Getting upset with Pentax
Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.
I would guess it's a reference to failure of glue (is it still Canada Balsam or do they use something else now?) between lens elements, as can affect the old FA 28-70mm f4.
The only problems I have heard of with the 16-50mm are to do with SDM.
Never seperation.
We had an early 50-135mm go after nearly 2 years. To cut a long story short, and after it had been back for repair 3 times I demanded a new lens and got it. It also helps to have a good relationship with your supplier.
If you think that moving to another system is going to stop you having problems then think again. A quick google will show you that every manufacturer has problems. Since getting into photography I've returned or replaced 2x K-7s, 3x Metz flashguns a 16-50 and a K-5. Might sound bad, but I'm on my 5th Macbook Pro thanks to nVidia!!
Solution is simple buy new from a decent supplier, in our case, SRS as they are biggest Pentax supplier in the country, and know your consumer rights. Simples!
Pentax Lenses: DA16-45|DA50-200|50A 1.7
Tamron Lenses: 28-200
Takumar Lenses: SMC 55 1.8
Sigma Lenses: EX DG 50-500 'Bigma'|EX 50mm Macro
Flashes: Metz 58 AF-1|Samsung SEF-36PZF|Pentax AF-220T
I have had one SDM failure but it has not put me off. I am happy with the performance and noise and if I get a problem I would try to un-jam it myself. Others may not want to, especially if it is in warranty.
K10d and a horribly fast growing number of lenses
you must be happy with the system overall.
Roy
Pentax K3 gripped,and some lenses
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pentaxroy/
my pbase gallery
According to a fix guide the SDM drives just get stuck. Because they are piezoelectric it is nearly impossible for them to burn out, just jam. Apparently removing the mount plate gives access to the SDM motor which has a screw on top that you can turn to un-jam.
Interesting... It would fit with the comments about them failing after being left for a while and then used again.
SDM failures wouldn't put me off buying a lens fitted with it, if I had the money to do so. As has been mentioned we have plenty of legal protection to call upon if needed and from what I've heard a decent retailer like SRS will do everything humanly possible to sort any problems out.
Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.
The last thing you'd want to happen is to shift to another system and THEN realize why you went for Pentax in the first place. SDM is but just a small (albeit quite important) part of the Pentax experience.
If can-ikon had in body IS and WR I would go in a heartbeat.
Why not switch to Olympus? Nice bodies, IS, plenty of big zooms of the kind you seem to like ...
Or you could stick with Pentax and start using smaller, screw-drive primes like the Limiteds. In my opinion, if you're not shooting primes, there's little reason to stay with Pentax. Pentax = primes.
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567 posts
14 years
So hearing that if you get a good DA* 16-50mm that you're set as the problem was a lens de-glue that occurs. Well, now after 5 months my SDM has just died. Thankfully I've still got 30 days of waranty on this lens.
I've lost faith in Pentax lenses now and am very seriously considering fire selling all my lenses and swapping systems. If can-ikon had in body IS and WR I would go in a heartbeat. I'm completely limited to using 3rd party lenses due to this lack of faith which is just a horrible thing. Sorry for the grumble, I'm just quite annoyed.