With this lens break my K-1?

PiotrM · 11-11-2017, 12:32 PM

I got a used SMC PENTAX-FA 100-300. It's impossible to mount unless I move the metal "tooth"--I'm a photography noob and don't know what the word is--to the right to force the aperture to open. (See picture.) Moreover, this "tooth" is much harder to move on this lens than any of the other 5 lenses I own. My K-1 still takes pictures with this lens and nothing seems out of the ordinary about handling it, but I'm worried that I'll damage the electronics if I keep using it because I wonder if the shutter motor (I assume there is such a thing) has to struggle to open the aperture.

Also, I notice that the "tooth" is at a slant on this lens, whereas it is straight on all the others I own. Is that normal? Is it just a different variant of the K mount?

Should I ditch this lens or is it fine to go on using it?

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Adam · 11-11-2017, 12:43 PM

The lens sounds damaged. I would advise against using it.

If you want, remove the lever entirely and set the aperture via the aperture ring only. Your lens would essentially meter like a Takumar but with AF, but it's better to do that than to damage an expensive camera IMO

DeadJohn · 11-11-2017, 12:44 PM

You're correct to be concerned about a tight aperture causing other problems. That part should be vertical not at an angle. Repair might range from easy to impossible depending on parts availability for an old lens. If you just bought it used via EBay or a similar service, it should go back to the seller; a lens that can't mount normally is broken.

Wait for the lens repair experts here to comment. Repair might be a DIY job.

D1N0 · 11-11-2017, 12:47 PM

It's bent. Probably took a fall or something. I wouldn't take any risks with the K-1. You could open up the lens to see whether you can bend it straight again. But only do that if you are good at putting things together again as well as taking them apart.

**RobA_Oz** · 11-11-2017, 01:15 PM

A pressed metal part like this aperture lever shouldn't be difficult to straighten up, once you've removed the (in this case, plastic) lens mount, but that's not a job for a beginner, as the contact balls and the springs behind them are easy to scatter if you're not careful. That lens is cheap but remarkably good value, optically, so it would be a shame for it to not be repaired and used. However, how it got damaged and what else might have happened to its other parts is the question here.

PiotrM · 11-11-2017, 01:44 PM

Thanks for the replies so far. I definitely won't use this lens until it's repaired--if that happens.

I wonder if I damaged it by screwing it too far when mounting it. I didn't hear the usual click for some reason and it wasn't hard to push it further. This might be because it's made of cheap plastic, which is highly malleable compared with the metal lens socket.

stevebrot · 11-11-2017, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by PiotrM

I wonder if I damaged it by screwing it too far when mounting it. I didn't hear the usual click for some reason and it wasn't hard to push it further. This might be because it's made of cheap plastic, which is highly malleable compared with the metal lens socket.

No...the mount and main body of the lens is quite sturdy and not fragile. The kind of damage you show is what happens when a lens is dropped when attached to a camera. Return to seller.

Steve

pentasonic49 · 11-12-2017, 01:34 PM

I would think that the damage was caused when the lens was dropped when it wasn't attached to the camera.

PiotrM · 11-12-2017, 01:59 PM

I removed some of the screws around the mount ring. After taking out the screw closest to the lever (a.k.a. the "tooth"), it started being much easier to shift back and forth. I then straightened the lever with a pair of pliers. After putting the screw back in, however, the lever was harder to move again. Although it's straight now I'm not going to use the lens unless someone has a suggestion for what could be wrong and how to fix it.

pentasonic49 · 11-12-2017, 02:12 PM

You have nothing to lose in taking it apart, it won't fit any Pentax. There are tutorials with photo's regarding dismantling somewhere on this forum.
Try putting Pentax lens disassembly database into the search box.

Alliecat · 11-15-2017, 11:27 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

No...the mount and main body of the lens is quite sturdy and not fragile.

Oh boy, I wish. I have this lens. When a friend accidentally kicked my tripod, the ball head let go, dropped the lens against the tripod leg -- not all that hard, because I was a few feet away and didn't hear anything -- and totalled the lens, actually breaking it half off the camera. In the middle of the solar eclipse.

From the description of the damage, the repair guy said it didn't sound worthwhile to try to fix it. I had to get another.
Agree, if you got it from eBay or similar, they sent you damaged goods, and if it was advertised as being in perfect working order, you should be entitled to a refund. I see you're in Canada. If you want to try to get it fixed, give these guys a call. You could try e-mailing them a photo, but you might have to call to get a reply. They've had my K1000 a couple of times and fixed another lens by mail.
Contact Us - Camera Repair Centre Ltd

11-11-2017, 12:43 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The lens sounds damaged. I would advise against using it. If you want, remove the lever entirely and set the aperture via the aperture ring only. Your lens would essentially meter like a Takumar but with AF, but it's better to do that than to damage an expensive camera IMO Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-12-2017, 02:12 PM	#10
pentasonic49 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: weston-super-mare Posts: 395	You have nothing to lose in taking it apart, it won't fit any Pentax. There are tutorials with photo's regarding dismantling somewhere on this forum. Try putting Pentax lens disassembly database into the search box. Last edited by pentasonic49; 11-12-2017 at 02:18 PM.

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11-11-2017, 12:44 PM	#3
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	You're correct to be concerned about a tight aperture causing other problems. That part should be vertical not at an angle. Repair might range from easy to impossible depending on parts availability for an old lens. If you just bought it used via EBay or a similar service, it should go back to the seller; a lens that can't mount normally is broken. Wait for the lens repair experts here to comment. Repair might be a DIY job.

11-11-2017, 12:47 PM	#4
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	It's bent. Probably took a fall or something. I wouldn't take any risks with the K-1. You could open up the lens to see whether you can bend it straight again. But only do that if you are good at putting things together again as well as taking them apart.

11-11-2017, 01:15 PM	#5
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	A pressed metal part like this aperture lever shouldn't be difficult to straighten up, once you've removed the (in this case, plastic) lens mount, but that's not a job for a beginner, as the contact balls and the springs behind them are easy to scatter if you're not careful. That lens is cheap but remarkably good value, optically, so it would be a shame for it to not be repaired and used. However, how it got damaged and what else might have happened to its other parts is the question here.

11-11-2017, 01:44 PM	#6
PiotrM New Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 14 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies so far. I definitely won't use this lens until it's repaired--if that happens. I wonder if I damaged it by screwing it too far when mounting it. I didn't hear the usual click for some reason and it wasn't hard to push it further. This might be because it's made of cheap plastic, which is highly malleable compared with the metal lens socket.

11-11-2017, 09:08 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by PiotrM I wonder if I damaged it by screwing it too far when mounting it. I didn't hear the usual click for some reason and it wasn't hard to push it further. This might be because it's made of cheap plastic, which is highly malleable compared with the metal lens socket. No...the mount and main body of the lens is quite sturdy and not fragile. The kind of damage you show is what happens when a lens is dropped when attached to a camera. Return to seller. Steve

11-12-2017, 01:34 PM	#8
pentasonic49 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: weston-super-mare Posts: 395	I would think that the damage was caused when the lens was dropped when it wasn't attached to the camera.

11-12-2017, 01:59 PM	#9
PiotrM New Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 14 Original Poster	I removed some of the screws around the mount ring. After taking out the screw closest to the lever (a.k.a. the "tooth"), it started being much easier to shift back and forth. I then straightened the lever with a pair of pliers. After putting the screw back in, however, the lever was harder to move again. Although it's straight now I'm not going to use the lens unless someone has a suggestion for what could be wrong and how to fix it.

11-15-2017, 11:27 PM	#11
Alliecat Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East of Everywhere, Canada Posts: 740	Originally posted by stevebrot No...the mount and main body of the lens is quite sturdy and not fragile. Oh boy, I wish. I have this lens. When a friend accidentally kicked my tripod, the ball head let go, dropped the lens against the tripod leg -- not all that hard, because I was a few feet away and didn't hear anything -- and totalled the lens, actually breaking it half off the camera. In the middle of the solar eclipse. From the description of the damage, the repair guy said it didn't sound worthwhile to try to fix it. I had to get another. Agree, if you got it from eBay or similar, they sent you damaged goods, and if it was advertised as being in perfect working order, you should be entitled to a refund. I see you're in Canada. If you want to try to get it fixed, give these guys a call. You could try e-mailing them a photo, but you might have to call to get a reply. They've had my K1000 a couple of times and fixed another lens by mail. Contact Us - Camera Repair Centre Ltd