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Pelham · 06-01-2012, 05:21 AM

I have been using my 60/250mm F4 Pentax lens for more than a year and yesterday it stuck at it's closest focus of 3.6 feet.. This has me in a panic as I am leaving for the Galapagos on a photo trip in just over 2 weeks.. Has anyone had a similar problem? Anyone have any idea of how to expedite a repair???
any info would be greatly appreciated.

stormtech · 06-01-2012, 05:31 AM

I would get on the phone with criscam right away - since you are close to Arizona you could have the lens in their hands by Monday. Call and ask their turn around time for repairing your lens.

Camera Repair by CRIS Camera Services: Digital Camera Repair: Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Pentax, Ricoh, Sigma

When I sent my K-5 to them for repair, their turn around time was great - received by them on a Wednesday and repaired and shipped back to me the following Wednesday - that is 5 business days in house.

Good luck - I know I would be sitting on the edge of my seat trying to get that lens repaired in time!

**pearsaab** · 06-01-2012, 06:17 AM

sounds like you have a good chance to get it repaired but you may want to have a rental as a backup...sorry that sucks!!!

Pelham · 06-03-2012, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the responces.. I have sent it overnight to the repair place in AZ.. spoke to them and they sounded like it might be possible to get it back in time.. should know for sure on Monday or Tuesday.

Katsura · 06-03-2012, 04:04 PM

Good luck for a speedy return.

When SDM on mine failed, for a while I used an 1.7AFA with the 625, and 'sort of' got an AF 100-420mm f/5.6 lens...

stormtech · 06-03-2012, 09:56 PM

Originally posted by Pelham

Thanks for the responces.. I have sent it overnight to the repair place in AZ.. spoke to them and they sounded like it might be possible to get it back in time.. should know for sure on Monday or Tuesday.

Sounds like they are being very responsive - let us know how it works out.

Pelham · 06-06-2012, 11:31 AM

They have stayed in touch very well.. but unfortunately the autofocus motor is shot and they have to get that from Japan.. so I am dead with this lens for the Galapagos.. I have a few other lenses including a Sigma 70-300 so I guess I'll be using that one.. it seems to be a pretty good lens and most of the stuff in the Galapagos should be pretty straight forward stuff.. and my Pentax 17 to 70 should work out well.. I have 2 K5 bodies.

stormtech · 06-06-2012, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by Pelham

They have stayed in touch very well.. but unfortunately the autofocus motor is shot and they have to get that from Japan.. so I am dead with this lens for the Galapagos.. I have a few other lenses including a Sigma 70-300 so I guess I'll be using that one.. it seems to be a pretty good lens and most of the stuff in the Galapagos should be pretty straight forward stuff.. and my Pentax 17 to 70 should work out well.. I have 2 K5 bodies.

Thanks for updating. It is a shame they don't have the motor in stock - you would think they would since these SDM motors seem to see quite a few failures. At least they communicated with you and looked at the lens right away.

Have you thought about buying a used one temporarily for your trip then reselling when you return? There are a couple for sale here on the Marketplace right now plus a DA* 300.

**pearsaab** · 06-07-2012, 09:42 AM

sorry about that ....wish it could have been fixed...buying one isn't a bad idea if you get it at a decent price

06-01-2012, 05:21 AM	#1
Pelham Inactive Account Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pinos Altos, NM Posts: 21	Problem with 60/250 f4 I have been using my 60/250mm F4 Pentax lens for more than a year and yesterday it stuck at it's closest focus of 3.6 feet.. This has me in a panic as I am leaving for the Galapagos on a photo trip in just over 2 weeks.. Has anyone had a similar problem? Anyone have any idea of how to expedite a repair??? any info would be greatly appreciated.

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06-01-2012, 05:31 AM	#2
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	I would get on the phone with criscam right away - since you are close to Arizona you could have the lens in their hands by Monday. Call and ask their turn around time for repairing your lens. Camera Repair by CRIS Camera Services: Digital Camera Repair: Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Pentax, Ricoh, Sigma When I sent my K-5 to them for repair, their turn around time was great - received by them on a Wednesday and repaired and shipped back to me the following Wednesday - that is 5 business days in house. Good luck - I know I would be sitting on the edge of my seat trying to get that lens repaired in time!

06-01-2012, 06:17 AM	#3
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	sounds like you have a good chance to get it repaired but you may want to have a rental as a backup...sorry that sucks!!!

06-03-2012, 02:42 PM	#4
Pelham Inactive Account Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pinos Altos, NM Posts: 21 Original Poster	Thanks for the responces.. I have sent it overnight to the repair place in AZ.. spoke to them and they sounded like it might be possible to get it back in time.. should know for sure on Monday or Tuesday.

06-03-2012, 04:04 PM	#5
Katsura Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Noosa, Queesnland Photos: Albums Posts: 199	Good luck for a speedy return. When SDM on mine failed, for a while I used an 1.7AFA with the 625, and 'sort of' got an AF 100-420mm f/5.6 lens...

06-03-2012, 09:56 PM	#6
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by Pelham Thanks for the responces.. I have sent it overnight to the repair place in AZ.. spoke to them and they sounded like it might be possible to get it back in time.. should know for sure on Monday or Tuesday. Sounds like they are being very responsive - let us know how it works out.

06-06-2012, 11:31 AM	#7
Pelham Inactive Account Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pinos Altos, NM Posts: 21 Original Poster	They have stayed in touch very well.. but unfortunately the autofocus motor is shot and they have to get that from Japan.. so I am dead with this lens for the Galapagos.. I have a few other lenses including a Sigma 70-300 so I guess I'll be using that one.. it seems to be a pretty good lens and most of the stuff in the Galapagos should be pretty straight forward stuff.. and my Pentax 17 to 70 should work out well.. I have 2 K5 bodies.

06-06-2012, 12:18 PM	#8
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by Pelham They have stayed in touch very well.. but unfortunately the autofocus motor is shot and they have to get that from Japan.. so I am dead with this lens for the Galapagos.. I have a few other lenses including a Sigma 70-300 so I guess I'll be using that one.. it seems to be a pretty good lens and most of the stuff in the Galapagos should be pretty straight forward stuff.. and my Pentax 17 to 70 should work out well.. I have 2 K5 bodies. Thanks for updating. It is a shame they don't have the motor in stock - you would think they would since these SDM motors seem to see quite a few failures. At least they communicated with you and looked at the lens right away. Have you thought about buying a used one temporarily for your trip then reselling when you return? There are a couple for sale here on the Marketplace right now plus a DA* 300.

06-07-2012, 09:42 AM	#9
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	sorry about that ....wish it could have been fixed...buying one isn't a bad idea if you get it at a decent price

Problem with 60/250 f4

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