[aslyfox]

The kit lens isn't bad. You could add a 50-200 to it and have a ration kit for the trip cheaply.

Alternately - Look for a used 18-135 or 16-85 or rent one and decide what to do with the broken lens when you get back.

I second the idea of looking into a rental

I have used LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more before

be sure to get the highest level of " insurance "

remember that there are other rental companies as well

[aleonx3]

OP specified they want the 16-85 for the wide end; a 20-40 isn't going to help much.

Yes, pathdoc, thanks, I am aware of that... I use to think that way too... but after using the 20-40 ltd lens, I had second thoughts on wide and super-wide lens for 1) not a big fan of lens distortion which is more prominent in wide lens and 2) wide and super-wide scenes can be achieved with software tools to stitch the images together.

[aslyfox]

by looking at the OP's profile, it appears the DSLR used is a K 7

I know that I use a K 3 or a K 5 II which also has a " cropped " sensor ( like the K 7 )

I haven't found noticeable distortion with the wide end of my D A 16 - 85 mm

YMMV

[twilhelm]

I would have to say buy a new one. When you return from the trip, get the old one fixed and sell one.

I love the DA20-40, but it’s not 16 wide. When I want wide I grab my DA17-70. 3 mm doesn’t seem like much, but it makes a huge difference. While stitching an image is great, you don’t always have time to stop long enough to set up multiple shots for stitching.

If you buy a new one, you’ll have the lens you know and are comfortable with. Then you can shoot away on your trip stress free and worry about the rest after you return!

Enjoy the trip, I’m a bit jealous right now!

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

There's always the option of getting a 10-17mm, then pairing that with the 18-55 kit and a 55-300.

[jddwoods]

You can also consider getting a DA 15 Limited, either a used one or a new one and use that with the 18-55 and whatever other lenses you have If you do not think you can get the 16-85 repaired in time. This will give you additional wide angle in a nice sharp compact lens. When you get back, repair the 16-85 and the DA 15 limited will still be a nice addition to your 16-85 at times when you need an even wider angle. Good Luck. I faced a similar situation when the autofocus on my DA 17-70 died and it was a DA 16-85 that I bought to replace it.

[AtitG]

or get a wide angle zoom like the sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 and pair it with your kit zoom. when i went to hobbiton, the wide angle zoom lens was my most used lens, it was crowded there and found myself shooting in 10-15mm a lot.

[UncleVanya]

The DA 15 has superb flare resistance.

[bdery]

I love the 16-85 b/c of its wide range. I want to be able to take in as much of the landscape as possible.

The 18-55 kit and the 18-135 aren't wide enough. =(

This sucks! I feel your pain.Even though I've been using the K-1 for more than a year, the 16-85 is still in my bag at all times.

I'd suggest getting a used one now, and sending the damaged one for estimates/repairs. If the price is ok, you can repair it while you enjoy your trip and then sell either one when you get back. Almost no money lost, you get a lens you're familiar with and enjoy, and no stress over dates and delivery.

[jddwoods]

My beloved 16-85 lens has failed! It stopped focusing and when turning it to zoom, it gets stuck in one area. Even when I'm manually focusing, nothing changes.

It's out of warranty b/c I bought it May 2015.

I have a lifetime trip coming up. I will be leaving for New Zealand for 4 weeks on December 26th.

Ah! Should I send it in to get it fixed? But I am afraid if I do that, it's going to cost a ton and it might take too long and I might not get it back in time. It may be better to simply buy a new 16-85 since they now go for a little over $500 new.

A last resort will be to get a Panasonic ZS100 travel camera with a 1 inch sensor... or even just go with my kit lens of 18-55. But that's too drastic.

Does anyone have ideas about the cost to repair a failed 16-85 and how long that takes?

Heads up! B&H has a used one for $439, new is $529, you can check it out if your budget is more toward used. I bought mine used and to me it is as good as new. Used DA16-85 do not turn up too frequently.