SDM Petition - Let's start a fire.

**Canada_Rockies** · 02-01-2011, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by Loren E

Are you implying that there has been an improvement in sdm since it was introduced?

No, not necessarily. I had my 50-135 repaired a week or two before the warranty expired, and it is still (knock wood) working as it should. They replaced the SDM module completely after the "clean and adjust contacts" had no effect on the problem.

I am hoping that the module mine was refitted with is one that is not faulty, but I will let you know in a couple of years.

Even if it fails again, I will keep the lens. I have no problem with manual focus, and the optics are superb. I will be disappointed, because for soccer and hockey, AF is very handy.

Mitch34 · 02-20-2011, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by LeDave

That's right... Let's start a fire, instead of complaining and whining in this forum about SDM failures like we all are doing. If we can all get hundreds and if not thousands of forum members to start submitting a request, we could stir things up and maybe have Pentax to actually do something about these SDM lenses. We know that if they can't fix the SDM, we could at least have them release a patch allowing screw-drive focusing.

EDIT: Here is the petition I have just made, thanks flippedgazelle for giving me this idea. Pentax SDM Firmware Petition

1159 Total Signatures

Pentaxor · 02-20-2011, 03:03 PM

DC motor might be the response by Pentax. although still no confirmation or admission of SDM unreliability.

the swede · 02-21-2011, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

DC motor might be the response by Pentax. although still no confirmation or admission of SDM unreliability.

Meaning, that the old SDM is replaced with the DC (new SDM)?

If this is the case, it would be great for sales if Pentax just could say something about this.
The whole enthousiast/forum segment would then be confident in their investments and sales would go up.

Im one of many that wont buy anything before feeling safe about it. And i would defenitively buy a SDM lens if Pentax gave us a finger or two to suck on....

Dont want to be a negative mind about this but.... lets just hope DC holds up!

tarsus · 02-21-2011, 07:55 AM

SDM does have a design flaw. The Pentax response noted that there was no higher repair rate than any other lenses under warranty. A slew of SDM failures occured, and continue to occur, out of warranty. I signed the petition some time ago. Pentax's failure to acknowledge the SDM problem has kept me from buying the K5 and additional lenses as I decide whether to change systems.

Pentaxor · 02-21-2011, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by tarsus

SDM does have a design flaw. The Pentax response noted that there was no higher repair rate than any other lenses under warranty. A slew of SDM failures occured, and continue to occur, out of warranty. I signed the petition some time ago. Pentax's failure to acknowledge the SDM problem has kept me from buying the K5 and additional lenses as I decide whether to change systems.

I believe its a matter of principle of what Pentax is trying to practice. if the lenses failed within their warranty period, then they would consider that there is a problem. if it occured after the warranty, they would say it's not their fault and you must pay for any repair done.

**Kammerer** · 02-21-2011, 09:14 AM

Originally posted by tarsus

SDM does have a design flaw.

You are speculating.

tarsus · 02-22-2011, 12:09 AM

When folks report three failed lenses in a row, that is not speculation. That is a flaw.

Pentaxor · 02-22-2011, 01:31 AM

Originally posted by tarsus

When folks report three failed lenses in a row, that is not speculation. That is a flaw.

more than 2 is actually being referred to as an statistical anomaly.

soppy · 02-28-2011, 08:53 PM

Bump to up the signature numbers (as a prospective 50-135mm buyer).

LFLee · 11-30-2011, 09:10 PM

Now that Ricoh has take over Pentax..... did anyone send this petition to them?

RonHendriks1966 · 12-01-2011, 02:21 AM

Originally posted by LFLee

Now that Ricoh has take over Pentax..... did anyone send this petition to them?

Well new SDM scored big on the R&D spendings poll:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/146454-wich-le...r-d-money.html
For wich you can still put in your votes.

Wich did find it's way to Pentax:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/161644-salon-de-la-photo.html

johnyeros · 12-02-2011, 02:28 PM

i signed. mine haven't broke and i hope it never will but while we're there, can we get aperture control while in video record mode

-- or is this going to be such a hard features to implement we have to shelve out cash for the k-3

derelict · 11-25-2013, 03:21 PM

I am resurrecting this because I am curious about motor failures. The 50- 135/ 2.8 is a really appealing lens to me but after reading the reviews, including ones where people have complained about being on their second and third motors, I am a little afraid to purchase. Any updates to this? Are all SDM motors prone to failure?

Sandy Hancock · 11-25-2013, 03:48 PM - **1 Like**

Pentax claim to have fixed this problem, and lenses manufactured in the last 18 months should be fine.

Also of note: since this thread was started, a firmware hack has been published which allows users to disable the SDM and convert their DA*16-50 or DA*50-135 to nice reliable noisy screw drive. I did this to my second DA*16-50 when its SDM failed, and it still goes like a two bob watch.

02-20-2011, 12:47 PM	#92
Mitch34 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oman - Muscat Photos: Albums Posts: 57	bump Originally posted by LeDave That's right... Let's start a fire, instead of complaining and whining in this forum about SDM failures like we all are doing. If we can all get hundreds and if not thousands of forum members to start submitting a request, we could stir things up and maybe have Pentax to actually do something about these SDM lenses. We know that if they can't fix the SDM, we could at least have them release a patch allowing screw-drive focusing. EDIT: Here is the petition I have just made, thanks flippedgazelle for giving me this idea. Pentax SDM Firmware Petition 1159 Total Signatures

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02-01-2011, 04:40 PM	#91
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Loren E Are you implying that there has been an improvement in sdm since it was introduced? No, not necessarily. I had my 50-135 repaired a week or two before the warranty expired, and it is still (knock wood) working as it should. They replaced the SDM module completely after the "clean and adjust contacts" had no effect on the problem. I am hoping that the module mine was refitted with is one that is not faulty, but I will let you know in a couple of years. Even if it fails again, I will keep the lens. I have no problem with manual focus, and the optics are superb. I will be disappointed, because for soccer and hockey, AF is very handy.

02-20-2011, 03:03 PM	#93
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	DC motor might be the response by Pentax. although still no confirmation or admission of SDM unreliability.

02-21-2011, 07:08 AM	#94
the swede Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,310	Originally posted by Pentaxor DC motor might be the response by Pentax. although still no confirmation or admission of SDM unreliability. Meaning, that the old SDM is replaced with the DC (new SDM)? If this is the case, it would be great for sales if Pentax just could say something about this. The whole enthousiast/forum segment would then be confident in their investments and sales would go up. Im one of many that wont buy anything before feeling safe about it. And i would defenitively buy a SDM lens if Pentax gave us a finger or two to suck on.... Dont want to be a negative mind about this but.... lets just hope DC holds up!

02-21-2011, 07:55 AM	#95
tarsus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mount Shasta Posts: 185	SDM does have a design flaw. The Pentax response noted that there was no higher repair rate than any other lenses under warranty. A slew of SDM failures occured, and continue to occur, out of warranty. I signed the petition some time ago. Pentax's failure to acknowledge the SDM problem has kept me from buying the K5 and additional lenses as I decide whether to change systems.

02-21-2011, 08:53 AM	#96
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by tarsus SDM does have a design flaw. The Pentax response noted that there was no higher repair rate than any other lenses under warranty. A slew of SDM failures occured, and continue to occur, out of warranty. I signed the petition some time ago. Pentax's failure to acknowledge the SDM problem has kept me from buying the K5 and additional lenses as I decide whether to change systems. I believe its a matter of principle of what Pentax is trying to practice. if the lenses failed within their warranty period, then they would consider that there is a problem. if it occured after the warranty, they would say it's not their fault and you must pay for any repair done.

02-21-2011, 09:14 AM	#97
Kammerer Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hampton Roads Photos: Albums Posts: 367	Originally posted by tarsus SDM does have a design flaw. You are speculating.

02-22-2011, 12:09 AM	#98
tarsus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mount Shasta Posts: 185	When folks report three failed lenses in a row, that is not speculation. That is a flaw.

02-22-2011, 01:31 AM	#99
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by tarsus When folks report three failed lenses in a row, that is not speculation. That is a flaw. more than 2 is actually being referred to as an statistical anomaly.

02-28-2011, 08:53 PM	#100
soppy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gainesville Posts: 347	Bump to up the signature numbers (as a prospective 50-135mm buyer).

11-30-2011, 09:10 PM	#101
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292	Now that Ricoh has take over Pentax..... did anyone send this petition to them?

12-01-2011, 02:21 AM	#102
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by LFLee Now that Ricoh has take over Pentax..... did anyone send this petition to them? Well new SDM scored big on the R&D spendings poll: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/146454-wich-le...r-d-money.html For wich you can still put in your votes. Wich did find it's way to Pentax: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/161644-salon-de-la-photo.html

12-02-2011, 02:28 PM	#103
johnyeros Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 199	i signed. mine haven't broke and i hope it never will but while we're there, can we get aperture control while in video record mode -- or is this going to be such a hard features to implement we have to shelve out cash for the k-3

11-25-2013, 03:21 PM	#104
derelict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NoVa Posts: 525	I am resurrecting this because I am curious about motor failures. The 50- 135/ 2.8 is a really appealing lens to me but after reading the reviews, including ones where people have complained about being on their second and third motors, I am a little afraid to purchase. Any updates to this? Are all SDM motors prone to failure?

11-25-2013, 03:48 PM - 1 Like	#105
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Pentax claim to have fixed this problem, and lenses manufactured in the last 18 months should be fine. Also of note: since this thread was started, a firmware hack has been published which allows users to disable the SDM and convert their DA16-50 or DA50-135 to nice reliable noisy screw drive. I did this to my second DA*16-50 when its SDM failed, and it still goes like a two bob watch.