Help on DA* 55mm

Dionisis_K · 09-07-2011, 08:09 AM

Hi all.. I yesterday purchased the DA*55 sdm.. I m a bit anxious because i hear some strange sounds when the lens focuses..The moment it is to lock it make some sounds.. Also when it reaches the both ends of focus field it also make those sounds.. I dont know if its normal but i m familiar with the DC motor of DA 18-135 and it doesnt sound like this.. So.. Your lights please.. Is this the normal function of sdm or a possible issue? Check the link in youtube...Also i want to add in the video i m not taking photos.. All the sound you hear is the SDM...Just made it...Thanks in advance..

You Tube

Just remembered that when im trying to switch to quick shift it stucks when im trying to move towards infinity and it lets me go to closer focus and then infinity..Is this normal also???

Last edited by Dionisis_K; 09-07-2011 at 08:20 AM.

axl · 09-07-2011, 08:36 AM

The click at each end of the scale is normal. But I don't think the rest of it is.
I have owned my copy for 5 months and never heard noises like that...

RonHendriks1966 · 09-07-2011, 09:34 AM

That is a little noisy

Dionisis_K · 09-07-2011, 09:39 AM

To let you know.. This sound comes when the camera is close to the end of focusing and its trying to achieve the accurate focus..When the motor moves left and right rapidly..During the movement it is silent...So should i head to the service?

Last edited by Dionisis_K; 09-07-2011 at 09:48 AM.

JeffJS · 09-07-2011, 11:22 AM

The only 'sounds' I am hearing are background noise and the focus confirmation beep.

Adam · 09-07-2011, 11:27 AM

The SDM in the 55mm uses an entirely different mechanism (and is slower, unfortunately). There's too much background noise to be able to draw a conclusion based on the video, but I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary.

Dionisis_K · 09-07-2011, 11:32 AM

Unfortunatelly i recorded it with my webcam and at the side lies a desktop with 6 fans.. i ll try to make a video again now.. The only thing that concerns me is the sound that it makes when it plays left right just before hitting accurate AF.. I hope i describe it fair enough so you understand what i mean...It is very noticable at the second middle of the video...

Dionisis_K · 09-07-2011, 11:42 AM

Second video.. Sorry for the backround sound.. I can't do any better now... Please notice the sounds just before the confirmation...

You Tube

Mike.P® · 09-07-2011, 11:54 AM

Couldn't hear anything in first video but certainly can in second.

Mine is dead silent .. send it back.

Dionisis_K · 09-07-2011, 12:16 PM

So there is an issue??

I bought it yesterday.. Should i demant replacement? I just checked that at 30% of times appx. when i m trying to quick swift focus after the focus confirmation beep the af ring stuck at either directions and only moves a bit without the inside marker moves although i try it very smoothly and in order to unstuck i have to move it to the opposite direction...

Adam · 09-07-2011, 01:11 PM

Yeah it sounds like something might be scratching against the ring inside the lens. I'd get an FA 50mm lens instead- it AF's faster and the AF won't break (but it's not weather-sealed)

Dionisis_K · 09-07-2011, 01:12 PM

I just sold FA 50... i bit surreal..

So now i should head to service?

axl · 09-08-2011, 12:29 AM

as I wrote before, it doesn't sound right. I'd take it back and get replacement. Since the lens is brand new and only couple of days old, it's your right...

ps: try your next copy in the shop before taking it home..

Dionisis_K · 09-08-2011, 02:40 AM

I just left the Pentax service.. The lens has indeed problem.. It's too loud and the quick swift is malfunctioning.. They will sent the lens for replacement..Bad luck though...At service i was told it's the first time a DA*55 heads there...

**Rondec** · 09-08-2011, 04:16 AM

Originally posted by Dionisis_K

I just left the Pentax service.. The lens has indeed problem.. It's too loud and the quick swift is malfunctioning.. They will sent the lens for replacement..Bad luck though...At service i was told it's the first time a DA*55 heads there...

Others may say that the DA *55 lens is silent, but I find that mine has a high pitched "whine" when it is focusing. Certainly nothing like what you had there. Good luck!

09-07-2011, 11:27 AM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	The SDM in the 55mm uses an entirely different mechanism (and is slower, unfortunately). There's too much background noise to be able to draw a conclusion based on the video, but I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

09-07-2011, 12:16 PM	#10
Dionisis_K Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Athens - Greece Photos: Albums Posts: 249 Original Poster	So there is an issue?? I bought it yesterday.. Should i demant replacement? I just checked that at 30% of times appx. when i m trying to quick swift focus after the focus confirmation beep the af ring stuck at either directions and only moves a bit without the inside marker moves although i try it very smoothly and in order to unstuck i have to move it to the opposite direction... Last edited by Dionisis_K; 09-07-2011 at 01:05 PM.

09-07-2011, 01:11 PM	#11
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Yeah it sounds like something might be scratching against the ring inside the lens. I'd get an FA 50mm lens instead- it AF's faster and the AF won't break (but it's not weather-sealed) Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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09-07-2011, 08:36 AM	#2
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	The click at each end of the scale is normal. But I don't think the rest of it is. I have owned my copy for 5 months and never heard noises like that...

09-07-2011, 09:34 AM	#3
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	That is a little noisy

09-07-2011, 09:39 AM	#4
Dionisis_K Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Athens - Greece Photos: Albums Posts: 249 Original Poster	To let you know.. This sound comes when the camera is close to the end of focusing and its trying to achieve the accurate focus..When the motor moves left and right rapidly..During the movement it is silent...So should i head to the service? Last edited by Dionisis_K; 09-07-2011 at 09:48 AM.

09-07-2011, 11:22 AM	#5
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	The only 'sounds' I am hearing are background noise and the focus confirmation beep.

09-07-2011, 11:32 AM	#7
Dionisis_K Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Athens - Greece Photos: Albums Posts: 249 Original Poster	Unfortunatelly i recorded it with my webcam and at the side lies a desktop with 6 fans.. i ll try to make a video again now.. The only thing that concerns me is the sound that it makes when it plays left right just before hitting accurate AF.. I hope i describe it fair enough so you understand what i mean...It is very noticable at the second middle of the video...

09-07-2011, 11:54 AM	#9
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Couldn't hear anything in first video but certainly can in second. Mine is dead silent .. send it back.

09-07-2011, 01:12 PM	#12
Dionisis_K Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Athens - Greece Photos: Albums Posts: 249 Original Poster	I just sold FA 50... i bit surreal.. So now i should head to service?

09-08-2011, 12:29 AM	#13
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	as I wrote before, it doesn't sound right. I'd take it back and get replacement. Since the lens is brand new and only couple of days old, it's your right... ps: try your next copy in the shop before taking it home..

09-08-2011, 02:40 AM	#14
Dionisis_K Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Athens - Greece Photos: Albums Posts: 249 Original Poster	I just left the Pentax service.. The lens has indeed problem.. It's too loud and the quick swift is malfunctioning.. They will sent the lens for replacement..Bad luck though...At service i was told it's the first time a DA*55 heads there...

09-08-2011, 04:16 AM	#15
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Originally posted by Dionisis_K I just left the Pentax service.. The lens has indeed problem.. It's too loud and the quick swift is malfunctioning.. They will sent the lens for replacement..Bad luck though...At service i was told it's the first time a DA55 heads there... Others may say that the DA 55 lens is silent, but I find that mine has a high pitched "whine" when it is focusing. Certainly nothing like what you had there. Good luck!