SDM issues? A straw poll.

I wouldn't expect anything else from you Richard.

You are probably the unluckiest person I have ever come across.

My first impression of SDM has not been good as the SDM failed on my 16-50mm two days after I got it. It was, however, a used item purchased from a decent store (LCE London) and it was returned and was the SDM replaced within 5 days at no charge to me.

I'm assuming that only Pentax UK can do the repair work? If so then they can manage a swift turnaround.

16-50, 50-135, 60-250, 300 (don't suppose the 150-500 counts) - no problems.

DA*300 AND 50/135!....No problems with the SDM , apart from it being very slow!.....yawn!

Your right there Mike, the only person that can get no numbers on the lottery every week.

Did you vote No?

If so, were either of these SDM failures? Because it doesn't sound like it.

I acknowledge that there are other issues, but I'm trying to keep a very narrow focus on the poll so we can identify only SDM failures, I trust you don't mind?

I voted yes.

My first DA*16-50 had sticky SDM from new. It was very reluctant to move but if I used the lens on a camera (K100D) without SDM and wound the focus backward and forwards a few times then the SDM would then work on my K10D for a couple of days before it seized up again. It was replaced by the supplier and I have had no problems since.

I think this thread is a great idea. I have had concerns about the longevity of the SDM system and purposely not bought any other SDM lenses but hopefully this discussion will produce some firm results and either prove me wrong or provide some feedback to get the issue sorted.

Glyn

Edit - Just to say I'm now on my 3rd DA*16-50 but that is because I destroyed no.2 in a fall. No SDM problems with No.s 2 & 3.

No failures on 16-50, 60-250, 55, 300.

50-135 'iffy'. Sometimes a little sticky when you first use it, but fine after that (and a little squeaky occasionally!)

Just wish they were a lot quicker to focus!

No SDM problems on DA* 16-50, two DA* 50-135 and a DA* 60-250.

I must be one of the unlucky ones - nothing to grumble about. Admittedly none of the above lenses has been used much - I prefer to carry Ltds.

I have the following SDM lenses:

DA*16-50 f2.8
DA*60-250 f4
DA*300 f4
DA*55 f1.4
DA17-70 f4

Everyone of them working fine with no problems.

The only issue I have ever had with an SDM lens was the DA*16-50 which played up only once. I think it was on the K20D. It refused to focus for some reason and I removed it from the camera and turned the screw drive of the lens a few times and it has never played up since and that was over 18months ago. I have since used it very extensively since.

I would say yes it did fail on the 60-250mm, but you dont have a button for maybe!
Basically as I understand it Pentax are using a "micro" motor similar to many other makes ie Tamron but with the weather sealing, it is very under powered, making it slow and prone to failure.
The sooner the motors are uprated the faster the lenses will be.

Not for two years...

I have the 16-50 and 50-135.

No problem with the 50-135 but I am having occasional problems with the 16-50 not focusing and the AF movement seems very jerky and not smooth and brisk like on the 50-135.
It's been back to SRS and Pentax (JPSS) for a repair but no real fault was found - you have to love intermittent problems...!
If anyone else has has these problems i'd love to know.

50-135mm (~6 months) and 300mm (from release) - no problems.

Sigma 150-500mm SDM lens 4 months no problems (I hope this counts as its advertised as HSM/SDM)