Beginnings of SDM failure?

krypticide · 07-31-2011, 04:28 PM

My DA* 16-50mm seems to have trouble moving to focus when I first start the camera after having not used it for a while. Sometimes the focus doesn't move at all, or moves very haltingly and slowly. I've found that rotating the focus ring manually to "loosen" it up first seems to help, at least temporarily.

Is this the beginnings of SDM failure? Will I need to send it in for repair to Pentax?

twitch · 07-31-2011, 05:17 PM

Sadly yes, that is the early signs of SDM failure. It's up to you when you send it in and whether you wait for it to get worse but I'd send it in sooner rather than later.

**Clinton** · 07-31-2011, 06:19 PM

Or wait until it fails, then send it in. Id say it depends on your warranty.

Rupert · 07-31-2011, 06:26 PM

I saw a thread somewhere where it shows the usual cause of SDM failure and how to make the repair yourself. It was not all that complicated and had complete instructions, but I have only taken one lens apart....several years ago....I still find teeny tiny ball bearings on the floor every so often...so I won't be trying it.
My50-135 is also going out....again. Pentax really let us down with how they have handled this problem...or actually how they haven't handled it.
Still, the 50-135 has superb IQ...I think I will just use it as a MF lens. The SDM was never much faster than MF anyhow.

Regards!

**manishved** · 07-31-2011, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by Rupert

I saw a thread somewhere where it shows the usual cause of SDM failure and how to make the repair yourself. It was not all that complicated and had complete instructions, but I have only taken one lens apart....several years ago....I still find teeny tiny ball bearings on the floor every so often...so I won't be trying it.
My50-135 is also going out....again. Pentax really let us down with how they have handled this problem...or actually how they haven't handled it.
Still, the 50-135 has superb IQ...I think I will just use it as a MF lens. The SDM was never much faster than MF anyhow.

Regards!

1. If you find the info on repairing the SDM issue ourselves, please add it here - it will be useful to a lot of folks.

2.Yes, but the AF will be more accurate than MF - unless your eyesight is very good.

adr1an · 07-31-2011, 07:35 PM

I think Rupert was referring to this:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/130429-diy-sup...or-repair.html

sveinmb posted a detailed set of images/instructions under this guide here: http://bangmedia.no/pentax/sdmfix/
gp1806 supplied the chinese blog page, with a translated version via http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2011/01/repair-stuck-sdm-yourself.html

asdf · 07-31-2011, 10:26 PM

Originally posted by krypticide

Is this the beginnings of SDM failure? Will I need to send it in for repair to Pentax?

Yup and most likely.

krypticide · 08-01-2011, 09:04 AM

I haven't checked the warranty status yet, but has Pentax been covering this outside warranty as well, or should I be prepared to pay for it?

dgaies · 08-01-2011, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by krypticide

I haven't checked the warranty status yet, but has Pentax been covering this outside warranty as well, or should I be prepared to pay for it?

No, generally speaking, Pentax will not cover this if it's outside the warranty period (which is one year in the US, assuming you gave the original receipt).

kent · 08-01-2011, 11:21 AM

kinda same thing was and is with my sigma 70-200. The first af turn is slow, barely moves, then second and each other is fast. I found that it is common with sigma HSM, do not know about SDM

terri33inne · 08-01-2011, 11:22 AM

Mine died yesterday in the middle of a shoot... still under warranty which is good. Does anyone know if you get a new warranty w/ the repaired/new lens... meaning is that repair/lens now good for another year?

mokey · 08-01-2011, 11:35 AM

My 50-135 is off for repairs for the 2nd time. First time they replaced motor. 8 months later....???what will the replace next?

07-31-2011, 04:28 PM	#1
krypticide Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,079	Beginnings of SDM failure? My DA* 16-50mm seems to have trouble moving to focus when I first start the camera after having not used it for a while. Sometimes the focus doesn't move at all, or moves very haltingly and slowly. I've found that rotating the focus ring manually to "loosen" it up first seems to help, at least temporarily. Is this the beginnings of SDM failure? Will I need to send it in for repair to Pentax?

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07-31-2011, 05:17 PM	#2
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Sadly yes, that is the early signs of SDM failure. It's up to you when you send it in and whether you wait for it to get worse but I'd send it in sooner rather than later.

07-31-2011, 06:19 PM	#3
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910	Or wait until it fails, then send it in. Id say it depends on your warranty.

07-31-2011, 06:26 PM	#4
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	I saw a thread somewhere where it shows the usual cause of SDM failure and how to make the repair yourself. It was not all that complicated and had complete instructions, but I have only taken one lens apart....several years ago....I still find teeny tiny ball bearings on the floor every so often...so I won't be trying it. My50-135 is also going out....again. Pentax really let us down with how they have handled this problem...or actually how they haven't handled it. Still, the 50-135 has superb IQ...I think I will just use it as a MF lens. The SDM was never much faster than MF anyhow. Regards!

07-31-2011, 07:20 PM	#5
manishved Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N. Calif Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,651	Originally posted by Rupert I saw a thread somewhere where it shows the usual cause of SDM failure and how to make the repair yourself. It was not all that complicated and had complete instructions, but I have only taken one lens apart....several years ago....I still find teeny tiny ball bearings on the floor every so often...so I won't be trying it. My50-135 is also going out....again. Pentax really let us down with how they have handled this problem...or actually how they haven't handled it. Still, the 50-135 has superb IQ...I think I will just use it as a MF lens. The SDM was never much faster than MF anyhow. Regards! 1. If you find the info on repairing the SDM issue ourselves, please add it here - it will be useful to a lot of folks. 2.Yes, but the AF will be more accurate than MF - unless your eyesight is very good.

07-31-2011, 07:35 PM	#6
adr1an Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 739	I think Rupert was referring to this: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/130429-diy-sup...or-repair.html sveinmb posted a detailed set of images/instructions under this guide here: http://bangmedia.no/pentax/sdmfix/ gp1806 supplied the chinese blog page, with a translated version via http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2011/01/repair-stuck-sdm-yourself.html

07-31-2011, 10:26 PM	#7
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by krypticide Is this the beginnings of SDM failure? Will I need to send it in for repair to Pentax? Yup and most likely.

08-01-2011, 09:04 AM	#8
krypticide Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,079 Original Poster	I haven't checked the warranty status yet, but has Pentax been covering this outside warranty as well, or should I be prepared to pay for it?

08-01-2011, 09:26 AM	#9
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by krypticide I haven't checked the warranty status yet, but has Pentax been covering this outside warranty as well, or should I be prepared to pay for it? No, generally speaking, Pentax will not cover this if it's outside the warranty period (which is one year in the US, assuming you gave the original receipt).

08-01-2011, 11:21 AM	#10
kent Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 344	kinda same thing was and is with my sigma 70-200. The first af turn is slow, barely moves, then second and each other is fast. I found that it is common with sigma HSM, do not know about SDM

08-01-2011, 11:22 AM	#11
terri33inne New Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 7	Mine died yesterday in the middle of a shoot... still under warranty which is good. Does anyone know if you get a new warranty w/ the repaired/new lens... meaning is that repair/lens now good for another year?

08-01-2011, 11:35 AM	#12
mokey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC Posts: 219	My 50-135 is off for repairs for the 2nd time. First time they replaced motor. 8 months later....???what will the replace next?