Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

jddwoods · 08-22-2018, 05:27 AM - **1 Like**

I do not have a DA*55 but I checked my DA* 200 (5 years old) and DA*300 (1 year old) and both have a similar slight squeak sound. It is only audible when I try autofocus in quiet indoor settings, where I do not use these lenses. When used outdoors, I cannot hear the squeak. There have been other posts regarding squeaky SDM so I think this may be just a common characteristic of certain SDM lenses. The DA* 200 and 300 never had any SDM problems. On the other hand my DA 17-70 SDM never squeaked but it was always difficult to get it going when the lens was first used. The motor on this lens eventually died after sitting unused for 3 weeks. I would be more concerned about a sluggish SDM motor than one, like yours that responds instantly but makes a slight squeak.

repaap · 08-22-2018, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by jddwoods

I would be more concerned about a sluggish SDM motor than one, like yours that responds instantly but makes a slight squeak.

This must be the key. I haven't(knocking the wood) experienced failure, but having been here at forums, looking of 'my SDM died grrr' threads, most cases when it died it started off with first being less responsive, and soon after that ->

pakinjapan · 08-22-2018, 04:32 PM

Thank you for all the answer.
Looks like, it doesn't matter lens making a sound or not, if it will fail, it will fail.

One more question just came up after reading you guys comments, Does battery power have anything to do with this?

Originally posted by repaap

... most cases when it died it started off with first being less responsive, and soon after that ->

let say, if I test the lens with half (or less) charged battery, will it trick a potentially bad motor to be less responsive or even stop working?

**Just1MoreDave** · 08-22-2018, 09:06 PM

I think battery charge makes a difference, but I haven't really tested that. I sort of think if I don't worry about it, it will work forever.

**clackers** · 08-22-2018, 10:56 PM

No squeak from mine, which was bought on eBay.

jddwoods · 08-23-2018, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by pakinjapan

Thank you for all the answer.
Looks like, it doesn't matter lens making a sound or not, if it will fail, it will fail.

One more question just came up after reading you guys comments, Does battery power have anthing to do with this?

let say, if I test the lens with half (or less) charged batter, will it trick a potentially bad motor to be less responsive or even stop working?

Level of battery charge does not matter, at least as far as I observed with my in lens motor lenses. If there is enough battery life to take pictures, my 16-85, 55-300 PLM, DA* 200 & 300 all autofocus just fine. Putting in a fresh charged battery (I have spares) did not help when the DA 17-70 was getting sluggish before it died.

repaap · 08-23-2018, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by pakinjapan

Thank you for all the answer.
Looks like, it doesn't matter lens making a sound or not, if it will fail, it will fail.

One more question just came up after reading you guys comments, Does battery power have anything to do with this?

let say, if I test the lens with half (or less) charged battery, will it trick a potentially bad motor to be less responsive or even stop working?

I haven’t really noticed much of a difference with half charged battery with my 55.

krre23 · 08-23-2018, 08:41 AM

That's cute! lol

**Just1MoreDave** · 08-23-2018, 07:50 PM

I love the consensus in this thread.

My lens might be peculiar because it was sold off when Pentax moved their parts operation out of Colorado. So who knows, it could be a repair, return, leftover, test bed for redesigned parts or just ordinary stock.

aurele · 08-23-2018, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by pakinjapan

Thank you for all the answer.
Looks like, it doesn't matter lens making a sound or not, if it will fail, it will fail.

One more question just came up after reading you guys comments, Does battery power have anything to do with this?

let say, if I test the lens with half (or less) charged battery, will it trick a potentially bad motor to be less responsive or even stop working?

I don't think low battery increase chances of the SDM dying.

But low battery (1 bar icon or less) seems to slow a bit the SDM motor on my previous k5ii. On the k1 i don't see any differences.

pakinjapan · 08-24-2018, 04:30 AM

I will go test the lens and highly possible getting one tomorrow, and I will go do some night shooting after that. They have 6 used and many more new unit in the store.
Fingers crossed

Thank you all again.

repaap · 08-24-2018, 04:45 AM - **1 Like**

Fingers crossed!

**UncleVanya** · 08-24-2018, 06:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pakinjapan

I will go test the lens and highly possible getting one tomorrow, and I will go do some night shooting after that. They have 6 used and many more new unit in the store.
Fingers crossed

Thank you all again.

Good luck, the 55 seems to be a killer lens and worth a risk.

pakinjapan · 08-25-2018, 05:03 PM

I got my 55* yester day

and went out for shooting later at night. Mix feeling but mostly positive. I think I will need more time with this lens and I find a way to make it work better with my style. It is a very good lense for as far as I can tell now. I am going out again for another test tonight.

repaap · 08-26-2018, 01:25 AM

With FF or aps-c? With crop sensor it is little more challenge than fo FF. IMO. But it will be fun either way.

08-22-2018, 04:32 PM	#18
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041 Original Poster	Thank you for all the answer. Looks like, it doesn't matter lens making a sound or not, if it will fail, it will fail. One more question just came up after reading you guys comments, Does battery power have anything to do with this? Originally posted by repaap ... most cases when it died it started off with first being less responsive, and soon after that -> let say, if I test the lens with half (or less) charged battery, will it trick a potentially bad motor to be less responsive or even stop working? Last edited by pakinjapan; 08-23-2018 at 05:51 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax DA 55-300mm Lens Auto Focus Issue	Oldseabee	Repairs and Warranty Service	7	07-27-2018 06:16 AM
55-200, 55-200 WR, 55-300, 55-300 PLM, etc, which telezoom I should get?	Bui	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	67	06-25-2018 08:15 PM
FA*85 1.4 Auto Focus Sound on K-1: Is this normal?	dcpropilot	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	38	11-28-2017 03:22 PM
Kit lenses: DA 18-55, DA L 18-55 WR, and DA L 18-55 (non WR)	ziscwg	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	14	04-05-2015 12:20 AM
kx w/ 18-55 & 55-300bdal for $643 or k20d W/ grip & 18-55 & 55-300 DAL for $850.	tubey	Pentax DSLR Discussion	6	01-10-2010 11:30 AM

08-22-2018, 05:27 AM - 1 Like	#16
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	I do not have a DA55 but I checked my DA 200 (5 years old) and DA300 (1 year old) and both have a similar slight squeak sound. It is only audible when I try autofocus in quiet indoor settings, where I do not use these lenses. When used outdoors, I cannot hear the squeak. There have been other posts regarding squeaky SDM so I think this may be just a common characteristic of certain SDM lenses. The DA 200 and 300 never had any SDM problems. On the other hand my DA 17-70 SDM never squeaked but it was always difficult to get it going when the lens was first used. The motor on this lens eventually died after sitting unused for 3 weeks. I would be more concerned about a sluggish SDM motor than one, like yours that responds instantly but makes a slight squeak.

08-22-2018, 12:48 PM	#17
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Originally posted by jddwoods I would be more concerned about a sluggish SDM motor than one, like yours that responds instantly but makes a slight squeak. This must be the key. I haven't(knocking the wood) experienced failure, but having been here at forums, looking of 'my SDM died grrr' threads, most cases when it died it started off with first being less responsive, and soon after that ->

08-22-2018, 09:06 PM	#19
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I think battery charge makes a difference, but I haven't really tested that. I sort of think if I don't worry about it, it will work forever.

08-22-2018, 10:56 PM	#20
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	No squeak from mine, which was bought on eBay.

08-23-2018, 05:35 AM	#21
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	Originally posted by pakinjapan Thank you for all the answer. Looks like, it doesn't matter lens making a sound or not, if it will fail, it will fail. One more question just came up after reading you guys comments, Does battery power have anthing to do with this? let say, if I test the lens with half (or less) charged batter, will it trick a potentially bad motor to be less responsive or even stop working? Level of battery charge does not matter, at least as far as I observed with my in lens motor lenses. If there is enough battery life to take pictures, my 16-85, 55-300 PLM, DA* 200 & 300 all autofocus just fine. Putting in a fresh charged battery (I have spares) did not help when the DA 17-70 was getting sluggish before it died.

08-23-2018, 07:11 AM	#22
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Originally posted by pakinjapan Thank you for all the answer. Looks like, it doesn't matter lens making a sound or not, if it will fail, it will fail. One more question just came up after reading you guys comments, Does battery power have anything to do with this? let say, if I test the lens with half (or less) charged battery, will it trick a potentially bad motor to be less responsive or even stop working? I haven’t really noticed much of a difference with half charged battery with my 55.

08-23-2018, 08:41 AM	#23
krre23 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Caracas Photos: Gallery Posts: 540	That's cute! lol

08-23-2018, 07:50 PM	#24
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I love the consensus in this thread. My lens might be peculiar because it was sold off when Pentax moved their parts operation out of Colorado. So who knows, it could be a repair, return, leftover, test bed for redesigned parts or just ordinary stock.

08-23-2018, 09:07 PM	#25
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by pakinjapan Thank you for all the answer. Looks like, it doesn't matter lens making a sound or not, if it will fail, it will fail. One more question just came up after reading you guys comments, Does battery power have anything to do with this? let say, if I test the lens with half (or less) charged battery, will it trick a potentially bad motor to be less responsive or even stop working? I don't think low battery increase chances of the SDM dying. But low battery (1 bar icon or less) seems to slow a bit the SDM motor on my previous k5ii. On the k1 i don't see any differences.

08-24-2018, 04:30 AM	#26
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041 Original Poster	I will go test the lens and highly possible getting one tomorrow, and I will go do some night shooting after that. They have 6 used and many more new unit in the store. Fingers crossed Thank you all again.

08-24-2018, 04:45 AM - 1 Like	#27
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Fingers crossed!

08-24-2018, 06:40 AM - 1 Like	#28
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,460	Originally posted by pakinjapan I will go test the lens and highly possible getting one tomorrow, and I will go do some night shooting after that. They have 6 used and many more new unit in the store. Fingers crossed Thank you all again. Good luck, the 55 seems to be a killer lens and worth a risk.

08-25-2018, 05:03 PM	#29
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041 Original Poster	I got my 55* yester day and went out for shooting later at night. Mix feeling but mostly positive. I think I will need more time with this lens and I find a way to make it work better with my style. It is a very good lense for as far as I can tell now. I am going out again for another test tonight.

08-26-2018, 01:25 AM	#30
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	With FF or aps-c? With crop sensor it is little more challenge than fo FF. IMO. But it will be fun either way.

DA*55 Auto Focus Sound?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!