What happens if SDM fails?

**Hannican** · 08-14-2010, 08:48 PM

If SDM fails in a DA* 16-50 or a DA* 50-135, are the lenses operable with a screw drive? Does it depend on which camera you're using, and which firmware you've got?

I remember hearing that a K10D without upgraded firmware could operate the DA*s by their screw-drives. Is this the case with a K100D, K20, Km, Kx, K7, etc.? Anyone know?

Thanks!

-Tim

Peter Zack · 08-14-2010, 09:14 PM

As far as I know, not with a K20d,KM, K-X and K-7. But it is possible with the older models on the original firmware.

JeffJS · 08-14-2010, 09:52 PM

The K10d, with fw v 1.20 will operate in screw drive only. SDM is turned on in v1.30. All other cameras with SDM, you cannot turn it off. If SDM fails on your lens with one of those, you either have a repair bill or a manual focus lens.

2300

Doanh · 08-14-2010, 11:21 PM

Has anybody tried blocking the motor contact to see if the screw drive would work? Or is it just because the body recognizes the lens as SDM lens, it disengages the screw drive?

Peter

scorpioh · 08-14-2010, 11:32 PM

Originally posted by Doanh

Has anybody tried blocking the motor contact to see if the screw drive would work? Or is it just because the body recognizes the lens as SDM lens, it disengages the screw drive?

Peter

This has been attempted with no luck afaik.

ddhytz · 08-15-2010, 04:37 AM

How much would it cost to repair SDM?

foxhead · 08-15-2010, 07:31 PM

About two weeks ago, after not being used for a month or so, my DA*16-50 ceased working on my K200D. I tried it on my second K200D body and still nothing. I was getting ready to call Pentax to arrange for repairs when I saw a suggestion on a forum posting that said to try manually focusing the lens while holding down the shutter release button half way. So this morning I tried that and SAAZAM, the SDM came back to life. It has been working great all day, outside in bright sun and inside in low light. Like wow.

pcarfan · 08-19-2010, 03:56 AM

Originally posted by foxhead

About two weeks ago, after not being used for a month or so, my DA*16-50 ceased working on my K200D. I tried it on my second K200D body and still nothing. I was getting ready to call Pentax to arrange for repairs when I saw a suggestion on a forum posting that said to try manually focusing the lens while holding down the shutter release button half way. So this morning I tried that and SAAZAM, the SDM came back to life. It has been working great all day, outside in bright sun and inside in low light. Like wow.

This is quite interesting, never heard of this before.

kytra · 08-19-2010, 04:13 AM

Originally posted by foxhead

About two weeks ago, after not being used for a month or so, my DA*16-50 ceased working on my K200D. I tried it on my second K200D body and still nothing. I was getting ready to call Pentax to arrange for repairs when I saw a suggestion on a forum posting that said to try manually focusing the lens while holding down the shutter release button half way. So this morning I tried that and SAAZAM, the SDM came back to life. It has been working great all day, outside in bright sun and inside in low light. Like wow.

Very interesting. Like something was stuck in the gears and by doing MF it came to life. However, I would not bet that that lens would function till the end of the year. Maybe a proactive replacemment would be a good idea. Finger crossed anyway

08-14-2010, 08:48 PM	#1
Hannican Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 485	What happens if SDM fails? If SDM fails in a DA* 16-50 or a DA* 50-135, are the lenses operable with a screw drive? Does it depend on which camera you're using, and which firmware you've got? I remember hearing that a K10D without upgraded firmware could operate the DA*s by their screw-drives. Is this the case with a K100D, K20, Km, Kx, K7, etc.? Anyone know? Thanks! -Tim

08-15-2010, 07:31 PM	#7
foxhead Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 55	SDM comes back to life About two weeks ago, after not being used for a month or so, my DA*16-50 ceased working on my K200D. I tried it on my second K200D body and still nothing. I was getting ready to call Pentax to arrange for repairs when I saw a suggestion on a forum posting that said to try manually focusing the lens while holding down the shutter release button half way. So this morning I tried that and SAAZAM, the SDM came back to life. It has been working great all day, outside in bright sun and inside in low light. Like wow.

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08-14-2010, 09:14 PM	#2
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	As far as I know, not with a K20d,KM, K-X and K-7. But it is possible with the older models on the original firmware.

08-14-2010, 09:52 PM	#3
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	The K10d, with fw v 1.20 will operate in screw drive only. SDM is turned on in v1.30. All other cameras with SDM, you cannot turn it off. If SDM fails on your lens with one of those, you either have a repair bill or a manual focus lens. 2300

08-14-2010, 11:21 PM	#4
Doanh Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 247	Has anybody tried blocking the motor contact to see if the screw drive would work? Or is it just because the body recognizes the lens as SDM lens, it disengages the screw drive? Peter

08-14-2010, 11:32 PM	#5
scorpioh Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 182	Originally posted by Doanh Has anybody tried blocking the motor contact to see if the screw drive would work? Or is it just because the body recognizes the lens as SDM lens, it disengages the screw drive? Peter This has been attempted with no luck afaik.

08-15-2010, 04:37 AM	#6
ddhytz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 602	How much would it cost to repair SDM?

08-19-2010, 03:56 AM	#8
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978	Originally posted by foxhead About two weeks ago, after not being used for a month or so, my DA*16-50 ceased working on my K200D. I tried it on my second K200D body and still nothing. I was getting ready to call Pentax to arrange for repairs when I saw a suggestion on a forum posting that said to try manually focusing the lens while holding down the shutter release button half way. So this morning I tried that and SAAZAM, the SDM came back to life. It has been working great all day, outside in bright sun and inside in low light. Like wow. This is quite interesting, never heard of this before.

08-19-2010, 04:13 AM	#9
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	Originally posted by foxhead About two weeks ago, after not being used for a month or so, my DA*16-50 ceased working on my K200D. I tried it on my second K200D body and still nothing. I was getting ready to call Pentax to arrange for repairs when I saw a suggestion on a forum posting that said to try manually focusing the lens while holding down the shutter release button half way. So this morning I tried that and SAAZAM, the SDM came back to life. It has been working great all day, outside in bright sun and inside in low light. Like wow. Very interesting. Like something was stuck in the gears and by doing MF it came to life. However, I would not bet that that lens would function till the end of the year. Maybe a proactive replacemment would be a good idea. Finger crossed anyway