Bad luck with lenses continues - the mighty beercan

Well, many of you helped out on my last lens thread - http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1035&message=30634326 - and now I have another issue...with the darn beercan lens I received in the mail yesterday. The zoom and the focusing ring are very tight and tend to get stuck. Most often the zoom gets stuck between 70-85mm or at 210. The focus is very finicky and at certain zoom lengths will move only partially. For example, when the lens is stuck at 210, the focus ring will travel part of the macro range of focus (the part with the blue line).

Is there a trick to this guy or did I get another dud?

I've learned my lesson though. No more second-hand lenses unless it's from a dealer with a guarantee. I'm probably going to send this one to KEH as well for repair since it does receive such rave reviews. In it's current state, I wouldn't be able to make up the cash by just getting rid of it.

Well, I'm not sure what the problem is but I do most of my used purchasing from KEH because of their reliability.

I'll also buy from some of the proven reliable folks on various forums also. But the few times I buy second hand unknown it has to be a really cheap price and I do it with the knowledge that something may go wrong.

Good luck resolving your problem.
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Long live the HMS Beagle
Critiques always welcome!

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Thanks - luckily the prices were reasonably low on the lenses so I'm not hurting too bad...but it's still very disappointing. I do usually do business with KEH also. They will be handling the lens repair.

Sorry to hear about your troubles as I know how frustrating it can be.

I bought one lens of Craigs list and got totally burned with horrible back focus, never again will I buy this way, I'd rather pay a little more from a reputable source.

Good luck.
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Thanks.
Jorg S.

If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

Sorry to here about you problem but all is not losted. Get it fixed if you can and you won't be sorry! I bought mine about two years ago ($152.00 on Ebay) and after 6 months the aperture started sticking. I sent it to Midwest Repair in Michigan and $110.00 later I am in top shape. It was worth every penny and now I have a great working Beercan.

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Photo eye

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Thanks for the encouraging words; I'm thinking since I paid a fraction of the going price on Ebay - 200-250ish now - I will get it fixed. The ratings and reviews are too good on this lens to not at least try since I finally got my hands on one...

I was hunting to get Sigma 400mm APO prime yesterday over web when I saw mutiple beercans (f/4) selling at Adorama Used Equipment well under $200.

I love my beercan copy. Get a good one...
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http://www.stan-pustylnik.smugmug.com

Thank you for the tip!

Adorama is where my new light-beercan (3.5-4.5) just came from - they too sell good things well. It was rated E+ and I have no argument, it's in very fine shape.

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http://picasaweb.google.com/alphaPDX/LiteBeer