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Pelto · 04-17-2021, 12:27 PM

Think I would like to buy the DA * 55mm f1.4 SDM
But after all I've read about it, I'm not quit sure about the SDM is it reliable?
Did they improve the SDM function in new lenses, or is it still the same as it was in the first ones?

AfterPentax Mark II · 04-17-2021, 12:49 PM - **1 Like**

I bought mine in 2018 and never had problems with it. It is not that I use it every day. But it gets frequently exercised and that is to keep the SDM fit and healthy. Do not think you have to be afraid of the SDM giving problems.

**pepperberry farm** · 04-17-2021, 01:03 PM - **1 Like**

never had any issue with the SDM in my copy....

I tried to buy a lens that would be as good as the DA* 55, so that I would not have to worry about the SDM issue.... ended up selling that lens and buying the DA*55....

so glad I did finally buy it...

vrrattko · 04-17-2021, 02:06 PM - **1 Like**

I own DA*55 for 4 years now and never noticed any problem on mine with SDM whatsoever. Not even when the lens was left unused for month or two....

ncallender · 04-17-2021, 02:57 PM - **1 Like**

Buy it new if you are worried about sdm. My first copy was used and the sdm was not working well. I returned it, bought a new one for a ridiculously good deal and love the thing. It is the reason I haven't bought a fa 43 or 77 yet. Just can't justify them.

**sergysergy** · 04-17-2021, 05:15 PM - **1 Like**

I owned one for years and never gave me a problem but with SDM motors you never know.

**Cerebum** · 04-17-2021, 11:10 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

never had any issue with the SDM in my copy....

I tried to buy a lens that would be as good as the DA* 55, so that I would not have to worry about the SDM issue.... ended up selling that lens and buying the DA*55....

so glad I did finally buy it...

So, how does that measure up to the 50mm f1.4 in the giveaway? The images I have seen are superb and thanks to you corrupting me again,

its likely to be my first DA*

**Michail_P** · 04-17-2021, 11:28 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Cerebum

So, how does that measure up to the 50mm f1.4 in the giveaway? The images I have seen are superb and thanks to you corrupting me again,

its likely to be my first DA*

Oh I see... I do get corrupted a lot, let’s test our luck first with the give away and then we’ll see. With business going well, maybe it’s time to grab a new lens.

**Cerebum** · 04-17-2021, 11:46 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Michail_P

Oh I see... I do get corrupted a lot, let’s test our luck first with the give away and then we’ll see. With business going well, maybe it’s time to grab a new lens.

@pepperberryfarm encouraged me to get my first Limited. It was the best advice EVER, even if it, and the other four DAs did lighten my wallet, a lot

repaap · 04-18-2021, 12:27 AM - **2 Likes**

I like my DA*55. It squeeks but SDM has not been problem. It is quite good on K-1 too and even wide open. I’m time to time thinking of getting DFA * 50 also. Just to get that better wide open performance. But there are many other nice lenses to buy too..

**pepperberry farm** · 04-18-2021, 02:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Cerebum

So, how does that measure up to the 50mm f1.4 in the giveaway? The images I have seen are superb and thanks to you corrupting me again,

its likely to be my first DA*

you're welcome (for the corruption)

(:

as far as comparing the two lenses, no idea there...

I'm quite happy with my DA* 55/1.4 - I sold off a very nice Sigma 50/1.4 when the DA* arrived...

**UncleVanya** · 04-18-2021, 05:37 AM - **2 Likes**

I bought my copy used. I use it infrequently. It works flawlessly.

khardur · 04-18-2021, 08:35 AM - **1 Like**

omg buy the lens..
I've had mine for years, I wait on it for almost as long. It's my favorite lens for "film like" images. Seriously what an amazing lens.

**caliscouser** · 04-18-2021, 09:55 AM - **1 Like**

It does have some SDM failures, but nowhere near the rate of the 16-50.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, there is risk with everything, just factor that into your purchase.
It's a really exceptional and interesting lens. Not test chart perfect, but that is not what this lens is all about.

shyrsio · 04-18-2021, 02:21 PM - **1 Like**

From the reviews around optically it looks stunning, but the SDM failure is a real pain in the rear. Anyway Personally If I had the budget I would give it a try, It seems to perform pretty good even on FF.

04-17-2021, 12:27 PM	#1
Pelto Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: West Denmark Posts: 227	*DA 55mm f1.4 SDM buy or not** Think I would like to buy the DA * 55mm f1.4 SDM But after all I've read about it, I'm not quit sure about the SDM is it reliable? Did they improve the SDM function in new lenses, or is it still the same as it was in the first ones?

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04-17-2021, 12:49 PM - 1 Like	#2
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,467	I bought mine in 2018 and never had problems with it. It is not that I use it every day. But it gets frequently exercised and that is to keep the SDM fit and healthy. Do not think you have to be afraid of the SDM giving problems.

04-17-2021, 01:03 PM - 1 Like	#3
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,778	never had any issue with the SDM in my copy.... I tried to buy a lens that would be as good as the DA* 55, so that I would not have to worry about the SDM issue.... ended up selling that lens and buying the DA*55.... so glad I did finally buy it...

04-17-2021, 02:06 PM - 1 Like	#4
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	I own DA*55 for 4 years now and never noticed any problem on mine with SDM whatsoever. Not even when the lens was left unused for month or two....

04-17-2021, 02:57 PM - 1 Like	#5
ncallender Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 128	Buy it new if you are worried about sdm. My first copy was used and the sdm was not working well. I returned it, bought a new one for a ridiculously good deal and love the thing. It is the reason I haven't bought a fa 43 or 77 yet. Just can't justify them.

04-17-2021, 05:15 PM - 1 Like	#6
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,175	I owned one for years and never gave me a problem but with SDM motors you never know.

04-17-2021, 11:10 PM - 2 Likes	#7
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	Originally posted by pepperberry farm never had any issue with the SDM in my copy.... I tried to buy a lens that would be as good as the DA* 55, so that I would not have to worry about the SDM issue.... ended up selling that lens and buying the DA55.... so glad I did finally buy it... So, how does that measure up to the 50mm f1.4 in the giveaway? The images I have seen are superb and thanks to you corrupting me again, its likely to be my first DA

04-17-2021, 11:28 PM - 2 Likes	#8
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	Originally posted by Cerebum So, how does that measure up to the 50mm f1.4 in the giveaway? The images I have seen are superb and thanks to you corrupting me again, its likely to be my first DA* Oh I see... I do get corrupted a lot, let’s test our luck first with the give away and then we’ll see. With business going well, maybe it’s time to grab a new lens.

04-17-2021, 11:46 PM - 2 Likes	#9
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	Originally posted by Michail_P Oh I see... I do get corrupted a lot, let’s test our luck first with the give away and then we’ll see. With business going well, maybe it’s time to grab a new lens. @pepperberryfarm encouraged me to get my first Limited. It was the best advice EVER, even if it, and the other four DAs did lighten my wallet, a lot

04-18-2021, 12:27 AM - 2 Likes	#10
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	I like my DA55. It squeeks but SDM has not been problem. It is quite good on K-1 too and even wide open. I’m time to time thinking of getting DFA 50 also. Just to get that better wide open performance. But there are many other nice lenses to buy too..

04-18-2021, 02:12 AM - 1 Like	#11
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,778	Originally posted by Cerebum So, how does that measure up to the 50mm f1.4 in the giveaway? The images I have seen are superb and thanks to you corrupting me again, its likely to be my first DA* you're welcome (for the corruption) (: as far as comparing the two lenses, no idea there... I'm quite happy with my DA* 55/1.4 - I sold off a very nice Sigma 50/1.4 when the DA* arrived...

04-18-2021, 05:37 AM - 2 Likes	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,467	I bought my copy used. I use it infrequently. It works flawlessly.

04-18-2021, 08:35 AM - 1 Like	#13
khardur Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Massachusetts Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,560	omg buy the lens.. I've had mine for years, I wait on it for almost as long. It's my favorite lens for "film like" images. Seriously what an amazing lens.

04-18-2021, 09:55 AM - 1 Like	#14
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	It does have some SDM failures, but nowhere near the rate of the 16-50. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, there is risk with everything, just factor that into your purchase. It's a really exceptional and interesting lens. Not test chart perfect, but that is not what this lens is all about.

04-18-2021, 02:21 PM - 1 Like	#15
shyrsio Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 780	From the reviews around optically it looks stunning, but the SDM failure is a real pain in the rear. Anyway Personally If I had the budget I would give it a try, It seems to perform pretty good even on FF.

DA * 55mm f1.4 SDM buy or not

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!