urgent help - focal length sticking

hey, picked up my camera today (the day before I start my BFA fine art course) to find my 16-50 is sticking between 35-50mm, and I can't turn to the lower end. With some gentle teasing I managed to get it to 21-50mm, but I need my 16mm! I don't know what to do, I can't afford (timewise) to send it off to be fixed because I need it constantly - should I just be a bit rough with it? I don't want to damage it.

I haven't dropped it or knocked it at all so I really don't know whats caused this

Infact im pretty sure its not focussing as well as it should be too. Whats the best way of getting it repaired?

Have you used the lens recently :

There was an item on here that I saw recently about SDM lenses 'losing a charge'

Fairly recently yeah, theres a slight rattling inside the lens so I'm thinking something has broken and is stopping the lens turning completely (or something has got in)

okay i've double checked focussing and it appears to be okay
the rattle only occurs when the lens is extended (say, between 35-50)

Not sure you've got any choice but to send it for repair. Where did you buy it? You could try contacting the shop and explain what's happened, they may be able to provide a substitute whilst it's away. Failing that, you could rent one from SRS, £60 for 7 days, £4 a day after that.

Good luck, hope it's a quick repair.

Dan

I bought it refurbished from SRS, so I don't think theyd cover it now (6 month warranty)

Where would it be best to get it repaired? PentaxImaging state its going to be 15-20 days after they have confirmed payment - Has anyone used "asahiphoto", as they claim itll only take 3 days.

Don't know the best place. Going through Pentax, you would hope, will be more likely to guarantee they have any required parts in stock. If Asahi Photo don't, it may take some time to get them in.

Having used neither, I can't really comment though.

Dan

I had a lens repaired by Asahi Photo about a year ago and it took three days. No problem and the reapir was fine.

The DA*16-50 is a pro grade lens, most likely you can force extra guarantee, the only problem is that you need to prove it's because Pentax did something wrong.

Thanks

The quote I got from them was £55-95, so im happy to spend that (the lens is insured)

SRS offer a 12 month guarantee on most of the used Pentax equipment sold through this forum.
It might be worth a call to Chris.

John