SDM Petition - Let's start a fire.

flyer · 11-14-2009, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by flippedgazelle

T In fact, years ago when Ford had the fiasco with failing tires on Explorers, fewer than 1% of those vehicles were affected - yet there was a recall.

Unfortunately for Firestone, Ford had the better lawyers. Most people seem to think it was a vehicle issue, since those tires were also sold on other vehicles without any problems. But, for the issue at hand, I get your point.

**Rondec** · 11-14-2009, 07:25 PM

It's a little different situation from the Firestone -Ford Explorer, in that no one is likely to die from an SDM failure. I just thnk that Pentax needs to put people's fears to rest and they can do it best by extending the warranties. In the long run, they would sell a lot more lenses.

Glen · 11-14-2009, 08:18 PM

Originally posted by Steve Beswick

I have personally made a decision to never buy any SDM lenses because of all of the horror stories I've been hearing. A firmware update would probably help with my opinion of SDM lenses. Of course Pentax would probably only release updates for the k2*** and up, leaving me with my k10d and k100ds out in the cold. Oh well, I guess Sigma will get my lens money.

Same here. I have one and it is still working okay but from what I've read here and elsewhere, I would not buy another SDM. Besides, I like my prime lenses and I don't have to worry about the motors failing.

flippedgazelle · 11-15-2009, 12:28 AM

c'mon guys, we have 7 signatures - we need more!

reeftool · 11-15-2009, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by flyer

Unfortunately for Firestone, Ford had the better lawyers. Most people seem to think it was a vehicle issue, since those tires were also sold on other vehicles without any problems. But, for the issue at hand, I get your point.

Firestone passed the buck back to Ford claiming that they ran the tires under inflated in their specs to make for a smoother and quieter ride. The real issue was that those tires were a very agressive, deep lugged tread which isn't a good choice for high speed freeway driving and will heat up rapidly. The tire issue was an easy fix. The SDM issue with lenses is more like a failure of the transfer cases in 4WD vehicles, causing the vehicle to loose its ability to engage the front axles which was a problem with some Fords in the late 80's when the electronic push button 4WD engagement came out. After lots of failures, Ford converted the trucks back to a manual locking front hub. My 86 Ranger service truck at work was one of them. The lenses with SDM motors have developed a reputation for being an unreliable AF system and Pentax should address the issue.

LeDave · 11-15-2009, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by reeftool

Firestone passed the buck back to Ford claiming that they ran the tires under inflated in their specs to make for a smoother and quieter ride. The real issue was that those tires were a very agressive, deep lugged tread which isn't a good choice for high speed freeway driving and will heat up rapidly. The tire issue was an easy fix. The SDM issue with lenses is more like a failure of the transfer cases in 4WD vehicles, causing the vehicle to loose its ability to engage the front axles which was a problem with some Fords in the late 80's when the electronic push button 4WD engagement came out. After lots of failures, Ford converted the trucks back to a manual locking front hub. My 86 Ranger service truck at work was one of them. The lenses with SDM motors have developed a reputation for being an unreliable AF system and Pentax should address the issue.

I agree with you. The tires of a car are replaced every year and are made to wear out and it's meant to be like that. The SDM failure of a lens in the other hand is a design flaw and was not meant to be like that and is not made to break down like that.

flippedgazelle · 11-15-2009, 12:07 PM

I think you guys (except for Yves) are missing the point of my bringing up the Ford/Firestone recall. The point is that even when only a tiny percentage of a product is affected by a design flaw, that is still grounds for recall.

LeDave, the only conventional street tires meant to be replaced every year are sh*tty Pep Boys ones.

sebberry · 11-15-2009, 12:45 PM

I don't understand the mechanics of the SDM system. How is an SDM motor different from a conventional motor that would be attached to the screw drive shaft?

wallyb · 11-16-2009, 10:45 PM

I signed. I'd love to put money into a lens like the 50-135, but I too am worried about a costly SDM failure.

flippedgazelle · 11-17-2009, 03:31 PM

C'mon guys, we have 16 signatures and need many more. Even if you don't have any SDM lenses, I think it's important for Pentax to know that users will band together to protest sub-standard equipment.

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-17-2009, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by flippedgazelle

That's entirely possible, but it could be years before we see the ramifications. I don't think the WR will have much of an effect - after all, there are non-SDM WR lenses.

The screw drive should be just fine. The lens is fitted with it so those with cameras without SDM can foucs using the screw drive. Works fine on my MZ-S, after all.

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-17-2009, 05:11 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

I just put the 18th signature on the petition. My 50-135 is off at Pentax as we speak. I have the broken bearing problem I think as well as the flaky dismount/remount/dismount/remount/clean ahhh it works at last! SDM troubles. The lens even in manual focus feels "gritty". I sent my k10 in as well, but the problem was with one too many drops onto rocks, including one that bent me pretty well, so they denied warranty on the body, but are repairing the lens under warranty. .

LeDave · 11-17-2009, 11:00 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

The screw drive should be just fine. The lens is fitted with it so those with cameras without SDM can foucs using the screw drive. Works fine on my MZ-S, after all.

Yes, and the screw drive is there for a reason; they wouldn't just put the screw-drive on there and expect you to not use it because of any problem that might occur. Also as said earlier, people have also been using screw-drive on their K10D's, if there was a problem then there would of had been a report a long time ago. The firmware is possible but Pentax just doesn't want to listen.

sebberry · 11-18-2009, 12:46 AM

Can't you just put some tape over the SDM contacts and it will use the screw drive automatically?

netuser · 11-18-2009, 06:03 AM

Can't believe only 19 signatures ......

11-14-2009, 08:18 PM	#18
Glen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 329	No more SDM lenses for me. Originally posted by Steve Beswick I have personally made a decision to never buy any SDM lenses because of all of the horror stories I've been hearing. A firmware update would probably help with my opinion of SDM lenses. Of course Pentax would probably only release updates for the k2*** and up, leaving me with my k10d and k100ds out in the cold. Oh well, I guess Sigma will get my lens money. Same here. I have one and it is still working okay but from what I've read here and elsewhere, I would not buy another SDM. Besides, I like my prime lenses and I don't have to worry about the motors failing.

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11-14-2009, 07:17 PM	#16
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	Originally posted by flippedgazelle T In fact, years ago when Ford had the fiasco with failing tires on Explorers, fewer than 1% of those vehicles were affected - yet there was a recall. Unfortunately for Firestone, Ford had the better lawyers. Most people seem to think it was a vehicle issue, since those tires were also sold on other vehicles without any problems. But, for the issue at hand, I get your point.

11-14-2009, 07:25 PM	#17
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	It's a little different situation from the Firestone -Ford Explorer, in that no one is likely to die from an SDM failure. I just thnk that Pentax needs to put people's fears to rest and they can do it best by extending the warranties. In the long run, they would sell a lot more lenses.

11-15-2009, 12:28 AM	#19
flippedgazelle Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,270	c'mon guys, we have 7 signatures - we need more!

11-15-2009, 10:47 AM	#20
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	Originally posted by flyer Unfortunately for Firestone, Ford had the better lawyers. Most people seem to think it was a vehicle issue, since those tires were also sold on other vehicles without any problems. But, for the issue at hand, I get your point. Firestone passed the buck back to Ford claiming that they ran the tires under inflated in their specs to make for a smoother and quieter ride. The real issue was that those tires were a very agressive, deep lugged tread which isn't a good choice for high speed freeway driving and will heat up rapidly. The tire issue was an easy fix. The SDM issue with lenses is more like a failure of the transfer cases in 4WD vehicles, causing the vehicle to loose its ability to engage the front axles which was a problem with some Fords in the late 80's when the electronic push button 4WD engagement came out. After lots of failures, Ford converted the trucks back to a manual locking front hub. My 86 Ranger service truck at work was one of them. The lenses with SDM motors have developed a reputation for being an unreliable AF system and Pentax should address the issue.

11-15-2009, 10:52 AM	#21
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067 Original Poster	Originally posted by reeftool Firestone passed the buck back to Ford claiming that they ran the tires under inflated in their specs to make for a smoother and quieter ride. The real issue was that those tires were a very agressive, deep lugged tread which isn't a good choice for high speed freeway driving and will heat up rapidly. The tire issue was an easy fix. The SDM issue with lenses is more like a failure of the transfer cases in 4WD vehicles, causing the vehicle to loose its ability to engage the front axles which was a problem with some Fords in the late 80's when the electronic push button 4WD engagement came out. After lots of failures, Ford converted the trucks back to a manual locking front hub. My 86 Ranger service truck at work was one of them. The lenses with SDM motors have developed a reputation for being an unreliable AF system and Pentax should address the issue. I agree with you. The tires of a car are replaced every year and are made to wear out and it's meant to be like that. The SDM failure of a lens in the other hand is a design flaw and was not meant to be like that and is not made to break down like that.

11-15-2009, 12:07 PM	#22
flippedgazelle Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,270	I think you guys (except for Yves) are missing the point of my bringing up the Ford/Firestone recall. The point is that even when only a tiny percentage of a product is affected by a design flaw, that is still grounds for recall. LeDave, the only conventional street tires meant to be replaced every year are sh*tty Pep Boys ones.

11-15-2009, 12:45 PM	#23
sebberry Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Frozen white North Photos: Albums Posts: 1,135	I don't understand the mechanics of the SDM system. How is an SDM motor different from a conventional motor that would be attached to the screw drive shaft?

11-16-2009, 10:45 PM	#24
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881	I signed. I'd love to put money into a lens like the 50-135, but I too am worried about a costly SDM failure.

11-17-2009, 03:31 PM	#25
flippedgazelle Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,270	C'mon guys, we have 16 signatures and need many more. Even if you don't have any SDM lenses, I think it's important for Pentax to know that users will band together to protest sub-standard equipment.

11-17-2009, 05:05 PM	#26
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by flippedgazelle That's entirely possible, but it could be years before we see the ramifications. I don't think the WR will have much of an effect - after all, there are non-SDM WR lenses. The screw drive should be just fine. The lens is fitted with it so those with cameras without SDM can foucs using the screw drive. Works fine on my MZ-S, after all.

11-17-2009, 05:11 PM	#27
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	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 I just put the 18th signature on the petition. My 50-135 is off at Pentax as we speak. I have the broken bearing problem I think as well as the flaky dismount/remount/dismount/remount/clean ahhh it works at last! SDM troubles. The lens even in manual focus feels "gritty". I sent my k10 in as well, but the problem was with one too many drops onto rocks, including one that bent me pretty well, so they denied warranty on the body, but are repairing the lens under warranty. .

11-17-2009, 11:00 PM	#28
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067 Original Poster	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies The screw drive should be just fine. The lens is fitted with it so those with cameras without SDM can foucs using the screw drive. Works fine on my MZ-S, after all. Yes, and the screw drive is there for a reason; they wouldn't just put the screw-drive on there and expect you to not use it because of any problem that might occur. Also as said earlier, people have also been using screw-drive on their K10D's, if there was a problem then there would of had been a report a long time ago. The firmware is possible but Pentax just doesn't want to listen.

11-18-2009, 12:46 AM	#29
sebberry Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Frozen white North Photos: Albums Posts: 1,135	Can't you just put some tape over the SDM contacts and it will use the screw drive automatically?

11-18-2009, 06:03 AM	#30
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	Can't believe only 19 signatures ......