Looking for guidance before buying DA*50-135

oh_9000 · 05-12-2019, 03:28 PM

Hi folks

Looking into DA* 50-135 for the K3 camera.

Knowing that majority if not all critique of this lens comes down to slack/not working properly/dead SDM and that it is quite an old design I was hoping that you guys could have some recommendations if there is stuff to know in regards to what to be aware of before the buy, eg serial numbers of xy are oldish and probably higher chance the SDM wouldn't work or something similar.
Looking to buy either here if there is one to be had or ebay and hoping to get one fr around AU$600.

Cheers!

Adam · 05-12-2019, 03:58 PM - **1 Like**

There's a lower chance of failure if you buy a lens made after 2013, and use it regularly. If the box says Ricoh on it, then it's a safe bet.

**Carpon** · 05-12-2019, 10:04 PM

I have owned it, a very capable lens and enjoyed using it. Few months ago I switched to the Sigma 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO HSM II which I like even more. Only downside off this lens is no weather sealing. Apart from that a good contender for the 50-135, perhaps worth to look into.

**UncleVanya** · 05-12-2019, 11:32 PM

Mine was supposedly a dead sdm unit but woke up and never gave me any trouble. Screw drive conversion of this lens is reasonably easy, and it is not a huge loss. The focusing is rapid enough, and the noise is lower than most expect.

wstruth · 05-13-2019, 03:41 AM - **1 Like**

I picked up mine new this year and it's become a staple travel lens for me. Especially when coupled with the teleconverter.

Sandy Hancock · 05-13-2019, 04:03 AM - **2 Likes**

I loved my first copy, and absolutely hammered it shooting live music commercially for several years. When that gig dried up I sold it for a song to help a friend get her child photography business up and running. It's still going strong.

I missed it so much I've bought another recently. What a great lens it is.

**UncleVanya** · 05-13-2019, 05:43 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Carpon

I have owned it, a very capable lens and enjoyed using it. Few months ago I switched to the Sigma 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO HSM II which I like even more. Only downside off this lens is no weather sealing. Apart from that a good contender for the 50-135, perhaps worth to look into.

I tried the Sigma two different times. One of those times was for over a week. I just couldn't love it. The lens is shorter but wider and seems a bit bulky compared to the 50-135. Colors don't quite seem "right". The outside lens rubber coating isn't nearly as nice feeling as the Pentax either.

**Carpon** · 05-14-2019, 12:15 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I tried the Sigma two different times. One of those times was for over a week. I just couldn't love it. The lens is shorter but wider and seems a bit bulky compared to the 50-135. Colors don't quite seem "right". The outside lens rubber coating isn't nearly as nice feeling as the Pentax either.

Good you considered it, for event photography I find it to be snappier in focus performance and sharper beyond 100mm. Just shows how personal a lens can be. And again I find the 50-135 also a remarkable lens, can't really go wrong with it.

Ajax156 · 05-14-2019, 02:34 AM

I guess if you are able to test it before buying, should be pretty safe that things work as they should. No guarantee for the future of course but 'issues' tend to get blown out of proportion on the 'net.
(FWIW - got mine on evilbay Oz and absolutely love it)

**simple1** · 05-16-2019, 09:13 PM - **1 Like**

I’d give up every lens I own before I’d give up my 50-135.
Having said that, I’d never buy a used one unless it was dirt cheap or returnable. While SDM failure is a concern, it can be fixed. I’d be more worried about optical issues.
I’ve had 3 copies of the lens.
First one bought new, images were horribly out of focus and fine tuning could not fix. Sent for warranty repair and it was fantastic until I dropped it.
Second one bought new and had obviously decentered elements. RMA’d and the replacement lens was perfect with zero fine tuning required.
I can’t imagine anybody making a better lens than the 50-135 when it’s right. But in my experience (slightly better than an O1), it is a crap shoot.
Military guys will get the O1 “experience” reference

**UncleVanya** · 05-21-2019, 06:30 PM

I've reprogrammed dozens of 50-135 lenses and not seen any that had the issues @simple1 has had. My clients all report excellent results as well. I'm shocked he has had such bad luck because it seems atypical of the experiences of that lens others have had. Glad he finally got a good one.

lukulele · 05-21-2019, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by Brooke Meyer

I have one bought new in 2009. Been on 9 DSLR bodies, not babied, probably 300 K exposures made, seen plenty of airplane luggage bins, the floor board of my truck and has outlasted LowrePro Nova 5 bags. If I have the room, its my portrait lens. To steal an English phrase, its a brilliant lens.

Brooke,
Absolutely one of the best portraits of the agility, determination, and focus of a herding dog. It sums up the Aussie, Blue Heeler, and now English Shepherd that we’ve loved over the last twenty years. Just terrific!

**monochrome** · 05-21-2019, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I've reprogrammed dozens of 50-135 lenses and not seen any that had the issues @simple1 has had. My clients all report excellent results as well. I'm shocked he has had such bad luck because it seems atypical of the experiences of that lens others have had. Glad he finally got a good one.

I can’t wait to get mine back from UncleVanya’s SDM Re-education Camp. I really don’t understand the fetish about ‘noise’ anyway. My DA20~40 is certainly silent, but my screwdrive 16~50 isn’t’t that much noisier.

**UncleVanya** · 05-22-2019, 06:06 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by monochrome

I can’t wait to get mine back from UncleVanya’s SDM Re-education Camp. I really don’t understand the fetish about ‘noise’ anyway. My DA20~40 is certainly silent, but my screwdrive 16~50 isn’t’t that much noisier.

I shipped it yesterday btw. Lol. Love that phrase, I feel like a North Korean dictator now!

**simple1** · 05-24-2019, 12:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I've reprogrammed dozens of 50-135 lenses and not seen any that had the issues @simple1 has had. My clients all report excellent results as well. I'm shocked he has had such bad luck because it seems atypical of the experiences of that lens others have had. Glad he finally got a good one.

Well - I’ve had two good ones

Glad that my experience is atypical of the broader sampling. I was not hesitant at all to buy the last one new because it was worth the possibility of a return/repair to have a good copy. In fact the 50-135 was the reason I stayed with Pentax when I needed a new kit.

05-12-2019, 03:28 PM	#1
oh_9000 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Sydney Posts: 28	*Looking for guidance before buying DA50-135** Hi folks Looking into DA* 50-135 for the K3 camera. Knowing that majority if not all critique of this lens comes down to slack/not working properly/dead SDM and that it is quite an old design I was hoping that you guys could have some recommendations if there is stuff to know in regards to what to be aware of before the buy, eg serial numbers of xy are oldish and probably higher chance the SDM wouldn't work or something similar. Looking to buy either here if there is one to be had or ebay and hoping to get one fr around AU$600. Cheers!

05-12-2019, 03:58 PM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	There's a lower chance of failure if you buy a lens made after 2013, and use it regularly. If the box says Ricoh on it, then it's a safe bet. 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:

05-21-2019, 07:17 PM	#13
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by UncleVanya I've reprogrammed dozens of 50-135 lenses and not seen any that had the issues @simple1 has had. My clients all report excellent results as well. I'm shocked he has had such bad luck because it seems atypical of the experiences of that lens others have had. Glad he finally got a good one. I can’t wait to get mine back from UncleVanya’s SDM Re-education Camp. I really don’t understand the fetish about ‘noise’ anyway. My DA20~40 is certainly silent, but my screwdrive 16~50 isn’t’t that much noisier. Last edited by monochrome; 05-21-2019 at 07:25 PM.

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05-12-2019, 10:04 PM	#3
Carpon Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands Photos: Albums Posts: 330	I have owned it, a very capable lens and enjoyed using it. Few months ago I switched to the Sigma 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO HSM II which I like even more. Only downside off this lens is no weather sealing. Apart from that a good contender for the 50-135, perhaps worth to look into.

05-12-2019, 11:32 PM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,454	Mine was supposedly a dead sdm unit but woke up and never gave me any trouble. Screw drive conversion of this lens is reasonably easy, and it is not a huge loss. The focusing is rapid enough, and the noise is lower than most expect.

05-13-2019, 03:41 AM - 1 Like	#5
wstruth Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: at my kitchen table Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,294	I picked up mine new this year and it's become a staple travel lens for me. Especially when coupled with the teleconverter.

05-13-2019, 04:03 AM - 2 Likes	#6
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	I loved my first copy, and absolutely hammered it shooting live music commercially for several years. When that gig dried up I sold it for a song to help a friend get her child photography business up and running. It's still going strong. I missed it so much I've bought another recently. What a great lens it is.

05-13-2019, 05:43 AM - 1 Like	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,454	Originally posted by Carpon I have owned it, a very capable lens and enjoyed using it. Few months ago I switched to the Sigma 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO HSM II which I like even more. Only downside off this lens is no weather sealing. Apart from that a good contender for the 50-135, perhaps worth to look into. I tried the Sigma two different times. One of those times was for over a week. I just couldn't love it. The lens is shorter but wider and seems a bit bulky compared to the 50-135. Colors don't quite seem "right". The outside lens rubber coating isn't nearly as nice feeling as the Pentax either.

05-14-2019, 12:15 AM - 1 Like	#8
Carpon Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands Photos: Albums Posts: 330	Originally posted by UncleVanya I tried the Sigma two different times. One of those times was for over a week. I just couldn't love it. The lens is shorter but wider and seems a bit bulky compared to the 50-135. Colors don't quite seem "right". The outside lens rubber coating isn't nearly as nice feeling as the Pentax either. Good you considered it, for event photography I find it to be snappier in focus performance and sharper beyond 100mm. Just shows how personal a lens can be. And again I find the 50-135 also a remarkable lens, can't really go wrong with it.

05-14-2019, 02:34 AM	#9
Ajax156 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 45	I guess if you are able to test it before buying, should be pretty safe that things work as they should. No guarantee for the future of course but 'issues' tend to get blown out of proportion on the 'net. (FWIW - got mine on evilbay Oz and absolutely love it)

05-16-2019, 09:13 PM - 1 Like	#10
simple1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 771	I’d give up every lens I own before I’d give up my 50-135. Having said that, I’d never buy a used one unless it was dirt cheap or returnable. While SDM failure is a concern, it can be fixed. I’d be more worried about optical issues. I’ve had 3 copies of the lens. First one bought new, images were horribly out of focus and fine tuning could not fix. Sent for warranty repair and it was fantastic until I dropped it. Second one bought new and had obviously decentered elements. RMA’d and the replacement lens was perfect with zero fine tuning required. I can’t imagine anybody making a better lens than the 50-135 when it’s right. But in my experience (slightly better than an O1), it is a crap shoot. Military guys will get the O1 “experience” reference

05-21-2019, 06:30 PM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,454	I've reprogrammed dozens of 50-135 lenses and not seen any that had the issues @simple1 has had. My clients all report excellent results as well. I'm shocked he has had such bad luck because it seems atypical of the experiences of that lens others have had. Glad he finally got a good one.

05-21-2019, 07:14 PM	#12
lukulele Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Blue Ridge Escarpment, North Carolina, US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,850	Originally posted by Brooke Meyer I have one bought new in 2009. Been on 9 DSLR bodies, not babied, probably 300 K exposures made, seen plenty of airplane luggage bins, the floor board of my truck and has outlasted LowrePro Nova 5 bags. If I have the room, its my portrait lens. To steal an English phrase, its a brilliant lens. Brooke, Absolutely one of the best portraits of the agility, determination, and focus of a herding dog. It sums up the Aussie, Blue Heeler, and now English Shepherd that we’ve loved over the last twenty years. Just terrific!

05-22-2019, 06:06 AM - 1 Like	#14
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,454	Originally posted by monochrome I can’t wait to get mine back from UncleVanya’s SDM Re-education Camp. I really don’t understand the fetish about ‘noise’ anyway. My DA20~40 is certainly silent, but my screwdrive 16~50 isn’t’t that much noisier. I shipped it yesterday btw. Lol. Love that phrase, I feel like a North Korean dictator now!

05-24-2019, 12:03 PM - 1 Like	#15
simple1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 771	Originally posted by UncleVanya I've reprogrammed dozens of 50-135 lenses and not seen any that had the issues @simple1 has had. My clients all report excellent results as well. I'm shocked he has had such bad luck because it seems atypical of the experiences of that lens others have had. Glad he finally got a good one. Well - I’ve had two good ones Glad that my experience is atypical of the broader sampling. I was not hesitant at all to buy the last one new because it was worth the possibility of a return/repair to have a good copy. In fact the 50-135 was the reason I stayed with Pentax when I needed a new kit.