Another 16-85 problem

Optically it's excellent. Cosmetically not a mark on it. Mechanically however.....I bought this and the K3ii in late 15/early 16 so well out of warranty. I noticed it was not autofocusing properly a month or so back, But it then seemed to sort itself out and I figured maybe user error and thought nothing more of it. Yesterday the whole lens "locked up" mechanically. The zoom ring is jammed. Autofocus or manual focus does nothing. Seems like something has come loose and jammed up inside. I need to get it inspected and work out whether it is economic to repair. Seems from other threads like best option is John Pye as on Ricoh site.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks
Paul

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K3ii, DA16-85, DA35mm Limited, FA77mm Limited, 55mm f1.8 K, 135mm f3.5 M, DA300, DA 1.4 HD TC,
DA16-45, Sigma 15mm f2.8. Cosina 100mm f3.5 macro

has it had a knock at all? i only ask as mine did exactly the same no AF or MF and could only move the zoom from 85-35 where it went solid but it did have a jolt as i was trying to grab the dogs lead before he went off Mullion harbour wall. it is now in the bin.

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odd lens or 2

Flickr

I hear of more and more problems with this lens and it's making me have second thoughts about keeping mine.

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Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses

It lives on the camera in a padded ever ready case. It's never had a knock while out of the case and only very gentle bumps, and few of them, whilst in it.
Mine sounds like exactly the same problem as yours Redbusa.
I had been thinking of selling my 16-45 and 24-90 and I'm very glad now that I never got round to it.

Going to phone repairers now.

Edit - spoken to repairers. If I send for repair, they have to send it on to France. Possible cost £200-£300. Lens purchased in Nov 2015, so well out of warranty. I'm dubious I want to spend this much, as I have doubts it would stay fault free in long term after any repair.


Paul.

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K3ii, DA16-85, DA35mm Limited, FA77mm Limited, 55mm f1.8 K, 135mm f3.5 M, DA300, DA 1.4 HD TC,
DA16-45, Sigma 15mm f2.8. Cosina 100mm f3.5 macro

There is talk in another forum about the 16-85 being prone to screws becoming loose. £200-300 sounds a bit steep for a loose screw, but if it has come adrift and caused other damage then a lot might need replacing. If the problem was just with, say, early production or a particular batch, there might be a fix that would now be used in a repair so the repaired lens would be good for a long time. Do the repairers offer to diagnose at a modest fee and quote for full repair then you decide whether to go ahead? Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

This is making me nervous. My 16-85 hasn't been used it for a while, will it still work...?

Steve

Sounds like you'd be paying John Pye to act as a middleman just to post it on, taking their cut into the bargain. Why not get a quote from a UK independent repairer?
Alan Marlowe in Surrey is quite reputable http://www.cam-rep.co.uk/
as are PJ Cameras in Staffordshire, http://www.pjcrdirect.co.uk/
to mention just two. There are others.

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John K

Interesting to know that my 16-85 may have a screw loose . Much like it's owner, I guess.
Thanks for the further repairer links.
To be fair to both John Pye and the repairer they use in France, they did say that producing a quote for a repair would be £25. Which does sound quite reasonable.

Paul

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K3ii, DA16-85, DA35mm Limited, FA77mm Limited, 55mm f1.8 K, 135mm f3.5 M, DA300, DA 1.4 HD TC,
DA16-45, Sigma 15mm f2.8. Cosina 100mm f3.5 macro

A similar report here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/344171-pentax-...
No follow up as to the outcome though.
And another here: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4224147

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John K

JAK, i have a feeling that i read somewhere Alan Marlowe had retired

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odd lens or 2

Flickr

Surely he wouldn't have kept his website live if he didn't want the business still? Mind, I also thought he said he was working towards retirement. One can only ask him if need be!

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John K

I'd just like to say that the various messages and PM's received on this thread have been most helpful, a couple of very useful avenues to explore. Many thanks to all who contributed.

I'll do a followup post as things develop. May be a few weeks.

Paul.

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K3ii, DA16-85, DA35mm Limited, FA77mm Limited, 55mm f1.8 K, 135mm f3.5 M, DA300, DA 1.4 HD TC,
DA16-45, Sigma 15mm f2.8. Cosina 100mm f3.5 macro

This is sad to read. Another product that may have future issues. Not nice to feel like you’re on a ticking time bomb...

You should try running a Land Rover

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Peter



My Flickr page

Having been through the aperture drive failure issue on the k-50, redoing something similar for a 16-85 does not appeal.

I think to be fair that although there are a number (less than 10?) of reports of similar problems with other 16-85s, compared to the number of lenses sold, the failure rate must be tiny. From reading the other reports it is possible that the fault is restricted to early lenses (mine is an early lens), and may be to do with a lack of thread sealant allowing screws to work loose. However what caused my particular fault is speculation at the mo. I'll update with more facts if I learn anything definite.

Paul

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K3ii, DA16-85, DA35mm Limited, FA77mm Limited, 55mm f1.8 K, 135mm f3.5 M, DA300, DA 1.4 HD TC,
DA16-45, Sigma 15mm f2.8. Cosina 100mm f3.5 macro