In store testing of new lens

I've decided to replace my kit lens with a faster, wider, 2.8 zoom. I'm leaning towards the Pentax 16-50, over the Sigma 17-50 but the Tamron 17-50 is also still (just) in the running.

I want to avoid any FF/BF issues so I'm going in to the store to try out the actual lenses before I buy rather than buying online.

I'm thinking shooting a test subject wide open at both the long and wide end, centre focus will eliminate any obvious FF/BF lenses quickly but any tips and advice on how to test in the store to find the best copy would be greatly appreciated.

I've got a K10d so individual focus adjustments aren't possible and I don't want to do a "global" adjustment because I don't have any FF/BF issues on any of my other lens.

Go to Watford I am sure Chris will be happy to help...

Not sure what more you can do than having checking at the long end wide open and making sure that there are no focusing issues there - both my 40mm and the 18-55 need a bit of focusing adjustments but I have a K-5 so I can dial in individual adjustments and that works actually quite well, especially given that they were both purchased through the internet. Can you not assign them to a button or create user settings with the K10D and dial in some adjustment so you are only a click away when you swap to a lens that needs it?

I would seriously consider you buying the 16-50 in store, or at the most from a national online store. Having had all the issues I have had with my 16-50 lens, having to send a 7000kg lens via post out of my own expense, hoping it gets to canada undamaged and gets back in one piece, is a real problem. If you've got the extra quid buy from a store, and test it hard first.

Wow - what a lens

Seriously though, even if he is prepared to replace and pay carriage on the item the seller is unlikely to cover the costs of returning it or the inconvenience of doing so.

Then lookinh on the pessimistic side, for a moment. What's to say the replacement doesn't suffer from the same problem when received (and was it caused by the carrier?)

regards
Bernard

If it is DOA they should...

I know a lot of people speak highly of SRS on this forum but my experiences to date have been somewhat disapointing so I'll only make the hike up to Watford if I don't find a decent copy closer to home.

If I waited two months until I go back to Oz I could buy the lens from the US for two thirds of the UK price but I'm prepared to pay the extra to try the lens first and avoid back and forward shipping if I get a dud. Tips on how to test are what I'm after

From what i've heard focus can shift over use.

If you want to test the lens for focusing you need to use a tripod and something to focus on.

How so? Would be interested to know. I am very close to SRS (essentially a 5 minutes stroll from Nascot Wood) so they will be my local store for my Pentax gear and would like to know if there are any cautionary stories?

Let me know if there is anywhere closer than SRS to Staines....that will have the choice you are looking for..I'm just up the A316...

I've bought two K-5s from SRS. Their service was exceptional. My first K-5 suffered low light AF issues which firmware V1.03 couldn't fix Chris replaced the camera for me, and it took all of 30 seconds via a courier swap on my doorstep. two days later I bought a 2nd K-5 from him.

I'm a bit skeptical of anecdotes like "my experiences have been disappointing"

if I'm disappointed with an interaction I tend not to repeat the experience

I agree SP, but Mike says he wants to check in store....without travelling to Park Cameras I can't think of anywhere closer that is likely to have the Pentax, Sigma and Tamron than SRS... That way Mike can be sure that he walks away with the lens he's happiest with...

Mike? Have you informed SRS about the issues you've experienced? Chris regularly comes on here and notices that some issues are first communicated on here and the shop isn't notified...

I also tend not to publicise my experiences positive or negative on the internet but when the first suggestion that the best way to test a new lens in store was "Go to Watford I am sure Chris will be happy to help..." I thought it was worthwhile to respond that it was not my preferred option and why.

I'm glad that you've been looked after so well, that generally seems to be experience of many users here which is why I was disapointed with my own experiences, yes plural.

> I PM'd Chris@SRSWATFORD through the forum with a question about an order I wanted to place for a Sigma 150-500, a week later they sold out and the price went up £250 - I still haven't received a reply.

> Next time I wanted something I decided against PMing and telephoned, I was given a part exchange valuation of "about £250" which I thought was fair. A short time after (my next day off) I went into the store tried out a couple of lens and was ready to buy one but my part exchange was then only worth £160.

In light of the glowing reviews SRS get on this forum I think disapointing is a fair way to characterise the two experience above. Not enough that I wouldn't buy from them but I won't blindly go to SRS without checking other options.

The PM system is not infallible and if no reply is received you can check if the message has been read. When it has been read it moves from Outbox to Sent Items.

Where prices are volatile or offers involved a phone call is best.

Geographically Staines is close to Watford but I don't have a car so getting to Watford involves at least 90 minutes each way on public transport. Many of the public transport options also involve going through central London which means several other Pentax Pro Dealers are quicker/easier to get to.