How To: Convert SDM to ScrewDrive + Video

DavidDwight · 01-12-2017, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by fwwidall

I just tested my newly converted DA*200 on my K3, and I can't replicate your issues.

1) The fine focus adjustment calibration is being saved correctly, as far as I can see. I set it to '+10', changed to another lens which showed up as '+7', then switched back to the DA*200 which again showed up as '+10'

2) I ran a couple of images through 'exiftool' and the EXIF data appears normal, including the LensID.

Fred.

Thanks for checking. My search goes on

**UncleVanya** · 01-21-2017, 01:09 AM

Originally posted by DavidDwight

To anyone who has done this conversion: I've recently noticed some anomalies with two lenses I did this to and not sure if it is coincidental or cause. I have not gone back and changed it lens firmware back to the original file (which I saved) to see if the anomalies disappear (which would confirm it for me - thought I would ask before going to the effort). The anomalies? 1) camera not saving the fine focus adjustment calibration. I the the lens off, put another on and then switch back and it goes back to "none set" as if it doesn't recognize the lens. 2) the EXIF lens information is gone - going back a long way in my library it was clearly there but recently it is gone (but there for other lenses).

So could this change change how the camera recognizes the lens? It does not seem like a logical way to design the system but ...

Did any of the values you changed fall into columns other than column "3"?

gatorguy · 02-09-2017, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by playerone

@gatorguy Pentax DA*55 can't be converted from SDM to screwdrive. It doesn't have screwdrive motor.

I realized this morning I hadn't updated you on my problem, leaving it hanging. Turns out there wasn't one after all. Another poster here mentioned looking at the pins to make sure they weren't damaged. Well lo and behold there was some clearish-yellow dried substance on one and part of another, just a tiny spot like the lens had been set down on something like a bit of wood glue or polish. Flicked it off, no evidence now it was ever there, and it's back to working perfectly. Can't believe I didn't notice it. Silly little things like that can be such a bother. I stressed over that for a couple of weeks.

Note to self: Wear your reading glasses when looking at small stuff.

Thanks a million guys!

Blacknight659 · 02-09-2017, 06:29 AM

Originally posted by gatorguy

I realized this morning I hadn't updated you on my problem, leaving it hanging. Turns out there wasn't one after all. Another poster here mentioned looking at the pins to make sure they weren't damaged. Well lo and behold there was some clearish-yellow dried substance on one and part of another, just a tiny spot like the lens had been set down on something like a bit of wood glue or polish. Flicked it off, no evidence now it was ever there, and it's back to working perfectly. Can't believe I didn't notice it. Silly little things like that can be such a bother. I stressed over that for a couple of weeks.

Note to self: Wear your reading glasses when looking at small stuff.

Thanks a million guys!

Wonderful! I am always happy to hear of a working lens!

Ishpuini · 02-10-2017, 07:13 AM

Did anyone try with a K-3II? I want to convert both my 16-50 and 50-135, after 10 years of service, most of which without SDM issues. First issue on both two years ago, repaired both ($$$), and now they are failing again...

Or do I need to find someone (within EU) with another camera model to do the conversion on?

tx, Wim

**UncleVanya** · 02-10-2017, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by Ishpuini

Did anyone try with a K-3II? I want to convert both my 16-50 and 50-135, after 10 years of service, most of which without SDM issues. First issue on both two years ago, repaired both ($$$), and now they are failing again...

Or do I need to find someone (within EU) with another camera model to do the conversion on?

tx, Wim

I wasn't ever able to find anyone with a k-3 that succeeded. I imagine the same holds for a k3ii. Debug was possible but the Store function on the lensrom menu didn't do anything. K50 was the same story.

Pixguru · 02-20-2017, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by bjdavey

With much appreciation to the OP (Blacknight659), DavidDwight for the PK Tether workaround, and also posts on the other forum, I have been able to successfully complete the SDM to screw drive conversion without using PK Tether. This is great for Mac users like me (PK Tether is not available for Mac), but it should also work for PC users. I have just used this process to convert my DA* 16-50, using a K5IIs, firmware 1.07. I don't know if it will work with other camera models. For others who may like to try this, I have laid out the process I followed below. This is basically a combination of the processes described in this thread by the OP, David immediately above, and Ron (Brandrx) in the other forum, but I thought it may be useful to lay it out in one place, with some additional notes from my experience:

As noted by the original posters, continue at your own risk - I am not responsible for any damage that may occur to your equipment.

1. Download the two required files from Dropbox, depending on the camera you are using: Dropbox - enable Debug Menu

Note: When I did this on my Mac, for some reason the extension .txt was added to the file names during the download process. You need to remove this added extension, so the file names appear as 00077681.541 and DEVELOP.MOD. This is for the K5IIs - for other models, the numbers in the first file name will be different. The content of the first file is a single line: [OPEN_DEBUG_MENU]. The second file is empty.

2. Copy these two files to the root directory of your SD card. I did this using a card reader - you can also do it with the SD card in the camera, using a USB cord between camera and computer.

3. Put the SD card in your camera, and power on while leaving the memory card door open. The Development Menu will immediately appear. This is the step that gets you into the Development Menu without using PK Tether.

4. Scroll down to Development Menu 4, and select line "LENS ROM DAT CAMERA=>SD", press OK. This copies the LENSEEP.LNS file to your SD card.

5. If you are using a card reader, power off, remove SD card and place in card reader. This is how I did it, but you could also continue working with these files connecting to the SD card in your camera with a USB cord. Make a backup of the LENSEEP.LNS file, and save it to your computer for possible future use.

6. Open the original LENSEEP.LNS file on the SD card using the Textedit app (this is for Mac users, PC users would use Notepad or another text editor). Use the edit, find menu to highlight all occurrences of "C0". These were in the first column on the left, and in the column headed "03". Ignore the first column leaving it as it is, and change all of the "C0" occurrences in column 03 to "80" (in my case there were 16 of them in column 03 needing changing). Save the file changes, making sure that the only copy of the LENSEEP.LNS file left on the SD card is the modified file (the first two files from Steps 1 and 2 should still be there). Using the Textedit app on my mac, I did not have any issues with having to change RTF/ASCII save settings as reported by DavidDwight - I just used the standard file, save, and it worked fine.

7. Return the SD card to the camera, and power on, again leaving the memory card door open so the Development menu appears.

8. Scroll down to Development Menu 4, and select line "LENS ROM DAT SD=>CAMERA", press OK. This copies the edited file back to the lens. You will see "wait..." on the screen, and then some lines of text flashing past for a few seconds. This completes the process. Power off, and power on again normally with the memory card door closed - the lens should now be in screw drive mode. As reported by others, you may need to repeat this step. In my case it did not work the first time, but did after the second.

You will now find a backup file on your SD card created by your camera, called BACKUP.LNS. This seems to be the same as the backup of LENSEEP.LNS created in step 5. I have kept both of these on my computer in case of future need. As you don't need the files on your SD card any more, you can delete them, or preferably reformat the card.

The key to this method which does not use PK Tether is getting in to the Development Menu by having the two necessary files from step 1 in the root directory of your SD card, and powering the camera on with the card door open. I learned this from DavidDwight's post above - it works with both my K5IIs, and my K3. I don't know if it works with other Pentax models. I completed the lens conversion process with my K5IIs. Although I have seen that I can get in to the Development Menu the same way on my K3, I don't know if the whole lens conversion process would work the same as it did with the K5IIs.

I now have a fully functional DA* 16-50 again. As expected the screw drive focus is a bit noisier than the SDM was, but that is a small price to pay for having a working lens, and the confidence that it is not going to fail on me as it has three times previously.

Many thanks also to posters on the other forum for sharing their solutions (especially Ron - BrandrX, RIP).

Hi,
Step 4 does not copy the LENSEEP.LNS to the SD Card. I am using a K3 and not using PK Tether.
Any thing I may be doing wrong?
Appreciate your guidance,
Thanks,
Pradipta

**UncleVanya** · 02-20-2017, 07:49 PM

As far as I know - no one has gotten a K-3 to work with any method. The problem as you stated is that it won't write the file.

Blacknight659 · 02-20-2017, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

As far as I know - no one has gotten a K-3 to work with any method. The problem as you stated is that it won't write the file.

Second this, you may need to send it to UncleVanya to complete the conversion for you.

**UncleVanya** · 02-21-2017, 04:28 AM

Originally posted by Michaelina2

I avoided PK Tether by using your K100D method (with my K100D) to convert a DA*200/2.8. Took less than 5 minutes once I summoned the courage to push past the fear of 'bricking' my lens. It works great, no problems.... so, easy peasy.

Cheers... M

Not "my method" other than what I use and documented and shared. Others before me made many more contributions. I'm just the guy with the time and energy to offer to do it.

Blacknight659 · 02-21-2017, 06:30 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Not "my method" other than what I use and documented and shared. Others before me made many more contributions. I'm just the guy with the time and energy to offer to do it.

I am in the same boat... All of the material I used for the tutorial was created by others. I hated how it was spread out in different threads, so my video / post was created to solve that problem. I am just using what was already created and given to me. For that matter, I don't know who made the "hack" files available in the drop box folder. Without that effort, we wouldn't be able to do the work we are doing.

GeneV · 02-21-2017, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by Blacknight659

I don't know if it will work on the 17-70. I had my SDM jam on my 50-135 before I converted. I attached the lens to my film AF body and the screw drive was activated and freeded up the jam. Maybe you could try to spin the focus screw on the lens mount if the lens has one.

IDK if the lens can be converted to screw drive. I wish all the best to you. I hope they replace this lens with a DC motor version.

The DA 17-70 does not have a mechanical coupling for the screw drive. It cannot be converted. Mine therefore makes its home in the back of a drawer.

**UncleVanya** · 02-21-2017, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by GeneV

The DA 17-70 does not have a mechanical coupling for the screw drive. It cannot be converted. Mine therefore makes its home in the back of a drawer.

KEH seems to Offer SDM fix cheaper than Precision. Might be worth calling them.

Duc-Driver · 05-04-2017, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by Blacknight659

I am in the same boat... All of the material I used for the tutorial was created by others. I hated how it was spread out in different threads, so my video / post was created to solve that problem. I am just using what was already created and given to me. For that matter, I don't know who made the "hack" files available in the drop box folder. Without that effort, we wouldn't be able to do the work we are doing.

I'm a bit late because I didn't noticed this thread here (I don't read a lot here at pentaxforums.. mostly lens reviews

).
The dropbox-folder is from me, but I only make those files be available at one place - it was not my development.

I think we should find something to store lensroms on newer cameras like K3 - there should be any posibility - but where?

Regards,
Stefan

Blacknight659 · 05-04-2017, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by Duc-Driver

I'm a bit late because I didn't noticed this thread here (I don't read a lot here at pentaxforums.. mostly lens reviews

).
The dropbox-folder is from me, but I only make those files be available at one place - it was not my development.

I think we should find something to store lensroms on newer cameras like K3 - there should be any posibility - but where?

Regards,
Stefan

We have a lot to thank you for!

Do you happen to know the modification required for the 60-250mm? It seems the lens rom requires a different hack.

Thank you!

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01-12-2017, 08:24 PM	#31
DavidDwight Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pittsburgh Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 74	Originally posted by fwwidall I just tested my newly converted DA200 on my K3, and I can't replicate your issues. 1) The fine focus adjustment calibration is being saved correctly, as far as I can see. I set it to '+10', changed to another lens which showed up as '+7', then switched back to the DA200 which again showed up as '+10' 2) I ran a couple of images through 'exiftool' and the EXIF data appears normal, including the LensID. Fred. Thanks for checking. My search goes on

01-21-2017, 01:09 AM	#32
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	Originally posted by DavidDwight To anyone who has done this conversion: I've recently noticed some anomalies with two lenses I did this to and not sure if it is coincidental or cause. I have not gone back and changed it lens firmware back to the original file (which I saved) to see if the anomalies disappear (which would confirm it for me - thought I would ask before going to the effort). The anomalies? 1) camera not saving the fine focus adjustment calibration. I the the lens off, put another on and then switch back and it goes back to "none set" as if it doesn't recognize the lens. 2) the EXIF lens information is gone - going back a long way in my library it was clearly there but recently it is gone (but there for other lenses). So could this change change how the camera recognizes the lens? It does not seem like a logical way to design the system but ... Did any of the values you changed fall into columns other than column "3"?

02-09-2017, 05:55 AM	#33
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,094	Originally posted by playerone @gatorguy Pentax DA*55 can't be converted from SDM to screwdrive. It doesn't have screwdrive motor. I realized this morning I hadn't updated you on my problem, leaving it hanging. Turns out there wasn't one after all. Another poster here mentioned looking at the pins to make sure they weren't damaged. Well lo and behold there was some clearish-yellow dried substance on one and part of another, just a tiny spot like the lens had been set down on something like a bit of wood glue or polish. Flicked it off, no evidence now it was ever there, and it's back to working perfectly. Can't believe I didn't notice it. Silly little things like that can be such a bother. I stressed over that for a couple of weeks. Note to self: Wear your reading glasses when looking at small stuff. Thanks a million guys!

02-09-2017, 06:29 AM	#34
Blacknight659 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731 Original Poster	Originally posted by gatorguy I realized this morning I hadn't updated you on my problem, leaving it hanging. Turns out there wasn't one after all. Another poster here mentioned looking at the pins to make sure they weren't damaged. Well lo and behold there was some clearish-yellow dried substance on one and part of another, just a tiny spot like the lens had been set down on something like a bit of wood glue or polish. Flicked it off, no evidence now it was ever there, and it's back to working perfectly. Can't believe I didn't notice it. Silly little things like that can be such a bother. I stressed over that for a couple of weeks. Note to self: Wear your reading glasses when looking at small stuff. Thanks a million guys! Wonderful! I am always happy to hear of a working lens!

02-10-2017, 07:13 AM	#35
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	Did anyone try with a K-3II? I want to convert both my 16-50 and 50-135, after 10 years of service, most of which without SDM issues. First issue on both two years ago, repaired both ($$$), and now they are failing again... Or do I need to find someone (within EU) with another camera model to do the conversion on? tx, Wim

02-10-2017, 07:29 AM	#36
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	Originally posted by Ishpuini Did anyone try with a K-3II? I want to convert both my 16-50 and 50-135, after 10 years of service, most of which without SDM issues. First issue on both two years ago, repaired both ($$$), and now they are failing again... Or do I need to find someone (within EU) with another camera model to do the conversion on? tx, Wim I wasn't ever able to find anyone with a k-3 that succeeded. I imagine the same holds for a k3ii. Debug was possible but the Store function on the lensrom menu didn't do anything. K50 was the same story.

02-20-2017, 05:46 PM	#37
Pixguru New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mississauga, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 17	Originally posted by bjdavey With much appreciation to the OP (Blacknight659), DavidDwight for the PK Tether workaround, and also posts on the other forum, I have been able to successfully complete the SDM to screw drive conversion without using PK Tether. This is great for Mac users like me (PK Tether is not available for Mac), but it should also work for PC users. I have just used this process to convert my DA* 16-50, using a K5IIs, firmware 1.07. I don't know if it will work with other camera models. For others who may like to try this, I have laid out the process I followed below. This is basically a combination of the processes described in this thread by the OP, David immediately above, and Ron (Brandrx) in the other forum, but I thought it may be useful to lay it out in one place, with some additional notes from my experience: As noted by the original posters, continue at your own risk - I am not responsible for any damage that may occur to your equipment. 1. Download the two required files from Dropbox, depending on the camera you are using: Dropbox - enable Debug Menu Note: When I did this on my Mac, for some reason the extension .txt was added to the file names during the download process. You need to remove this added extension, so the file names appear as 00077681.541 and DEVELOP.MOD. This is for the K5IIs - for other models, the numbers in the first file name will be different. The content of the first file is a single line: [OPEN_DEBUG_MENU]. The second file is empty. 2. Copy these two files to the root directory of your SD card. I did this using a card reader - you can also do it with the SD card in the camera, using a USB cord between camera and computer. 3. Put the SD card in your camera, and power on while leaving the memory card door open. The Development Menu will immediately appear. This is the step that gets you into the Development Menu without using PK Tether. 4. Scroll down to Development Menu 4, and select line "LENS ROM DAT CAMERA=>SD", press OK. This copies the LENSEEP.LNS file to your SD card. 5. If you are using a card reader, power off, remove SD card and place in card reader. This is how I did it, but you could also continue working with these files connecting to the SD card in your camera with a USB cord. Make a backup of the LENSEEP.LNS file, and save it to your computer for possible future use. 6. Open the original LENSEEP.LNS file on the SD card using the Textedit app (this is for Mac users, PC users would use Notepad or another text editor). Use the edit, find menu to highlight all occurrences of "C0". These were in the first column on the left, and in the column headed "03". Ignore the first column leaving it as it is, and change all of the "C0" occurrences in column 03 to "80" (in my case there were 16 of them in column 03 needing changing). Save the file changes, making sure that the only copy of the LENSEEP.LNS file left on the SD card is the modified file (the first two files from Steps 1 and 2 should still be there). Using the Textedit app on my mac, I did not have any issues with having to change RTF/ASCII save settings as reported by DavidDwight - I just used the standard file, save, and it worked fine. 7. Return the SD card to the camera, and power on, again leaving the memory card door open so the Development menu appears. 8. Scroll down to Development Menu 4, and select line "LENS ROM DAT SD=>CAMERA", press OK. This copies the edited file back to the lens. You will see "wait..." on the screen, and then some lines of text flashing past for a few seconds. This completes the process. Power off, and power on again normally with the memory card door closed - the lens should now be in screw drive mode. As reported by others, you may need to repeat this step. In my case it did not work the first time, but did after the second. You will now find a backup file on your SD card created by your camera, called BACKUP.LNS. This seems to be the same as the backup of LENSEEP.LNS created in step 5. I have kept both of these on my computer in case of future need. As you don't need the files on your SD card any more, you can delete them, or preferably reformat the card. The key to this method which does not use PK Tether is getting in to the Development Menu by having the two necessary files from step 1 in the root directory of your SD card, and powering the camera on with the card door open. I learned this from DavidDwight's post above - it works with both my K5IIs, and my K3. I don't know if it works with other Pentax models. I completed the lens conversion process with my K5IIs. Although I have seen that I can get in to the Development Menu the same way on my K3, I don't know if the whole lens conversion process would work the same as it did with the K5IIs. I now have a fully functional DA* 16-50 again. As expected the screw drive focus is a bit noisier than the SDM was, but that is a small price to pay for having a working lens, and the confidence that it is not going to fail on me as it has three times previously. Many thanks also to posters on the other forum for sharing their solutions (especially Ron - BrandrX, RIP). Hi, Step 4 does not copy the LENSEEP.LNS to the SD Card. I am using a K3 and not using PK Tether. Any thing I may be doing wrong? Appreciate your guidance, Thanks, Pradipta

02-20-2017, 07:49 PM	#38
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	As far as I know - no one has gotten a K-3 to work with any method. The problem as you stated is that it won't write the file.

02-20-2017, 08:24 PM	#39
Blacknight659 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya As far as I know - no one has gotten a K-3 to work with any method. The problem as you stated is that it won't write the file. Second this, you may need to send it to UncleVanya to complete the conversion for you.

02-21-2017, 04:28 AM	#40
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	Originally posted by Michaelina2 I avoided PK Tether by using your K100D method (with my K100D) to convert a DA*200/2.8. Took less than 5 minutes once I summoned the courage to push past the fear of 'bricking' my lens. It works great, no problems.... so, easy peasy. Cheers... M Not "my method" other than what I use and documented and shared. Others before me made many more contributions. I'm just the guy with the time and energy to offer to do it.

02-21-2017, 06:30 AM	#41
Blacknight659 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Not "my method" other than what I use and documented and shared. Others before me made many more contributions. I'm just the guy with the time and energy to offer to do it. I am in the same boat... All of the material I used for the tutorial was created by others. I hated how it was spread out in different threads, so my video / post was created to solve that problem. I am just using what was already created and given to me. For that matter, I don't know who made the "hack" files available in the drop box folder. Without that effort, we wouldn't be able to do the work we are doing.

02-21-2017, 07:11 AM	#42
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by Blacknight659 I don't know if it will work on the 17-70. I had my SDM jam on my 50-135 before I converted. I attached the lens to my film AF body and the screw drive was activated and freeded up the jam. Maybe you could try to spin the focus screw on the lens mount if the lens has one. IDK if the lens can be converted to screw drive. I wish all the best to you. I hope they replace this lens with a DC motor version. The DA 17-70 does not have a mechanical coupling for the screw drive. It cannot be converted. Mine therefore makes its home in the back of a drawer.

02-21-2017, 09:04 AM	#43
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,452	Originally posted by GeneV The DA 17-70 does not have a mechanical coupling for the screw drive. It cannot be converted. Mine therefore makes its home in the back of a drawer. KEH seems to Offer SDM fix cheaper than Precision. Might be worth calling them.

05-04-2017, 08:13 AM	#44
Duc-Driver Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 87	Originally posted by Blacknight659 I am in the same boat... All of the material I used for the tutorial was created by others. I hated how it was spread out in different threads, so my video / post was created to solve that problem. I am just using what was already created and given to me. For that matter, I don't know who made the "hack" files available in the drop box folder. Without that effort, we wouldn't be able to do the work we are doing. I'm a bit late because I didn't noticed this thread here (I don't read a lot here at pentaxforums.. mostly lens reviews ). The dropbox-folder is from me, but I only make those files be available at one place - it was not my development. I think we should find something to store lensroms on newer cameras like K3 - there should be any posibility - but where? Regards, Stefan

05-04-2017, 08:52 AM	#45
Blacknight659 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731 Original Poster	Originally posted by Duc-Driver I'm a bit late because I didn't noticed this thread here (I don't read a lot here at pentaxforums.. mostly lens reviews ). The dropbox-folder is from me, but I only make those files be available at one place - it was not my development. I think we should find something to store lensroms on newer cameras like K3 - there should be any posibility - but where? Regards, Stefan We have a lot to thank you for! Do you happen to know the modification required for the 60-250mm? It seems the lens rom requires a different hack. Thank you!