16-50 - a problem lens?

Yes it is, but it'll use the body's focussing motor with firmware 1.10, just as it does on a *istD or other non-SDM Pentax body.

For more info on 'downgrading' firmware:

http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-get-back-to-older-version-of.html

PeterM

Chris @ SRS has sold a number of the SDM lenses recently.

If he's in a position to quote the numbers, it would be interesting to know how many, and whether there have been QC issues from any of his customers.

Even without the numbers, it would be helpful to hear from possibly the only person here who's been in contact, even indirectly, with a significant number of the lenses.

I collected mine on Saturday from Camera World (they had some in)... and having played with it just now focussing seems to be pretty quick and accurate....

I am just looking at it and it looks so good

Hi,

I really hope your lens is trouble free. I'm just off the phone with Pentax and they are quoting 15-20 working days. It took them 9 days to get the lens on the system despite special delivery and somebody at Pentax signing for it. This had me quite stressed - thought my lens had gone missing! To anyone with Pentax repair experience - do they inform you you of what they have discovered and any repairs made or does it just get sent back without any info? Can't say I'm hugely impressed with the customer care side of things but I've no-one to compare them to.

PeterM

Hi there guys - haven't been online here for a while... But after taking my 16-50 away for the weekend and it's first proper outing, I spotted some interesting focussing problems! Mine is struggling to get a focus lock in some of the oddest situations, very much like GlynM in one of the first posts in this thread. Very weird that it struggles in not exactly low light... I've had to completely change viewpoint countless times this last weekend, re-focus and the back to the scene I wanted to capture and even then I've had to switch over to manual more times than I should have had to...

Does anyone have the serial numbers to hand that are 'supposedly' causing problems? I'm guessing mine was from one of the earlier batches as I've had it a while now...

Cheers!

Will

Should've read the dpr link first... mine is one of the 90XXXXX batch...

Hi Peter,

If you don't mind, I think sending it for testing at Photozone is a good idea. Klaus should be able to tell if the lens id flawed or not, beside he is requesting this lens for testing purpose =)

I'm hoping when I get my lens back it will be fixed, otherwise I'll probably try for a replacement. Anyway I'll just have to be patient and be optimistic. I have not, however, come across any posts anywhere from anyone who has had their lens returned in better working order.

Cheers,

Peter

I have received a replacement for my faulty 16-50 today.

The replacement does not exhibit the sticky focusing motor problem that I had with the original which is great because I was a little worried that this might have been a problem with the camera.

Just doing some quick tests inside it seems to be focusing fine but the original really only exhibited focus lock problems using it outside so I'm hoping to try it tomorrow on some landscapes and buildings that gave the original some problems.

Thanks go to Park Cameras who accepted the problem with the original lens and organised the replacement. From my direction it highlights the advantages of using a good dealer.


Glyn

I have both the 16-50 and 50-135 with 90xxxx serial numbers.

Unfortunately I have not had much opportunity to use either lens.

Does anyone know if this problem can potentially affect both lenses and whether any lens with a 90xxxx serial number is likely to be affected or if anyone can be more precise on the serial numbers ?

Can Chris at SRS shed any more light on the subject ?

I'm going to give mine another workout at the weekend before I drop it back to Chris to take a look at. Pretty sure it's not me as I don't recall the same problem with any previous Pentax or even Sigma lens...

If you are after a more accurate match on the serial no mine is 90109XX

Will

The serial number on my 16-50 is 90106xx

I am not sure if this problem affects just a few lenses with consecutive serial numbers or thousands of lenses or affects just a few lenses with random serial numbers.

There does not appear to be any information on the Pentax site about this issue.