[Mallee Boy]

Back home again from our epic 7 week road trip. Left home with the K1 Mk2 and K3 Mk 2 in my bag, fitted out with Sigma 24mm f1.8. FA 43, Sig 70-200 f2.8, DA* 300 & FA 35-80.
Intitially used the 35-80, but it soon started playing up, getting very tight in its zoom action. Resorted to the 24 & 43 but quickly got frustrated being caught out with the wrong lens on the camera for the situation and windy weather making lens changes tricky. All the time Anne is happily shooting away with her K3 & DA 17-70....until it started to not focus, I suspect the SDM (worth repairing ?), she had packed a Sigma 18-250 as a back up.
Found a very good deal on Amazon for a 24-70 and had that delivered ahead to where we were staying three nights,
As per tradition, attached below is the very first shot taken with the 24-70 which only comes off the K1 mk2 for the Sigma 70-200 now. Very very happy with the purchase. Still have a lot to learn about the camera, it is a similar yet different beast and I am only starting to work my way through the shots. Will post more as I do so.


The mandatory first shot....really crappy conditions, but hey ! I wasn't waiting for perfect either so lets see what the Pentax 24-70 f2.8 can do under pressure.
Somewhat ironic that the first shot should be here.? or just appropriate.

[bavd]

Hmmm, do not think this is good news for pentax. Within a few weeks you had 2 lenses failing!
On the plus side i really like your photo number 3.

[UncleVanya]

Hmmm, do not think this is good news for pentax. Within a few weeks you had 2 lenses failing!

One of those lenses is a low end consumer zoom that's design dates to 1999 or earlier. The other has a reputation for sdm issues. I would also say this isn't that uncommon across brands, read lensrentals article on reliability and it becomes clear manufacturers have all gone to less durable designs.

[twilhelm]

Great photos!

As far as the DA17-70 is concerned, I’m quite certain you can get a quote for repair over the phone, but new ones are selling quite cheap these days. If mine ever fails, I’ll probably buy a new one and sell mine as is.

[AstroDave]

Hindmarsh Isl. Sth Australia to the Grand Canyon??

That's some road trip! or was there an airplane ride in between?!

[pres589]

A dying 17-70 seems like a perfect excuse to replace with an 18-135.

[UncleVanya]

A dying 17-70 seems like a perfect excuse to replace with an 18-135.

I'd probably replace with the 16-85 since that is closer to the original focal length and might better replace it if the lens line up was built with the 17-70 in mind. But the 18-135 is another option that could work also.

[pres589]

Either or. I own the 18-135 and like it so I recommend it over the 16-85 which I've never used.

[Mallee Boy]

Hmmm, do not think this is good news for pentax. Within a few weeks you had 2 lenses failing!
On the plus side i really like your photo number 3.

The 35-80 is a very old lens purchased for $20 or $30 secondhand 18 years ago, it still works but is tight in the zoom action, I suspect some dirt build up. The DA 17-70 is a great lens, purchased new on release in Australia, also have a DA* 16-50 in reserve to replace it for now, but may consider a new 17-70...have seen them at very low prices.


I do not think this is any reflection on Pentax at all, we are pretty tough on lenses, they get a lot of travel, some of it in checked baggage these days as well. We get them wet, muddy and dusty so I am actually very happy with the life we have had from the 17-70.


Glad you enjoyed the image.

---------- Post added 11-13-18 at 09:09 AM ----------

Hindmarsh Isl. Sth Australia to the Grand Canyon??

That's some road trip! or was there an airplane ride in between?!

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/images/smilies/lol.png

haven't you heard about the bridge ??

---------- Post added 11-13-18 at 09:12 AM ----------

Great photos!

As far as the DA17-70 is concerned, I’m quite certain you can get a quote for repair over the phone, but new ones are selling quite cheap these days. If mine ever fails, I’ll probably buy a new one and sell mine as is.

Thanks for looking. My sentiments exactly regarding 17-70.

---------- Post added 11-13-18 at 09:13 AM ----------

One of those lenses is a low end consumer zoom that's design dates to 1999 or earlier. The other has a reputation for sdm issues. I would also say this isn't that uncommon across brands, read lensrentals article on reliability and it becomes clear manufacturers have all gone to less durable designs.

G'day Uncle. Precisely, I have no issue with it.

[jddwoods]

I'd probably replace with the 16-85 since that is closer to the original focal length and might better replace it if the lens line up was built with the 17-70 in mind. But the 18-135 is another option that could work also.

This is exactly what I did when the SDM on my DA 17-70 failed. I really enjoy using my 16-85 which I bought used at a good price. I checked repair cost for the 17-70 at Precision camera in the US and the flat rate is $212 plus shipping. KEH in the US also can repair the lens but they are even more expensive than Precision. Meanwhile used copies of the 17-70 are available at or even less than the repair cost, however if I decide I want a working 17-70 I will just get mine repaired. That way I will know it will have a new, and hopefully improved SDM motor. Even though I have the 16-85 which I consider a better overall lens than the 17-70, I would still want a second versatile zoom. If it weren't for the SDM I would be very happy with the 17-70. The image quality is really quite good.