It was John Pye I found from this forum Steve but when I went to the website it seemed to be all about the auctions and virtually no mention of Pentax which was concerning.
I bought it via Amazon but have to admit it's probably over two years now as when this first happened I popped it in my camera bag and have been using my 12-24mm mostly for work since.
If I do need to use John Pye I'd prefer to drop it off personally and Uttoxeter isn't too far away from me so thanks for the info.
cheers
Andy

Thanks John,
I didn't think that would be a cause as the contacts look spotless but tried anyway and weirdly the two test shots I've just taken in the office seem to be OK
I need to take it outside and give it a proper test when I'm not so busy but hopefully you've saved me a world of hurt!
Just wish I'd posted the question last week before I went skiing. I might have a lot more decent shots
Cheers
Andy

My first full frame lens after 40+ years of being a Pentax owner with no previous issues and less than two years old it has suddenly started massively over exposing shots.
All my other lenses work perfectly on my cameras so I know it's the lens that has become faulty. Tried looking to see if I could get it looked at but the only place anywhere near local to Dudley seems to be an auction place in the East Midlands which doesn't fill me with confdence.

Is this a known problem with this lens and should I leave it at the bottom of my camera bag or even chuck it in the bin?
Andy

Finally had chance to play with the new lens for an hour yesterday and although it is very heavy, it's not too bad to handle with the monopod.



Quite happy with this result so intend to try and get some more wildlife pics in the portfolio with it.

On the back of promising myself more time off to do more wildlife photography, I plumped for the 50-500mm and ordered yesterday. Amazingly it has already turned up and I don't have my camera with me as I'm playing 5-a-side football tonight.
Everyone was right about the weight though, it is a heavy bugger. Might take a few at Keele footy tournament at the weekend and then drop back to the 75-300mm
I just wanna go out and try it now!!!

Thanks again guys,
The 75-300mm copes quite well for the footy if the light is good so as I won't be expecting anything great anyway on the days when it's chucking it down, I think I'll go for the 50-500mm (with monopod) for the sunny matches.
Hopefully it will get me some nice wildlife shots and as my Sister lives at the end of the runway at Cosford and has a BBQ every year for the airshow, maybe some nice close ups as long as we don't get the rubbish weather we had this year!
Kilo

Wow, thanks Offerton I had been looking at £1350 for the 50-500mm been now realise I can get it for £949 which looks like it's much more preferable to the 150-500mm.

I'll take a look on prices for the 75-300mm John although I have been quite pleased with the results from the lens.
Kilo

Thanks both, looking like I'm being guided towards the more expensive lens then
Not sure I'd want to go for the 55-300mm though John as that would make my 75-300mm redundant.
Kilo

Just about blown my mind on what to buy!

Been a Pentax user most of my life and used to subscribe to the mag many years ago but only just joined this site.
Have owned many a Pentax over the years and gave my Ist*Ds to my niece last year when I upgraded to a K20. I have since added a K5 and also have an Optio A30.

I have a bit of a dilemma in that I like taking shots of wildlife and I regularly take action shots for Stoke City Ladies using a Pentax 75-300mm. I would love to upgrade to a lens that the professionals use at footy matches but don't think I can justify a few thousand pounds so I've been looking at the Sigma 150-500mm (not sure I want to stretch to the 50-500mm unless it's sooo much better)

I'd appreciate some advice from the wealth of knowledge on here!
Cheers
Kilo