Repair for FA* 400mm

**igowerf** · 04-01-2020, 01:52 PM

I have an FA* 400mm that might be decentered. I've had this lens for many years now, and just last year, I noticed that none of my shots off this lens are sharp anymore - all of the images look soft and glowy, even stopped down. The issue seems to get worse as the lens focuses farther out towards infinity.

Precision Repair doesn't list this as a lens that they repair, and I'm not confident in their service based on what I've read here on the forums. I've sent it to KEH, but they said that they weren't able to reproduce the issue, but he sample photos that they sent me were low res and seemed to have the same issues.

Are there any other repair options out there?

Here is a photo where I focused on the trees in the distance, above the roof:
All sizes | IMGP0455 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Some patches of leaves are particularly blurry while the rest are just very soft. EXIF should be attached.

**aslyfox** · 04-01-2020, 01:56 PM

here are repair options in the US

Quote:

US
KEH.com (GA, Most current and vintage gear)
Eric Hendrickson (Vintage cameras, Current and vintage lenses)
Precision Camera (Authorized to perform warranty service, NC)
Advance Camera (Most current and vintage gear, Portland, OR)
General Camera Repair (LA, CA)
Garry's Camera Repair (IL, select film SLRs)
International Camera Repair (LA, CA)
Halcyon Cameras | Vintage Camera Restoration (Vintage film cameras, San Diego, CA)
Camera Repair Japan (Services Sigma lenses and more, Atlanta, GA)
Allied Camera (MN, manual film cameras)
Bill Rogers Camera (LV, NV, film-era cameras and lenses)
Phototronic (Topeka, KS, film and digital camera repair)
Lezot's Camera Center (VT, film SLRs / medium format)

Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 8 - PentaxForums.com

if you go to the linked thread you get active links

I am very happy with Phototronics repair of my 150-450 zoom

**pepperberry farm** · 04-01-2020, 02:09 PM

I've had good luck with lens repair at Advance Camera, in Portland...

but with the current state of affairs, you should definitely call ahead...

**igowerf** · 04-01-2020, 02:47 PM

Thanks aslyfox and pepperberry farm. I guess I should have looked at the stickied threads first!

Not a Number · 04-01-2020, 03:51 PM

You can give this company in Japan a try. They do (or did) take repairs from outside of Japan. However due to the worldwide situation overseas shipping, both incoming and outgoing, is greatly delayed or even non-existent.

Lens Repair Co. run by Retired Pentax Engineers - PentaxForums.com

Albert Siegel · 04-01-2020, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

You can give this company in Japan a try. They do (or did) take repairs from outside of Japan. However due to the worldwide situation overseas shipping, both incoming and outgoing, is greatly delayed or even non-existent.

Lens Repair Co. run by Retired Pentax Engineers - PentaxForums.com

This is not an option at the moment. It seems that Japan Post is not sending or receiving anything from overseas. International shipping with Japan is nearly shut down as of today for an unknown amount of time. I'm still trying to get more info.

angerdan · 05-09-2021, 04:46 AM

Originally posted by igowerf

I have an FA* 400mm that might be decentered.
I've had this lens for many years now, and just last year, I noticed that none of my shots off this lens are sharp anymore - all of the images look soft and glowy, even stopped down.

The issue seems to get worse as the lens focuses farther out towards infinity.

What happens if you use LiveView (CDAF) for focussing on a flat target, like a wall of bricks?

04-01-2020, 01:52 PM	#1
igowerf Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 486	*Repair for FA 400mm** I have an FA* 400mm that might be decentered. I've had this lens for many years now, and just last year, I noticed that none of my shots off this lens are sharp anymore - all of the images look soft and glowy, even stopped down. The issue seems to get worse as the lens focuses farther out towards infinity. Precision Repair doesn't list this as a lens that they repair, and I'm not confident in their service based on what I've read here on the forums. I've sent it to KEH, but they said that they weren't able to reproduce the issue, but he sample photos that they sent me were low res and seemed to have the same issues. Are there any other repair options out there? Here is a photo where I focused on the trees in the distance, above the roof: All sizes \| IMGP0455 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! Some patches of leaves are particularly blurry while the rest are just very soft. EXIF should be attached.

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04-01-2020, 01:56 PM	#2
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	here are repair options in the US Quote: US KEH.com (GA, Most current and vintage gear) Eric Hendrickson (Vintage cameras, Current and vintage lenses) Precision Camera (Authorized to perform warranty service, NC) Advance Camera (Most current and vintage gear, Portland, OR) General Camera Repair (LA, CA) Garry's Camera Repair (IL, select film SLRs) International Camera Repair (LA, CA) Halcyon Cameras \| Vintage Camera Restoration (Vintage film cameras, San Diego, CA) Camera Repair Japan (Services Sigma lenses and more, Atlanta, GA) Allied Camera (MN, manual film cameras) Bill Rogers Camera (LV, NV, film-era cameras and lenses) Phototronic (Topeka, KS, film and digital camera repair) Lezot's Camera Center (VT, film SLRs / medium format) Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 8 - PentaxForums.com if you go to the linked thread you get active links I am very happy with Phototronics repair of my 150-450 zoom

04-01-2020, 02:09 PM	#3
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,777	I've had good luck with lens repair at Advance Camera, in Portland... but with the current state of affairs, you should definitely call ahead...

04-01-2020, 02:47 PM	#4
igowerf Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 486 Original Poster	Thanks aslyfox and pepperberry farm. I guess I should have looked at the stickied threads first!

04-01-2020, 03:51 PM	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	You can give this company in Japan a try. They do (or did) take repairs from outside of Japan. However due to the worldwide situation overseas shipping, both incoming and outgoing, is greatly delayed or even non-existent. Lens Repair Co. run by Retired Pentax Engineers - PentaxForums.com

04-01-2020, 06:22 PM	#6
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372	Originally posted by Not a Number You can give this company in Japan a try. They do (or did) take repairs from outside of Japan. However due to the worldwide situation overseas shipping, both incoming and outgoing, is greatly delayed or even non-existent. Lens Repair Co. run by Retired Pentax Engineers - PentaxForums.com This is not an option at the moment. It seems that Japan Post is not sending or receiving anything from overseas. International shipping with Japan is nearly shut down as of today for an unknown amount of time. I'm still trying to get more info.

05-09-2021, 04:46 AM	#7
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,643	Originally posted by igowerf I have an FA* 400mm that might be decentered. I've had this lens for many years now, and just last year, I noticed that none of my shots off this lens are sharp anymore - all of the images look soft and glowy, even stopped down. The issue seems to get worse as the lens focuses farther out towards infinity. What happens if you use LiveView (CDAF) for focussing on a flat target, like a wall of bricks?