16-50 DA finally dead

Well after a disappointing week away in tuscany with my hand on manual focus 95% of the time, I finally have decided, after 2 years of problem after problem with the auto focus, to send this unfaithful and very expensive lens to fowa pentax in Torino Italy for repairs. I was patient but very stupid to continue on using this out of warranty lens purchased new on ebay, but am now happy that even though i will be using the old kit lens for a month, the 16-50 will come back in shining colours and will probably cost me a fortune in repairs. Wish me luck

Luck

I'm not sure how consumer protection works there, but I'd have thought you'd have a claim under the EU laws relating to goods being of reasonable quality assuming that you're the first owner?

I have seen a guide to DIY repairs of SDM lenses which I would probably try first if mine failed out of warranty. It basically involved unscrewing the lens mount and wiggling the SDM motor with a screwdriver to un-stick it. Given I've had A-series and AF lenses apart before now (and reassembled them in full working order) I doubt it would be that much harder, and if it didn't work I'd just reassemble and send it for a professional fix.

Yes, that is exactly how it works, as Italy applies the EU regulations on the matter.

And here's the link> http://bangmedia.no/pentax/sdmfix/

Thanks guys. Just bloody wish I'd looked into this b4 sending the lens off. Well, in the end, it might end up costing me a few quid in the end but it worth it in the end

So, just got a call in from Pentax Italy. The lens motor is defective. They have to ship a new one in from France. It's gonna cost me €280!!!!!!!! I am devastated. Have to get it done though. Can't spend €280 on a new lens of this quality so may as well fix the old one and get a new guarantee on the work they've done, right???

Right. Then a month or two before the new warranty is up, time to decide what lens to replace it with when you sell the damn thing!

They are (allegedly) fitting upgraded motors to the 16-50/50-135mm so once fixed it "should" give no further problems.

What reputation does this lens have? Is it all worth it end the end?

I've heard this rumour a few times Mike. Where does it originate from or is it just an 'educated guess' that is being perpetuated ?

I did say allegedly

I read it on Pentaxforums a while ago .. whether it's true or not I doubt we will ever know. For Pentax to say they were fitting new motors would be admitting the original ones were faulty.