Guys, watching you talk about "DA*" lenses makes one thin the "*" is a place holder for an expletive.
Originally posted by Ash
Pentax Imaging Company in the US has analyzed our sales and repair data. This information shows us that the warranty repair rate on all SDM lenses is at, or in most cases well below our normal return rate.
I too wonder what the after warranty repair figures look like.
As much I would like to believe that the response Ash received is the awaited confirmation that our perceived SDM problem has been blown out of proportion and doesn't exist in reality, it makes me wonder what other things go wrong with lenses. Apart from lenses being decentred from the factory, I've never read about any problems regarding AF, apertures, etc. to an extent I've read about SDM problems. If the SDM figures only look "normal" because the optical QC isn't what it should be either then that wouldn't be good news.
Finally, if the rep can make these statements authoritatively, why didn't get Peter Zack a similar reply?
I'd like to believe that there is no real SDM issue but somehow the responses we've had so far haven't removed all my doubts.
As others, I think a prolonged warranty would be the best Pentax could do and if they are as confident about the DA* zooms as they appear to be, it shouldn't cost them that much. It may cost them more in the long run, not to react to the SDM worries, whether the latter are a result of hysteria or not. If Sigma can sell lenses with a three year warranty (Germany) that a far less expensive then Pentax should be able to do it with their top of the line products.