Originally posted by RobA_Oz I had a similar problem with a used DFA 100 macro, a year or so back, although in that case it was the aperture module that failed and was unrepairable.
And the D-FA100macro has no internal motor, is just screwdrive.
So what Mike wrote:
Originally posted by BigMackCam Having serviced a number of relatively simple, vintage manual-focus lenses over the years, and a couple of early AF zooms, I'm not surprised at the seemingly-high cost of modern lens repair. Even those older, simpler lenses require considerable time and effort just to service them, never mind any repair work - so I can only imagine the increased complexity and difficulty with modern devices. Once you take into account the time, effort and cost involved in diagnosis, disassembly, component replacement, re-assembly, testing, investment in alignment and testing equipment, and guaranteeing the work against future failure, a few hundred bucks really isn't unreasonable.
This is absolutly really true.
I once disassembled a Sigma AF HSM Zoom but don't want to do it anymore, too complex and difficult to almost impossible now to get the motor.
It is different with some Pentax SDM lenses, the motor is easy to exchange (but difficult to get the motor!), I never disassembled a Pentax DC lens, so no idea how much time/effort would be involved.
Alignement is crucial, they have the test equipment which I lack, so repair of AF lenses is history, good manual lenses I sent to Görlitz.
Very good manual and A-lenses I sent now to
Olbrich, Görlitz. Andrea Schönfelder does such an excellent job for a very reasonable price that I hardly clean/repair lenses myself anymore.
She doesn't do AF lenses, even if screwdrive. I never asked her for the reason but as I had repaired a few myself I can understand it well.
She anyway has a long waitinglist, is wellknown internationally now.