There are special set ups you can buy specifically for this purpose (I remember seeing some reviews of a couple somewhere) but this is what I do. After setting the camera and lens on a tripod and turning off SR I place a ruler on a desk so the numbers are counting away from me. The lens should be slightly above the ruler so you can distinguish the mm check marks. I also try to make sure the ruler is completely square on to the camera / lens. I then focus on a number using single AF with just the centre point and take the picture (I use the shutter release delay to minimise any shake movement caused by depressing the shutter button).

When viewing the picture if the number and the mark on the ruler that it corresponds to are in focus then all is good. If the number is out of focus compared to the marks in front or behind then you can AF adjust on the camera menu and retake and trial and error a bit until the number is at the centre of focus.

Seems to work okay for me.

I hadn't made any adjustment but prompted by this thread I checked my new DA* 300 which needed +3 on my K-5, then checked my Sigma 70-200mm 2.8, which needed -5.

Interesting the pixel peeping to look at the focus point illustrated how the 300mm was noticeably sharper wide open (f4) than the Sigma at 200mm (f2.8 ).

John, curious as to what happened with this thread since it may have some relevance for buyers and sellers on the forum. Can you shed any light following discussions?

Welcome! I'm sure you will find this forum a friendly and helpful community.

Roy

Sorry John I don't believe that is correct. First of all Amazon's rule structure does not affect your statutory rights, i.e. Sale of Goods Act 1979 and subsequent amendments. In your DVD secenario above within 6 months the onus is on the retailer to prove that the fault didn't exist when they sold it to you. After 6 months the onus is on the buyer.

In Charlotte's case her claim is one of reasonable durability and she can pursue a claim for repair. She can send it to Pentax or go to a local camera shop to get a quote. It doesn't matter as long as it is independent.

With regard to location then if it was bought from Amazon.co.uk they are based in Slough so SOGA applies but Luxembourg is part of the EU anyway and claims can be brought under similar EU legislation since she resides in France (also part of the EU).

I had an LCD TV that was just over 2 years old that I bought from Comet with a 1 year warranty that developed a fault. Ultimately Comet provided a new LCD panel (cost £400) on condition that I paid for labour (£50). I quoted in my letter to them that it would be reasonable to expect a £1,000 TV to last for much more than 2 years. It would seem reasonable to me for a good quality camera to last much more than 18 months and the SOGA specifically says goods must last for a reasonable length of time.

I'm sure the key for me was the small claims courts threat in my letter. I sent them a letter based on template that I found on the web, sent it via recorded delivery, told them they had 7 days to respond. The advice was to then get an independent quote for repair and if the retailer wasn't prepared to pay for the repair (or most of it) to take the matter to the small claims court. Generally the retailers never send anyone to defend themselves and this is not looked on kindly by the courts so they tend to find for the buyer. Most of the time just before the court date the retailer settles out of court.

This worked for me. I think you have a very good case for getting your camera repaired with Amazon paying most or all of the cost without any expenditure other than any fee to get an independent repair quote.

Good luck!

Lens now sold. Thanks for looking!

Matt (weinelm), you have a PM.

I had a look at the first issue and it's a cut above the straight conversions of printed magazine in terms of design for ipad. Some excellent images as well.

Just to let you know that the lens is listed elsewhere but it's still available and open to offers here.