Switching from Nikon to Pentax.

Designosophy · 07-27-2011, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by David&karen

On the 16-50 Pentax: The lens would fit my needs, but the SDM failures really scare me. I spend 5-10,000$ a year in travelling and if it dies on a trip it kills it. I could take the 18-55 WR as a back-up, and so I am thinking about the 16-50 lens again. This is what this forum is about: ideas!

David

How about two used 16-50s? The price wouldn't be much more than one new one. If you're careful who you buy them from, you are basically getting pre-tested lenses. If one fails, you've got the other. A weighty solution, I know.

johnmflores · 07-27-2011, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Truthfully, a kit lens or couple of primes could be back up for the 16-50. It is a really nice lens.

Exactly. Knowing the issues with SDM, I usually throw the DA40 and DA70 pancakes in the bag just in case. They are so tiny that I barely notice them.

kenafein · 07-27-2011, 10:49 AM

I read that older firmware k10ds use the screw drive instead of SDM. There is no way to force this on a new body if the SDM fails?

Designosophy · 07-27-2011, 11:29 AM

I don't think there is a screw drive on the 16-50. Is there on any SDM lens?

**Fries** · 07-27-2011, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by Designosophy

I don't think there is a screw drive on the 16-50. Is there on any SDM lens?

There is screw drive on every SDM lens exept on the DA*55mm if I remember correctly.

**Rondec** · 07-27-2011, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by Fries

There is screw drive on every SDM lens exept on the DA*55mm if I remember correctly.

And the DA 17-70. However, you are unable to use the screw drive on any bodies more modern than the K10 (and that only with the pre-SDM firmware installed).

kenafein · 07-27-2011, 11:52 AM

Sounds like a firmware fix to add an option to use screw drive needs to be implemented.

robgo2 · 07-27-2011, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by David&karen

On the 16-50 Pentax: The lens would fit my needs, but the SDM failures really scare me. I spend 5-10,000$ a year in travelling and if it dies on a trip it kills it. I could take the 18-55 WR as a back-up, and so I am thinking about the 16-50 lens again. This is what this forum is about: ideas!

David

David,

I would not worry excessively about SDM failure. In the unlikely that it does happen in the middle of a trip, the lens can still be used in manual focus mode. So, as long as you are comfortable with MF, the lens will remain very usable. And with the "Catch in Focus" feature on the K-5, the camera will give you focus confirmation with a little green light in the viewfinder.

Rob

Designosophy · 07-27-2011, 08:23 PM

Originally posted by kenafein

Sounds like a firmware fix to add an option to use screw drive needs to be implemented.

I wonder if the screw drive will function if the SDM contacts are covered on the lens.

twitch · 07-27-2011, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by Designosophy

I wonder if the screw drive will function if the SDM contacts are covered on the lens.

It's been asked, tried, and answered a few times in other threads. That method does not work unfortunately.

David&karen · 07-27-2011, 10:30 PM

I talked to Karen and decided on the following primes to add to our kit: 15, 21 f3.2, and 55 f1.4. We already have the Sigma 28 1.8 and pentax 35 f2.4 lenses. I think I will try the 16-50 Pentax, get the extended warranty, and carry the 18-55 WR as a back up. In addition, I am going to try the Pentax 55-300mm DA as Karen expressed a need to get a bit farther reach to photograph the Antelope that gather around our ranch. Thanks for all the ideas, esp. the sunstar pics!!

David

twitch · 07-27-2011, 10:44 PM

Originally posted by David&karen

I talked to Karen and decided on the following primes to add to our kit: 15, 21 f3.2, and 55 f1.4. We already have the Sigma 28 1.8 and pentax 35 f2.4 lenses. I think I will try the 16-50 Pentax, get the extended warranty, and carry the 18-55 WR as a back up. In addition, I am going to try the Pentax 55-300mm DA as Karen expressed a need to get a bit farther reach to photograph the Antelope that gather around our ranch. Thanks for all the ideas, esp. the sunstar pics!!

David

Sounds like a plan. Hope you enjoy your new Pentax gear, be sure to come back and post some of your shots and let us know how your venture into Pentax land is going - good or bad.

robgo2 · 07-28-2011, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by David&karen

I talked to Karen and decided on the following primes to add to our kit: 15, 21 f3.2, and 55 f1.4. We already have the Sigma 28 1.8 and pentax 35 f2.4 lenses. I think I will try the 16-50 Pentax, get the extended warranty, and carry the 18-55 WR as a back up. In addition, I am going to try the Pentax 55-300mm DA as Karen expressed a need to get a bit farther reach to photograph the Antelope that gather around our ranch. Thanks for all the ideas, esp. the sunstar pics!!

David

Good idea to avoid the FA Limiteds. They are sooo addictive.

Rob

David&karen · 07-30-2011, 09:44 AM

The K5 came yesterday, and I have taken 268 pics so far. I will post my findings in another thread, so this one is finished for the moment.

David

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07-27-2011, 10:16 AM	#31
Designosophy Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northeast Philadelphia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137	Originally posted by David&karen On the 16-50 Pentax: The lens would fit my needs, but the SDM failures really scare me. I spend 5-10,000$ a year in travelling and if it dies on a trip it kills it. I could take the 18-55 WR as a back-up, and so I am thinking about the 16-50 lens again. This is what this forum is about: ideas! David How about two used 16-50s? The price wouldn't be much more than one new one. If you're careful who you buy them from, you are basically getting pre-tested lenses. If one fails, you've got the other. A weighty solution, I know.

07-27-2011, 10:31 AM	#32
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Originally posted by Rondec Truthfully, a kit lens or couple of primes could be back up for the 16-50. It is a really nice lens. Exactly. Knowing the issues with SDM, I usually throw the DA40 and DA70 pancakes in the bag just in case. They are so tiny that I barely notice them.

07-27-2011, 10:49 AM	#33
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	I read that older firmware k10ds use the screw drive instead of SDM. There is no way to force this on a new body if the SDM fails?

07-27-2011, 11:29 AM	#34
Designosophy Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northeast Philadelphia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137	I don't think there is a screw drive on the 16-50. Is there on any SDM lens?

07-27-2011, 11:35 AM	#35
Fries Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gauw Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,582	Originally posted by Designosophy I don't think there is a screw drive on the 16-50. Is there on any SDM lens? There is screw drive on every SDM lens exept on the DA*55mm if I remember correctly.

07-27-2011, 11:49 AM	#36
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by Fries There is screw drive on every SDM lens exept on the DA*55mm if I remember correctly. And the DA 17-70. However, you are unable to use the screw drive on any bodies more modern than the K10 (and that only with the pre-SDM firmware installed).

07-27-2011, 11:52 AM	#37
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Sounds like a firmware fix to add an option to use screw drive needs to be implemented.

07-27-2011, 05:55 PM	#38
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	Originally posted by David&karen On the 16-50 Pentax: The lens would fit my needs, but the SDM failures really scare me. I spend 5-10,000$ a year in travelling and if it dies on a trip it kills it. I could take the 18-55 WR as a back-up, and so I am thinking about the 16-50 lens again. This is what this forum is about: ideas! David David, I would not worry excessively about SDM failure. In the unlikely that it does happen in the middle of a trip, the lens can still be used in manual focus mode. So, as long as you are comfortable with MF, the lens will remain very usable. And with the "Catch in Focus" feature on the K-5, the camera will give you focus confirmation with a little green light in the viewfinder. Rob

07-27-2011, 08:23 PM	#39
Designosophy Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northeast Philadelphia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137	Originally posted by kenafein Sounds like a firmware fix to add an option to use screw drive needs to be implemented. I wonder if the screw drive will function if the SDM contacts are covered on the lens.

07-27-2011, 08:34 PM	#40
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by Designosophy I wonder if the screw drive will function if the SDM contacts are covered on the lens. It's been asked, tried, and answered a few times in other threads. That method does not work unfortunately.

07-27-2011, 10:30 PM	#41
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327 Original Poster	I talked to Karen and decided on the following primes to add to our kit: 15, 21 f3.2, and 55 f1.4. We already have the Sigma 28 1.8 and pentax 35 f2.4 lenses. I think I will try the 16-50 Pentax, get the extended warranty, and carry the 18-55 WR as a back up. In addition, I am going to try the Pentax 55-300mm DA as Karen expressed a need to get a bit farther reach to photograph the Antelope that gather around our ranch. Thanks for all the ideas, esp. the sunstar pics!! David

07-27-2011, 10:44 PM	#42
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by David&karen I talked to Karen and decided on the following primes to add to our kit: 15, 21 f3.2, and 55 f1.4. We already have the Sigma 28 1.8 and pentax 35 f2.4 lenses. I think I will try the 16-50 Pentax, get the extended warranty, and carry the 18-55 WR as a back up. In addition, I am going to try the Pentax 55-300mm DA as Karen expressed a need to get a bit farther reach to photograph the Antelope that gather around our ranch. Thanks for all the ideas, esp. the sunstar pics!! David Sounds like a plan. Hope you enjoy your new Pentax gear, be sure to come back and post some of your shots and let us know how your venture into Pentax land is going - good or bad.

07-28-2011, 09:58 AM	#43
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	Originally posted by David&karen I talked to Karen and decided on the following primes to add to our kit: 15, 21 f3.2, and 55 f1.4. We already have the Sigma 28 1.8 and pentax 35 f2.4 lenses. I think I will try the 16-50 Pentax, get the extended warranty, and carry the 18-55 WR as a back up. In addition, I am going to try the Pentax 55-300mm DA as Karen expressed a need to get a bit farther reach to photograph the Antelope that gather around our ranch. Thanks for all the ideas, esp. the sunstar pics!! David Good idea to avoid the FA Limiteds. They are sooo addictive. Rob

07-30-2011, 09:44 AM	#44
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327 Original Poster	The K5 came yesterday, and I have taken 268 pics so far. I will post my findings in another thread, so this one is finished for the moment. David