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TrailRunner · 04-30-2015, 03:23 PM

I know some of you have had the 16 50 for a year or more with no SDM issues, and that others have either repaired their's or just started using it as a screw drive. I'm curious though, has Pentax by any chance just resolved the issue in more recent copies?

Adam · 04-30-2015, 03:36 PM

It was fixed in mid-2012, supposedly.

rburgoss · 04-30-2015, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by Adam

It was fixed in mid-2012, supposedly.

Is there like s serial number datsbase from which we could knowsif a specific SDM featured lens has been manufactured before or after the "alleged" fix was applied?

Do all SDM lenses suffered or were prone to show the problem?

biz-engineer · 04-30-2015, 10:21 PM

The fix is the "DC motor": > 18-50, 18-135, 16-85, 70-200, 150-450.

ragde · 04-30-2015, 10:46 PM

Originally posted by rburgoss

Is there like s serial number datsbase from which we could knowsif a specific SDM featured lens has been manufactured before or after the "alleged" fix was applied?

.. not quite, but it could help:

SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com

aleonx3 · 04-30-2015, 11:07 PM

If you buy 'used' lens, then there is a chance that it would still have the older SDM motor part which could fail. If you buy new, then the chance of failure is probably very low. I have the one from the early production, but soon was replaced with a different lens fitted with the non-faulty SDM motor. It has been working since then; I have used it in many events (usually with the DA* 50-135).

biz-engineer · 04-30-2015, 11:39 PM

We've got to try to see if it breaks or not. As far as I understood, the conversion from SDM to screw drive was done via hacking of the firmware. How is it done with the K-3 ?

Last edited by biz-engineer; 05-01-2015 at 03:21 AM.

pete-tarmigan · 05-01-2015, 06:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

We've got to try to see if it breaks or not. As far as I understood, the conversion from SDM to screw drive was done via hacking of the firmware. How is it done with the K-3 ?

What I want to know is: why did Pentax build screw-drive into the SDM lenses, but not provide a manufacturer-sanctioned method to de-activate the SDM and activate the screw-drive?

DeadJohn · 05-01-2015, 07:05 AM

Originally posted by pete-tarmigan

What I want to know is: why did Pentax build screw-drive into the SDM lenses, but not provide a manufacturer-sanctioned method to de-activate the SDM and activate the screw-drive?

The screw drive is there for older cameras that didn't support SDM. Screw drive was not added purely as a backup to SDM.

Achromatter · 05-02-2015, 04:34 AM

Originally posted by DeadJohn

The screw drive is there for older cameras that didn't support SDM. Screw drive was not added purely as a backup to SDM.

If that's the case, has anyone tried simply taping over the SDM contacts and see if it would revert to screw-drive? Or does the hand-shaking between the camera and lens tell each other "SDM present on both" and then screw-drive is automatically disabled?

sterretje · 05-02-2015, 10:57 PM

Originally posted by Achromatter

If that's the case, has anyone tried simply taping over the SDM contacts and see if it would revert to screw-drive? Or does the hand-shaking between the camera and lens tell each other "SDM present on both" and then screw-drive is automatically disabled?

People have tried without success.

04-30-2015, 03:23 PM	#1
TrailRunner Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 46	Any word about the DA 16 50mm SDM motor issue getting resolved? I know some of you have had the 16 50 for a year or more with no SDM issues, and that others have either repaired their's or just started using it as a screw drive. I'm curious though, has Pentax by any chance just resolved the issue in more recent copies?

04-30-2015, 03:36 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	It was fixed in mid-2012, supposedly. 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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04-30-2015, 07:50 PM	#3
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	Originally posted by Adam It was fixed in mid-2012, supposedly. Is there like s serial number datsbase from which we could knowsif a specific SDM featured lens has been manufactured before or after the "alleged" fix was applied? Do all SDM lenses suffered or were prone to show the problem?

04-30-2015, 10:21 PM	#4
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,249	The fix is the "DC motor": > 18-50, 18-135, 16-85, 70-200, 150-450.

04-30-2015, 10:46 PM	#5
ragde Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 45	Originally posted by rburgoss Is there like s serial number datsbase from which we could knowsif a specific SDM featured lens has been manufactured before or after the "alleged" fix was applied? .. not quite, but it could help: SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com

04-30-2015, 11:07 PM	#6
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	If you buy 'used' lens, then there is a chance that it would still have the older SDM motor part which could fail. If you buy new, then the chance of failure is probably very low. I have the one from the early production, but soon was replaced with a different lens fitted with the non-faulty SDM motor. It has been working since then; I have used it in many events (usually with the DA* 50-135).

04-30-2015, 11:39 PM	#7
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,249	We've got to try to see if it breaks or not. As far as I understood, the conversion from SDM to screw drive was done via hacking of the firmware. How is it done with the K-3 ? Last edited by biz-engineer; 05-01-2015 at 03:21 AM.

05-01-2015, 06:12 AM - 1 Like	#8
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by biz-engineer We've got to try to see if it breaks or not. As far as I understood, the conversion from SDM to screw drive was done via hacking of the firmware. How is it done with the K-3 ? What I want to know is: why did Pentax build screw-drive into the SDM lenses, but not provide a manufacturer-sanctioned method to de-activate the SDM and activate the screw-drive?

05-01-2015, 07:05 AM	#9
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Originally posted by pete-tarmigan What I want to know is: why did Pentax build screw-drive into the SDM lenses, but not provide a manufacturer-sanctioned method to de-activate the SDM and activate the screw-drive? The screw drive is there for older cameras that didn't support SDM. Screw drive was not added purely as a backup to SDM.

05-02-2015, 04:34 AM	#10
Achromatter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Queens, New York Posts: 122	Originally posted by DeadJohn The screw drive is there for older cameras that didn't support SDM. Screw drive was not added purely as a backup to SDM. If that's the case, has anyone tried simply taping over the SDM contacts and see if it would revert to screw-drive? Or does the hand-shaking between the camera and lens tell each other "SDM present on both" and then screw-drive is automatically disabled?

05-02-2015, 10:57 PM	#11
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by Achromatter If that's the case, has anyone tried simply taping over the SDM contacts and see if it would revert to screw-drive? Or does the hand-shaking between the camera and lens tell each other "SDM present on both" and then screw-drive is automatically disabled? People have tried without success.

Any word about the DA 16 50mm SDM motor issue getting resolved?

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