Converting a DA* 200mm with flakey SDM

**UncleVanya** · 02-09-2015, 10:54 AM

The conversion of a number of specific lenses from SDM to screw drive has been discussed at various times but I haven't seen any detailed threads on conversion of the DA* 200 f/2.8 to screw drive. Furthermore finding these threads seems a little tricky using the online forum search. Is there any master article or place where posts about these lenses and the bodies that can be used for debug mode?

The lens in question is not in my possession at the moment it's with my dad 250 miles away. He's non-technical so the conversion will have to wait until I am able to do it myself.

**crewl1** · 02-09-2015, 10:57 AM

Try this https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/208353-how-...m-f-2-8-a.html

**UncleVanya** · 02-09-2015, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

Try this https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/208353-how-...m-f-2-8-a.html

That helps. It is still a bit scattered but better than most of the threads I have run into. I didn't see anything DA* 200 specific however. Do you know if anyone has done this on the DA* 200?

**crewl1** · 02-09-2015, 12:02 PM

Doesn't seem the 200 comes up much and even then SDM issues less.

**woodywesty** · 02-09-2015, 12:30 PM

Isn't there someone in the community who would like to make easy money reprogramming our cameras so that they use the screw drive on our DA* lenses? Rather than be on a big trip and have one of my DA*'s fail why not just dump the SDM drive and switch directly to the camera screw drive which sounds way more dependable?? Am I missing something?

**UncleVanya** · 02-09-2015, 01:12 PM - **1 Like**

Honestly this should be a firmware upgrade for all Pentax DSLR's and should simply be a switchable option. Just like AF.S or AF.A etc.

**woodywesty** · 02-09-2015, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Honestly this should be a firmware upgrade for all Pentax DSLR's and should simply be a switchable option. Just like AF.S or AF.A etc.

Wouldn't that be nice.... but it would mean that the company was admitting that something wasn't right.

So I'm betting that isn't going to happen. If screw focus is as accurate and fast as SDM then I'd rather switch my lenses over and get it over with.

**UncleVanya** · 02-09-2015, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by woodywesty

Wouldn't that be nice.... but it would mean that the company was admitting that something wasn't right.

So I'm betting that isn't going to happen. If screw focus is as accurate and fast as SDM then I'd rather switch my lenses over and get it over with.

I guess - but that is the same as saying there is no reason to disable Autofocus... or use an aperture ring... etc. Pentax is pretty good about giving options but this particular option seems to elude them.

02-09-2015, 10:54 AM	#1
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	*Converting a DA 200mm with flakey SDM** The conversion of a number of specific lenses from SDM to screw drive has been discussed at various times but I haven't seen any detailed threads on conversion of the DA* 200 f/2.8 to screw drive. Furthermore finding these threads seems a little tricky using the online forum search. Is there any master article or place where posts about these lenses and the bodies that can be used for debug mode? The lens in question is not in my possession at the moment it's with my dad 250 miles away. He's non-technical so the conversion will have to wait until I am able to do it myself.

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02-09-2015, 10:57 AM	#2
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Try this https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/208353-how-...m-f-2-8-a.html

02-09-2015, 11:57 AM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401 Original Poster	Originally posted by crewl1 Try this https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/208353-how-...m-f-2-8-a.html That helps. It is still a bit scattered but better than most of the threads I have run into. I didn't see anything DA* 200 specific however. Do you know if anyone has done this on the DA* 200?

02-09-2015, 12:02 PM	#4
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Doesn't seem the 200 comes up much and even then SDM issues less.

02-09-2015, 12:30 PM	#5
woodywesty Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 725	Isn't there someone in the community who would like to make easy money reprogramming our cameras so that they use the screw drive on our DA* lenses? Rather than be on a big trip and have one of my DA*'s fail why not just dump the SDM drive and switch directly to the camera screw drive which sounds way more dependable?? Am I missing something?

02-09-2015, 01:12 PM - 1 Like	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401 Original Poster	Honestly this should be a firmware upgrade for all Pentax DSLR's and should simply be a switchable option. Just like AF.S or AF.A etc.

02-09-2015, 01:23 PM	#7
woodywesty Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 725	Originally posted by UncleVanya Honestly this should be a firmware upgrade for all Pentax DSLR's and should simply be a switchable option. Just like AF.S or AF.A etc. Wouldn't that be nice.... but it would mean that the company was admitting that something wasn't right. So I'm betting that isn't going to happen. If screw focus is as accurate and fast as SDM then I'd rather switch my lenses over and get it over with.

02-09-2015, 01:41 PM	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401 Original Poster	Originally posted by woodywesty Wouldn't that be nice.... but it would mean that the company was admitting that something wasn't right. So I'm betting that isn't going to happen. If screw focus is as accurate and fast as SDM then I'd rather switch my lenses over and get it over with. I guess - but that is the same as saying there is no reason to disable Autofocus... or use an aperture ring... etc. Pentax is pretty good about giving options but this particular option seems to elude them.