SDM problem.

Bramela · 02-21-2013, 03:05 PM

I know this subject is bit worn out, but it appears the SDM on my DA*16-50 appears to have given up operating this morning. ...

Is it worthwhile sending in for repair or is that only a temporary fix?

Pheo · 02-21-2013, 03:07 PM

In the uk the fix is about £75 - significantly cheaper than a new lens - seems worth it to me!

Bramela · 02-21-2013, 03:12 PM

Yeh, sounds right, I think I will send it in for a quote. Thanks !!
Knowing how they charge in Australia though, could be a bit scarey.

lytrytyr · 02-21-2013, 03:15 PM

Have you contemplated the screwdrive hack?

Anvh · 02-21-2013, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

Have you contemplated the screwdrive hack?

Could do more damage to the system since you don't know what failed.
And you can't do the hack with the K5 or K-01

bossa · 02-21-2013, 03:33 PM

In Australia replacing the SDM will probably cost around $250. Some people on this forum have had to do this 3x with this particular lens so I'd think twice about what I wanted to do with it.

Bramela · 02-21-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

In Australia replacing the SDM will probably cost around $250. Some people on this forum have had to do this 3x with this particular lens so I'd think twice about what I wanted to do with it.

Thanks for that info Bossa.

As I thought, CRK charge like wounded bulls. I will get a quote anyway, and then decide. I have a *300 and a *50-135, so it does worry me a bit, however, over all this time, this is my first failure. Guess I have been lucky up till now.

stormtech · 02-21-2013, 04:14 PM

Myself, now owning 4 SDM lenses, I've pretty much decided when any of them has an SDM failure, I am just going to go straight to the screw drive hack.

Aegon · 02-21-2013, 07:26 PM

I've got a screwdrive hack on my 50-135mm after multiple SDM "repairs". Probably my favorite lens right now, spinning away with the noisy screwdrive and taking great photos.

Personally, I wouldn't even consider "repairing" it. Switch to screwdrive and never go back.

bossa · 02-21-2013, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by Aegon

I've got a screwdrive hack on my 50-135mm after multiple SDM "repairs". Probably my favorite lens right now, spinning away with the noisy screwdrive and taking great photos.

Personally, I wouldn't even consider "repairing" it. Switch to screwdrive and never go back.

What camera?

Aegon · 02-21-2013, 08:02 PM

I had a K10D at the time, which I used to flash the lens EEPROM. Afterwards I tested the lens on my K-5, everything worked, sold the K10D, and carried on.

If I had an SDM lens go bad then I'd look through craigslist for any Pentax camera that supports DEBUGMODE, then I'd buy it, flash the lens, and resell it.

Another thread suggests that the K-5 can do DEBUG MODE using PK tether: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/170874-k-5-debug-mode-now-accessible.html

Tesfaye · 04-01-2013, 04:39 AM

Originally posted by Aegon

I had a K10D at the time, which I used to flash the lens EEPROM. Afterwards I tested the lens on my K-5, everything worked, sold the K10D, and carried on.

If I had an SDM lens go bad then I'd look through craigslist for any Pentax camera that supports DEBUGMODE, then I'd buy it, flash the lens, and resell it.

Another thread suggests that the K-5 can do DEBUG MODE using PK tether: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/170874-k-5-debug-mode-now-accessible.html

The SDM stopped working on my 50-135. Based on various ideas floated on this forum, I decided to try to exercise the screwdrive by putting it on my daughters out-of-use K110 (pre-SDM camera). It now works just fine on my K20 and K-01. For those who have access to an old Pentax camera, it is worth trying as first aid.

**Kerrowdown** · 04-01-2013, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by Bramela

SDM problem

Maybe I'll just stick with manual focus a bit longer yet.

Bestzoom · 04-02-2013, 02:50 AM

My 16-50mm has early sign of sdm problem with intermittent focus 'freezing'. I purchased it from bhphoto during the black Friday deal.

I won't repair it if it fails but will make the full use of it till that day. I have the Sigma 17-50 with me which is doing a great job.

wlachan · 04-02-2013, 03:01 AM

I suggest whoever have insisted the SDM problem had be addressed, should pay for these repairs due to spreading false information.

02-21-2013, 03:05 PM	#1
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	SDM problem. I know this subject is bit worn out, but it appears the SDM on my DA*16-50 appears to have given up operating this morning. ... Is it worthwhile sending in for repair or is that only a temporary fix?

02-21-2013, 03:33 PM	#6
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	In Australia replacing the SDM will probably cost around $250. Some people on this forum have had to do this 3x with this particular lens so I'd think twice about what I wanted to do with it. Last edited by Bramela; 02-21-2013 at 04:05 PM.

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02-21-2013, 03:07 PM	#2
Pheo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brighton, United Kingdom Photos: Gallery Posts: 311	In the uk the fix is about £75 - significantly cheaper than a new lens - seems worth it to me!

02-21-2013, 03:12 PM	#3
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284 Original Poster	Yeh, sounds right, I think I will send it in for a quote. Thanks !! Knowing how they charge in Australia though, could be a bit scarey.

02-21-2013, 03:15 PM	#4
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Have you contemplated the screwdrive hack?

02-21-2013, 03:24 PM	#5
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Originally posted by lytrytyr Have you contemplated the screwdrive hack? Could do more damage to the system since you don't know what failed. And you can't do the hack with the K5 or K-01

02-21-2013, 04:09 PM	#7
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284 Original Poster	Quote: In Australia replacing the SDM will probably cost around $250. Some people on this forum have had to do this 3x with this particular lens so I'd think twice about what I wanted to do with it. Thanks for that info Bossa. As I thought, CRK charge like wounded bulls. I will get a quote anyway, and then decide. I have a 300 and a 50-135, so it does worry me a bit, however, over all this time, this is my first failure. Guess I have been lucky up till now.

02-21-2013, 04:14 PM	#8
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Myself, now owning 4 SDM lenses, I've pretty much decided when any of them has an SDM failure, I am just going to go straight to the screw drive hack.

02-21-2013, 07:26 PM	#9
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	I've got a screwdrive hack on my 50-135mm after multiple SDM "repairs". Probably my favorite lens right now, spinning away with the noisy screwdrive and taking great photos. Personally, I wouldn't even consider "repairing" it. Switch to screwdrive and never go back.

02-21-2013, 07:37 PM	#10
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	Originally posted by Aegon I've got a screwdrive hack on my 50-135mm after multiple SDM "repairs". Probably my favorite lens right now, spinning away with the noisy screwdrive and taking great photos. Personally, I wouldn't even consider "repairing" it. Switch to screwdrive and never go back. What camera?

02-21-2013, 08:02 PM	#11
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	I had a K10D at the time, which I used to flash the lens EEPROM. Afterwards I tested the lens on my K-5, everything worked, sold the K10D, and carried on. If I had an SDM lens go bad then I'd look through craigslist for any Pentax camera that supports DEBUGMODE, then I'd buy it, flash the lens, and resell it. Another thread suggests that the K-5 can do DEBUG MODE using PK tether: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/170874-k-5-debug-mode-now-accessible.html

04-01-2013, 04:39 AM	#12
Tesfaye Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Trondheim Posts: 27	Originally posted by Aegon I had a K10D at the time, which I used to flash the lens EEPROM. Afterwards I tested the lens on my K-5, everything worked, sold the K10D, and carried on. If I had an SDM lens go bad then I'd look through craigslist for any Pentax camera that supports DEBUGMODE, then I'd buy it, flash the lens, and resell it. Another thread suggests that the K-5 can do DEBUG MODE using PK tether: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/170874-k-5-debug-mode-now-accessible.html The SDM stopped working on my 50-135. Based on various ideas floated on this forum, I decided to try to exercise the screwdrive by putting it on my daughters out-of-use K110 (pre-SDM camera). It now works just fine on my K20 and K-01. For those who have access to an old Pentax camera, it is worth trying as first aid.

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04-01-2013, 12:47 PM	#13
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,805	Originally posted by Bramela SDM problem Maybe I'll just stick with manual focus a bit longer yet.

04-02-2013, 02:50 AM	#14
Bestzoom Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 232	My 16-50mm has early sign of sdm problem with intermittent focus 'freezing'. I purchased it from bhphoto during the black Friday deal. I won't repair it if it fails but will make the full use of it till that day. I have the Sigma 17-50 with me which is doing a great job.

04-02-2013, 03:01 AM	#15
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	I suggest whoever have insisted the SDM problem had be addressed, should pay for these repairs due to spreading false information.