DA* 50-135mm Question

ramshot · 03-19-2008, 04:44 PM

I just received my 50-135 from Adorama. The focusing ring continues to turn after it reaches both ends of the focusing range. Is this normal for this lens?

OniFactor · 03-19-2008, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by ramshot

I just received my 50-135 from Adorama. The focusing ring continues to turn after it reaches both ends of the focusing range. Is this normal for this lens?

how much further? it's normal for most AF lenses to have extra room at the ends of the distance scale

ramshot · 03-19-2008, 04:48 PM

I can continue to turn the focusing ring all the way it never stops.

ankit · 03-19-2008, 04:50 PM

Don't know about how pentax SDM works, but with the nikon AF-S lenses I have used work this way as well - there is no "stop" to the focusing ring rotation.

aegisphan · 03-19-2008, 05:11 PM

This is due to the fact that the focus ring got declutched from the focus mechanism.

rfortson · 03-19-2008, 05:13 PM

All Pentax DA lens focus rings will continue to turn. It's part of their "quick shift" focus adjust system, and consists of an integral clutch that allows you to quickly and manually adjust focus even while in AF mode. Other lens (Tamron and Sigma, and older Pentax AF lenses) can't do this in AF mode. You'll damage the gears if you try to turn it without first switching to MF mode.

ramshot · 03-19-2008, 05:35 PM

My DA 18-55 and DA 50-200 do not do this. They stop when they reach both ends of the focusing range. My brother has the Canon 28-135 with the in lens motor and his focus ring turns past both ends of the focusing range also.

TomInJax · 03-19-2008, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by rfortson

All Pentax DA lens focus rings will continue to turn. It's part of their "quick shift" focus adjust system, and consists of an integral clutch that allows you to quickly and manually adjust focus even while in AF mode. Other lens (Tamron and Sigma, and older Pentax AF lenses) can't do this in AF mode. You'll damage the gears if you try to turn it without first switching to MF mode.

I agree. I have a DA*50-135 and that is the way it works. It is normal.

ramshot · 03-19-2008, 06:07 PM

Thanks for all your replies. I found that the lens hood has a broken piece on it. The ring on the lens where the hood attaches is cracked also. The box the lens came in looks like it was a used lens that was returned. I will be calling Adorama in the morning to return this lens. This is the first time I have bought anything from Adorama and I am not real happy about having to return the lens.

clawhammer · 03-19-2008, 06:18 PM

that bites. I've usually thought Adorama was a good dealer. Let's hope this is just an isolated incident.

Incidently, my DA 14 will do the same thing as well- the focus ring is 'clutched' in such a way that it does not turn when the AF is focusing it, and I can spin the ring 360 degrees- it will turn the focus until it hits one end or the other then de-clutch and keep spinning.

ramshot · 03-19-2008, 06:25 PM

Thanks clawhammer. I don't know whether I should ask for an exchange or a refund. I am NOT a happy camper at the moment. I really wanted to use this lens this weekend.

nostatic · 03-19-2008, 06:28 PM

fwiw I've always had great interations with Adorama, and they also dealt well with returns (I didn't like the lens, not their mistake).

ramshot · 03-19-2008, 06:34 PM

That's good to hear nostatic. Hopefully I won't have any problems returning it.

**Canada_Rockies** · 03-19-2008, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by ramshot

I just received my 50-135 from Adorama. The focusing ring continues to turn after it reaches both ends of the focusing range. Is this normal for this lens?

Yes. The quick focus shift lenses do this. It prevents damage to the focusing system when you turn the focusing ring with the camera and lens in autofocus mode, unlike the FA lenses, where you had to either turn the camera to Manual Focus or move the focus ring to the manual focus position. You can turn it forever without doing damage to the lens or the camera.

rfortson · 03-19-2008, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by ramshot

My DA 18-55 and DA 50-200 do not do this. They stop when they reach both ends of the focusing range. My brother has the Canon 28-135 with the in lens motor and his focus ring turns past both ends of the focusing range also.

Maybe we're talking about two different things then. However, both lenses you mentioned have the quick shift mechanism that allows the lens to be manually adjusted. I know because I've owned both lenses. The only DA lens that doesn't have it is the 18-250 since it's a rebadged Tamron.

Sorry to hear about your lens hood trouble. My 50-135 is partially broken like this (I think it came from Beach or Berger Bros.). I think one of the catches is broken, but it stays on okay. I considered sending it back, but decided to just keep it. Adorama is a standup place. They should make it right for you.

03-19-2008, 04:44 PM	#1
ramshot Guest	*DA 50-135mm Question** I just received my 50-135 from Adorama. The focusing ring continues to turn after it reaches both ends of the focusing range. Is this normal for this lens?

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03-19-2008, 04:47 PM	#2
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643	Originally posted by ramshot I just received my 50-135 from Adorama. The focusing ring continues to turn after it reaches both ends of the focusing range. Is this normal for this lens? how much further? it's normal for most AF lenses to have extra room at the ends of the distance scale

03-19-2008, 04:48 PM	#3
ramshot Guest	I can continue to turn the focusing ring all the way it never stops.

03-19-2008, 04:50 PM	#4
ankit Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 140	Don't know about how pentax SDM works, but with the nikon AF-S lenses I have used work this way as well - there is no "stop" to the focusing ring rotation.

03-19-2008, 05:11 PM	#5
aegisphan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 815	This is due to the fact that the focus ring got declutched from the focus mechanism.

03-19-2008, 05:13 PM	#6
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	All Pentax DA lens focus rings will continue to turn. It's part of their "quick shift" focus adjust system, and consists of an integral clutch that allows you to quickly and manually adjust focus even while in AF mode. Other lens (Tamron and Sigma, and older Pentax AF lenses) can't do this in AF mode. You'll damage the gears if you try to turn it without first switching to MF mode.

03-19-2008, 05:35 PM	#7
ramshot Guest	My DA 18-55 and DA 50-200 do not do this. They stop when they reach both ends of the focusing range. My brother has the Canon 28-135 with the in lens motor and his focus ring turns past both ends of the focusing range also.

03-19-2008, 05:51 PM	#8
TomInJax Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 531	Originally posted by rfortson All Pentax DA lens focus rings will continue to turn. It's part of their "quick shift" focus adjust system, and consists of an integral clutch that allows you to quickly and manually adjust focus even while in AF mode. Other lens (Tamron and Sigma, and older Pentax AF lenses) can't do this in AF mode. You'll damage the gears if you try to turn it without first switching to MF mode. I agree. I have a DA*50-135 and that is the way it works. It is normal.

03-19-2008, 06:07 PM	#9
ramshot Guest	Thanks for all your replies. I found that the lens hood has a broken piece on it. The ring on the lens where the hood attaches is cracked also. The box the lens came in looks like it was a used lens that was returned. I will be calling Adorama in the morning to return this lens. This is the first time I have bought anything from Adorama and I am not real happy about having to return the lens.

03-19-2008, 06:18 PM	#10
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	that bites. I've usually thought Adorama was a good dealer. Let's hope this is just an isolated incident. Incidently, my DA 14 will do the same thing as well- the focus ring is 'clutched' in such a way that it does not turn when the AF is focusing it, and I can spin the ring 360 degrees- it will turn the focus until it hits one end or the other then de-clutch and keep spinning.

03-19-2008, 06:25 PM	#11
ramshot Guest	Thanks clawhammer. I don't know whether I should ask for an exchange or a refund. I am NOT a happy camper at the moment. I really wanted to use this lens this weekend.

03-19-2008, 06:28 PM	#12
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575	fwiw I've always had great interations with Adorama, and they also dealt well with returns (I didn't like the lens, not their mistake).

03-19-2008, 06:34 PM	#13
ramshot Guest	That's good to hear nostatic. Hopefully I won't have any problems returning it.

03-19-2008, 08:41 PM	#14
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by ramshot I just received my 50-135 from Adorama. The focusing ring continues to turn after it reaches both ends of the focusing range. Is this normal for this lens? Yes. The quick focus shift lenses do this. It prevents damage to the focusing system when you turn the focusing ring with the camera and lens in autofocus mode, unlike the FA lenses, where you had to either turn the camera to Manual Focus or move the focus ring to the manual focus position. You can turn it forever without doing damage to the lens or the camera.

03-19-2008, 08:44 PM	#15
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	Originally posted by ramshot My DA 18-55 and DA 50-200 do not do this. They stop when they reach both ends of the focusing range. My brother has the Canon 28-135 with the in lens motor and his focus ring turns past both ends of the focusing range also. Maybe we're talking about two different things then. However, both lenses you mentioned have the quick shift mechanism that allows the lens to be manually adjusted. I know because I've owned both lenses. The only DA lens that doesn't have it is the 18-250 since it's a rebadged Tamron. Sorry to hear about your lens hood trouble. My 50-135 is partially broken like this (I think it came from Beach or Berger Bros.). I think one of the catches is broken, but it stays on okay. I considered sending it back, but decided to just keep it. Adorama is a standup place. They should make it right for you.