Question about 31mm Ltd Focus Ring

Evolution · 03-11-2011, 09:28 PM

Hey all. I just picked up a 31 limited from B&H and I'm a bit surprised by the sound and feel of the focus ring. I used to have a 77, and I don't recall it behaving similarly.

It feels a bit gritty and it sounds louder than I'm accustomed to... it's definitely more audible than either my FA 50 or FA 35. If I rack from min. to inifinity quickly, it sounds kind of like a zipper, just a bit quieter. Is this normal for the 31 limited? Should the ring be quieter? Feel smoother?

I haven't really had a chance to put it through its proper paces yet, but from some limited indoor shooting the quality is everything I expected it to be. I'm just wondering if mine has any construction issues or if the focus ring sound/feel are normal.

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

Edmund · 03-11-2011, 11:01 PM

I just pulled mine out if the protective bag and turned the focusing ring while in my hands. I only hear an ever so slight sound while turning it. I guess it could be be called a "zipper" sound; it is just a slight sound heard while holding it horizontal. Holding it verticle (the lens facing straight up) I do not hear that sound. I never paid any attention to the sound before because it is so quiet.

hcc · 03-12-2011, 01:42 AM

+1 My FA31mm is currently mounted on my K-7.

In MF (camera set to MF), the FA31mm ring is smooth and it sounds like a gentle/soft spring. It sounds the same in all directions incl. pointng verticaly upwards or downwards.

I hope that the comment will assist.

**Digitalis** · 03-12-2011, 02:55 AM

my MIJ FA31mm f/1.8 is fine. When i'm using MF I get a small amount of feedback from the focusing gears, but you would be crazy to object to it. the FA43mm f/1.9 is much smoother but I'm using the Leica thread mount version - which doesn't have any gearing for AF in it.

Evolution · 03-12-2011, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the feedback all. I shot a brief video on an iphone to demonstrate how audible the lens is. I know this is not real-world usage for the focus ring, but it seemed like the best way to demonstrate what I'm hearing.

Pentax 31mm focus ring demo

Normal? Not normal?

sjwaldron · 03-12-2011, 01:08 PM

Yep, mine has a "zipper" sound. One of the lesser attributes of the lens. It takes great pictures though.

dasuhu · 03-12-2011, 01:14 PM

My MIJ version does the same thing. Sounds like production quality has remained the same from MIV to AIV, down to the zipper sound

vincechu · 03-12-2011, 01:31 PM

yep, completely normal - my AIV one made those noises from day one.

Evolution · 03-12-2011, 01:33 PM

Thanks everyone. I guess I'm surprised that it's more audible than my other FA lenses. But that's a minor little quibble in exchange for its other attributes. Thanks again.

03-11-2011, 09:28 PM	#1
Evolution Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 135	Question about 31mm Ltd Focus Ring Hey all. I just picked up a 31 limited from B&H and I'm a bit surprised by the sound and feel of the focus ring. I used to have a 77, and I don't recall it behaving similarly. It feels a bit gritty and it sounds louder than I'm accustomed to... it's definitely more audible than either my FA 50 or FA 35. If I rack from min. to inifinity quickly, it sounds kind of like a zipper, just a bit quieter. Is this normal for the 31 limited? Should the ring be quieter? Feel smoother? I haven't really had a chance to put it through its proper paces yet, but from some limited indoor shooting the quality is everything I expected it to be. I'm just wondering if mine has any construction issues or if the focus ring sound/feel are normal. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

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03-11-2011, 11:01 PM	#2
Edmund Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 68	I just pulled mine out if the protective bag and turned the focusing ring while in my hands. I only hear an ever so slight sound while turning it. I guess it could be be called a "zipper" sound; it is just a slight sound heard while holding it horizontal. Holding it verticle (the lens facing straight up) I do not hear that sound. I never paid any attention to the sound before because it is so quiet.

03-12-2011, 01:42 AM	#3
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	+1 My FA31mm is currently mounted on my K-7. In MF (camera set to MF), the FA31mm ring is smooth and it sounds like a gentle/soft spring. It sounds the same in all directions incl. pointng verticaly upwards or downwards. I hope that the comment will assist.

03-12-2011, 02:55 AM	#4
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	my MIJ FA31mm f/1.8 is fine. When i'm using MF I get a small amount of feedback from the focusing gears, but you would be crazy to object to it. the FA43mm f/1.9 is much smoother but I'm using the Leica thread mount version - which doesn't have any gearing for AF in it.

03-12-2011, 12:59 PM	#5
Evolution Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 135 Original Poster	Thanks for the feedback all. I shot a brief video on an iphone to demonstrate how audible the lens is. I know this is not real-world usage for the focus ring, but it seemed like the best way to demonstrate what I'm hearing. Pentax 31mm focus ring demo Normal? Not normal?

03-12-2011, 01:08 PM	#6
sjwaldron Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,235	Yep, mine has a "zipper" sound. One of the lesser attributes of the lens. It takes great pictures though.

03-12-2011, 01:14 PM	#7
dasuhu Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Rancho Cordova, CA Posts: 189	My MIJ version does the same thing. Sounds like production quality has remained the same from MIV to AIV, down to the zipper sound

03-12-2011, 01:31 PM	#8
vincechu Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 74	yep, completely normal - my AIV one made those noises from day one.

03-12-2011, 01:33 PM	#9
Evolution Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 135 Original Poster	Thanks everyone. I guess I'm surprised that it's more audible than my other FA lenses. But that's a minor little quibble in exchange for its other attributes. Thanks again.