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Blue · 03-25-2014, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by ironlionzion

Does anyone know if Eric can fix decentering on an FA31? I sent him an email but just got a generic reply regarding sending in film cameras.

I strongly suggest that you email him about. I would say there is a very good chance he can.

ironlionzion · 03-25-2014, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by Blue

I strongly suggest that you email him about. I would say there is a very good chance he can.

I emailed him about it, and he just replied with a generic email about how to pack up the equipment, mainly referring to cameras :/

amoringello · 03-25-2014, 02:30 PM

Glad I stumbled upon this thread. I have a DA*16-50 that has been repaired three or four times for the same issue. (and another 16-50 with the same problem repaired twice) I'm hoping Eric can do more that the other repair center. I just can't bring myself to send it to them a fifth time.

**monochrome** · 03-25-2014, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by amoringello

Glad I stumbled upon this thread. I have a DA*16-50 that has been repaired three or four times for the same issue. (and another 16-50 with the same problem repaired twice) I'm hoping Eric can do more that the other repair center. I just can't bring myself to send it to them a fifth time.

That lens MIGHT be after his time. Did you send it to Pentax Authorized Service at C.R.I.S.? You should have some cause for complaint with Denver after 4 attempts to fix a problem if you did.

amoringello · 03-25-2014, 05:03 PM

One lens is from the first year they were released. Still, it should not be beyond its expected lifetime. The other is only about two and half years old.

I didn't want to say, but they (CRIS) are the ones who serviced both lenses all those times. The newest copy of the lens needed servicing after less than six months and was under warranty. After repair it broke down again with the same problem after six more months. The only reason I have the second DA*16-50 is that it died a month after servicing and I had an important job to do. I didn't have time to rent (no one locally rents Pentax) so I had to buy a new one. In the end a backup isn't a bad thing.

They also serviced my K5 for replacing the sensor (very mild stains issue). It came back with faulty weather sealing and sucked up water like a sponge in mild rain a few weeks later. (I've had the thing in torrential downpours without issue in the past. Naturally Pentax would not cover the damage under warranty.)
CRIS also serviced one of my other cameras twice for the same issue - had to send it back immediately.
CRIS also serviced one of my flashes five times, sent back immediately each time because the issues were not resolved. The issue remains a problem to this day.

The 16-50 lenses are not abused in any way. Because they seem so very fragile I am really quite a bit more gentle with their use than I am with any other equipment.

My DA* 50-135 on the other hand has been dropped four feet (the tripod mount came loose). It survived and is still functional.
Still, when possible I handle my gear with care

jtkratzer · 03-25-2014, 06:50 PM

And the post office continues to fail me. No delivery today.

**boriscleto** · 03-25-2014, 07:51 PM

Originally posted by jtkratzer

And the post office continues to fail me. No delivery today.

This said pre-shipment until this afternoon...

I love how the shipping information arrived two days after the package departed...

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Name: Screen Shot 2014-03-25 at 10.49.44 PM.png
Views: 629
Size: 69.2 KB

jtkratzer · 03-26-2014, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

This said pre-shipment until this afternoon...

I love how the shipping information arrived two days after the package departed...

Attachment 213084

No update yesterday, but this morning, it went back to Knoxville, TN. These people are imbeciles. Worst part is you can't call anyone at the sort facility and no one is held accountable or responsible. Gotta love when the two-day service takes at least eight.

I have two more bodies to send to him, I'm just hoping the post office can get them there and back before I move out of the state in May.

AKJeeper · 03-26-2014, 10:49 AM

Wow. Sorry to hear that you're having so many problems with USPS. Things are different here in AK - USPS tends to be quite reliable...I've had far more problems with the other guys. Eric did beautiful work on my Spotmatic and Program Plus. I'd like to send him an MX when I get money saved up. And possibly find a cheap LX somewhere and have him do his magic on it.

Blue · 03-26-2014, 11:27 AM

Eric may be willing to take a look at a FA prime. A DA* zoom is a horse of another color.

Blue · 03-26-2014, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by ironlionzion

I emailed him about it, and he just replied with a generic email about how to pack up the equipment, mainly referring to cameras :/

Try again with maybe a more specific title for the message.

ironlionzion · 03-26-2014, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by Blue

Try again with maybe a more specific title for the message.

Yeah I replied to his email and explained the problem further. He said he never heard of "decentering," but I showed him the photographs and he thinks it may be a loose element or barrel. I'm sending it to him to check out in person.

jtkratzer · 03-26-2014, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by AKJeeper

Wow. Sorry to hear that you're having so many problems with USPS. Things are different here in AK - USPS tends to be quite reliable...I've had far more problems with the other guys. Eric did beautiful work on my Spotmatic and Program Plus. I'd like to send him an MX when I get money saved up. And possibly find a cheap LX somewhere and have him do his magic on it.

I'm really looking forward to getting them back. I was hoping to have time to shoot a roll or two before heading out of town for three weeks, but that's not going to happen. One of the bodies is the camera my in-laws bought in the early 80s to take baby pictures of my wife when she was born. I just want the package to get to me or back to Eric without any issues at this point.

Skullsroad · 03-28-2014, 01:40 PM

Update on my infamous MX shutter ping. It's gone. Got the camera back from Eric today and it's music to my ears. I had him throw in a new focusing screen since mine had a small mark in the upper left corner. Now I have an MX I'm happy with and can sell off the rest of my SLRs.

Eyewanders · 03-29-2014, 12:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Skullsroad

Now I have an MX I'm happy with and can sell off the rest of my SLRs.

A clean and snappy working MX can do that to ya.

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03-25-2014, 02:00 PM	#301
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by ironlionzion Does anyone know if Eric can fix decentering on an FA31? I sent him an email but just got a generic reply regarding sending in film cameras. I strongly suggest that you email him about. I would say there is a very good chance he can.

03-25-2014, 02:07 PM	#302
ironlionzion Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 409	Originally posted by Blue I strongly suggest that you email him about. I would say there is a very good chance he can. I emailed him about it, and he just replied with a generic email about how to pack up the equipment, mainly referring to cameras :/

03-25-2014, 02:30 PM	#303
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	Glad I stumbled upon this thread. I have a DA*16-50 that has been repaired three or four times for the same issue. (and another 16-50 with the same problem repaired twice) I'm hoping Eric can do more that the other repair center. I just can't bring myself to send it to them a fifth time.

03-25-2014, 03:02 PM	#304
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by amoringello Glad I stumbled upon this thread. I have a DA16-50 that has been repaired three or four times for the same issue. (and another 16-50 with the same problem repaired twice) I'm hoping Eric can do more that the other repair center. I just can't bring myself to send it to them a fifth time. That lens MIGHT* be after his time. Did you send it to Pentax Authorized Service at C.R.I.S.? You should have some cause for complaint with Denver after 4 attempts to fix a problem if you did.

03-25-2014, 05:03 PM	#305
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	One lens is from the first year they were released. Still, it should not be beyond its expected lifetime. The other is only about two and half years old. I didn't want to say, but they (CRIS) are the ones who serviced both lenses all those times. The newest copy of the lens needed servicing after less than six months and was under warranty. After repair it broke down again with the same problem after six more months. The only reason I have the second DA16-50 is that it died a month after servicing and I had an important job to do. I didn't have time to rent (no one locally rents Pentax) so I had to buy a new one. In the end a backup isn't a bad thing. They also serviced my K5 for replacing the sensor (very mild stains issue). It came back with faulty weather sealing and sucked up water like a sponge in mild rain a few weeks later. (I've had the thing in torrential downpours without issue in the past. Naturally Pentax would not cover the damage under warranty.) CRIS also serviced one of my other cameras twice for the same issue - had to send it back immediately. CRIS also serviced one of my flashes five times, sent back immediately each time because the issues were not resolved. The issue remains a problem to this day. The 16-50 lenses are not abused in any way. Because they seem so very fragile I am really quite a bit more gentle with their use than I am with any other equipment. My DA 50-135 on the other hand has been dropped four feet (the tripod mount came loose). It survived and is still functional. Still, when possible I handle my gear with care

03-25-2014, 06:50 PM	#306
jtkratzer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lancaster County, Pa Posts: 963	And the post office continues to fail me. No delivery today.

03-25-2014, 07:51 PM	#307
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by jtkratzer And the post office continues to fail me. No delivery today. This said pre-shipment until this afternoon... I love how the shipping information arrived two days after the package departed...

03-26-2014, 10:10 AM	#308
jtkratzer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lancaster County, Pa Posts: 963	Originally posted by boriscleto This said pre-shipment until this afternoon... I love how the shipping information arrived two days after the package departed... Attachment 213084 No update yesterday, but this morning, it went back to Knoxville, TN. These people are imbeciles. Worst part is you can't call anyone at the sort facility and no one is held accountable or responsible. Gotta love when the two-day service takes at least eight. I have two more bodies to send to him, I'm just hoping the post office can get them there and back before I move out of the state in May.

03-26-2014, 10:49 AM	#309
AKJeeper New Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Kodiak, AK Posts: 12	Wow. Sorry to hear that you're having so many problems with USPS. Things are different here in AK - USPS tends to be quite reliable...I've had far more problems with the other guys. Eric did beautiful work on my Spotmatic and Program Plus. I'd like to send him an MX when I get money saved up. And possibly find a cheap LX somewhere and have him do his magic on it.

03-26-2014, 11:27 AM	#310
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Eric may be willing to take a look at a FA prime. A DA* zoom is a horse of another color.

03-26-2014, 11:28 AM	#311
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by ironlionzion I emailed him about it, and he just replied with a generic email about how to pack up the equipment, mainly referring to cameras :/ Try again with maybe a more specific title for the message.

03-26-2014, 11:31 AM	#312
ironlionzion Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 409	Originally posted by Blue Try again with maybe a more specific title for the message. Yeah I replied to his email and explained the problem further. He said he never heard of "decentering," but I showed him the photographs and he thinks it may be a loose element or barrel. I'm sending it to him to check out in person.

03-26-2014, 04:34 PM	#313
jtkratzer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lancaster County, Pa Posts: 963	Originally posted by AKJeeper Wow. Sorry to hear that you're having so many problems with USPS. Things are different here in AK - USPS tends to be quite reliable...I've had far more problems with the other guys. Eric did beautiful work on my Spotmatic and Program Plus. I'd like to send him an MX when I get money saved up. And possibly find a cheap LX somewhere and have him do his magic on it. I'm really looking forward to getting them back. I was hoping to have time to shoot a roll or two before heading out of town for three weeks, but that's not going to happen. One of the bodies is the camera my in-laws bought in the early 80s to take baby pictures of my wife when she was born. I just want the package to get to me or back to Eric without any issues at this point.

03-28-2014, 01:40 PM	#314
Skullsroad Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bay Area Posts: 267	Update on my infamous MX shutter ping. It's gone. Got the camera back from Eric today and it's music to my ears. I had him throw in a new focusing screen since mine had a small mark in the upper left corner. Now I have an MX I'm happy with and can sell off the rest of my SLRs.

03-29-2014, 12:28 PM - 1 Like	#315
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by Skullsroad Now I have an MX I'm happy with and can sell off the rest of my SLRs. A clean and snappy working MX can do that to ya.

Pentax repair by Eric Hendrickson

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