OMG - they hit the floor

Dropped my K20 attached to my Pentax DA* 60-250mm on to the stone floor. Talk about a heart in mouth moment, was prepared to replace the body but the lens would be a very different matter.

Looked and checked the body first as the idea of looking at the lens scared me to death. Removed the lens and set it aside and the first thing I noticed was something small and clear plastic sculling around on the mirror. Removed it and found it was the focus screen, replaced it in the carrier and put the trusted Sigma 105 Macro on the body and took it out to test – there is nothing wrong with the body at all, a tiny scuff on the bottom plate but otherwise it has survived almost unscathed and any problems with the shots I took are due to a problem with the photographer and nothing to do with the body.

Have just put the 60-250 lens back on and gatherecd enough courage to try it out –

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Thordell/Wildlife/Test-Woody.jpg[/IMG]

Think I have got away with it, I'm amazed, though the body might come through without harm but not the lens, I am very lucky. Please take a good look and tell me what you think, the image is enlarged.

Dear Jackie,

I am an optical lens specialist and from close examination of your picture it is evident to my hightly trained eye that the elements in your DA* 60 - 250mm are out of alignment as a result of the impact sustained. I have seen this subtle form of image degradation before and, based on my considerable experience, it is likely that it will deteriorate further if you continue to use the lens. Being a kind-hearted fellow, and wishing to alleviate your pain and suffering, I am willing to take it off your hands for £50.00, in the somewhat vain hope that it might be repairable. As a gesture of good will, and to allow you to pursue your interests, I will throw in a Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO that I have been keeping as a spare.

No - please don't thank me: just courier the damaged lens to me asap and I will then send the £50.00 and replacement lens to you.

Sincerely yours,

Jon

CEO Trotter Enterprises

p.s. you must have a protecting angel - wish I had one too

I'd tend to agree, the foreground seems to have some kind of feathered aberration. The background is out of focus. I'll take it off your hands. I have associates in Pinchbeck who can flipper round to you tomorrow morning with £35 in cash.

I'd say it was the body that had suffered in the impact, the sensor not being flush in the mount anymore.
Please send with £100 for repair cost to

Spivvy Blighter
c/o PO box 28799835496852135
Nigeria.....

just goes to show how tough Pentax cameras are.

Happened to me with the Sigma 70-200 F2.8 on. No probs, hard as nails Pentax.

Had me going there Jon, I did wonder if my lack of experience had me fooled into thinking I had got away with it. Took me 24hours to pluck up enough courage to check it - as some have said it speaks well for the sound construction of the lens.

Well, back to getting used to the silent SDM, I am so used to lens that grind and bump I am unnerved by the lens that a totally silent.

Thank you for your comments I am one happy lady who really is going to get around to insuring her equipment.

Should I complain to Pentax that the inverted hood fell off and the little window cover fell out, damaged, well no but it gave me one hell of a fright seeing bits of plastic on the floor.

If you're like me and have gradually traded up to more and more (expensive) equipment it comes as a shock to realize that instead of the GX10 and kit lens worth £300ish(at the time) you might drop, you have three, four or more times that amount of kit in your hand and more in the bag. You might be already covered on your house insurance.

Is this because someone once dropped You

As to your camera and lens I think youve been extremely lucky, though have you given it a thorough test at all focal lengths? Forget all the above offers of cash because Spider Enterprises offer a free lens checking service, you send us the lens along with return carraige costs and we give it a thorough testing over a period of three years. if all is well we return the lens with a certificate of merit