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**csa** · 01-09-2015, 10:29 AM

This is a very foolish question, I'm sure; however is there a list of lenses that are SDM?

I've heard too many stories about them failing, and if possible I'd like to avoid them.

Thanks in advance!

Carol

pete-tarmigan · 01-09-2015, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by csa

This is a very foolish question, I'm sure; however is there a list of lenses that are SDM?

I've heard too many stories about them failing, and if possible I'd like to avoid them.

Thanks in advance!

Carol

All of the DA* lenses, plus the DA 17-70mm. Apparently few years ago a Pentax employee said that the SDM motor was re-designed and all new lenses were being manufactured with the new motor. I don't recall the year (probably 2013), but you can use this forum's search engine to find that. This story has been recounted several times on this forum, e.g.,

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/285228-plead-guilty-2.html

The SDM failures seem to be limited primarily to the zoom lenses. The fixed-focal-length lenses (55mm, 200mm, and 300mm) seem to be largely unaffected.

**Canada_Rockies** · 01-09-2015, 10:48 AM

The SDM problem is overhyped, in my opinion. I had one lens fail three times (50-135) but my 16-50 is still chugging along perfectly. Both were early lenses - November 2007. To determine a list, go to the forum database, Pentax lenses and check the list for DA primes and DA zooms. If the lens has SDM it's in the lens designation.

**csa** · 01-09-2015, 11:04 AM

Pete, thanks for that information, I appreciate it!

**csa** · 01-09-2015, 11:05 AM

Albert, thanks also! I didn't realize the lens listing showed which was SDM. That's a great feature!

JohnX · 01-09-2015, 12:43 PM

The quality of the DA* lenses is just too good to be put off them by the so called 'SDM issue'. I have had no problems with my SDM lenses, and hopefully won't.

I run them every other week regardless of whether they've been used in between, as one thing I've noticed as a common feature amongst the 'my SDM lens has failed' posts is the fact that many failures seem to be associated with using the lens again after periods of non-use. Like many things in life, 'use it, or lose it'!

normhead · 01-09-2015, 12:58 PM

You should also note, the DA*60-250 never had SDM issues.

Adam · 01-09-2015, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by csa

This is a very foolish question, I'm sure; however is there a list of lenses that are SDM?

I've heard too many stories about them failing, and if possible I'd like to avoid them.

Thanks in advance!

Carol

Here's the list:
sdm Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

VisualDarkness · 01-09-2015, 03:52 PM

I got the 55mm and the 300mm and no SDM problems at all. My brother had the (relatively common to fail) 50-135mm and neither did he face any problems.

RonHendriks1966 · 01-09-2015, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

I got the 55mm and the 300mm and no SDM problems at all.

I got these too and both seem not to be infected with sdm problems.

01-09-2015, 10:29 AM	#1
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	SDM lenses? This is a very foolish question, I'm sure; however is there a list of lenses that are SDM? I've heard too many stories about them failing, and if possible I'd like to avoid them. Thanks in advance! Carol

01-09-2015, 10:47 AM	#2
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by csa This is a very foolish question, I'm sure; however is there a list of lenses that are SDM? I've heard too many stories about them failing, and if possible I'd like to avoid them. Thanks in advance! Carol All of the DA* lenses, plus the DA 17-70mm. Apparently few years ago a Pentax employee said that the SDM motor was re-designed and all new lenses were being manufactured with the new motor. I don't recall the year (probably 2013), but you can use this forum's search engine to find that. This story has been recounted several times on this forum, e.g., https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/285228-plead-guilty-2.html The SDM failures seem to be limited primarily to the zoom lenses. The fixed-focal-length lenses (55mm, 200mm, and 300mm) seem to be largely unaffected. Last edited by pete-tarmigan; 01-09-2015 at 10:59 AM. Reason: additional clarification

01-09-2015, 01:28 PM	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by csa This is a very foolish question, I'm sure; however is there a list of lenses that are SDM? I've heard too many stories about them failing, and if possible I'd like to avoid them. Thanks in advance! Carol Here's the list: sdm Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database 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:

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01-09-2015, 10:48 AM	#3
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	The SDM problem is overhyped, in my opinion. I had one lens fail three times (50-135) but my 16-50 is still chugging along perfectly. Both were early lenses - November 2007. To determine a list, go to the forum database, Pentax lenses and check the list for DA primes and DA zooms. If the lens has SDM it's in the lens designation.

01-09-2015, 11:04 AM	#4
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Pete, thanks for that information, I appreciate it!

01-09-2015, 11:05 AM	#5
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Albert, thanks also! I didn't realize the lens listing showed which was SDM. That's a great feature!

01-09-2015, 12:43 PM	#6
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	The quality of the DA* lenses is just too good to be put off them by the so called 'SDM issue'. I have had no problems with my SDM lenses, and hopefully won't. I run them every other week regardless of whether they've been used in between, as one thing I've noticed as a common feature amongst the 'my SDM lens has failed' posts is the fact that many failures seem to be associated with using the lens again after periods of non-use. Like many things in life, 'use it, or lose it'!

01-09-2015, 12:58 PM	#7
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	You should also note, the DA*60-250 never had SDM issues.

01-09-2015, 03:52 PM	#9
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	I got the 55mm and the 300mm and no SDM problems at all. My brother had the (relatively common to fail) 50-135mm and neither did he face any problems.

01-09-2015, 04:12 PM	#10
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by VisualDarkness I got the 55mm and the 300mm and no SDM problems at all. I got these too and both seem not to be infected with sdm problems.

SDM lenses?

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