Quite possible it's the problem of the MX. Often repaired Pentax 35mm SLR cameras had missing washers (between the body and the mirror assembly) or inaccurate screens.
1) If the number of washers is not correct, the lens-to-film distance would be altered. This is a very common problem when serviced by people who is no expert on Pentax SLR cameras. 2) If the screen was out of alignment (often occurred if it was not glued (3 tiny screws) after adjustment), the focus of the screen and the actual focus would be different. In either case, you can be sure the camera was serviced (poorly) and not done by Pentax, and it must be done again. Focus inaccuracy is most visible with wide angle lenses (not telephoto). regards, Alan Chan >I need some expertise to determine whether I shall return a MX or a FA 35/2 >(or both?) to focusing adjustment. Let me try to explain the problem: > >During my recent vacation I put the FA 35 on the MX to do some late evening >b/w shooting. During this I noticed that it was impossible to focus the >lens >on infinity - the lens just couldn't be turned that far. So, I tried a few >things: > >- I put the lens on the MZ-3 and tried to focus on some very distance >subjects. No problem, although that might occur since the DOF of the lens >is >big and the AF accuracy slightly smaller than the accuracy of the MX split >image. On a few occasions, the MZ-3 would focus the lens without turning >the >lens to the end (ie, changing to manual focusing it was possible to turn >the >lens a little further). >- I focussed some other lenses on the MZ-3 on distant subjects and checked >the same subject on the MX. With both the 77/1.8 and an old MF Tokina AT-X >100-300/4, the same focus setting was correct on both bodies. > >I bought both the FA 35/2 and the MX this summer, and test rolls revealed >no >visible errors. > >So, what is your opinion? Are there other tests I should perform? One >obvious thing I will do tonight is to mount the Tokina telezoom on a tripod >and focus on a faraway object with the AF body, and then switch to the MX >to >check. But, besides that? Are these kind of alignment problems common on >either lenses or (MX) bodies? _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
