KEH lens repair

Uloo wrote:

I recently had a vertical, with "sudden stop" mishap with my beloved DA 16-85 lens..... And now it won't focus or zoom....
I contacted numerous times Precision Camera repair, but I have not gotten any response. Also I noticed that, this particular lens is not in their Pentax lens lineup.
So I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the KEH camera and lens repair service.
The quality of their repair.
Thanks for any input.

I would contact KEH directly and ask if they can specifically repair you type of need with that specific lens. There was a time when it was difficult for 3rd parties to get parts, but I'm not sure that is still the case.

AFAIK only Precision in the US has the tools to adjust Pentax lens focus. With a drop you may need that kind of calibration (among other things). So it would be best to contact KEH and inquire and they may still refer you to Precision.

KEH has gone to a flat rate charging system.

For example, if camera "X" is sent in, it may have a flat rate repair charge of $300.

As I understand it, if the camera only needs a $5.00 part and 10 minutes work - you will pay the $300.

If, on the other hand, the camera needs a $500. repair, you will pay the $500.

This is how I understood their system from their site. I hope I'm wrong on this one. 

Tom Lusk wrote:

KEH has gone to a flat rate charging system.

For example, if camera "X" is sent in, it may have a flat rate repair charge of $300.

As I understand it, if the camera only needs a $5.00 part and 10 minutes work - you will pay the $300.

If, on the other hand, the camera needs a $500. repair, you will pay the $500.

This is how I understood their system from their site. I hope I'm wrong on this one.

This is somewhat correct -- they use a flat rate system.

For Digital zooms that rate is $235 USD. This is up from $200 just a few months ago (when I last checked before today).

This means if your lens needs a 5 dollar part, you pay 235 dollars. If your lens needs a 300 dollar part, you may theoretically only pay 235 dollars.

You generally always pay 235 dollars. If they need much more than 235 to repair, they will inform you and provide a new estimate or offer to ship it back to you.

Precision is similar -- they have a base rate and will notify you if they can't repair within that price. The difference is Precision's base rate differs per camera body and camera lens.  That, and the technicians seem clueless for certain repairs.

Uloo wrote:

Well clumsy me..... I dropped this lens again..... So this time I send it to Precision... since for the same repair they were quite a bit cheaper, They said they received it on the 8th of September and its been in repair ever since..... If they are a Pentax authorized repair service shouldn't they have access to the repair parts easier then KEH?

I know if I need repair again where I will send it again..... Wont be Precision unless its Warranty work.

Ulrich

A lot of complaints about  Precision on this forum.  When the mode dial went on my K-5 I chose Precision over KEH based on cost and the fact that no one could turn the repair around fast enough (granddaughters HS graduation was in 5 days after the mode dial went bad)  They turned the repair around in a little over 3 weeks.

They handled the repair well and kept me advised of the status via their website.  They also confirmed via a phone call they had received the K-5.