Originally posted by jatrax since it is under warranty you have little to lose by using the method I described. Or calling Precision on the phone to get an answer.
...
despite them not having any communication skills they (mostly) get things repaired eventually.
I'm inclined to agree with John. I completely understand your frustration with the lens and, more specifically, Pentax / Precision. But from everything I've heard, it's a really good lens and worth getting fixed.
I've just gone through a seven week marathon to get a brand new Tamron 10-24 lens working as it should, and that was with a service centre whose communication is pretty good. The lens was sent to them new for AF accuracy problems, needed parts from Germany that took a while to materialise, then when I got it back there was a problem with the diaphragm not closing down until around f/5.6, so it had to go back to the service centre. That's by and by... my point is, it has been a pain getting a working lens despite buying a brand new unit, and I'd almost lost interest and confidence in getting a lens I was happy with. But, it's back with me now and working perfectly, and... slowly... I'm warming to it (in fact, it's great - I just need to find some time to shoot with it for a day
).
So, whilst I understand the desire to just dump the lens and get something different, I think it's worth persevering
Good luck with it, whatever you decide to do!