FA 31mm focus jammed

Nachodog · 12-21-2020, 01:07 PM

I was taking photos with my FA 31mm the other night and the autofocus sent it all the way to minimum and it locked up. The manual focus ring can only move a small bit in either direction and the screw on the mount will turn with some resistance.

I don't want to have to try to take it apart myself seeing as how expensive this lens is, but I'm in Canada and Sun Camera just got back to me saying they won't fix it.

Any advice on how I can reasonably fix it myself or somewhere I can send it to? I would put my technical skills at moderate, but doing this myself makes me nervous.

I'm really gutted about this. Any help is much appreciated.

**aslyfox** · 12-21-2020, 01:20 PM

here are some possible businesses

Quote:

Canada
PhotoTec Services, St John's, Newfoundland (Vintage cameras and lenses)
Service Camera Pro (Film and digital, Quebec)
Sun Camera Service, Ontario (Authorized to perform warranty service) [PDF repair form] [Info from Ricoh Imaging]
Zone 7 (Quebec)
VanCam (Vancouver)
Computech Camera Repair (Winnipeg)
Camera Repair Centre
Camera Repair Centre (Nova Scotia)

Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 9 - PentaxForums.com

follow link to find active links

laith · 12-21-2020, 01:21 PM

Please deal with it gently because there are some parts jammed inside and need to be opened by someone who has sufficient experience

Nachodog · 12-21-2020, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by aslyfox

here are some possible businesses

Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 9 - PentaxForums.com

follow link to find active links

Thanks aslyfox, that's super useful. I appreciate it and I'll follow those leads!

---------- Post added 12-21-2020 at 04:06 PM ----------

Originally posted by laith

Please deal with it gently because there are some parts jammed inside and need to be opened by someone who has sufficient experience

Indeed. I think I could do it as a last resort, but I'd much rather leave it up to a professional.

**jpzk** · 12-21-2020, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by aslyfox

Service Camera Pro

I dealt with those people a few years: service rendered as expected.
I don't know if they are still in business though, looks like they are from what I could see on their website.
I actually drove from Riv.-du-Loup to Québec (city) to bring my gear there.
The turnaround was about 2 weeks for a K5/DA*300/4 "fine tuning" and cleaning.

---------- Post added 12-21-20 at 05:37 PM ----------

Originally posted by Nachodog

I was taking photos with my FA 31mm the other night and the autofocus sent it all the way to minimum and it locked up. The manual focus ring can only move a small bit in either direction and the screw on the mount will turn with some resistance.

I don't want to have to try to take it apart myself seeing as how expensive this lens is, but I'm in Canada and Sun Camera just got back to me saying they won't fix it.

Any advice on how I can reasonably fix it myself or somewhere I can send it to? I would put my technical skills at moderate, but doing this myself makes me nervous.

I'm really gutted about this. Any help is much appreciated.

See post no. 5

Nachodog · 12-21-2020, 04:50 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

I dealt with those people a few years: service rendered as expected.
I don't know if they are still in business though, looks like they are from what I could see on their website.
I actually drove from Riv.-du-Loup to Québec (city) to bring my gear there.
The turnaround was about 2 weeks for a K5/DA*300/4 "fine tuning" and cleaning.

---------- Post added 12-21-20 at 05:37 PM ----------

See post no. 5

Thanks! I'll contact them also.

**aslyfox** · 12-21-2020, 05:33 PM

it could help out others if you let us know how it turns out

good luck

**zzaletel** · 01-06-2021, 03:22 PM

One other option is NSB Tekunos in the Tokyo outskirts www.nsb-tekunos.com. I am preparing to send an SMC FA 77mm Limited to them to fix a likely very similar issue with a hang-up in the autofocus gears. They quoted me ¥15,000 for the service plus shipping... or a bit under half of Precision's flat rate.

**Buckeyemikie** · 01-07-2021, 05:39 PM

Is Eric Hendrickson still repairing Pentax lenses? He repaired my FA 31 that wouldn’t focus after I dropped it a few years ago. Try his email: pentaxrepairs@aol.com. He’ s in Tennessee. Can’t find the receipt but it was very reasonable & it was back in three weeks or so. Its worked fine ever since. Good luck.

**zzaletel** · 01-08-2021, 12:01 PM

He is still repairing them. Said he couldn't get parts for the FA77 from Pentax when I inquired in early December.

**zzaletel** · 01-15-2021, 12:30 PM

Sent the lens via USPS on 1/6. Was delivered on 1/15. Had an email from Mr. Toshiyuki the same day with a summary of the initial inspection and confirmation of the initial quote. Lens will be disassembled, cleaned, and the AF gabloc assembly will be replaced. All told will be about $200 with shipping both ways. Will update with final outcome.

Nachodog · 04-01-2021, 08:01 AM - **1 Like**

Not sure if anyone is still interested in my broken lens, but here's an update.

So as suggested by jpzk, I sent it into Service Caméra Pro in Quebec City. The owner is a very nice guy. It turns out that there's a broken gear in the AF mechanism and he can't find any replacement parts for it. So the only option is to take out the gear so that it still functions manually. I'm glad that at least he is very reasonably priced. He's only charging me $60 + tax and shipping.

I am pretty gutted about the lens though. Welp, maybe I'll mount it onto one of my film bodies and pretend I'm young again.

**zzaletel** · 04-04-2021, 08:37 PM

It’s a standard metric gear - if they sent the af block back after the disassembly, you should be able to purchase the appropriate gear and be back in business for not too much more cost.

Nachodog · 04-05-2021, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by zzaletel

It’s a standard metric gear - if they sent the af block back after the disassembly, you should be able to purchase the appropriate gear and be back in business for not too much more cost.

I understand, but I really don't feel confident about doing the work myself. I'll keep this information in mind though. Thanks for the advice.

12-21-2020, 01:07 PM	#1
Nachodog Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal, Qc Posts: 472	FA 31mm focus jammed I was taking photos with my FA 31mm the other night and the autofocus sent it all the way to minimum and it locked up. The manual focus ring can only move a small bit in either direction and the screw on the mount will turn with some resistance. I don't want to have to try to take it apart myself seeing as how expensive this lens is, but I'm in Canada and Sun Camera just got back to me saying they won't fix it. Any advice on how I can reasonably fix it myself or somewhere I can send it to? I would put my technical skills at moderate, but doing this myself makes me nervous. I'm really gutted about this. Any help is much appreciated.

01-06-2021, 03:22 PM	#8
zzaletel Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alaska Posts: 525	One other option is NSB Tekunos in the Tokyo outskirts www.nsb-tekunos.com. I am preparing to send an SMC FA 77mm Limited to them to fix a likely very similar issue with a hang-up in the autofocus gears. They quoted me ¥15,000 for the service plus shipping... or a bit under half of Precision's flat rate. Last edited by zzaletel; 01-06-2021 at 03:22 PM. Reason: Fixed hyperlink

01-15-2021, 12:30 PM	#11
zzaletel Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alaska Posts: 525	General update on NSB Tekunos repair Sent the lens via USPS on 1/6. Was delivered on 1/15. Had an email from Mr. Toshiyuki the same day with a summary of the initial inspection and confirmation of the initial quote. Lens will be disassembled, cleaned, and the AF gabloc assembly will be replaced. All told will be about $200 with shipping both ways. Will update with final outcome.

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12-21-2020, 01:20 PM	#2
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	here are some possible businesses Quote: Canada PhotoTec Services, St John's, Newfoundland (Vintage cameras and lenses) Service Camera Pro (Film and digital, Quebec) Sun Camera Service, Ontario (Authorized to perform warranty service) [PDF repair form] [Info from Ricoh Imaging] Zone 7 (Quebec) VanCam (Vancouver) Computech Camera Repair (Winnipeg) Camera Repair Centre Camera Repair Centre (Nova Scotia) Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 9 - PentaxForums.com follow link to find active links

12-21-2020, 01:21 PM	#3
laith New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Baghdad Photos: Gallery Posts: 17	Please deal with it gently because there are some parts jammed inside and need to be opened by someone who has sufficient experience

12-21-2020, 01:59 PM	#4
Nachodog Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal, Qc Posts: 472 Original Poster	Originally posted by aslyfox here are some possible businesses Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 9 - PentaxForums.com follow link to find active links Thanks aslyfox, that's super useful. I appreciate it and I'll follow those leads! ---------- Post added 12-21-2020 at 04:06 PM ---------- Originally posted by laith Please deal with it gently because there are some parts jammed inside and need to be opened by someone who has sufficient experience Indeed. I think I could do it as a last resort, but I'd much rather leave it up to a professional.

12-21-2020, 03:37 PM	#5
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by aslyfox Service Camera Pro I dealt with those people a few years: service rendered as expected. I don't know if they are still in business though, looks like they are from what I could see on their website. I actually drove from Riv.-du-Loup to Québec (city) to bring my gear there. The turnaround was about 2 weeks for a K5/DA*300/4 "fine tuning" and cleaning. ---------- Post added 12-21-20 at 05:37 PM ---------- Originally posted by Nachodog I was taking photos with my FA 31mm the other night and the autofocus sent it all the way to minimum and it locked up. The manual focus ring can only move a small bit in either direction and the screw on the mount will turn with some resistance. I don't want to have to try to take it apart myself seeing as how expensive this lens is, but I'm in Canada and Sun Camera just got back to me saying they won't fix it. Any advice on how I can reasonably fix it myself or somewhere I can send it to? I would put my technical skills at moderate, but doing this myself makes me nervous. I'm really gutted about this. Any help is much appreciated. See post no. 5

12-21-2020, 04:50 PM	#6
Nachodog Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal, Qc Posts: 472 Original Poster	Originally posted by jpzk I dealt with those people a few years: service rendered as expected. I don't know if they are still in business though, looks like they are from what I could see on their website. I actually drove from Riv.-du-Loup to Québec (city) to bring my gear there. The turnaround was about 2 weeks for a K5/DA*300/4 "fine tuning" and cleaning. ---------- Post added 12-21-20 at 05:37 PM ---------- See post no. 5 Thanks! I'll contact them also.

12-21-2020, 05:33 PM	#7
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	it could help out others if you let us know how it turns out good luck

01-07-2021, 05:39 PM	#9
Buckeyemikie Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 503	Is Eric Hendrickson still repairing Pentax lenses? He repaired my FA 31 that wouldn’t focus after I dropped it a few years ago. Try his email: pentaxrepairs@aol.com. He’ s in Tennessee. Can’t find the receipt but it was very reasonable & it was back in three weeks or so. Its worked fine ever since. Good luck.

01-08-2021, 12:01 PM	#10
zzaletel Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alaska Posts: 525	He is still repairing them. Said he couldn't get parts for the FA77 from Pentax when I inquired in early December.

04-01-2021, 08:01 AM - 1 Like	#12
Nachodog Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal, Qc Posts: 472 Original Poster	Not sure if anyone is still interested in my broken lens, but here's an update. So as suggested by jpzk, I sent it into Service Caméra Pro in Quebec City. The owner is a very nice guy. It turns out that there's a broken gear in the AF mechanism and he can't find any replacement parts for it. So the only option is to take out the gear so that it still functions manually. I'm glad that at least he is very reasonably priced. He's only charging me $60 + tax and shipping. I am pretty gutted about the lens though. Welp, maybe I'll mount it onto one of my film bodies and pretend I'm young again.

04-04-2021, 08:37 PM	#13
zzaletel Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alaska Posts: 525	It’s a standard metric gear - if they sent the af block back after the disassembly, you should be able to purchase the appropriate gear and be back in business for not too much more cost.

04-05-2021, 03:57 PM	#14
Nachodog Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal, Qc Posts: 472 Original Poster	Originally posted by zzaletel It’s a standard metric gear - if they sent the af block back after the disassembly, you should be able to purchase the appropriate gear and be back in business for not too much more cost. I understand, but I really don't feel confident about doing the work myself. I'll keep this information in mind though. Thanks for the advice.