DA* 16-50mm Serial Number Database.

Adam · 10-12-2010, 06:22 PM

Just an update: future serials should be posted here: SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM Serials - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com

Adam
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dankoBanana · 10-24-2010, 04:01 AM

I have to say that this thread has scared the s**t out of me

I knew the lens had problems... I also thought they were the things of the past
I really liked the pics I saw of the 16-50 .. now I'm reconsidering the 16-45 but the damned thing isn't WR

Lothman · 10-24-2010, 10:54 AM

my DA 16-50 had the SDM-failure, started slowly but then it happened more and more often. The lens was repaired by Pentax Germany (Maerz).
S/N:9024482

Now I'm very happy with this lens.

Samsungian · 11-16-2010, 06:07 AM

Agreed, I won't buy Pentax SDM lens due to this enlightening failures thread.

I won't buy any Pentax SDM lens new, I won't buy any Pentax SDM lens used.

The weather sealing in any Pentax camera is compromised due to the fact I will not buy any SDM lens.

Originally posted by dankoBanana

I have to say that this thread has scared the s**t out of me

I knew the lens had problems... I also thought they were the things of the past
I really liked the pics I saw of the 16-50 .. now I'm reconsidering the 16-45 but the damned thing isn't WR

Last edited by Samsungian; 11-16-2010 at 06:12 AM.

**jpzk** · 11-22-2010, 08:14 PM

Why is it that so many people here own a DA*16-50 and I find only 27 listed serials in the database provided to that effect?

JP

WiseOx · 11-22-2010, 08:25 PM

I'm such a slacker...I'll post mine.....as soon as I get it back from Pentax.....SDM repair.

**jpzk** · 11-22-2010, 09:20 PM

I posted a question in a different thread (got no reply) earlier about:

DA*16-50 ... started to squeak when AF'ing but it still focuses.
A bit of hunting too.
Is this a precursor of things bad to come?

JP

NeverSatisfied · 11-22-2010, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

I posted a question in a different thread (got no reply) earlier about:

DA*16-50 ... started to squeak when AF'ing but it still focuses.
A bit of hunting too.
Is this a precursor of things bad to come?

JP

Not my DA*16-50 (it was an early production run and was decentered, was replaced under warranty and has been totally reliable), but my DA*50-135 had the "squeak." It also just plain wouldn't focus at times, no movement at all/dead, or would take a long time to "wake up." I sent it in for repair and received a refurbished unit in its place.

So it does sound a little ominous, sorry to say. I saw a YouTube video also showing a DA*16-50 with the same squeak, that was said to have later sustained SDM failure. For what it's worth. If you're still under warranty, send it in.

**jpzk** · 11-23-2010, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by NeverSatisfied

Not my DA*16-50 (it was an early production run and was decentered, was replaced under warranty and has been totally reliable), but my DA*50-135 had the "squeak." It also just plain wouldn't focus at times, no movement at all/dead, or would take a long time to "wake up." I sent it in for repair and received a refurbished unit in its place.

So it does sound a little ominous, sorry to say. I saw a YouTube video also showing a DA*16-50 with the same squeak, that was said to have later sustained SDM failure. For what it's worth. If you're still under warranty, send it in.

Yeah, of course, the darn thing has started to do that when the warranty period is over.

Got in touch with Pentax Canada this morning and I will ship it directly to them tomorrow. Going through the seller is way too lenghty.

Will return here when the repair is done and report.

JP

WiseOx · 11-23-2010, 09:23 AM

Mine always squeaked (high pitched sonic sound). I actually thought this was the usual sound from SDM, interesting to hear that it's not. Note, I've had troubles with it sticking from about 6 months in, of ownership. It was managable...but gradually got worse, to the point that playing with it to wake up was taking too long, and I was missing shots. Off she went.

**jpzk** · 11-23-2010, 04:05 PM

Originally posted by WiseOx

Mine always squeaked (high pitched sonic sound). I actually thought this was the usual sound from SDM, interesting to hear that it's not. Note, I've had troubles with it sticking from about 6 months in, of ownership. It was managable...but gradually got worse, to the point that playing with it to wake up was taking too long, and I was missing shots. Off she went.

Looks to me that the infamous squeak foretells mishaps with this lens.

It never squeaked before so I am assuming that this is an omen.

Going to the repair facilities in Mississauga tomorrow.

How's traffic like between Whitby and TO these days?

JP

patriotap · 11-23-2010, 04:29 PM

I have the da* 16-50, 50-135 and now the 60-250, no problems.

Rnovo · 01-11-2011, 08:19 PM

Just for the record, my 16-50 is back in the local Pentax shop for the 2nd time but this one is out of warranty... The AF is totally unresponsive, once more. The only way out was with the quick focus feature...
Oh yes, I was going to forget, serial #9019095, and too bad if everybody knows about this now!

**Clinton** · 02-15-2011, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by Clinton

Mine just failed after 5 months. SN 9028533. Sent it in to Pentax for repair on Friday.

My lens started to fail again. Sent in for repair #2 last week. :P

**jatrax** · 02-19-2011, 03:35 PM

What I find astonishing is that going through the serial numbers listed in this thread show 12 cases of a number being sent back and the same number being reported by another owner at a later date. And 10 of those indicate that the lens failed on them as well.

So if you send it back to your retailer as faulty do they just pass it on to someone else? Seems a little unethical if it was sent back as faulty.

11-16-2010, 06:07 AM	#514
Samsungian Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado USA Posts: 1,337	Agreed, I won't buy SDM due to this enlightening failures thread Agreed, I won't buy Pentax SDM lens due to this enlightening failures thread. I won't buy any Pentax SDM lens new, I won't buy any Pentax SDM lens used. The weather sealing in any Pentax camera is compromised due to the fact I will not buy any SDM lens. Originally posted by dankoBanana I have to say that this thread has scared the s*t out of me I knew the lens had problems... I also thought they were the things of the past I really liked the pics I saw of the 16-50 .. now I'm reconsidering the 16-45 but the damned thing isn't WR Last edited by Samsungian; 11-16-2010 at 06:12 AM.*

01-11-2011, 08:19 PM	#523
Rnovo Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 415	Just for the record, my 16-50 is back in the local Pentax shop for the 2nd time but this one is out of warranty... The AF is totally unresponsive, once more. The only way out was with the quick focus feature... Oh yes, I was going to forget, serial #9019095, and too bad if everybody knows about this now! Last edited by Rnovo; 01-11-2011 at 08:25 PM.

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10-12-2010, 06:22 PM	#511
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Just an update: future serials should be posted here: SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM Serials - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com 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:

10-24-2010, 04:01 AM	#512
dankoBanana Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 533	I have to say that this thread has scared the s**t out of me I knew the lens had problems... I also thought they were the things of the past I really liked the pics I saw of the 16-50 .. now I'm reconsidering the 16-45 but the damned thing isn't WR

10-24-2010, 10:54 AM	#513
Lothman New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Stuttgart Posts: 7	my DA 16-50 had the SDM-failure, started slowly but then it happened more and more often. The lens was repaired by Pentax Germany (Maerz). S/N:9024482 Now I'm very happy with this lens.

11-22-2010, 08:14 PM	#515
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Why is it that so many people here own a DA*16-50 and I find only 27 listed serials in the database provided to that effect? JP

11-22-2010, 08:25 PM	#516
WiseOx Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Whitby (near Toronto), Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 433	I'm such a slacker...I'll post mine.....as soon as I get it back from Pentax.....SDM repair.

11-22-2010, 09:20 PM	#517
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	I posted a question in a different thread (got no reply) earlier about: DA*16-50 ... started to squeak when AF'ing but it still focuses. A bit of hunting too. Is this a precursor of things bad to come? JP

11-22-2010, 10:32 PM	#518
NeverSatisfied Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 688	Originally posted by jpzk I posted a question in a different thread (got no reply) earlier about: DA16-50 ... started to squeak when AF'ing but it still focuses. A bit of hunting too. Is this a precursor of things bad to come? JP Not my DA16-50 (it was an early production run and was decentered, was replaced under warranty and has been totally reliable), but my DA50-135 had the "squeak." It also just plain wouldn't focus at times, no movement at all/dead, or would take a long time to "wake up." I sent it in for repair and received a refurbished unit in its place. So it does sound a little ominous, sorry to say. I saw a YouTube video also showing a DA16-50 with the same squeak, that was said to have later sustained SDM failure. For what it's worth. If you're still under warranty, send it in.

11-23-2010, 09:18 AM	#519
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by NeverSatisfied Not my DA16-50 (it was an early production run and was decentered, was replaced under warranty and has been totally reliable), but my DA50-135 had the "squeak." It also just plain wouldn't focus at times, no movement at all/dead, or would take a long time to "wake up." I sent it in for repair and received a refurbished unit in its place. So it does sound a little ominous, sorry to say. I saw a YouTube video also showing a DA*16-50 with the same squeak, that was said to have later sustained SDM failure. For what it's worth. If you're still under warranty, send it in. Yeah, of course, the darn thing has started to do that when the warranty period is over. Got in touch with Pentax Canada this morning and I will ship it directly to them tomorrow. Going through the seller is way too lenghty. Will return here when the repair is done and report. JP

11-23-2010, 09:23 AM	#520
WiseOx Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Whitby (near Toronto), Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 433	Mine always squeaked (high pitched sonic sound). I actually thought this was the usual sound from SDM, interesting to hear that it's not. Note, I've had troubles with it sticking from about 6 months in, of ownership. It was managable...but gradually got worse, to the point that playing with it to wake up was taking too long, and I was missing shots. Off she went.

11-23-2010, 04:05 PM	#521
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by WiseOx Mine always squeaked (high pitched sonic sound). I actually thought this was the usual sound from SDM, interesting to hear that it's not. Note, I've had troubles with it sticking from about 6 months in, of ownership. It was managable...but gradually got worse, to the point that playing with it to wake up was taking too long, and I was missing shots. Off she went. Looks to me that the infamous squeak foretells mishaps with this lens. It never squeaked before so I am assuming that this is an omen. Going to the repair facilities in Mississauga tomorrow. How's traffic like between Whitby and TO these days? JP

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11-23-2010, 04:29 PM	#522
patriotap Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Jersey Photos: Albums Posts: 159	I have the da* 16-50, 50-135 and now the 60-250, no problems.

02-15-2011, 11:01 AM	#524
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910	Originally posted by Clinton Mine just failed after 5 months. SN 9028533. Sent it in to Pentax for repair on Friday. My lens started to fail again. Sent in for repair #2 last week. :P

02-19-2011, 03:35 PM	#525
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	What I find astonishing is that going through the serial numbers listed in this thread show 12 cases of a number being sent back and the same number being reported by another owner at a later date. And 10 of those indicate that the lens failed on them as well. So if you send it back to your retailer as faulty do they just pass it on to someone else? Seems a little unethical if it was sent back as faulty.