DA*55 Auto Focus Sound?

pakinjapan · 08-21-2018, 06:24 AM

I am thinking about getting a used DA*55 this weekend.

Youtu.be

From the video, It seems to make funny bird alike whining sound when autofocus.
Is it common? I don't remember hearing any sound when I test it in store some time ago.

Basically, I want to know what to look for when go test the lens.
I am a kind of concern on its SDM motor. I have read some people report about the SDM motor failure.
Anyone have tips to see an early sign of motor failure, please share.

Thank you in advance

biz-engineer · 08-21-2018, 06:38 AM

Mine was making this sound and never failed.

**pearsaab** · 08-21-2018, 06:42 AM

also it can be converted to screwdrive if it ever fails so nothing to lose......

biz-engineer · 08-21-2018, 06:50 AM

Originally posted by pearsaab

also it can be converted to screwdrive if it ever fails so nothing to lose......

Conversion is not possible on the DA*55, it lacks screw drive.

**UncleVanya** · 08-21-2018, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by pearsaab

also it can be converted to screwdrive if it ever fails so nothing to lose......

Only the DA* 16-50, 50-135, 200, AND 300 are currently able to be converted. The 60-250 in theory should be convertible but only one known conversion exists and it was done with unknown methods

repaap · 08-21-2018, 11:30 AM

Mine squeeks, and has done that from beginnin. First, IF it catches focus, no audible sound. But IF it does not find focus, of have to change focus, because of some movement, it will begin squeeking, lauder and lauder untill maximum has been reached. Where I do get that 'maximum'? well I suppose that if it does not break, then I havent got further than maximum. When you let it 'rest' a little it will not squeek untill you strain it again. Not a problem, at least mine has worked just well.

**pearsaab** · 08-21-2018, 01:15 PM

thanks for the correction...I thought it could

**Just1MoreDave** · 08-21-2018, 02:21 PM

Mine doesn't squeak at all. It does take a while (~ a minute) to begin focusing when it hasn't been used. I don't know how long the "not used" period is.

aurele · 08-21-2018, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by pakinjapan

Is it common? I don't remember hearing any sound when I test it in store some time ago.

Mine does squeek like in the video. I have it since 11/2012 ( as second hand) and it work flawlessly (no wake up time, no slowing, never any problem).

The Squeek sound is made when focus ring change rotation direction.

To my understanding the DA*55 is less prone to SDM failure. Maybe because the focus group is lighter than in the other lenses ?

**jbondo** · 08-21-2018, 03:46 PM

Mine does not squeak like the one in the video - it's extremely quiet. I do however have a 60-250 that sounds just like the vid.

**bwgv001** · 08-21-2018, 05:40 PM

sounds like a robot from starwars.

Arto Suomi · 08-21-2018, 10:11 PM

My *55 also squeaks. It has been doing that ever since I bought it secondhand 4 years ago, but I haven't had any problems with SDM so far.

repaap · 08-21-2018, 11:11 PM

Originally posted by bwgv001

sounds like a robot from starwars.

It is from starwars..

Kiwipixter · 08-22-2018, 02:35 AM

Mine sqeaks as well, but its hardly noticeable compare to my other screwdrive lenses.

**Rondec** · 08-22-2018, 02:58 AM

Mine does not squeak, but has a very high pitched sound when operating. I think if you were old enough you probably would not be able to hear it. Certainly if you are standing a foot or two a way it is imperceptible.

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08-21-2018, 06:38 AM	#2
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Mine was making this sound and never failed.

08-21-2018, 06:42 AM	#3
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	also it can be converted to screwdrive if it ever fails so nothing to lose......

08-21-2018, 06:50 AM	#4
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Originally posted by pearsaab also it can be converted to screwdrive if it ever fails so nothing to lose...... Conversion is not possible on the DA*55, it lacks screw drive.

08-21-2018, 07:20 AM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Originally posted by pearsaab also it can be converted to screwdrive if it ever fails so nothing to lose...... Only the DA* 16-50, 50-135, 200, AND 300 are currently able to be converted. The 60-250 in theory should be convertible but only one known conversion exists and it was done with unknown methods

08-21-2018, 11:30 AM	#6
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Mine squeeks, and has done that from beginnin. First, IF it catches focus, no audible sound. But IF it does not find focus, of have to change focus, because of some movement, it will begin squeeking, lauder and lauder untill maximum has been reached. Where I do get that 'maximum'? well I suppose that if it does not break, then I havent got further than maximum. When you let it 'rest' a little it will not squeek untill you strain it again. Not a problem, at least mine has worked just well.

08-21-2018, 01:15 PM	#7
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	thanks for the correction...I thought it could

08-21-2018, 02:21 PM	#8
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Mine doesn't squeak at all. It does take a while (~ a minute) to begin focusing when it hasn't been used. I don't know how long the "not used" period is.

08-21-2018, 02:32 PM	#9
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by pakinjapan Is it common? I don't remember hearing any sound when I test it in store some time ago. Mine does squeek like in the video. I have it since 11/2012 ( as second hand) and it work flawlessly (no wake up time, no slowing, never any problem). The Squeek sound is made when focus ring change rotation direction. To my understanding the DA*55 is less prone to SDM failure. Maybe because the focus group is lighter than in the other lenses ?

08-21-2018, 03:46 PM	#10
jbondo Loyal Site Supportaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 503	Mine does not squeak like the one in the video - it's extremely quiet. I do however have a 60-250 that sounds just like the vid.

08-21-2018, 05:40 PM	#11
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 697	sounds like a robot from starwars.

08-21-2018, 10:11 PM	#12
Arto Suomi New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Helsinki Photos: Gallery Posts: 18	My *55 also squeaks. It has been doing that ever since I bought it secondhand 4 years ago, but I haven't had any problems with SDM so far.

08-21-2018, 11:11 PM	#13
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Originally posted by bwgv001 sounds like a robot from starwars. It is from starwars..

08-22-2018, 02:35 AM	#14
Kiwipixter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Auckland Posts: 248	Mine sqeaks as well, but its hardly noticeable compare to my other screwdrive lenses.

08-22-2018, 02:58 AM	#15
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Mine does not squeak, but has a very high pitched sound when operating. I think if you were old enough you probably would not be able to hear it. Certainly if you are standing a foot or two a way it is imperceptible.