100/3.5 macro MC Rokkor slight play in barrel normal?

[joseph_albert]

I just acquired a Minolta 100/3.5 macro MC Rokkor lens, receiving it

yesterday. In evaluating its condition, I find that there is some

very slight play in the front lens barrel. More specifically, if I

fully extend the helicoid to 1:2 and hold the lens near the base, and

then try to wiggle the front barrel, it has very slight movement that

you can feel and hear. It is quite minimal about like some zoom

lenses I've owned in the past, or about like some autofocus lenses.

I've not personally seen this behavior before in a "heavy metal"

vintage prime lens.

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Is this normal for this particular lens, or do I have a lens in need

of some work, perhaps just a simple tightening of a screw.

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Thanks in advance for any info.

[gilbert_hertz]

It really depends on how much the wobble is. But I think any wobble would indicate some mechanical imperfection. Large wobble between the lens barrel and the aperture assemble would lead to being unable to focus to infinity. Zoom play may be fine. If you don't have enough lens repair experience, it is better to have an illustration of the blow-up of the inside of the lens. Otherwise, you will get lost like me. Two lenses that I tried to find some screws to tighten in order to solve the wobble have sit in my drawer since last month. Will need some time to figure out.

[joseph_albert]

Thanks for the reply. It is very slight-- less than a nikon autofocus lens, which have more play than I've ever seen in a manual focus lens. I guess I was hoping someone who actually owns the 100/3.5 minolta macro might comment about whether there is this very very slight play normally with this lens or not.

[gilbert_hertz]

Hi, I don't own this specific lens. But I tried to wiggle the front barrel of my two macros fully extended, there is no play at all. If you can live with it, just don't bother. Otherwise, get another one or asking for partial refund if returning is not worth.

[christian deichert]

I have the MD Rokkor-X 100/3.5 macro, which I suspect is the same thing except for the MD tab (later MD lenses were changed to f/4 max aperture). It does not have any wobble to it, nor would I want any wobble to it at full macro extension. I'd send it back.

[joseph_albert]

I noted that the stop-down button on the lens doesn't work either-- doesn't seem to have the internal linkage to the disphragm lever. I suspect this linkage was taken out at some point and that is why the lens has the very slight play in it at full extension. The price was US$ 99, so I may decide to keep it anyway if test images are ok.