I doubt you can fix it yourself, I had a similar problem with a 35-135 F lens. The inner drum (part of the lens that projects out of the barrel as you focus) could be removed completely and was at risk of falling out.
I had no option but to send it for repair.
Assuming your lens is reasonably secure and focussing nicely, you could just live with it or look for a replacement.
The 50mm 1.7 is a superb lens but the repair cost would most likely be much more than a second-hand replacement.

John,

I'm afraid they're pretty naff although they do seem to vary in quality.
Do not buy a new one but by all means borrow one or pick up a cheap second hand one but note you will need a T2 adapter for your camera.
A lens of this type is something that most people would only use occassionally and the Centon is cheap and probably adequate for them but you'd soon wish you had bought a better lens for regular use and they cost a fair bit more.

If you want to try the Centon (or any lens for that matter) on your camera then Jessops are normally very willing to allow a demonstration.

Personally, having tried a Centon - I wouldn't have one!

Does the meter work and have you tried turning the dial to the 125x (manual shutter) position?
Are your batteries good?

I agree, if I were looking for an independant make of lens I would definately consider Vivitar along with Tamron and a few others.
Photo mags often compare lenses and Vivitar usually score well in both quality and value for money.
£40 is probably about right for this lens in good condition.

I was there too!
I knew Pentax weren't going to be there from the exhibitor's list but was also disappointed not to play with a *istD

I would also like to have seen more conventional gear on show (as in previous years) but they were mostly concentrating on digital and printing.

err - that was me BTW, forgot to log in

I couldn't agree with you more, George.
Sure, by today's standards the Z1-P is big and heavy - but I like that!
There are many features and some are little more than gimmicks, but at least you are provided with choices that you may not get elsewhere.
The focussing is fast enough for all but the most demanding of situations and many people prefer the simple dependability of single point anyway.
I've found the metering system to be flawless and the hyper modes excellent.
The RTF is significantly better than any of it's predecessors and performs admirably.

IMHO, unless you feel that you really MUST have the very latest innovations or a very small and light slr, then the Z1-P is just about the perfect 35mm AF camera.

Incidentally, my first AF slr was (and still is) the original SFX and I think that Pentax got the design just about right and it still feels very good to hold - such a pity that the 'N' version was only a small improvement.
I think with Z1 type features (predictive AF and multi-pattern metering etc) the SXF would have been a fabulous camera and Minolta's Dynax 7xi would have been 'dead in the water'!
As it was, Pentax had some catching up to do and the Z range - culminating in the Z1-P proved once again what great innovators Pentax are!

Finally, despite my love of the Pentax, I must say that I considered ditching the lot when the Dynax 9 was introduced - wow, feels like a brick but truly awesome!

Kevin,
Perhaps you could contact Pentax or Canon for that matter and offer your services to 'field test' their products, that way you'd never have to buy any!

BTW, I think George's suggestion of a Z1-P would be an excellent and cheap way to get into 35mm AF and may very well provide you with everything you need (I love my Z1-P).

Come on guys, calm down a bit, let's all try to get along eh!
I regularly 'contribute' to a computer forum and recently had an unpleasant altercation with one of the members who felt I hadn't been adequately assigning points for responses. He wasn't entirely wrong, which I admitted and rectified, but it's a bit of a crusade for him and he's constantly badgering other posters. Assigning points is a nice thing to do but purely voluntary and most members are not really bothered and are just happy to help - which in my opinion is how it should be!


'High street' prices have never been so low and it's very easy to feel ripped off when trying to sell used items.
Years ago I purchased an SXF and a 35-135F lens second hand from Jessops (approx. £340), which I thought was a good deal at the time as the SFXn had only just been introduced. The same items could be found at much higher prices elsewhere and Jessops continued to sell for the same for a number of years. However, newer and better models are now available at pretty ridiculous prices and the used market is flooded.
When I bought my brand new Z1-P + 28-105FA (saved on tax by buying quite legitimately in Jersey), I tried selling the SFX for what I considered to be reasonable but had no takers and would only get peanuts today - although I could probably buy more with £100 now than with £200 then!

To be honest, I hardly ever get the SFX out but it's quite nice having a near mint model of such a ground breaking camera, in perfect working order, that I can use whenever I'm feeling nostalgic and fancy the challenge of dealing with center-weighted metering.
Being the original model, maybe in a few more years it'll have more than just sentimental value but for the time being, I'm happy just to keep it.

Puspita,

This really is very poor service indeed, assuming the problem is a fault rather than accidental damage then the camera should have been replaced by Pentax.
If I were you, I would demand a replacement camera or a refund of the purchase price.

Good luck.