Yeah actually the lens was what needed fixing, they just wanted to have a look at the camera as well

Well, small update!

I had sent the camera for repairs on friday afternoon, they got it on Monday.
Got it back all nice and fixed from the post office this morning! Pretty speedy if you ask me!

It did cost me about 140 pounds or so for the repairs, but eh, at least it's all fixed now

Yeah, they were pretty cool about it!

Will update the thread once I get some news

Ah, well, here's a small update:

After sending an e-mail to pentax, they advised me to make contact with some guys that apparently officially repair pentax gear, since pentax isn't present in switzerland anymore.

The quote costs half what it would if sent to pentax germany, and they also want to take a look at the camera to check it, just in case, for no additional cost.
According to them the problem is fixable, although they can't say for sure, and only gave me a rough estimate of about 130 pounds for repairs.

So my 16-45 left this morning, and the K-x with it. Will be cameraless for a while, hoping for the best

Well the lens was bought here from MikeP, so while it looked as new, I'm quite sure it wasn't under warranty anymore. I'd guess it's already a few years old.

The shop people told me however that a quote alone would cost me 120 francs, because Pentax doesn't exist over here in switzerland anymore. They'd have to send it over to Germany or some place. That would be about 75 pounds for a quote, and that's without even knowing if it can be fixed, and for how much.

So here I am, this morning, leaving home for University.
As I do pretty often, I take my Kx along with me, with the 16-45 mounted on it, fit snugly in my Crumpler Pretty Bella Half Photo backpack (the name calling IS there for a reason, I assure you )

I jump in the bus, and put my bag on the seat beside me. Coming to a stop, the bus driver hits the brakes, and my backpack falls down. No big deal, something like a 30 cm fall, seeing how its built and how well the camera fits in, I need not worry.

Or do I?

A few hours later, hanging around in the park instead of attending lectures, as usual, I pull out my camera to take a few shots.

Uh oh. Something's obviously very wrong. Why won't it focus?
Well, it turns out the focusing right of the 16-45 appears to be stuck, and won't budge anymore. Additionally, there's a weird resistance when trying to reach 40-45mm.
Oh dear. How this this happen

After going to a couple camera shops, I have to say I'm pretty damn disgruntled. There's nothing they can do. One thinks the whole focusing/zoom ring set needs to be replaced, and I'm better off buying a new lens. Like that's going to happen.

Another guy thought I could send it in, but told me it would indeed be extremely expensive, maybe more so than the lens itself. Oh, crap.

After coming back home, and sitting here brooding on my deceased lens, I fiddled a bit with it. What the heck, right, if it's not even gonna get any repairs.

By forcing a bit, I loosened the focus ring. The autofocus works again. However, the zoom ring also got worse. Instead of some resistance from 40mm to reach 45, the zoom ring now absolutely refuses to go beyond 35mm. As if I had already reached 45mm.

Truth be told, I'm still struggling to accept the facts. How the hell could this happen? from such a small fall, in a well protected bag. Gah.

Oh well, hope you enjoyed the story :s

is the WR version really that much more expensive in the uk?

First oddity, over here in switzerland, the WR version is actually 60 francs CHEAPER than the non WR, and about 150 francs more expensive than the Tamron

Tamron SP 90 etc: 560 francs -> 340 pounds
DFA100 WR: 710 francs -> 430 pounds
DFA100: 770 francs -> 470 pounds

Another vote for the 16-45. Bought mine from MikeP a few weeks ago.

Been very happy with it aswell. Very sharp, quite an improvement over the kit lens.

A bit off topic, but I don't think I'll ever get over the price of that lens. It's got a very, very solid reputation, but the price? Geez.

Over here in Switzerland, it's over 1400 francs, which is about 870£!
More expensive than either the DA*16-50 or 50-135, which are DA*, and to me, crazy expensive as well.

Very happy indeed so far. Haven't tested extensively, but I can say it's in pristine condition, looks new!