[eonb]

I've just splashed the cash for a K3ii but have also dropped my 18-135. There's no physical damage to the outside, but one of the iris leaves has moved and there's now a gap in the iris. The lens now doesn't focus either.

I have some choices and would like some thoughts...

Repair the 18-135 - but how much will this be?
Replace the 18-135 - I can get a 2nd hand one from a dealer for a couple of hundred GBP.
Buy a 16-50 to replace it
Buy a Tamron 17-50 f2.8

I've also got a sigma 17-70 (not the new one, but 4ish years old) but I'm not impressed with it at all. It isn't particularly sharp until at least f11.

I've had a play wit.h 20-40ltd but it isn't wide enough really.

Thoughts???

[bdery]

I've also got a sigma 17-70 (not the new one, but 4ish years old) but I'm not impressed with it at all. It isn't particularly sharp until at least f11.

That's not normal at all. The Sigma is an excellent lens.

Repair the 18-135 - but how much will this be?

You could contact Eric in the states to get a feeling for this. I guess you're in Great Britain so it might be cost-prohibitive. You probably have repair shops locally. I once repaired a lens locally (Quebec city) and it cost me about 100$ CAD. It only needed adjustments, no new parts. That's a starting point.

Replace the 18-135 - I can get a 2nd hand one from a dealer for a couple of hundred GBP.

Do you like the 18-135? Does it do what you want it to do?

Buy a 16-50 to replace it
Buy a Tamron 17-50 f2.8

The Tamron will be cheaper, the 16-50 faster. If you're considering those, it must be because you find the 18-135 lacking? If so, why? Would you miss WR with the Tamron? The reach with either?

The Pentax 16-85 always comes to mind when considering lenses in this range. But really it depends on your opinion about the 18-135.

[C_Jones]

The Pentax 16-85 seems to be a high quality performer per its specifications (on the Pentax website) and reviews.

Per the 18-135 that you have, possibly someone can diagnose what is actually wrong with it and tell you what it would cost to have it repaired. Checking beforehand if consultation about what is wrong with it is free or not would be a good idea.

[normhead]

It usually costs about 25 bucks to have a lens checked out. You send it to the repair centre, they get back to you with an estimate, it costs you 25$ to get your lens back if you decide not to repair it and you want it shipped back damaged. The last time I damaged a lens it needed two parts, they had to come from japan, it was $200 and six weeks. That's less than half the cost of a 21ltd. new, and it came back with cleaning and tuneup as well. But, you don't know until you send it in.