DA* 50-135mm sure is squeeky!

Qwntm · 12-17-2015, 04:46 PM

So picked up a new DA* 50-135 from B&H and it sure is squeaky. It works fine, but in a quiet room it's just a high pitch squeak squeak squeak when focusing.

Is this normal? Like I said, it's working just fine and is a sharp copy and a newer SN. 93017**

robthebloke · 12-17-2015, 04:52 PM

Nope. Mine is quieter than a mouse (you can hear it, but it's not a squeak). I'm assuming it will stop squeaking in time?

rrstuff · 12-17-2015, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by Qwntm

So picked up a new DA* 50-135 from B&H and it sure is squeaky. It works fine, but in a quiet room it's just a high pitch squeak squeak squeak when focusing.

Is this normal? Like I said, it's working just fine and is a sharp copy and a newer SN. 93017**

Is this with your ear by the lens? Then it maybe possible, although I only heard it on micro-four-thirds lenses with silent focusing.

**Scorpio71GR** · 12-17-2015, 05:24 PM

Mine is silent, the only way I know it is focusing is by the confirmation beep.

biz-engineer · 12-17-2015, 05:47 PM

Skeaking means some friction inside the AF mechanism. That puts more strain on the AF motor and then it breaks. One way to put the AF to the test is to set the camera in interval shooting mode , lens pointed to a wall so that the AF can't lock, run 500 AF sequences, then either the AF motor breaks, you return the lens, or it does not break and you are on the safe side. I had 3 SDM lenses, one broke this way right out of the box, I sent it back to amazon, they sent it back to Pentax and provided me with a new lens free of charge with a 4 years guarantee!

Imp · 12-17-2015, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Skeaking means some friction inside the AF mechanism. That puts more strain on the AF motor and then it breaks. One way to put the AF to the test is to set the camera in interval shooting mode , lens pointed to a wall so that the AF can't lock, run 500 AF sequences, then either the AF motor breaks, you return the lens, or it does not break and you are on the safe side. I had 3 SDM lenses, one broke this way right out of the box, I sent it back to amazon, they sent it back to Pentax and provided me with a new lens free of charge with a 4 years guarantee!

Not a bad idea... I guess. I'd just return it and see if the next one is better. I really really hope Pentax will update the DA* lineup soon with HD coatings and DC motors. It shouldn't be too difficult to do... no change to the optical formula.

Ed, what is it that you were saying earlier about the capacitor and the lens? Is that not the problem? I guess not because the problem has returned...

calsan · 12-17-2015, 06:07 PM

It is a possibility that Qwntm has good high frequency hearing...

biz-engineer · 12-17-2015, 06:12 PM

Originally posted by calsan

It is a possibility that Qwntm has good high frequency hearing...

Just wondering if dogs go crazy when focusing a Canon 24-105 USM :-)

troika · 12-17-2015, 06:29 PM

if you bought it new, return it and get a replacement. It's an expensive lens, don't accept a defect.

Qwntm · 12-17-2015, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by Imp

Not a bad idea... I guess. I'd just return it and see if the next one is better. I really really hope Pentax will update the DA* lineup soon with HD coatings and DC motors. It shouldn't be too difficult to do... no change to the optical formula.

Ed, what is it that you were saying earlier about the capacitor and the lens? Is that not the problem? I guess not because the problem has returned...

Might be the capacitor. I have not had this lens on camera like I have with the 16-50.

The 16-50 was squeaky too, and I have left it on camera for a few days and have used it a bit and it's silent now.

Sounds like a mouse!

mee · 12-17-2015, 06:41 PM

My 16-50mm just came back from Precision where (among other things) they replaced the SDM.. now it squeaks! It used to not squeak. It is quite audible.. and it sounds a little jangly too when focusing.

And my 50-135mm doesn't squeak. However the 16-50mm is on it's way back to Precision to (among other things) resolve the squeak!

If you just bought a lens brand new doing this.. I'd suggest to instantly RMA that sucker back to the seller and get a different copy.

Qwntm · 12-17-2015, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by mee

My 16-50mm just came back from Precision where (among other things) they replaced the SDM.. now it squeaks! It used to not squeak. It is quite audible.. and it sounds a little jangly too when focusing.

And my 50-135mm doesn't squeak. However the 16-50mm is on it's way back to Precision to (among other things) resolve the squeak!

If you just bought a lens brand new doing this.. I'd suggest to instantly RMA that sucker back to the seller and get a different copy.

Chirpy chirpy... It's a shame because it's a sharp copy...

Yes on the "jangly" too! The 16-50 is solid, no clunk clunk when I shake it, not so the 50-135! Like something is loose inside.

Too bad B&H started using those non-reusable boxes!

mee · 12-17-2015, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by Qwntm

Chirpy chirpy... It's a shame because it's a sharp copy...

Yes on the "jangly" too! The 16-50 is solid, no clunk clunk when I shake it, not so the 50-135! Like something is loose inside.

That is what I think too.. something loose..

Odd your 16-50 is fine but your 50-135 is not. But my 50-135 is fine but my 16-50 is not! hehe we are opposites.

Is there a such thing as a non-sharp 50-135 copy? they seem to really be the 'pocket full of primes' or at least close to it in sharpness.. but I'd definitely replace it.

A_Delorme · 12-17-2015, 08:16 PM

Do you miss the range of the Tamron 70-200? Are the colors better with the 50-135?

It's so bad to see all those discounts while getting paid in Canadian dollars. 1 US$ = 1,38 CND $... Glad I bought my K-5 IIs in 2013 while the dollar was almost at pair...

Sideway · 12-17-2015, 08:28 PM

Mine (new, bought it at the beginning of the month) emits a slight whizzing sound when focusing. Nothing I'd call squeaky though.

12-17-2015, 04:46 PM	#1
Qwntm Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 856	*DA 50-135mm sure is squeeky!** So picked up a new DA* 50-135 from B&H and it sure is squeaky. It works fine, but in a quiet room it's just a high pitch squeak squeak squeak when focusing. Is this normal? Like I said, it's working just fine and is a sharp copy and a newer SN. 93017**

12-17-2015, 05:59 PM	#6
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,749	Originally posted by biz-engineer Skeaking means some friction inside the AF mechanism. That puts more strain on the AF motor and then it breaks. One way to put the AF to the test is to set the camera in interval shooting mode , lens pointed to a wall so that the AF can't lock, run 500 AF sequences, then either the AF motor breaks, you return the lens, or it does not break and you are on the safe side. I had 3 SDM lenses, one broke this way right out of the box, I sent it back to amazon, they sent it back to Pentax and provided me with a new lens free of charge with a 4 years guarantee! Not a bad idea... I guess. I'd just return it and see if the next one is better. I really really hope Pentax will update the DA* lineup soon with HD coatings and DC motors. It shouldn't be too difficult to do... no change to the optical formula. Ed, what is it that you were saying earlier about the capacitor and the lens? Is that not the problem? I guess not because the problem has returned... Last edited by Imp; 12-17-2015 at 06:12 PM.

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12-17-2015, 04:52 PM	#2
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	Nope. Mine is quieter than a mouse (you can hear it, but it's not a squeak). I'm assuming it will stop squeaking in time?

12-17-2015, 05:08 PM	#3
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	Originally posted by Qwntm So picked up a new DA* 50-135 from B&H and it sure is squeaky. It works fine, but in a quiet room it's just a high pitch squeak squeak squeak when focusing. Is this normal? Like I said, it's working just fine and is a sharp copy and a newer SN. 93017** Is this with your ear by the lens? Then it maybe possible, although I only heard it on micro-four-thirds lenses with silent focusing.

12-17-2015, 05:24 PM	#4
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	Mine is silent, the only way I know it is focusing is by the confirmation beep.

12-17-2015, 05:47 PM	#5
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Skeaking means some friction inside the AF mechanism. That puts more strain on the AF motor and then it breaks. One way to put the AF to the test is to set the camera in interval shooting mode , lens pointed to a wall so that the AF can't lock, run 500 AF sequences, then either the AF motor breaks, you return the lens, or it does not break and you are on the safe side. I had 3 SDM lenses, one broke this way right out of the box, I sent it back to amazon, they sent it back to Pentax and provided me with a new lens free of charge with a 4 years guarantee!

12-17-2015, 06:07 PM	#7
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	It is a possibility that Qwntm has good high frequency hearing...

12-17-2015, 06:12 PM	#8
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Originally posted by calsan It is a possibility that Qwntm has good high frequency hearing... Just wondering if dogs go crazy when focusing a Canon 24-105 USM :-)

12-17-2015, 06:29 PM	#9
troika Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Seattle, WA USA Posts: 1,753	if you bought it new, return it and get a replacement. It's an expensive lens, don't accept a defect.

12-17-2015, 06:34 PM	#10
Qwntm Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 856 Original Poster	Originally posted by Imp Not a bad idea... I guess. I'd just return it and see if the next one is better. I really really hope Pentax will update the DA* lineup soon with HD coatings and DC motors. It shouldn't be too difficult to do... no change to the optical formula. Ed, what is it that you were saying earlier about the capacitor and the lens? Is that not the problem? I guess not because the problem has returned... Might be the capacitor. I have not had this lens on camera like I have with the 16-50. The 16-50 was squeaky too, and I have left it on camera for a few days and have used it a bit and it's silent now. Sounds like a mouse!

12-17-2015, 06:41 PM	#11
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	My 16-50mm just came back from Precision where (among other things) they replaced the SDM.. now it squeaks! It used to not squeak. It is quite audible.. and it sounds a little jangly too when focusing. And my 50-135mm doesn't squeak. However the 16-50mm is on it's way back to Precision to (among other things) resolve the squeak! If you just bought a lens brand new doing this.. I'd suggest to instantly RMA that sucker back to the seller and get a different copy.

12-17-2015, 07:38 PM	#12
Qwntm Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 856 Original Poster	Originally posted by mee My 16-50mm just came back from Precision where (among other things) they replaced the SDM.. now it squeaks! It used to not squeak. It is quite audible.. and it sounds a little jangly too when focusing. And my 50-135mm doesn't squeak. However the 16-50mm is on it's way back to Precision to (among other things) resolve the squeak! If you just bought a lens brand new doing this.. I'd suggest to instantly RMA that sucker back to the seller and get a different copy. Chirpy chirpy... It's a shame because it's a sharp copy... Yes on the "jangly" too! The 16-50 is solid, no clunk clunk when I shake it, not so the 50-135! Like something is loose inside. Too bad B&H started using those non-reusable boxes!

12-17-2015, 07:56 PM	#13
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by Qwntm Chirpy chirpy... It's a shame because it's a sharp copy... Yes on the "jangly" too! The 16-50 is solid, no clunk clunk when I shake it, not so the 50-135! Like something is loose inside. That is what I think too.. something loose.. Odd your 16-50 is fine but your 50-135 is not. But my 50-135 is fine but my 16-50 is not! hehe we are opposites. Is there a such thing as a non-sharp 50-135 copy? they seem to really be the 'pocket full of primes' or at least close to it in sharpness.. but I'd definitely replace it.

12-17-2015, 08:16 PM	#14
A_Delorme New Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 2	Do you miss the range of the Tamron 70-200? Are the colors better with the 50-135? It's so bad to see all those discounts while getting paid in Canadian dollars. 1 US$ = 1,38 CND $... Glad I bought my K-5 IIs in 2013 while the dollar was almost at pair...

12-17-2015, 08:28 PM	#15
Sideway Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Taiwan Posts: 102	Mine (new, bought it at the beginning of the month) emits a slight whizzing sound when focusing. Nothing I'd call squeaky though.