Originally posted by newmikey Not sure you read my OP - the lens is doing perfectly fine. Just trying to purchase a plastic accessory for it. To use your laptop example: the laptop battery is fine but the charge cord is broken - simple charge cord & power plug but cannot get it anywhere.
Yes, I understand and feel how you feel. I read your post, third party hood aren't the perfect fit, as you said no control of a polar filter, and also it uses the lens thread prevent to screw in a filter on top.
BUT ( now you are letting go of hanger against Pentax and shifting the mindset to think in terms of finding a solution... cutting corners a bit):
- we don't use filters often on a 70-200 equivalent lens (I use filters on my 28-105 and 24-70, seldom on 70-200, assuming the same is the case for you)
- a third party hood could make a solution for 12 euros giving you plenty of time to order an OEM hood
- this relax the time for ordering and shipping, an original 50-135 hood
- and feel good again after you put your lens back like original
In 2017 I ordered grip rubber set for my K1. Initially, Ricoh-Pentax Europe said they don't have such grip rubber for sales as spare part in stock (yes.. for 2 years old camera model, no grip rubber in stock). I contacted Pentax official repair center in Germany and they said they don't have K1 grip rubber set in stock either. I said "Ok, would you be able to contact Ricoh for ordering the parts and send me a quote?", they said "Yes, we can try to do this". They've called Ricoh Japan directly, asked for my delivery address, and Ricoh Japan sent me directly, not one but two
complete sets of K1 grip rubbers with a paper indicating how to repair with each part numbered, Ricoh Japan shipped the package immediately by air delivered in front of my door after custom clearance. I wouldn't label this as bad support. Instead of putting energy into complaining, I put the energy in the phone calls to find a solution.