My workhorse lens when I finally made the transition to auto-focus has been a Tokina ATX PRO 28-70mm f/2.8 that I bought second-hand from KEH in early 2003 to go along with a second-hand PZ-1p. I dropped it just before we shipped out to Iraq & I had to send it to Tokina for repair. They did an excellent job, and repaired it under warranty even though I explained in copious detail that it was purchased used and it was my fault it was broken.
I love that lens. Recently, whenever I mount it on any of my Pentax DSLRs, I get the dreaded "--" whenever the zoom ring is turned to the 28mm position. I'm looking for a replacement, because I don't think Tokina can/will repair it a second time. I guess I should try to contact them about it, but it's going to bum me out if they tell me what I expect they will; that it's too old to repair any more. I sent it to the Pentax guy in Knoxville (?) that PJ suggested. He wasn't able to fix the problem. In the interim, I purchased a second-hand Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG. It's the older model without HSM & the switch on the side. [Anyone know what the switch on the side does?] Turned out it had a problem with the zoom, getting stuck where it wouldn't zoom below 35mm, & if I did manage to get it down to 24mm it then wouldn't go up higher than 35mm. I took it back to the store where I bought it, and they sent it off to CRIS for repair under store warranty. It came back with the bayonet ring for the lens hood cockeyed. I frittered around & procrastinated taking it back to the store again until today. The repair tech there fixed it so the lens hood mounts straight, but the first time I tried to zoom the lens it locked up at 24mm. The repair tech managed to get it free, but it's going to have to go back to CRIS again, this time on my dime. So in the meantime I don't have either my workhorse or the donkey available. Y'all keep an eye peeled for any Tokina ATX PRO 28-70mm f/2.8 AF in Pentax Kaf mount please & let me know if you see one available. -- Science - Questions we may never find answers for. Religion - Answers we must never question. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
