Darn! 16-50mm Dies during Harper's BAZAAR Shoot

benjikan · 01-20-2011, 10:25 AM

I can't believe this. I brought my 16-50 for my Harper's BAZAAR shoot which was just repaired. Start up camera...DA*16-50 lens is DEAD!!!!

Called Pentax...No response!!!!

Merde!!!!!!!

Last edited by Parallax; 02-01-2011 at 12:41 PM.

mel · 01-20-2011, 10:30 AM

Oooooooh I had a shoot last night (theatre) and my 16-50 was giving me issues and not focusing. I've been in denial about its slow death but I guess I need to start hunting for something to replace it

At least for me it was no Harpers Bazaar. That totally sucks. What did you end up doing? (out of curiousity).

aleonx3 · 01-20-2011, 10:34 AM

That totally sucks, Ben, sorry to hear that. I have both DA* 16-50 and 50-135. Every time I am prepared to use it, I tested it first (since I suspect that the SDM motor may get stuck). What did you end up using, just curious?

WiseOx · 01-20-2011, 10:40 AM

I'll start by saying I'm a Pentax fanboy...and I've got the 16-50, and love it. But, it did fail and is now back from warranty repair and working now.

But honestly Ben, if my livelihood depended on an SDM lens, I think I would have to consider having a backup for each one I owned.

Big fan of your work, btw.

benjikan · 01-20-2011, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by mel

Oooooooh I had a shoot last night (theatre) and my 16-50 was giving me issues and not focusing. I've been in denial about its slow death but I guess I need to start hunting for something to replace it

At least for me it was no Harpers Bazaar. That totally sucks. What did you end up doing? (out of curiousity).

I didn't bring my 16-45 to the shoot, which I should have. I am using my 12-24 and manually focusing with the DA* 16-50.

Got to run...Next shot happening....

Cambo · 01-20-2011, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by benjikan

I can't believe this. I brought my 16-50 for my Harper's BAZAAR shoot which was just repaired. Start up camera...DA*16-50 lens is DEAD!!!!

S*******T

Called Pentax...No response!!!!

Merde!!!!!!!

First time I'm EVER heard of lens failures...that's bad.

Cameron

johnmflores · 01-20-2011, 10:51 AM

That S*cks Ben. I'm sure you'll make some lovely lemonade from the lemons though. If you have time, it would be great to hear your thought process for how you make the shot happen with a broken lens and one that's wider than you'd like, i.e., how it affects the shoot.

thx.

joakimfors · 01-20-2011, 10:51 AM

Ouch! Go over to the Pentax HQ and kick them in the ass.

**blackcloudbrew** · 01-20-2011, 10:52 AM

We feel your pain.

mel · 01-20-2011, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by benjikan

I didn't bring my 16-45 to the shoot, which I should have. I am using my 12-24 and manually focusing with the DA* 16-50.

Got to run...Next shot happening....

I'm looking at the Tamron 17-50/2.8 for backup/replacement/whatever. Yeah I ended up having to manually focus too. Except unfortunately, for what I was doing, they don't stop and hold still for me. The shoot pretty much sucked but oh well.

glee46 · 01-20-2011, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by benjikan

I can't believe this. I brought my 16-50 for my Harper's BAZAAR shoot which was just repaired. Start up camera...DA*16-50 lens is DEAD!!!!

S*******T

Called Pentax...No response!!!!

Merde!!!!!!!

Why the 'No response!!!" from Pentax? Was it out of warranty?

eddie1960 · 01-20-2011, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by glee46

Why the 'No response!!!" from Pentax? Was it out of warranty?

I think he meant immediate as the shoot was still happening. Pro's (particularly at Ben's level)have a need for a different level of service than us mere mortals. a dead lens holding up a shoot like this is very expensive indeed (that and the fact it was just back from service so this should not have happened at all)

enoeske · 01-20-2011, 11:13 AM

I hope this doesn't further strain your relationship with pentax or cause you to jump ship entirely. We sure would hate to lose you. I think its well understood amongst us pentaxians that the 16-50 is a gamble; and the odds aren't stacked well in the users favor. Hopefully the new DC motor replaces the SDM as the standard and is much more reliable.

Frogfish · 01-20-2011, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by benjikan

I can't believe this. I brought my 16-50 for my Harper's BAZAAR shoot which was just repaired. Start up camera...DA*16-50 lens is DEAD!!!!

S*******T

Called Pentax...No response!!!!

Merde!!!!!!!

Damn that's bad luck. Hope it all worked out in the end.

8540tomg · 01-20-2011, 11:34 AM

Yikes!!

I was just starting to get comfortable with my copy. Sorry to hear about that Ben in more ways than one. So far so good in my case. I still love the images this lens produces but stories like this gives one pause.

Tom G

01-20-2011, 10:25 AM	#1
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Darn! 16-50mm Dies during Harper's BAZAAR Shoot I can't believe this. I brought my 16-50 for my Harper's BAZAAR shoot which was just repaired. Start up camera...DA16-50 lens is DEAD!!!! Called Pentax...No response!!!! Merde!!!!!!! Last edited by Parallax; 02-01-2011 at 12:41 PM.*

01-20-2011, 10:41 AM	#6
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	They've got some issues... Originally posted by benjikan I can't believe this. I brought my 16-50 for my Harper's BAZAAR shoot which was just repaired. Start up camera...DA16-50 lens is DEAD!!!! S******T Called Pentax...No response!!!! Merde!!!!!!! First time I'm EVER heard of lens failures...that's bad. Cameron

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
More Pentax for Harper's BAZAAR Magazine	benjikan	Photographic Technique	24	05-11-2011 11:17 PM
Harper's BAZAAR High Fashion "Haute Couture"	benjikan	Photographic Industry and Professionals	2	01-30-2011 11:18 AM
Pentax in Harper's BAZAAR Again	benjikan	Pentax News and Rumors	12	12-19-2010 09:47 AM
Pentax in Harper's BAZAAR Behind the Scenes Video & Images	benjikan	Pentax News and Rumors	9	09-27-2010 04:35 AM
Harper's BAZAAR Making of Video Final	benjikan	Photographic Industry and Professionals	1	06-27-2010 01:38 PM

01-20-2011, 10:30 AM	#2
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531	Oooooooh I had a shoot last night (theatre) and my 16-50 was giving me issues and not focusing. I've been in denial about its slow death but I guess I need to start hunting for something to replace it At least for me it was no Harpers Bazaar. That totally sucks. What did you end up doing? (out of curiousity).

01-20-2011, 10:34 AM	#3
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	That totally sucks, Ben, sorry to hear that. I have both DA* 16-50 and 50-135. Every time I am prepared to use it, I tested it first (since I suspect that the SDM motor may get stuck). What did you end up using, just curious?

01-20-2011, 10:40 AM	#4
WiseOx Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Whitby (near Toronto), Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 433	I'll start by saying I'm a Pentax fanboy...and I've got the 16-50, and love it. But, it did fail and is now back from warranty repair and working now. But honestly Ben, if my livelihood depended on an SDM lens, I think I would have to consider having a backup for each one I owned. Big fan of your work, btw.

01-20-2011, 10:41 AM	#5
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by mel Oooooooh I had a shoot last night (theatre) and my 16-50 was giving me issues and not focusing. I've been in denial about its slow death but I guess I need to start hunting for something to replace it At least for me it was no Harpers Bazaar. That totally sucks. What did you end up doing? (out of curiousity). I didn't bring my 16-45 to the shoot, which I should have. I am using my 12-24 and manually focusing with the DA* 16-50. Got to run...Next shot happening....

01-20-2011, 10:51 AM	#7
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	That S*cks Ben. I'm sure you'll make some lovely lemonade from the lemons though. If you have time, it would be great to hear your thought process for how you make the shot happen with a broken lens and one that's wider than you'd like, i.e., how it affects the shoot. thx.

01-20-2011, 10:51 AM	#8
joakimfors Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lund, Sweden Posts: 237	Ouch! Go over to the Pentax HQ and kick them in the ass.

01-20-2011, 10:52 AM	#9
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	We feel your pain.

01-20-2011, 10:52 AM	#10
mel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,531	Originally posted by benjikan I didn't bring my 16-45 to the shoot, which I should have. I am using my 12-24 and manually focusing with the DA* 16-50. Got to run...Next shot happening.... I'm looking at the Tamron 17-50/2.8 for backup/replacement/whatever. Yeah I ended up having to manually focus too. Except unfortunately, for what I was doing, they don't stop and hold still for me. The shoot pretty much sucked but oh well.

01-20-2011, 10:56 AM	#11
glee46 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North of San Francisco, California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 598	Originally posted by benjikan I can't believe this. I brought my 16-50 for my Harper's BAZAAR shoot which was just repaired. Start up camera...DA16-50 lens is DEAD!!!! S******T Called Pentax...No response!!!! Merde!!!!!!! Why the 'No response!!!" from Pentax? Was it out of warranty?

01-20-2011, 11:13 AM	#12
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by glee46 Why the 'No response!!!" from Pentax? Was it out of warranty? I think he meant immediate as the shoot was still happening. Pro's (particularly at Ben's level)have a need for a different level of service than us mere mortals. a dead lens holding up a shoot like this is very expensive indeed (that and the fact it was just back from service so this should not have happened at all)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-20-2011, 11:13 AM	#13
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	I hope this doesn't further strain your relationship with pentax or cause you to jump ship entirely. We sure would hate to lose you. I think its well understood amongst us pentaxians that the 16-50 is a gamble; and the odds aren't stacked well in the users favor. Hopefully the new DC motor replaces the SDM as the standard and is much more reliable.

01-20-2011, 11:14 AM	#14
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by benjikan I can't believe this. I brought my 16-50 for my Harper's BAZAAR shoot which was just repaired. Start up camera...DA16-50 lens is DEAD!!!! S******T Called Pentax...No response!!!! Merde!!!!!!! Damn that's bad luck. Hope it all worked out in the end.

01-20-2011, 11:34 AM	#15
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Yikes!! I was just starting to get comfortable with my copy. Sorry to hear about that Ben in more ways than one. So far so good in my case. I still love the images this lens produces but stories like this gives one pause. Tom G