Problems with my DA 645 25 f/4

itshimitis · 04-01-2013, 07:59 AM

Looks like I will have to send it in for servicing as there is a lot of play in the middle of the lens right behind the focussing ring. It moves pretty freely, and I'm also finding it very soft indeed at the edges. Has anyone else with this lens had any issues with build quality? I don't know whether the excess play is the reason for softness, but it looks like Pentax servicing will be getting (even) more money from me.

Adam · 04-01-2013, 08:05 AM

This sort of work should be covered by your warranty. I have also received a lens in the past that wasn't assembled properly, ended up getting it exchanged.

itshimitis · 04-01-2013, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by Adam

This sort of work should be covered by your warranty. I have also received a lens in the past that wasn't assembled properly, ended up getting it exchanged.

I bought mine used on commission from Ffordes, and in a spring clean my mother in law threw away the box, so I have no warranty card.

Adam · 04-01-2013, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by itshimitis

I bought mine used on commission from Ffordes, and in a spring clean my mother in law threw away the box, so I have no warranty card.

I don't know what the terms are in the UK, but in the US there are no warranty cards. You just need a receipt.

Adam
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desertscape · 04-01-2013, 01:57 PM

One would think that at those prices, Pentax would have a robust design that would not need servicing for many years. On the other hand, if it was a flaw from the factory, it indicates that the assembly process was flawed and there was no quality assurance check before release to the customer. That would be very contrary to the traditional Deming based quality that Japan is famous for.

Zygonyx · 04-02-2013, 02:25 AM

y have to date no problem with my D-FA sample, but i read one of the argument of issuing the DA version was cost cutting...

itshimitis · 05-21-2013, 04:13 PM

I got mine back frm repair and the wobble has gone, but the lens now doesn't focus at all, not even if I set it to manual and set it at infinity. Waiting for Ffordes to send someone to pick it up again. Clearly it wasn't tested before it was sent back to them. Have to wonder what they DID do.

itshimitis · 12-04-2013, 08:50 AM

Well, they weren't able to fix the lens and bearing in mind I bought it second hand, I am getting brand new lens next week. It took 6 months, but a good result I think

tuco · 12-04-2013, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by Zygonyx

y have to date no problem with my D-FA sample, but i read one of the argument of issuing the DA version was cost cutting...

The DA 645 25 f/4 is a $5000 USD lens. Cost cutting?

Ryan Tischer · 12-04-2013, 03:34 PM

Sorry to hear about your troubles, I've not had any issues with my D FA version.

Zygonyx · 12-05-2013, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by tuco

The DA 645 25 f/4 is a $5000 USD lens. Cost cutting?

Well, cost cutting doesn't mean price cutting

Don't forget the margin...

tuco · 12-05-2013, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by Zygonyx

Well, cost cutting doesn't mean price cutting

Don't forget the margin...

Ha, yes of course.

It's been a long time since I was in school but IIRC from a topic called Market Of The Millions where saving a little on material and parts while holding the price the same can add up. This lens just doesn't seem to fit that model. One would think they could easily charge $100 more for better parts/material and it really wouldn't really affect sales of a luxury item like this lens.

itshimitis · 12-31-2013, 01:05 PM

I finally have my replacement lens. It arrived today, brand new wrapped in the box.

jamgolf · 12-31-2013, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by itshimitis

I finally have my replacement lens. It arrived today, brand new wrapped in the box.

That is nice

Did it really take 8 months to get a replacement?
Do you notice any free movement (that you experienced) in this lens?
How about softness in the corners that you mentioned with the original copy?

Have you noticed any purple-fringing in strong back-light subjects?
If so - what is your method to remove/minimize it?

Cheers!

itshimitis · 01-01-2014, 08:20 AM

It did take some time, it was 'fixed' by a third party repair centre in the UK, but the lens wouldn't focus manually or otherwise. While it did take some time, the result was the right one in the end - the lens was not far off £5k new when I bought it used for £2k. Ffordes have kept in touch throughout, and this is the first time I have ever had any issues with them and I've bought quite a few of my lenses from them, plus a 645N. Pity it's a DA rather than a DFA, as would have loved to have had the extra width on film.

Have only done a couple of very simple shots with it, and it's working just fine. The weather is forecast to be terrible for some time, so could be a while before I get the opportunity to give it a proper runout.

04-01-2013, 07:59 AM	#1
itshimitis Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,535	Problems with my DA 645 25 f/4 Looks like I will have to send it in for servicing as there is a lot of play in the middle of the lens right behind the focussing ring. It moves pretty freely, and I'm also finding it very soft indeed at the edges. Has anyone else with this lens had any issues with build quality? I don't know whether the excess play is the reason for softness, but it looks like Pentax servicing will be getting (even) more money from me.

04-01-2013, 08:05 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	This sort of work should be covered by your warranty. I have also received a lens in the past that wasn't assembled properly, ended up getting it exchanged. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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04-01-2013, 08:06 AM	#3
itshimitis Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,535 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam This sort of work should be covered by your warranty. I have also received a lens in the past that wasn't assembled properly, ended up getting it exchanged. I bought mine used on commission from Ffordes, and in a spring clean my mother in law threw away the box, so I have no warranty card.

04-01-2013, 08:10 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by itshimitis I bought mine used on commission from Ffordes, and in a spring clean my mother in law threw away the box, so I have no warranty card. I don't know what the terms are in the UK, but in the US there are no warranty cards. You just need a receipt. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

04-01-2013, 01:57 PM	#5
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	One would think that at those prices, Pentax would have a robust design that would not need servicing for many years. On the other hand, if it was a flaw from the factory, it indicates that the assembly process was flawed and there was no quality assurance check before release to the customer. That would be very contrary to the traditional Deming based quality that Japan is famous for.

04-02-2013, 02:25 AM	#6
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	y have to date no problem with my D-FA sample, but i read one of the argument of issuing the DA version was cost cutting...

05-21-2013, 04:13 PM	#7
itshimitis Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,535 Original Poster	I got mine back frm repair and the wobble has gone, but the lens now doesn't focus at all, not even if I set it to manual and set it at infinity. Waiting for Ffordes to send someone to pick it up again. Clearly it wasn't tested before it was sent back to them. Have to wonder what they DID do.

12-04-2013, 08:50 AM	#8
itshimitis Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,535 Original Poster	Well, they weren't able to fix the lens and bearing in mind I bought it second hand, I am getting brand new lens next week. It took 6 months, but a good result I think

12-04-2013, 10:36 AM	#9
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,025	Originally posted by Zygonyx y have to date no problem with my D-FA sample, but i read one of the argument of issuing the DA version was cost cutting... The DA 645 25 f/4 is a $5000 USD lens. Cost cutting?

12-04-2013, 03:34 PM	#10
Ryan Tischer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 458	Sorry to hear about your troubles, I've not had any issues with my D FA version.

12-05-2013, 01:07 PM	#11
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	Originally posted by tuco The DA 645 25 f/4 is a $5000 USD lens. Cost cutting? Well, cost cutting doesn't mean price cutting Don't forget the margin...

12-05-2013, 01:30 PM	#12
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,025	Originally posted by Zygonyx Well, cost cutting doesn't mean price cutting Don't forget the margin... Ha, yes of course. It's been a long time since I was in school but IIRC from a topic called Market Of The Millions where saving a little on material and parts while holding the price the same can add up. This lens just doesn't seem to fit that model. One would think they could easily charge $100 more for better parts/material and it really wouldn't really affect sales of a luxury item like this lens.

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12-31-2013, 01:05 PM	#13
itshimitis Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,535 Original Poster	I finally have my replacement lens. It arrived today, brand new wrapped in the box.

12-31-2013, 06:47 PM	#14
jamgolf Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 42	Originally posted by itshimitis I finally have my replacement lens. It arrived today, brand new wrapped in the box. That is nice Did it really take 8 months to get a replacement? Do you notice any free movement (that you experienced) in this lens? How about softness in the corners that you mentioned with the original copy? Have you noticed any purple-fringing in strong back-light subjects? If so - what is your method to remove/minimize it? Cheers!

01-01-2014, 08:20 AM	#15
itshimitis Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,535 Original Poster	It did take some time, it was 'fixed' by a third party repair centre in the UK, but the lens wouldn't focus manually or otherwise. While it did take some time, the result was the right one in the end - the lens was not far off £5k new when I bought it used for £2k. Ffordes have kept in touch throughout, and this is the first time I have ever had any issues with them and I've bought quite a few of my lenses from them, plus a 645N. Pity it's a DA rather than a DFA, as would have loved to have had the extra width on film. Have only done a couple of very simple shots with it, and it's working just fine. The weather is forecast to be terrible for some time, so could be a while before I get the opportunity to give it a proper runout.