SDM failure? help.

Hi folks,

Have been rested up for a while, but now back on the mend and the camera is out again.

Anyway, went out on Saturday with my K5 and a few lenses.

I then decided to pop on the 50-135mm and take some shots.

Compose scene and focus... nothing... try again... nothing...

Switched camera on and off, cleaned contacts, tried again... nothing.

Bugger

Now the last time I used it, it was fine, no probs at all.

Does this sound like the SDM failure I have 'Googled' and read so much about.

Have read that it normally just slows down and finally dies, but mine was dead out the bag!


My problem now is who repairs it, if indeed it is the SDM.

I have seen on t'internet that it's a known problem, and to quote the 'Sale of goods act' which covers goods up to 6 years etc etc etc.

Has anyone tried going to Pentax down this route, or have those that need it simply paid to have it repaired.

By the way, it's out of warranty!

Sorry about the long post, but thanks in advance for any replies and help.

Ali - Contact Pentax in Langley (Slough). They will direct you from there.

In order not to make matters any worse with your K5's SDM problem, DO NOT get Craig Whyte involved in it!! (Wee Scottish football joke, folks!!)

I've read that sometimes you can 'bump start' the SDM after a lay-off by manually operating the screw drive with a screw driver or similar.

Doesn't help, but I periodically operate my SDM lenses on-camera even though I don't intend using them to prevent this problem.

If you fancy a challenge, however, here's how to disable the SDM/camera interface so your camera will only operate the lens in screw-drive mode> link

the SDM failure, especially on the 50-135, has been long known - when my 16-50 died I knew it was an inevitable failure and paid the £180 to have it repaired. It is now like a new lens...

I have not tried the 6-years Sale of Goods Act argument but you might struggle to get a result as it is a known problem - but then again ALL DA* lenses will be less than 6 years old.

Incidentally my 60-250 was the one of the first failures on that particular lens, fixed under warranty but the lens packed up after being laid up for a few months...the jeweller's screwdriver in the screw drive worked a treat.

Ali,

I would definitely argue that this is a design issue.

This is from an interview with a Pentax engineer on the other Forum:

Q: Our survey found that the Pentax DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm were the most prone to SDM failure. Do you know why this was?
A: One could say that the AF components used in these lenses was prone to failure from the get-go due to their design. The 16-50mm and 50-135mm lenses share the same circuitry and motor, which is why they both have such a high failure rate. Other SDM lenses don't fail as much.

Q: Has this SDM quality control issue been resolved?
A: Yes. The components used in the 16-50mm and 50-135mm lenses have been redesiged, and all lenses produced in 2012 or later should no longer fail.

Here is the link to the interview, I have kept it "just in case":

link

This happened to me this weekend, 60-250mm wouldn't focus, it seemed to be jammed you could heear the SDM trying to focus, you couldn't manual focus focus ring would turn but lens focus indicator didn't move.
When I got the lens home I turned the screw drive and it freed it and lens is OK now.

I don't know whether the cold weather has something to do with this happening my DA*300mm did same thing in sub-zero temperatures.

I don't think it's a SDM problem more a focus jamming problem.

Thanks for the replies...

Steven, I've got bigger problems 'said the Aberdeen supporter'


I tried the lens on my old DS, it was slow but did focus, then back on the K5 and nothing.

I would have thought that this would be better, as it's been a known problem. Would it not? Why they not re-call the lenses, like, I think, Sony did?

Thanks Giorgio, will try emailing people, see what answers I get.

Tried screwing the screw drive manually, but to no avail... still nowt.

Thanks for all help and suggestions though, will try the emails now.

I occasionally find that my 50-135 has a bit of difficulty focussing if i haven't used it for a while - it sounds as if the SDM motor is trying to do something, but the focus movement is negligible if anything. I normally (a) clean all the contacts and (b) grab the focus ring and (not too madly, i.e. carefully) energetically wind it back and forth a few times. That normally does the job (or it's not failed yet) although I am not sure why... If I use the lens regularly (or at least attach it to the camera and operate it a few times) then there is not a problem.

Cheers

JPSS in Stoke are the authorised Pentax repairers and as a forum member you get 10% discount.

I had a replacement SDM motor in 2011, cost £120 ish, I seem to recall.

If you google them, you'll find their website and contact details.

JPS price is now £150 plus VAT (just had a quote for a 50-135mm)
With the 20% PU discount it works out at £144 all in.

Guess those new improved parts cost more than before

Sorry to say but that is identical to the second SDM failure I had with my DA*300, it will fail again - I've just got the 300 back today after it spent nearly one month in Japan !

Every time I think my SDM is broken I faff around for a while, eventually flick the switch on the lens back to AF and it works again.

Thanks again for your help.

I still think it's a bloody disgrace that we, the consumer, have to pay to have this known fault repaired.

Anyone tried Under the Sale of Goods act 1979?


Or do you all think it's part of Pentax ownership, would be interested to hear others opinions.

Thanks...

[quote:3496ace15f="alig"]

I still think it's a bloody disgrace that we, the consumer, have to pay to have this known fault repaired.quote]

a number of questions: how long have you had the lens?
how much use does it get?
have you owned it from new?
if so, have you been in touch with the retailer?

if the answers to the first three are in the realm of: 2-3 years, moderate or light use, and yes, you may have a good case against the retailer under the SOGA. But you will need to gather evidence that the fault was inherent in the design or manufacture. It's not impossible, from the sound of it, but it will be a slog and you may have to commission a report from a well-qualified engineer in the field to back up your instinct. You'll have to decide for yourself whether it's worth the struggle.

The first step, though, is to approach the retailer and perhaps Pentax (though you have no rights in relation to Pentax under SOGA) and just lay out the facts and see what response you get. Presumably (from your last post) you've already done that and await responses (?).