Will Pentax Release DA* II lenses with DC motor instead of SDM

mikemike · 10-13-2010, 09:40 AM

If the DC motor proves to be more reliable should they or would they release an update to these lenses or would they continue with the current design out of pride and denial of SDM problems?

imtheguy · 10-13-2010, 10:23 AM

As much discussion as has been posted it always seems to be with the 2 zooms. Not sure changing the da*300 or da*200 buys anything unless its cheaper to make them all DC instead of some.

Biro · 10-13-2010, 07:57 PM

I voted yes they will... but perhaps this isn't even the right question. None of us has any idea what Pentax will do. But the mere fact that the DC motor exists on the new DA 18-135 gives one hope. So far, the SDM hasn't acted up on my DA* 16-50 and 50-135. But if Pentax replaces SDM with the DC motor, I pray they'll offer owners of SDM lenses a special trade-in deal.

**Ash** · 10-13-2010, 09:18 PM

Wishful thinking. If Pentax to date deny that there are any problems with their current SDM lenses, what's to improve?
I personally don't care whether DC replaces SDM or not, but do care about DA* lens performance, speed and durability. Fix those things and this issue will suddenly become less important.

brecklundin · 10-13-2010, 10:47 PM

maybe they have actually been secretly been replacing the SDM motor with a version of the DC motor for a while now, you know when the SDM finally fails and the lense is sent in for repair. So many SDM lenses are actually using a version of the same DC drive setup? Just WAG, fear and loathing over SDM in general because I have nothing else to live for.

**Rondec** · 10-14-2010, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by brecklundin

maybe they have actually been secretly been replacing the SDM motor with a version of the DC motor for a while now, you know when the SDM finally fails and the lense is sent in for repair. So many SDM lenses are actually using a version of the same DC drive setup? Just WAG, fear and loathing over SDM in general because I have nothing else to live for.

I think this is entirely possible. Since Pentax never admitted there was a problem with these lenses, they could never have claimed to have fixed the problem that wasn't there.

mikemike · 10-14-2010, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by imtheguy

As much discussion as has been posted it always seems to be with the 2 zooms.

16-50 and 50-135 are the two I had in mind. The issues with these two give the rest of the DA* line a black eye.

Originally posted by Biro

But if Pentax replaces SDM with the DC motor, I pray they'll offer owners of SDM lenses a special trade-in deal.

Either an official recall or a silent recall where they repair SDM lenses with DC motors.

Originally posted by Ash

Wishful thinking. If Pentax to date deny that there are any problems with their current SDM lenses, what's to improve?

This is the most vexing part about the SDM ordeal.

View Poll Results: Replace SDM with DC?
They will!!!	8	29.63%
They won't but they should.	14	51.85%
They won't because SDM has no problems.	5	18.52%
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll

10-13-2010, 09:40 AM	#1
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	*Will Pentax Release DA II lenses with DC motor instead of SDM** If the DC motor proves to be more reliable should they or would they release an update to these lenses or would they continue with the current design out of pride and denial of SDM problems?

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10-13-2010, 10:23 AM	#2
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	As much discussion as has been posted it always seems to be with the 2 zooms. Not sure changing the da300 or da200 buys anything unless its cheaper to make them all DC instead of some.

10-13-2010, 07:57 PM	#3
Biro Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,200	I voted yes they will... but perhaps this isn't even the right question. None of us has any idea what Pentax will do. But the mere fact that the DC motor exists on the new DA 18-135 gives one hope. So far, the SDM hasn't acted up on my DA* 16-50 and 50-135. But if Pentax replaces SDM with the DC motor, I pray they'll offer owners of SDM lenses a special trade-in deal.

10-13-2010, 09:18 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Wishful thinking. If Pentax to date deny that there are any problems with their current SDM lenses, what's to improve? I personally don't care whether DC replaces SDM or not, but do care about DA* lens performance, speed and durability. Fix those things and this issue will suddenly become less important.

10-13-2010, 10:47 PM	#5
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	maybe they have actually been secretly been replacing the SDM motor with a version of the DC motor for a while now, you know when the SDM finally fails and the lense is sent in for repair. So many SDM lenses are actually using a version of the same DC drive setup? Just WAG, fear and loathing over SDM in general because I have nothing else to live for.

10-14-2010, 04:42 AM	#6
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Originally posted by brecklundin maybe they have actually been secretly been replacing the SDM motor with a version of the DC motor for a while now, you know when the SDM finally fails and the lense is sent in for repair. So many SDM lenses are actually using a version of the same DC drive setup? Just WAG, fear and loathing over SDM in general because I have nothing else to live for. I think this is entirely possible. Since Pentax never admitted there was a problem with these lenses, they could never have claimed to have fixed the problem that wasn't there.

10-14-2010, 07:24 AM	#7
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053 Original Poster	Originally posted by imtheguy As much discussion as has been posted it always seems to be with the 2 zooms. 16-50 and 50-135 are the two I had in mind. The issues with these two give the rest of the DA* line a black eye. Originally posted by Biro But if Pentax replaces SDM with the DC motor, I pray they'll offer owners of SDM lenses a special trade-in deal. Either an official recall or a silent recall where they repair SDM lenses with DC motors. Originally posted by Ash Wishful thinking. If Pentax to date deny that there are any problems with their current SDM lenses, what's to improve? This is the most vexing part about the SDM ordeal.