Originally posted by Sjak I'm sorry
Let's steer back to the topic at hand. It seems that a majority of posters in the thread are happy with their DFA*-lenses, but some other issues were reported too.
As for myself, I've been thinking on the matter. I can't bring myself to pay for a
new DFA*-lens, as that would feel like implicitly rewarding Ricoh for the subpar quality and service I experienced myself. It's not a fully rational decision, but hey, photography is not a rational expression
It would be a good thing if there would be some proper 3rd-party-support for PK-mount as that would motivate Ricoh to look after its quality control and the quality & turnover time of its service centers.
Looking forward: later this week, I will check out a DA* 60-250 locally. And maybe a used DFA* 85 1.4 at a reputable retailer
I was writing my reply on my phone the other day, didn't have the chance to clarify further.
Actually when I saw your thread, I could totally relate because I just purchased D FA* 50mm F1.4 and DA* 300mm literally few weeks earlier and unfortunately both of them were not up to my expectation since I paid it as new from Ricoh/Pentax distributor in Australia hence my quick reply.
The positive side, since I bought it new from an authorized seller I have 30 days window to return it, provided I don't like or there's defect on the lens.
This is where I was at the cross road, both of those 2 lenses were amazing, I really like the pictures from those 2 lenses (when they're sharp) and actually it only has severe back focus issue.
But after all, those 2 lenses are quite expensive, they are professional level lenses and I am not expecting any new professional grade lens to have such severe back focus issue, moreover my other DA* or even D FA 100mm macro don't have such issue at all.
So ultimately, I took pictures of the serial number of those 2 lenses and returned it, hoping I will buy it again in the future (and finger cross I won't get the same serial number coming back to me).