I broke my camera and I couldn't be happier!

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-06-2010, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by emr

What's that smell?!

Oh, it's all the Pentaxians with defective SDM lenses short-circuiting their camera bodies. Nothing to worry about.

you could also say that peter has proven electronics works on somke, and not on holes and electrons, because it stopped working when the smoke leaked out

stevebrot · 01-06-2010, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by emr

What's that smell?!

Oh, it's all the Pentaxians with defective SDM lenses short-circuiting their camera bodies. Nothing to worry about.

I am waiting to see photos of the flames!

Steve

aerodave · 01-06-2010, 11:14 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

Congratulations peter

you have discovered a user implementable software fix for the people wwho want tu use screw drive as opposed to SDM. Just tape over the KAF2 power pins

But I thought the community has already established that simply taping over them doesn't work. The camera refuses to fall for that trick. If enabling screw-drive was as simple as taping the pins, the forum would have had it settled a long time ago.

Peter seems to have shorted the pins and fried something, which has had a different effect.

PNTXFTW12 · 01-06-2010, 11:16 PM

lol well that's a peculiar way of reacting to damamging your own equipment

heliphoto · 01-06-2010, 11:27 PM

Originally posted by LeDave

Wow! That's great news, I really wished I kept my 50-135 so I could give this a try. =P

Originally posted by dgaies

Dave, got your 50-135 on my Kx right now

I'm so proud and happy of the journeys my 50-135 has taken

.

Originally posted by aerodave

But I thought the community has already established that simply taping over them doesn't work. The camera refuses to fall for that trick. If enabling screw-drive was as simple as taping the pins, the forum would have had it settled a long time ago.

Peter seems to have shorted the pins and fried something, which has had a different effect.

Yeah, that's my understanding too - many people have taped over those contacts with no benefit, so there must have been something else that happened. There's someone else around here who has reported this exact thing before as well, months ago - I would have sworn it was Peter Zack, but I think we can rule that out

.

Peter Zack · 01-07-2010, 06:15 AM

It was me sort of. Different issue on another body. BTW. I don't recommend doing this until it can be figured out what really happened. I wish I had a PZ lens to see if that circuit is cooked.

The other one was a different K20D that started to develop a wierd AE-L button that would come on and off at any time. Then at the same time the SDM stopped working. I assumed that there was an internal issue that was all connected. That body is now gone as it wasn't cost effective to repair and no good for my work.

I'm going to see if I can replicate this on my K10D (I use it only for Screwmount leneses anyway) I'll try to do it carefully and see what happens. One thing I can say for sure. The camera was turned on and "awake" (I was rushing) and the pins would have been "live". I'll do my test this weekend.

The DA*16-50 is faster than it was but this lens sucks for focusing. It's frankly the worst lens I've ever used. In good light, it snaps right in. But if the light is poor or the contrast not well defined, then this lens is nearly useless. I don't use it in a dark church etc.

As someone said above, for a "top end" lens, this is a terrible representation of the company. Sad for a brand that built it's name on optics.

asdf · 01-07-2010, 06:20 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

I'm going to see if I can replicate this on my K10D (I use it only for Screwmount leneses anyway) I'll try to do it carefully and see what happens.

Would taping over the contacts with electric tape work, as well? EDIT: It probably won't. I found this:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/66344-pentax-s...-better-2.html

pingflood · 01-07-2010, 07:56 PM

So if SDM is less accurate and slower than in-body motor, what the heck's the point? Seems like it'd just add cost to each lens and not do any good.

stevebrot · 01-07-2010, 08:55 PM

Originally posted by pingflood

So if SDM is less accurate and slower than in-body motor, what the heck's the point? Seems like it'd just add cost to each lens and not do any good.

It might be because it doesn't wake the neighbors and/or summon the police when focusing!

Steve

simico · 01-08-2010, 02:21 AM

Pentax will address this in the next firmware, it will disable screwdrive AF is SDM circuitry is fried

kathyk · 01-08-2010, 06:39 AM

I recall trying to cover up those 2 pins to see if it would force the camera into screwdriving the focus, but it was not successful for me. Either I did it wrong, or the trick is to actually short them out as opposed to just covering them.

heliphoto · 01-08-2010, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by simico

Pentax will address this in the next firmware, it will disable screwdrive AF is SDM circuitry is fried

LOLed at that one

Peter Zack · 01-09-2010, 10:25 AM

Well I'm sad to report that the SD focus is not much better. I detail it here

Therr's just something about this design that doesn't work nearly as well. Btw I tried to replicate the 'accident" on the K10D but I can't yet.

PentaxPoke · 02-23-2010, 02:36 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Well I'm sad to report that the SD focus is not much better. I detail it here

Peter,
What happened to the other thread you started (link in your post above) It just disappeared!

MrCynical · 02-23-2010, 05:07 AM

I bet all the RROD'd DA* owners out there will be furiously trying to mate their cameras with car batteries :P

Originally posted by pingflood

So if SDM is less accurate and slower than in-body motor, what the heck's the point? Seems like it'd just add cost to each lens and not do any good.

Because the other brands do it, and (unlike, say keeping your lens prices stable in a recession rather than doubling/tripling them) this is one case where Pentax have caught 'me too' syndrome.

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01-06-2010, 04:23 PM	#16
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by emr What's that smell?! Oh, it's all the Pentaxians with defective SDM lenses short-circuiting their camera bodies. Nothing to worry about. you could also say that peter has proven electronics works on somke, and not on holes and electrons, because it stopped working when the smoke leaked out

01-06-2010, 05:07 PM	#17
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by emr What's that smell?! Oh, it's all the Pentaxians with defective SDM lenses short-circuiting their camera bodies. Nothing to worry about. I am waiting to see photos of the flames! Steve

01-06-2010, 11:14 PM	#18
aerodave Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 365	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge Congratulations peter you have discovered a user implementable software fix for the people wwho want tu use screw drive as opposed to SDM. Just tape over the KAF2 power pins But I thought the community has already established that simply taping over them doesn't work. The camera refuses to fall for that trick. If enabling screw-drive was as simple as taping the pins, the forum would have had it settled a long time ago. Peter seems to have shorted the pins and fried something, which has had a different effect.

01-06-2010, 11:16 PM	#19
PNTXFTW12 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vaughan, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 269	lol well that's a peculiar way of reacting to damamging your own equipment

01-06-2010, 11:27 PM	#20
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Originally posted by LeDave Wow! That's great news, I really wished I kept my 50-135 so I could give this a try. =P Originally posted by dgaies Dave, got your 50-135 on my Kx right now I'm so proud and happy of the journeys my 50-135 has taken . Originally posted by aerodave But I thought the community has already established that simply taping over them doesn't work. The camera refuses to fall for that trick. If enabling screw-drive was as simple as taping the pins, the forum would have had it settled a long time ago. Peter seems to have shorted the pins and fried something, which has had a different effect. Yeah, that's my understanding too - many people have taped over those contacts with no benefit, so there must have been something else that happened. There's someone else around here who has reported this exact thing before as well, months ago - I would have sworn it was Peter Zack, but I think we can rule that out .

01-07-2010, 06:15 AM	#21
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643 Original Poster	It was me sort of. Different issue on another body. BTW. I don't recommend doing this until it can be figured out what really happened. I wish I had a PZ lens to see if that circuit is cooked. The other one was a different K20D that started to develop a wierd AE-L button that would come on and off at any time. Then at the same time the SDM stopped working. I assumed that there was an internal issue that was all connected. That body is now gone as it wasn't cost effective to repair and no good for my work. I'm going to see if I can replicate this on my K10D (I use it only for Screwmount leneses anyway) I'll try to do it carefully and see what happens. One thing I can say for sure. The camera was turned on and "awake" (I was rushing) and the pins would have been "live". I'll do my test this weekend. The DA*16-50 is faster than it was but this lens sucks for focusing. It's frankly the worst lens I've ever used. In good light, it snaps right in. But if the light is poor or the contrast not well defined, then this lens is nearly useless. I don't use it in a dark church etc. As someone said above, for a "top end" lens, this is a terrible representation of the company. Sad for a brand that built it's name on optics.

01-07-2010, 06:20 AM	#22
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by Peter Zack I'm going to see if I can replicate this on my K10D (I use it only for Screwmount leneses anyway) I'll try to do it carefully and see what happens. Would taping over the contacts with electric tape work, as well? EDIT: It probably won't. I found this: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/66344-pentax-s...-better-2.html

01-07-2010, 07:56 PM	#23
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	So if SDM is less accurate and slower than in-body motor, what the heck's the point? Seems like it'd just add cost to each lens and not do any good.

01-07-2010, 08:55 PM	#24
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pingflood So if SDM is less accurate and slower than in-body motor, what the heck's the point? Seems like it'd just add cost to each lens and not do any good. It might be because it doesn't wake the neighbors and/or summon the police when focusing! Steve

01-08-2010, 02:21 AM	#25
simico Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Budapest Posts: 821	Pentax will address this in the next firmware, it will disable screwdrive AF is SDM circuitry is fried

01-08-2010, 06:39 AM	#26
kathyk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan/USA Posts: 173	I recall trying to cover up those 2 pins to see if it would force the camera into screwdriving the focus, but it was not successful for me. Either I did it wrong, or the trick is to actually short them out as opposed to just covering them.

01-08-2010, 07:52 AM	#27
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Originally posted by simico Pentax will address this in the next firmware, it will disable screwdrive AF is SDM circuitry is fried LOLed at that one

01-09-2010, 10:25 AM	#28
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643 Original Poster	Well I'm sad to report that the SD focus is not much better. I detail it here Therr's just something about this design that doesn't work nearly as well. Btw I tried to replicate the 'accident" on the K10D but I can't yet.

02-23-2010, 02:36 AM	#29
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Originally posted by Peter Zack Well I'm sad to report that the SD focus is not much better. I detail it here Peter, What happened to the other thread you started (link in your post above) It just disappeared!

02-23-2010, 05:07 AM	#30
MrCynical Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 132	I bet all the RROD'd DA* owners out there will be furiously trying to mate their cameras with car batteries :P Originally posted by pingflood So if SDM is less accurate and slower than in-body motor, what the heck's the point? Seems like it'd just add cost to each lens and not do any good. Because the other brands do it, and (unlike, say keeping your lens prices stable in a recession rather than doubling/tripling them) this is one case where Pentax have caught 'me too' syndrome.