This is a different thing altogether, and may be the result of wear or a problem with lubricant (or something else!). If a lens is allowed to get very hot, lubricant can spread over the blades and cause them to become sticky. One of the 35mm lenses is especially prone to this.

If I were you, I would do nothing, other than to give the lens lots of use. You might then find it gets better with exercise. However, if the blades are sticky, this could cause the iris to close too slowly, resulting in over-exposed pictures.

Suck it and see. If it doesn't cure itself, get a quote for a service. Once serviced you will know it works, whilst buying another on Ebay might mean you end up with two problem lenses.

G

There is a little ball bearing held in place by two springy metal strips that are connected to the lens barrel by plastic nipples that are heated to melt over the springs and effectively act as rivets. These break in use. Possibly they could be re-melted, but I haven't tried.

So, if you keep the aperture ring on A at all times, you should never have a problem. I hope.

My original 1.7, bought new with a Super A in 1984, is still fine, but another one I bought over Ebay developed the problem I have described.

G

One reason to hang onto the K, instead of buying an A, is that it will last longer. The A on the aperture ring introduces additional complexity in the form of springs and ball bearings, and these items can, and do, fail. The A 50mm 1:1.7 is especially prone to such problems.

I reckon longevity will go like this:

From best to worst:

K
M
FA Limited
A*
F*
FA*
DA Limited
A
F
Expensive FA (eg: 100mm 1:2.8 macro)
D FA
DA
FAJ
Cheap FA (consumer zooms)

G (not part of the list, but probably in the right place)

Snap

(Well, only two that I plan to keep.)

Snap

Snap

G

You can't justify the price of the 1:1.2 on a strictly financial basis. But, like the Limited lenses, it has a certain indefinable something about it that transcends mere specification.

It's heavy as hell because it is almost all glass, and the build quality of course is almost on a par with a Limited lens. It's a delight just to hold and behold.

Mine is the K version, but it's fine on the K10D because I almost always use it wide-open. Why have it otherwise?

It does indeed have a dreamy, creamy, quality that no other lens can match.

In short, it's one of those lenses that you really can't manage to be without, even if you don't use it very often. I'd have to be very broke to sell mine.

G

This is how it goes:

Lens: $560
Shipping 40
Subtotal 600
Duty 29
Subtotal 629
VAT 110
Subtotal 739
Agent 30
Total 769

Sterling 380

SRS 349

G

To put that in perspective, the last RRP was £599.99.

G

If you want one, try ordering it from SRS.

G

I should keep quiet about that, Matt.

G

Try again, Pete. K10D PEFs work in all the main software packages. You might however, have a very early version of Silkypix (and CS3). I suggest you update.

G