My last post on this thread.

My lens failed after 3 months of very light use. It hadn't been dropped, wet through or anything like that. It was bought from a reputable dealer (SRS Microsystems) and through all of this they have been superb. A loaner was offered without me asking (after 2 weeks without my lens), but I declined this for various reasons.

I've made no secret of my own personal opinion that the lens should've been replaced straight away, but after 3 months of ownership a warranty repair while personally disappointing would've been fair enough. At no point did I behave as described by the poster above. As an engineer with 20+ years experience (including reliability centred maintenance) I'm well aware that complex electronic equipment can fail well before the MTBF, but I'm also well aware of the risk of maintenance related failure.

However, I'm pleased to say that I have a brand new replacement lens on its way to me.

My only beef through all of this has been communication from Pentax. SRS have replied promptly to every question or query I've asked them. The problem was they weren't getting anything from the questions they were asking Pentax. The whole thing was resolved by a face to face conversation between SRS and a UK Pentax rep.

So, a good ending for me but I do believe Pentax needs to improve its communication around servicing and repairs.

Best regards,

Simon.

All I want right now is an update on what's going on. Pentax currently seem incapable of providing that, so I dread to think how long it will take to do a repair......

3 weeks since I sent my lens off and still zero communication from Pentax UK or Pentax FR.

Absolutely awful customer service.

Simon.

Yep, I'll be there.

Simon.

Thanks

Simon.

I'm no pro, just an enthusiast who managed to save up what for me was a big amount of money for a 'dream' lens which then failed within 3 months of ownership.

As an engineer of 20+ years experience, I'm well aware of potential problems that major surgery could cause. It genuinely worries me. Add in the length of time it's likely to be away and I am very unhappy. My personal opinion is that the dealer should've replaced but that isn't going to happen.

I'll certainly think twice before spending more money on expensive Pentax equipment.

A little late with these thanks to a hectic work and family life at the moment!

#1 Speedy Porker

Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#2 Dave Newsham at Sunny Out

2015 British Touring Car Championship - Croft Circuit by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#3 Classic Croft shot at Clervaux

Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#4 MSA Formula car

MSA Formula Championship by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#5 Marmite

Ginetta Junior Championship by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#6 Flat out down the start / finish straight

MSA Formula Championship by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#7 Close racing

Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#8 Another of Newsham's photogenic car

2015 British Touring Car Championship - Croft Circuit by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#9 Sherman at the complex

2015 British Touring Car Championship - Croft Circuit by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#10 Battle damage

2015 British Touring Car Championship - Croft Circuit by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#11 Flat out through the Chicane

2015 British Touring Car Championship - Croft Circuit by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

#12 Another very pretty car

2015 British Touring Car Championship - Croft Circuit by Simon Harrison, on Flickr

All taken with a Pentax K3 and a DA*60-250mm f4 or Sigma 150-500mm lens from the public viewing areas.

Cheers,

Simon.

If I'm honest I had hoped the dealer would replace it immediately, but unfortunately that hasn't happened as "Pentax need to authorise replacement". Not much more I can do other than to wait and see what Pentax FR come back with.

Simon.

Unfortunately, my 3 month old DA* 60-250mm has developed some aperture and focusing issues and has had to be sent back to the Pentax service centre in France. Anyone have any experience of how long turnaround times are from them?

Thanks,

Simon.

The timetable and entry list is now up on the HSCC website: -

http://www.hscc.org.uk/images/Provisional_Timetable_Croft__v1.pdf

I'm planning to be there on Saturday and Sunday. I'll be spectator side and while I'll have the camera with me, I have a feeling I'll spend more time watching and soaking the atmosphere up than photographing (although that might change when I get there LOL). With the Vulcan making an appearence, I expect that Sunday will be very busy, as will the surrounding roads. However, it's doing a full display at Elvington near York before heading up to Croft, so a lot of diehards might go there instead of Croft.

Simon.