Originally posted by Yukoner777 You would think that considering the thousands of members here who are specifically interested in Pentax equipment that Pentax would be concerned about the SDM issues, especially since it is a much talked about issue and the issue affects their high end lenses. I, for one, am steering clear of these until Pentax admits there is a problem and deals with it. Their sales of those lenses must be hurting.
I think you're probably right. When I had up to $1000 to spend on a lens last year, I avoided Pentax lenses due to the uncertainty surrounding their SDM. I went with the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 HSM, and never looked back.
And now I've got about $700, and am trying to decide between the Sigma 8-16mm, 17-50mm f/2.8, or 50mm f/1.4. The only Pentax lenses I would consider would be the primes without SDM, but I still feel like my money goes farther with Sigma.