I've got this:
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/CK7114/

May not be the lightest but solid and flexible in its use.

PeterM

I'm hoping when I get my lens back it will be fixed, otherwise I'll probably try for a replacement. Anyway I'll just have to be patient and be optimistic. I have not, however, come across any posts anywhere from anyone who has had their lens returned in better working order.

Cheers,

Peter

Hi,

I really hope your lens is trouble free. I'm just off the phone with Pentax and they are quoting 15-20 working days. It took them 9 days to get the lens on the system despite special delivery and somebody at Pentax signing for it. This had me quite stressed - thought my lens had gone missing! To anyone with Pentax repair experience - do they inform you you of what they have discovered and any repairs made or does it just get sent back without any info? Can't say I'm hugely impressed with the customer care side of things but I've no-one to compare them to.

PeterM

For more info on 'downgrading' firmware:

http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-get-back-to-older-version-of.html

PeterM

That was/is my understanding too. Here is a lonk to the thread:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&message=25017451&a...

PeterM

It looks like mine is going back to Pentax I'm experiencing the same as GlynM's second point and some back-focusing. Further web searching has thrown up a few interesting, albeit anecdotal, user experiences, such as using the 16-50 with firmware 1.10 improves the focusing, and that one user had poor results with the K10 but great results using the lens on the istDs.

Cheers,
PeterM

See also:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=24649119

Hi All,
I came across this:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=24922733

Now I've had my 16-50 for 6 days and have not thoroughly tested it but there have been a few occasions when depressing the shutter button halfway I do not get a focus point, which I always got with the kit lens. I initially thought this may be down to my inexperience or the lens was already focussed (?), but some threads in the PentaxTalk forum in dpreview are suggesting the lenses may be at fault. Does anyone know anything about this? My lens has a ser. no. which corresponds to the 'bad batch' ser. nos. in the link above.

PeterM

Thanks Manesty, that was helpul. I've now ordered a TLZ1. I don't have the grip on my K10D but I dare say it will not affect the fit too much. The length and width of the lens seem to be the problem and not the body.

Thanks,
PeterM

Hello,

I've finally received my 16-50 and I'm both very relieved (as I'd paid up front) and very impressed. One thing I had not planned for was it's size. I currently use one of these (the SLR Zoom pouch):
http://optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=36&PRODUCT_SUB_ID=&CATEG...

and it is very dificult to close with the 16-50 even without the hood. I'm considering a TLZ 1, but has anyone else got anything they would recommend? I'm looking for something to offer some protection but not the associated bulk as I tend to carry it in a rucsac while hillwalking, camping, climbing e.t.c.

Thanks,

PeterM