Help - I urgently need to fix my M28mm F3.5!

My favourite landscape lens (apart from the 16-45) is the Pentax-M 28mm F3.5. Unfortunately, whilst shooting in the Lake District on Saturday, the aperture pin has become dislodged (the bit right inside the lens), so I can't control the aperture. It isn't broken, it has just unscrewed itself.

I've managed to dis-assemble the lens except that I dare not risk trying to open the internal bits to get at the part where the pin screws back on. I have all the bits and pieces and would be extremely grateful if anyone on here could mend the lens for me, or point me to someone who can. The lens was not expensive, but they are scarce and this one is absolutely mint, apart from this fault.

I don't wish to part with it so any help would be very gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

Regards
David

They aren't that scarce, I got a minter for £30. Worth bearing in mind versus the cost of repair.

I wouldn't expect a repair to be expensive for someone that knows what they're doing. It would be a shame to waste such a good lens. On the other hand, this lens is very sharp wide open and will still be useable to a good degree.

Either Asahi Photo or Harrow Technical may be able to help.

You wouldn't consider selling it would you Dr. O?

Regards
David

'Fraid not. I rarely use it but I collect the cheap lenses in case something happens to the expensive ones. But just looking through the completed sales on ebay, one went recently for £30.

Thanks Dr. O, it was worth a try! I've had a look on ebay and there are only 3 or 4 on there, the cheapest buy it now is £75 and the cheapest starting bid is £40. There's even one at £99 which looks in pretty poor nick. Plenty of F2.8's but I don't want one of those.

I suppose I could temporarily glue the aperture pin to fix it at F8 and at least then I could carry on using it. I almost always shoot at F8 for landscapes anyway.

Regards
David

David - I've noticed that you just need to wait for someone like us to sell one here or on Ebay! I've been looking at the 50mm SMC A f1.7's as I have one to sell and you find that there are string of over priced BIN's at ~£60, one or two auctions with high starting prices, then auctions with a normal low starting price that end up going for about £30 - £35 mint.
If the repair is too much it's just a question of patience
Dave

The lens should work like a pre-set without the aperture lever. Which means that you can set it at f/8 with focus
on INF and use Av.... Free Upgrade!

2 good pieces of advice in the previous posts(well, more than that), David.

I'm a bit impatient, like you, but the lenses do come up quite regularly if you spend some time looking.

I'd see how easily and cheaply you could get it repaired, but I'd also start scouring ebay and you'll find they do come up. Ignore the ones that are too expensive. They are unlikely to sell anyway and will come down in price.

I know you love that lens, so be patient for a good one!

Sincere thanks to everyone who has given help and advice on this thread, it's much appreciated. Even more thanks are due to John (Lennybloke) who kindly took the trouble to point me in the direction of a M28mm 3.5 for sale at LCE Cheltenham. I rang them up and snapped it up for £30 - brilliant!

This demonstrates the value of the Forum and the kind and thoughtful approach of the vast majority of the members who contribute to it. Thanks John.

Regards
David

Great news David and I agree about the Forum.

Nice one David ; glad you got it sorted , and Lennybloke top marks ...jeff...

Great news David

As you asked for help I have kept quiet up to now - problem is I am quite adept at stripping lenses down it's the putting back together in a working order that I am yet to get to grips with

Glad you have sorted a replacement 28

Nice one David, and Jeff. You've got a good deal there.