1) The helical thread area is a bit small (F101) to support the weight of the front section. I believe this causes the strange characteristic. If you apply slight force on the front barrel, the focus ring would be locked (but not permanently). However, I don't have any M lenses with me so I cannot compare.
2) The screw holes on the filter frame (D101) were made too narrow (u shape) and caused 1/3 of the metal being compressed and distorted when tightening the screws, because the stress was not properly supported.
3) The cover frame (D102) that support the hood is so thin it could be distorted if not careful. But I don't suppose this would happen unless you hit the hood.
4) There is a large opening between the front (0-S100) & intermediate lens groups (0-S200) for the aperture diaphragm turning plate (B204) that draws lots of dust in. But this is not a FA77 specific problem. Have you noticed your FA77 is very dust inside? It's actually the dust on 2 surfaces near the aperture blades only. Unscrew the intermediate lens groups (0-S200) and you can blow off the dust.
regards, Alan Chan
I am not sure if it is any kind of "problem" per se. One does not notice it
until told. Perhaps just the way it is designed :-). It does not give me
any problem.
Not that I am defending Mr.Harakiri :-).
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