When was my new 16-50 manufactured?

lytrytyr · 12-04-2013, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by djc737

back ordered means Ricoh is shipping out a pill of old Hoya lens from some warehouse in China.

China? Probably not. But Vietnam, that's a different story . . .

GaryH · 12-04-2013, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by woodywesty

Probably not if you bought it from B&H like I did....

I looked in October to see if there was an extended warranty for the DA*16-50 lens from Pentax just like the one I purchased for the new K3 but nothing. I think that tells us that Pentax (Ricoh) knows very well about the SDM motor issues and won't risk insuring them...

Oh well. I bought mine at B&H. I am going to bet that its reliability will be better than earlier serial numbers. Looks like crickets from our inquiry to B&H on the other thread.....

DeadJohn · 12-04-2013, 03:51 PM

The Ask B&H forum says to expect 24-48 hours for a response so crickets are within tolerance. I plan to stop by B&H with my 16-50 Thursday evening because they're closed early Fri and all day Sat.

**woodywesty** · 12-05-2013, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by DeadJohn

The Ask B&H forum says to expect 24-48 hours for a response so crickets are within tolerance. I plan to stop by B&H with my 16-50 Thursday evening because they're closed early Fri and all day Sat.

Please let us know what you find out. I fear that we have raised an issue where Pentax is selling old (new old stock) lenses for a supposed discount that don't have the redesigned modifications in them. Never heard of a manufacturer producing mass produced products with randomly assigned serial numbers.....

Wondering if B&H hasn't responded because they don't want to have to announce Ricoh's decision to move old lenses?

GaryH · 12-05-2013, 01:52 PM

I think the only way to get a new stock lens is to wait to start seeing HD being advertised. My guess is that Ricoh has not made any DA* lenses yet since buying Pentax. Otherwise we would be hearing "new and improved". I doubt that they are selling many lenses at the current list prices. People like us wait for deals like BF to buy. That is stretching their inventory indefinitely.
I think the Engineer may have meant that SDM repairs would have a new and improved motor.

**pearsaab** · 12-05-2013, 05:24 PM

I just got mine and I think I'm the winner of the oldest serial number 9034972...it's too bad I can't be the winner with something in the positive direction..i also bought the 3 year warranty..i think pentax or b&h should help pay for it

**pearsaab** · 12-05-2013, 05:40 PM

mine looks like it was made in 2010...now I'm really concerned!!!

**woodywesty** · 12-05-2013, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by GaryH

I think the only way to get a new stock lens is to wait to start seeing HD being advertised. My guess is that Ricoh has not made any DA* lenses yet since buying Pentax. Otherwise we would be hearing "new and improved". I doubt that they are selling many lenses at the current list prices. People like us wait for deals like BF to buy. That is stretching their inventory indefinitely.
I think the Engineer may have meant that SDM repairs would have a new and improved motor.

I wonder.... about the repair being done with new components. I hope that is the case but do we know that the new parts fit in our old lenses? Seems like these lenses are packed pretty darn tight which might require several parts to be modified in order to accept the new motor and whatever else failed. Could be that the improved motor will only be available in version 2 of the DA*16-50?? I'm not feeling good about Ricoh not owning up to the fact that they are selling a flawed product.

Kwong · 12-05-2013, 07:48 PM

Pentax SMC DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 Lens

Have a look at this post if the user is right according to the last line then pentax serial numbers are not incremental with date of manufacture.

SpecialK · 12-05-2013, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Wondering if B&H hasn't responded because they don't want to have to announce Ricoh's decision to move old lenses?

It's the busiest week of the year and everyone is busy with lots of time-consuming trivia requests. B&H does not answer for Ricoh, nor would they have any reason be in Ricoh's secret loop.

krebsy75 · 12-06-2013, 04:40 AM

This issue may be "trivial" for resellers but not for the users dropping a grand or more on a product that was supposed to be fixed.

I suspect the percentage of DA* returns within the first 30 days isn't out of proportion with other makes. If this is the case, resellers don't give a flyin' fluck what the "born on" date is for a given DA* lens. As long as it doesn't "boomerang" it's all good.

This issue and the resultant lack of communication falls completely on the shoulders of Ricoh.

**woodywesty** · 12-06-2013, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by krebsy75

This issue may be "trivial" for resellers but not for the users dropping a grand or more on a product that was supposed to be fixed.

I suspect the percentage of DA* returns within the first 30 days isn't out of proportion with other makes. If this is the case, resellers don't give a flyin' fluck what the "born on" date is for a given DA* lens. As long as it doesn't "boomerang" it's all good.

This issue and the resultant lack of communication falls completely on the shoulders of Ricoh.

You may be right that DA* returns aren't out of proportion with other makes but the problem is that we don't have any real data to know and it doesn't appear that Ricoh is talking. Unfortunately the only consistent method of getting the attention of a big corporation is with an attorney which costs a bunch of money and they know that. So that leaves us DA* owners just hanging. I made my thousand dollar gamble fully aware of the risk. If I lose then there are other very good manufactures out there to supply me with camera gear.

**pearsaab** · 12-06-2013, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by DeadJohn

The Ask B&H forum says to expect 24-48 hours for a response so crickets are within tolerance. I plan to stop by B&H with my 16-50 Thursday evening because they're closed early Fri and all day Sat.

did you ever get a response from b&H

**pearsaab** · 12-06-2013, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by GaryH

Oh well. I bought mine at B&H. I am going to bet that its reliability will be better than earlier serial numbers. Looks like crickets from our inquiry to B&H on the other thread.....

did you ever get a response from b&H

GaryH · 12-06-2013, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by pearsaab

did you ever get a response from b&H

nope. And I really don't expect to.

12-06-2013, 04:40 AM	#56
krebsy75 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chester County, Pa. Posts: 804	When was my new 16-50 manufactured? This issue may be "trivial" for resellers but not for the users dropping a grand or more on a product that was supposed to be fixed. I suspect the percentage of DA* returns within the first 30 days isn't out of proportion with other makes. If this is the case, resellers don't give a flyin' fluck what the "born on" date is for a given DA* lens. As long as it doesn't "boomerang" it's all good. This issue and the resultant lack of communication falls completely on the shoulders of Ricoh.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
There is air blow out when I zoom my 16-50, is this normal?	liukaitc	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	21	05-10-2012 08:55 AM
Does it matter when my K5 was made?	SenorBeef	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	14	04-06-2012 05:32 PM
Brand new DA* 16-50 squeaking when focusing....???	Loren E	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	01-11-2011 10:35 AM
There was a time when FA50mm/F1.4 was under $200? Retail?	sjwoo	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	17	03-17-2010 03:35 PM
What are the odds that my new 16-50 will be a good copy	skinja	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	05-20-2009 05:07 PM

12-04-2013, 02:59 PM	#46
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by djc737 back ordered means Ricoh is shipping out a pill of old Hoya lens from some warehouse in China. China? Probably not. But Vietnam, that's a different story . . .

12-04-2013, 03:12 PM	#47
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	Originally posted by woodywesty Probably not if you bought it from B&H like I did.... I looked in October to see if there was an extended warranty for the DA*16-50 lens from Pentax just like the one I purchased for the new K3 but nothing. I think that tells us that Pentax (Ricoh) knows very well about the SDM motor issues and won't risk insuring them... Oh well. I bought mine at B&H. I am going to bet that its reliability will be better than earlier serial numbers. Looks like crickets from our inquiry to B&H on the other thread.....

12-04-2013, 03:51 PM	#48
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834 Original Poster	The Ask B&H forum says to expect 24-48 hours for a response so crickets are within tolerance. I plan to stop by B&H with my 16-50 Thursday evening because they're closed early Fri and all day Sat.

12-05-2013, 12:22 PM	#49
woodywesty Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 725	Originally posted by DeadJohn The Ask B&H forum says to expect 24-48 hours for a response so crickets are within tolerance. I plan to stop by B&H with my 16-50 Thursday evening because they're closed early Fri and all day Sat. Please let us know what you find out. I fear that we have raised an issue where Pentax is selling old (new old stock) lenses for a supposed discount that don't have the redesigned modifications in them. Never heard of a manufacturer producing mass produced products with randomly assigned serial numbers..... Wondering if B&H hasn't responded because they don't want to have to announce Ricoh's decision to move old lenses?

12-05-2013, 01:52 PM	#50
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	I think the only way to get a new stock lens is to wait to start seeing HD being advertised. My guess is that Ricoh has not made any DA* lenses yet since buying Pentax. Otherwise we would be hearing "new and improved". I doubt that they are selling many lenses at the current list prices. People like us wait for deals like BF to buy. That is stretching their inventory indefinitely. I think the Engineer may have meant that SDM repairs would have a new and improved motor.

12-05-2013, 05:24 PM	#51
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	I just got mine and I think I'm the winner of the oldest serial number 9034972...it's too bad I can't be the winner with something in the positive direction..i also bought the 3 year warranty..i think pentax or b&h should help pay for it

12-05-2013, 05:40 PM	#52
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	mine looks like it was made in 2010...now I'm really concerned!!!

12-05-2013, 06:06 PM	#53
woodywesty Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 725	Originally posted by GaryH I think the only way to get a new stock lens is to wait to start seeing HD being advertised. My guess is that Ricoh has not made any DA* lenses yet since buying Pentax. Otherwise we would be hearing "new and improved". I doubt that they are selling many lenses at the current list prices. People like us wait for deals like BF to buy. That is stretching their inventory indefinitely. I think the Engineer may have meant that SDM repairs would have a new and improved motor. I wonder.... about the repair being done with new components. I hope that is the case but do we know that the new parts fit in our old lenses? Seems like these lenses are packed pretty darn tight which might require several parts to be modified in order to accept the new motor and whatever else failed. Could be that the improved motor will only be available in version 2 of the DA*16-50?? I'm not feeling good about Ricoh not owning up to the fact that they are selling a flawed product.

12-05-2013, 07:48 PM	#54
Kwong Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 198	Pentax SMC DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 Lens Have a look at this post if the user is right according to the last line then pentax serial numbers are not incremental with date of manufacture.

12-05-2013, 08:02 PM	#55
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: Wondering if B&H hasn't responded because they don't want to have to announce Ricoh's decision to move old lenses? It's the busiest week of the year and everyone is busy with lots of time-consuming trivia requests. B&H does not answer for Ricoh, nor would they have any reason be in Ricoh's secret loop.

12-06-2013, 06:57 AM	#57
woodywesty Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 725	Originally posted by krebsy75 This issue may be "trivial" for resellers but not for the users dropping a grand or more on a product that was supposed to be fixed. I suspect the percentage of DA* returns within the first 30 days isn't out of proportion with other makes. If this is the case, resellers don't give a flyin' fluck what the "born on" date is for a given DA* lens. As long as it doesn't "boomerang" it's all good. This issue and the resultant lack of communication falls completely on the shoulders of Ricoh. You may be right that DA* returns aren't out of proportion with other makes but the problem is that we don't have any real data to know and it doesn't appear that Ricoh is talking. Unfortunately the only consistent method of getting the attention of a big corporation is with an attorney which costs a bunch of money and they know that. So that leaves us DA* owners just hanging. I made my thousand dollar gamble fully aware of the risk. If I lose then there are other very good manufactures out there to supply me with camera gear.

12-06-2013, 01:50 PM	#58
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	Originally posted by DeadJohn The Ask B&H forum says to expect 24-48 hours for a response so crickets are within tolerance. I plan to stop by B&H with my 16-50 Thursday evening because they're closed early Fri and all day Sat. did you ever get a response from b&H

12-06-2013, 01:51 PM	#59
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	Originally posted by GaryH Oh well. I bought mine at B&H. I am going to bet that its reliability will be better than earlier serial numbers. Looks like crickets from our inquiry to B&H on the other thread..... did you ever get a response from b&H

12-06-2013, 02:18 PM	#60
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	Originally posted by pearsaab did you ever get a response from b&H nope. And I really don't expect to.