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06-13-2010, 07:02 AM   #466
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DA* 16-50 mm lens problems

i was about to order this lens yesterday when i happened across this website - which i have now joined.
I would like to buy a Kx with the DA* 16-50 lens and the DA 55-300 lens - - but I'm hesitating about the DA* 16-50 b/c of the quality issues which i've read here - and are scary.
Have they been addressed by Pentax ?

(I would prefer the 16-50 to the 17-70 b/c my read of everything I've seen to date is that it is a vastly superior lens - IF one gets a good copy !)

06-13-2010, 08:23 AM   #467
JHD
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Was wondering about the same and then I saw this...

In praise of the Pentax DA 18-55 f3.5-5.6 AL WR : Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Looks pretty decent to me and is much less money with no worries about SDM failure.
06-13-2010, 08:36 AM   #468
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what lens ?

QuoteOriginally posted by JHD Quote
Was wondering about the same and then I saw this...

In praise of the Pentax DA 18-55 f3.5-5.6 AL WR : Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Looks pretty decent to me and is much less money with no worries about SDM failure.
Very nice shots !
But only a head to head comparison would really tell the difference...
My sense is that there is a difference in optical quality in addition perhaps to build quality btwn the DA series vs the DA* series of Pentax lenses. I've spent a lot of time reading detailed reviews and others' experience w/ the 16 - 50 DA*, and it is an impressive pro-level piece(s) of glass ! I am going to be the optimist and will probably at the end of the day bet that there is no longer a problem w/ consistent quality of the lens in question. I will also order from a reputable retailer (Adorama or B&H) - in case there are any issues of any kind, as I would in any major electronics purchase.
06-13-2010, 09:01 AM   #469
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QuoteQuote:

...18-55 f3.5-5.6 AL WR...

Looks pretty decent to me and is much less money with no worries about SDM failure.
Yeah, but missing 2mm on the short end and 2 stops on the long end.

06-13-2010, 09:18 AM   #470
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QuoteOriginally posted by SpecialK Quote
Yeah, but missing 2mm on the short end and 2 stops on the long end.
Is that worth the all extra $$ along with the high probability of SDM failure? How much will it cost to have the SDM repaired and how often will that be an issue when the warranty runs out? Even if the DA* lens sold for half of the current price I'll pass, too risky given the track record.
06-19-2010, 06:45 AM   #471
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Just bought the DA*16-50 (9037575) at Ace Photo in Ashburn, VA (so nice having a local store that stocks Pentax) and it seems fine so far. Definately need to keep all records for the warranty though. My main reason for purchasing it (and the DA* 60-250) was the weather sealing AND the f2.8... All thoughts of SDM failure aside it's worth the risk to gain those features. I won't be getting rid of my DA 16-45 any time soon though.

Last edited by MRRiley; 06-19-2010 at 09:21 AM.
06-19-2010, 08:30 PM   #472
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The simple fact is this glass, and the 50-135, are amazing. IMO the repair was painless other than being without my lens for a week.

If I didn't own these lenses, even with the issues, I'd still buy them and hope for no issues.

06-22-2010, 02:08 AM   #473
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great news from Pentax !

Hello all !
i just heard back from Pentax - WONDERFUL news, i'm sure everyone will be relieved:

"there is no known issue with the DA* 16-50mm SDM lens at this time".

So, there you have it, right from the source, official pronouncement, June 21, 2010, 11:21 AM.
Now we can all sleep so much more soundly.

I will be posting a thread of my correspondence w/ Pentax on this Forum later this week, but in the meantime I just couldn't wait to share.
06-25-2010, 10:28 AM   #474
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Yeah right, that doesn't relieve anything boy!.
06-26-2010, 03:44 PM   #475
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sorry i hid my sarcasm a bit too well !
06-27-2010, 07:07 PM   #476
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I have serial #9042141 purchased in late April from B&H. So far so good.
06-29-2010, 03:58 PM   #477
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I have similar experience, I have sent my 16-50 to Pentax Germany twice, first because it had a wobble issue, second time because of SDM failure. Both times my lens came back with a notice, there is nothing wrong with the lens.

I stopped using the lens for many months, it was too annoying to always live in the uncertainty if the SDM would work or not.

Few weeks back I tried the lens again, now the SDM does not work at all anymore, it fails totally. I now have an excellent manual focus 16-50mm Pentax lens. Better almost than having to fear constantly for the random failure! I kind a like this lens again. It's IQ is still superb!


QuoteOriginally posted by habsfanusa Quote
Hello all !
i just heard back from Pentax - WONDERFUL news, i'm sure everyone will be relieved:

"there is no known issue with the DA* 16-50mm SDM lens at this time".

So, there you have it, right from the source, official pronouncement, June 21, 2010, 11:21 AM.
Now we can all sleep so much more soundly.

I will be posting a thread of my correspondence w/ Pentax on this Forum later this week, but in the meantime I just couldn't wait to share.
06-30-2010, 03:37 PM   #478
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.... and this (meaning all the reports above) - plus Pentax' intransigent stance that "there is no problem" - is why I will be forgoing these excellent but unreliable lenses and compromising w/ a 3rd party piece of glass...
07-01-2010, 10:38 AM   #479
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purchase just over a year ago
over 6,000 photos
no problems

sorry for the folks that are having problems, it's a great lens.
07-08-2010, 01:51 PM   #480
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Purchased June 2010 from BH Photo.
No initial issues seems to be a well built lens.
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