spanner
Rocket Blower
Three microfibre lens cloths, 2 NEW
small portable battery operated LED lights
LED flashlight
Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Magnetic holder for screws
white paper for work surface visibility (easier to see a tiny screw on than kitchen counter)
magnifying glass
notepad, pen, and camera, I just used an Iphone rather than setting a camera up, that would have been better, but this is what I did.

Last edited by ramseybuckeye; 08-06-2020 at 07:04 PM.

**pepperberry farm** · 08-06-2020, 08:25 PM

excellent write-up!

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-06-2020, 08:35 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

excellent write-up!

Thanks, now to give it a good test.

Gopersuel · 08-07-2020, 02:27 AM

Thank you for sharing your work, I also have this lens, I keep the thread, maybe it will be useful in the future.

**ismaelg** · 08-07-2020, 04:45 AM

Nice work!
We have a dedicated thread for this type of adventure: Lenses back from the dead! - PentaxForums.com
You are more than welcome to cross-post it there.

Thanks,

**pearsaab** · 08-07-2020, 07:02 AM

Tom I know where to send my lens if they ever need work. Well done!!!

Thagomizer · 08-07-2020, 09:57 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

I started this Monday night during a hurricane, probably not a good idea, my first hurricane and it was predicted to not be too bad.

Don't sell yourself short. You did this in the midst of a hurricane and a pandemic.

Throw in an earthquake and you've got the trifecta!

**ismaelg** · 08-07-2020, 10:30 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Thagomizer

Don't sell yourself short. You did this in the midst of a hurricane and a pandemic.

Throw in an earthquake and you've got the trifecta!

Be careful with what you wish!

We went thru that (but as a tropical storm) last week and last night had a 4.8 earthquake just to keep it fun. While in the pandemic...

Thanks,

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-07-2020, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by pearsaab

Tom I know where to send my lens if they ever need work. Well done!!!

Amy, you probably want Ismael, he can work miracles with old gear. I'm happy I didn't ruin the lens, fortunately that's a simple one.

Originally posted by Thagomizer

Don't sell yourself short. You did this in the midst of a hurricane and a pandemic.

Throw in an earthquake and you've got the trifecta!

i just meant it was probably not a good time to start it, but I was bored.

Originally posted by ismaelg

Be careful with what you wish!

We went thru that (but as a tropical storm) last week and last night had a 4.8 earthquake just to keep it fun. While in the pandemic...

Thanks,

There's the trifecta!!

**photogem** · 08-19-2020, 09:36 AM

Good work!
Very useful!
One question:
You use only Hydrogen Peroxide which I guess is the 3% version? (I have 12% strength here which I can dilute)
Others recommend a mix of H.P. + Ammonia.
Any throughts about this?

ZombieArmy · 08-30-2020, 01:58 AM

Thanks for this. Makes my life easier as I have a very dirty and slightly fungus-y F 50 1.7 kicking around that I got for free that I've never gotten around to.

FotoPete · 11-03-2020, 02:58 PM

Oh interesting, and the lens coating was fine with micro fiber? I have cleaned some front elements in the past (not pentax lenses) and noticed that the coatings on the underside tend to be very soft and on a few occasions, rubbed off with alcohol/peroxide soaked q-tip.

**ramseybuckeye** · 01-14-2021, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by photogem

Good work!
Very useful!
One question:
You use only Hydrogen Peroxide which I guess is the 3% version? (I have 12% strength here which I can dilute)
Others recommend a mix of H.P. + Ammonia.
Any thoughts about this?

Sorry for no response for so long.
It was the 3% which seemed to work fine, and no real reason other than that's what we had, and with all kinds of shortages due to the pandemic, may not have been any available anyway. I guess I would not add ammonia unless it was very hard to get off. I know I was happy that it had not etched into any coatings.

Originally posted by FotoPete

Oh interesting, and the lens coating was fine with micro fiber? I have cleaned some front elements in the past (not pentax lenses) and noticed that the coatings on the underside tend to be very soft and on a few occasions, rubbed off with alcohol/peroxide soaked q-tip.

I did not have to rub hard with the alcohol to remove the fungus, just a gentle rub. I had read somewhere about the peroxide, it should kill any fungus or spores in case any were still there, plus I guess would remove any alcohol residue. Anyway there was not a lot of pressure used during wiping down and drying, there are no cleaning marks so I think the coating was not effected. I think there is a lesser chance of lint using a new microfibre cloth than a Q-tip, unless it is one of those lint free lab Q-tips. Myself, I would not use a Q-tip on a lens, because of the stick, just too easy to scratch the lens.

UPDATE At one point in another thread I said the autofocus was not working on this lens and was only focusing on close objects. I made that observation too late at night (when I was up too late and not thinking) and it actually focuses just fine.

**mikesbike** · 01-15-2021, 05:18 PM

Glad this has worked out for you. This is an exceptionally good lens, especially at its price range. Very good results, even wide open! I still have mine, bought new way back with my first AF SLR body, the Pentax SF-1n.

**ramseybuckeye** · 01-15-2021, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by mikesbike

Glad this has worked out for you. This is an exceptionally good lens, especially at its price range. Very good results, even wide open! I still have mine, bought new way back with my first AF SLR body, the Pentax SF-1n.

Thanks, the dumb thing is that I did not need it, but the price I got it for was hard to turn down. So I now have two of them. I really don't use either that much, but really like the pictures that it produces.

08-06-2020, 06:49 PM - 14 Likes	#1
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	SMC Pentax-F 50mm F1.7 Disassembly Recently I bought a P3N with an F 50/1.7 attached on Mercari. I already have the lens, but I got the combination for a good price. The individual selling it really didn't know much about it, she thought something was wrong with the camera's shutter because there were black marks on the focus screen. Looks like the camera should be OK, but I noticed a little fungus starting on the inside of the front element of the lens. I knew it would not effect the lens now, but it needed to be stopped if it is active. So I decided to try to remove the fungus myself, I figured this lens might be an easy one to try. I started this Monday night during a hurricane, probably not a good idea, my first hurricane and it was predicted to not be too bad. I tried to do this a few years ago on an M 40-80 that was really unsalvageable with fungus and failed with the wrong tools. So this was really by first serious attempt, I had read that the 50s were pretty simple in design, so why not. I've got a few 40-80 parts if anyone needs them Here's the pre-disassembly view of the front element. Dust is more prominent than the fungus in this view: The tools I started with, thanks to the many people of the years in this forum that have mentioned the JIS screwdrivers, they are a must: The first screws to remove are these on the inner barrel that moves in and out with focus, rotate until it is out all of the way and you'll see them, there are three, I used the #0 JIS screwdriver.: This is a magnetic arm band (laying on the work surface) I'm using to keep the screws in order, they are very tiny and need to be held in place. I have a magnetic tray in my shed, but there was hurricane outside when I started this, so I decided to use the armband which worked OK. There will be different size screws here so I wanted to keep them separated: The first part removed: About this time the power went out. I spent the next morning and afternoon cleaning up debris, not damage to the house! The power came back on after 5:00 PM, later that night I got back to the lens. Next I took off some parts that did not have to come off, namely the focus ring, I won't show that part, so we will go on to this next ring, I'm not sure what it is called, it's kind of conical in shape and the small part contacts the front element, I don't have a picture of the removal, it just screws out, to loosen it I used a flat rubber jar opener, it was pretty easy: I removed these three screws with a JIS #00, I'm really not sure they needed to be removed, they may have been holding the optics assembly, but I don't really think so.: Once that part is out you can lift out the front optics assembly, notice it has two indentations on the edge for a spanner: Here is what the assembly looks like, it holds the front element and the next two elements I believe: At this point I had to stop, because I did not have the spanner and was not willing to jury rig something together, went to Amazon and ordered the spanner that was able to be delivered soonest without additional cost, the Andoer DSLR Camera Tool Set 3 Tips Lens Repair Set 6 Screws and 2 Hexagon Wrench cost me $21.34 with tax, I ordered it Tuesday night after 9:14PM and received it at 10:09 this morning (Thursday), pretty fast shipping! With the spanner I loosened the retaining ring holding the front element in place and was able to remove it and inspect the element behind it, which was clean. It was hard getting a good photo here as I was using a cell phone and holding the element in the light, but you can kind of see the fungus: With a new microfibre cloth I cleaned the element with alcohol, then put it in a bath of hydrogen peroxide to soak. After soaking I wiped it down with another new microfibre cloth, then cleaned it again with the hydrogen peroxide and dried it with the part of the cloth still dry. Looked at the optic assembly agin to make sure the glass looked clean, blew it out with a rocket blower, blew off the front element with a rocket blower, seated it and screwed the retainer back in and hand tightened it: Blew out the open lens with several blasts from the rocket blower and reassembled. I mounted it on the KP (which is getting cleaned tonight) and took a couple of test shots. It dawned on me that I had not even tested this lens yet, so I was at least glad to see that the autofocus works. I cleaned the other non element parts of the lens as I disassembled them using a microfibre cloth and Monster Screenclean Tools and supplies used: JIS Screwdrivers, sizes #0 and #00 Andoer lens spanner Rocket Blower Three microfibre lens cloths, 2 NEW small portable battery operated LED lights LED flashlight Alcohol Hydrogen Peroxide Magnetic holder for screws white paper for work surface visibility (easier to see a tiny screw on than kitchen counter) magnifying glass notepad, pen, and camera, I just used an Iphone rather than setting a camera up, that would have been better, but this is what I did. Last edited by ramseybuckeye; 08-06-2020 at 07:04 PM.

01-14-2021, 10:04 AM	#13
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295 Original Poster	Originally posted by photogem Good work! Very useful! One question: You use only Hydrogen Peroxide which I guess is the 3% version? (I have 12% strength here which I can dilute) Others recommend a mix of H.P. + Ammonia. Any thoughts about this? Sorry for no response for so long. It was the 3% which seemed to work fine, and no real reason other than that's what we had, and with all kinds of shortages due to the pandemic, may not have been any available anyway. I guess I would not add ammonia unless it was very hard to get off. I know I was happy that it had not etched into any coatings. Originally posted by FotoPete Oh interesting, and the lens coating was fine with micro fiber? I have cleaned some front elements in the past (not pentax lenses) and noticed that the coatings on the underside tend to be very soft and on a few occasions, rubbed off with alcohol/peroxide soaked q-tip. I did not have to rub hard with the alcohol to remove the fungus, just a gentle rub. I had read somewhere about the peroxide, it should kill any fungus or spores in case any were still there, plus I guess would remove any alcohol residue. Anyway there was not a lot of pressure used during wiping down and drying, there are no cleaning marks so I think the coating was not effected. I think there is a lesser chance of lint using a new microfibre cloth than a Q-tip, unless it is one of those lint free lab Q-tips. Myself, I would not use a Q-tip on a lens, because of the stick, just too easy to scratch the lens. UPDATE At one point in another thread I said the autofocus was not working on this lens and was only focusing on close objects. I made that observation too late at night (when I was up too late and not thinking) and it actually focuses just fine. Last edited by ramseybuckeye; 01-14-2021 at 10:13 AM.

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08-06-2020, 08:25 PM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	excellent write-up!

08-06-2020, 08:35 PM - 1 Like	#3
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm excellent write-up! Thanks, now to give it a good test.

08-07-2020, 02:27 AM	#4
Gopersuel Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 93	Thank you for sharing your work, I also have this lens, I keep the thread, maybe it will be useful in the future.

08-07-2020, 04:45 AM	#5
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,684	Nice work! We have a dedicated thread for this type of adventure: Lenses back from the dead! - PentaxForums.com You are more than welcome to cross-post it there. Thanks,

08-07-2020, 07:02 AM	#6
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	Tom I know where to send my lens if they ever need work. Well done!!!

08-07-2020, 09:57 AM - 1 Like	#7
Thagomizer Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: London Ontario Posts: 2,068	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye I started this Monday night during a hurricane, probably not a good idea, my first hurricane and it was predicted to not be too bad. Don't sell yourself short. You did this in the midst of a hurricane and a pandemic. Throw in an earthquake and you've got the trifecta!

08-07-2020, 10:30 AM - 1 Like	#8
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,684	Originally posted by Thagomizer Don't sell yourself short. You did this in the midst of a hurricane and a pandemic. Throw in an earthquake and you've got the trifecta! Be careful with what you wish! We went thru that (but as a tropical storm) last week and last night had a 4.8 earthquake just to keep it fun. While in the pandemic... Thanks,

08-07-2020, 02:23 PM	#9
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295 Original Poster	Originally posted by pearsaab Tom I know where to send my lens if they ever need work. Well done!!! Amy, you probably want Ismael, he can work miracles with old gear. I'm happy I didn't ruin the lens, fortunately that's a simple one. Originally posted by Thagomizer Don't sell yourself short. You did this in the midst of a hurricane and a pandemic. Throw in an earthquake and you've got the trifecta! i just meant it was probably not a good time to start it, but I was bored. Originally posted by ismaelg Be careful with what you wish! We went thru that (but as a tropical storm) last week and last night had a 4.8 earthquake just to keep it fun. While in the pandemic... Thanks, There's the trifecta!!

08-19-2020, 09:36 AM	#10
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,524	Good work! Very useful! One question: You use only Hydrogen Peroxide which I guess is the 3% version? (I have 12% strength here which I can dilute) Others recommend a mix of H.P. + Ammonia. Any throughts about this?

08-30-2020, 01:58 AM	#11
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	Thanks for this. Makes my life easier as I have a very dirty and slightly fungus-y F 50 1.7 kicking around that I got for free that I've never gotten around to.

11-03-2020, 02:58 PM	#12
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Oh interesting, and the lens coating was fine with micro fiber? I have cleaned some front elements in the past (not pentax lenses) and noticed that the coatings on the underside tend to be very soft and on a few occasions, rubbed off with alcohol/peroxide soaked q-tip.

01-15-2021, 05:18 PM	#14
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,562	Glad this has worked out for you. This is an exceptionally good lens, especially at its price range. Very good results, even wide open! I still have mine, bought new way back with my first AF SLR body, the Pentax SF-1n.

01-15-2021, 06:44 PM	#15
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikesbike Glad this has worked out for you. This is an exceptionally good lens, especially at its price range. Very good results, even wide open! I still have mine, bought new way back with my first AF SLR body, the Pentax SF-1n. Thanks, the dumb thing is that I did not need it, but the price I got it for was hard to turn down. So I now have two of them. I really don't use either that much, but really like the pictures that it produces.