[DWS1]

That's the lesson I learned the hard way. I just got back from a month long road trip thru Utah and Arizona. I took with me my main camera bag containing a K70 w/DA 16-85mm and a DA 55-300mm plm. I also took a hard case containing a K50, DA 300mm, D FA 28-105mm, Pentax A 28mm 2.8, Pentax M 50mm 1.7, DA 1.4x teleconverter, 360 flash, and O-Gps1. Decided to leave at home a bag containing among other items a DA 16-45, DA 18-55, DA 55-300 (non WR version) because I never use them anymore. Well, At my first stop I was walking down some slickrock with the K70 and DA 16-85mm and stubbled. I caught myself fine, but the hood on the 16-85mm lightly tapped the slickrock. Now the lens won't zoom in or out, or focus either auto or manually. I had do the next 3-1/2 weeks in some of the most remote parts of the US, with massive views and no wide angle option. I completed the trip having to make the best I could of using mainly the D FA 28-105. A lot of pano shots to stich together. I would have been happier if I'd taken the 16-45 or 18-55, but I didn't.

Now the real question is do I get the 16-85 repaired or just replace it? I bought it used a year ago for less than $400. Really loved that lens.

[cristianmiu]

Depends on how much cost the repair... I would go for a 15 prime for wide and for a zoom everything you want 17-70 / f4 is a good option... i own sigma 17-70, pretty good... for wide shots i have a tamron 12-24, but i'm not very impressed. the image is sharp in the center, but pretty soft on the corners, i cannot recommend this lens.

Also there are some pretty nice limited lenses like 20-40

[Pentax Syntax]

Sorry to hear about the 16-85. Bad luck. Great lens! I would repair it. There is a reason you chose it for your trip and that is its versatility. It is hard to strike a balance between bringing too little or too much. I had a similar fall with my 16-85 which screwed up focusing. Repaired at Precision and came back good as new.

[RICHARD L.]

Sorry for your loss ...

I toured the Western U.S. in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (12 000 mile trips starting from Quebec, CANADA each time). I always carry #1) a Canon G3X 20 Mpx superzoom #2) a K3 with a DA 12-24 mm f/4, FA 35 mm f/2 and DA* 60-250 mm f/4 #3) a K1 with an FA 20 mm f/2.8, a DFA 28-105 mm f/3.5-5.6, an FA* 80-200 mm f/2.8 ED and an FA* 300 mm f/4.5 and #4) a 645Z with an FA 45-85 mm f/4.5 and an FA 80-160 mm f/4.5. The lenses dedicated to the K1 also fit on the K3 but not the other way around (except the FA 35). I got a DFA* 70-200 mm f/2.8 to replace the older FA* 80-200 mm this Spring. All the Pentax camera bodies use the same LI-90 lithium batteries.

Call me a "hoarder" if you want but all this equipment was used at some point, the K3 more often in 2018 and the K1 more often in 2019. The Canon superzoom was used in "Movie" mode to produce short videos on Youtube/RICHARD L. and to bring me closer to Delicate Arch in Arches Nat'l Park (600 mm optical and 1200 mm digital FF equivalent possible). If I'm able ever to return after COVID, I'll bring the K1 with an array of K lenses and the 645Z with more lenses (FA 33-55 mm f/4.5, P67 75 mm f/2.8, P67 100 mm f/4 MACRO, FA 150-300 mm f/5.6 and FA 400 mm f/5.6). The 645Z was the least used as you're always in a hurry when you photograph and the 645 is not a "hurried" camera.

My all-time favorite : Pentax K1 + DFA 28-105 mm HD zoom, you almost don't need anything else, landscape-wise.

As to your DA 16-85 mm lens, consult a repairman to check if it's repairable, otherwise replace it. Check eBay in Japan for unbeatable prices and perfect condition items.


Best Regards

K3 + FA 35

K1 + FA 20

G3X

645Z + FA 45-85

K1 + DFA 28-105 mm HD :

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Last edited by RICHARD L.; 06-15-2021 at 12:49 PM.

[jatrax]

I would get it repaired, or at least get a quote. The 16-85 is a great modern lens and is so versatile.

[Bertrand3000]

Get a quote for your 16-85. Perhaps the cost will be lower if no glass element needs to be replaced.

[mikesbike]

On the surface, it sounds to me like something is out of alignment.

[MarkJerling]

That's the lesson I learned the hard way. I just got back from a month long road trip thru Utah and Arizona. I took with me my main camera bag containing a K70 w/DA 16-85mm and a DA 55-300mm plm. I also took a hard case containing a K50, DA 300mm, D FA 28-105mm, Pentax A 28mm 2.8, Pentax M 50mm 1.7, DA 1.4x teleconverter, 360 flash, and O-Gps1. Decided to leave at home a bag containing among other items a DA 16-45, DA 18-55, DA 55-300 (non WR version) because I never use them anymore. Well, At my first stop I was walking down some slickrock with the K70 and DA 16-85mm and stubbled. I caught myself fine, but the hood on the 16-85mm lightly tapped the slickrock. Now the lens won't zoom in or out, or focus either auto or manually. I had do the next 3-1/2 weeks in some of the most remote parts of the US, with massive views and no wide angle option. I completed the trip having to make the best I could of using mainly the D FA 28-105. A lot of pano shots to stich together. I would have been happier if I'd taken the 16-45 or 18-55, but I didn't.

Now the real question is do I get the 16-85 repaired or just replace it? I bought it used a year ago for less than $400. Really loved that lens.

What's the word from your household contents insurance company?

[pentaxus]

Hopefully it won't cost too much. There are too many variables to guess price without opening it up.

[carlb]

Oof, sorry to hear about this. This is eerily similar to my experience in Tassie a few months ago when I dropped my KP with DA 20-40 Limited attached onto the floor. The camera was OK but the lens wasn't, so all I had left was a DA 55 - 300. Fortunately I was able to order a 16-85 and have it delivered in less than 48 hours (I had the DA 20 - 40 repaired when I got home).

The one thing I've decided to do on all future holidays is pack my K30 and 18- 135 in my case (all other gear goes as hand luggage) so that if anything happens to a camera or lens then I've got a backup option.

[DWS1]

Thank you all for your great advice. The lesson I learned is always have a backup for everything when traveling. Precision gave me the best quote for repair of $242. Which is their standard rate for the 16-85. They said it may be a little less or more after they inspect it. I doubt it will be less. I sent it off to them this morning.

[ehrwien]

Precision gave me the best quote for repair of $242. Which is their standard rate for the 16-85. They said it may be a little less or more after they inspect it. I doubt it will be less. I sent it off to them this morning.

Sounds reasonable, you wouldn't be able to get a new (or even used) one for that money.

When I'm out on a walk or on a day trip I usually try to minimize the gear I take with me down to the absolutely necessary, because if I don't, I know I will not use more than 2 or 3 lenses anyway, but your story is a nice reminder that things can happen, and that on longer trips a little redundancy can come in handy.

[Waffles]

Its certainly a shame that your 16-85 was damaged but I think I would still go for a minimalist kit even after this experience. I'm getting ready to spend a week in the Virginia Mountains and I'm bringing my K70 with the 28-105. I prefer one-lens trips most of the time.

[DWS1]

Its certainly a shame that your 16-85 was damaged but I think I would still go for a minimalist kit even after this experience. I'm getting ready to spend a week in the Virginia Mountains and I'm bringing my K70 with the 28-105. I prefer one-lens trips most of the time.

I normally just carry the K70 with one lens when out for the day. I keep the others at base camp. I found the 28-105 is just not wide enough for me, especially out west where there are huge wide open views. If it would have been 24-105 it would be much better.

[jeallen01]

FWIW, most of my lenses are oldish Sigmas which are as "tough as old boots" - I know "from experience" with those on the GX-10, K-5, K-3 x2 and the K-70. All of those bodies have taken a tumble or two (some quite "severe") and the lenses work as well (which is very well!) as they did when I bought them (3 of the 4 being "at least" 2nd hand at the time).

E.g, the 1st gen 17-70, mounted on the K-70, flew out of the rucksack on my back and landed 6ft away on the carpet - both body and lens survived unharmed!

OTOH, I am very careful with the 55-300 PLM which is reputed to be somewhat fragile at times.