oh boy, where to start
maybe:
my 31ltd broke, maybe better said I broke it....
seems like I hit it somewhere (I even think I know where) and the built in hood did it's job (of protecting the front element), but didn't withstand the impact. Something inside the lens, that was holding the built in hood in place on the left side, broke off and came loose. The hood still holds in the place though I can depress the left side a bit if I try, while right side is solid. I can clearly hear that loose bit rattling arond when I move the lens but I can't see it. It's between the inner barrel and the focusing ring, and if the lens is in certain position the focusing jams. I need to shift the ring tilt the lens and then I can go from infinity to closest. Basicaly I have piece of whatever rattling between two barrels.....
so again
what to do? I know I probably should send it to Pentax, but I'm bit worried about price/time aspects. Does anybody have experience with having ltds (any ltd lenses or * lenses) repaired? How much can it cost? Any advices greatly appreciated
Thank you,
Peter
PS: Having said that, I fully accept responsibility for this but it leaves me somewhat dissapointed. I mean 1 hit, ONE!!! And built quality of this lens is something so much raved about. I've had DA40 rattling in my work bag (without padding or any kind of protection) taking knocks and hits for nearly a year now and still in perfect mechanical (and optical for that matter) condition. And all it takes to take the venrably well put together FA31 out of action is one hit!!!
I know it's fully my fault and I'm to blame, not the lens, but I'm still dissapointed...
anyway, any kind of suggestions would be good
BR