Every time some one has trouble with the AF / SDM on the DA*50-135, they always end up receiving tips on how to clean the contacts! I don't know about anyone else but it's not like I go rolling around in the mud with my camera or anything, I take very good care of my equipment and always keep it clean and free of dust, etc. One -should- clean the contacts if experiencing trouble. Geez, why do so many people have dirty contacts with this lens?
So OK, I "cleaned the contacts", it didn't work, and I sent the lens in to Pentax. I doubt they'd charge $250 parts and labor (like I said, they knocked that down a bit- thanks Dorian!), just to apply alcohol to the contacts!
Nobody knows what percentage of DA*50-135 lenses are having these problems, except Pentax. I'm sure the percentage is low. But the fact remains, -some- people are having trouble with it, and so, once you've "cleaned the contacts", if it gives you any more trouble, you'd better have it checked out before the warranty expires.
That being said, it IS a superb lens in all other regards. (And hey, nobody says you can't still manual focus with it! Or even use "Catch-In Focus".) The image quality is excellent and I have a very high percentage of "keepers" with it. I can't wait to get mine back.