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narual · 03-01-2014, 08:41 AM

With the DA* 16-50. Didn't realize I still had it set to F8 and ISO 16,000 from the burlesque show last weekend, so it was very grainy. Processed in Silver Efex Pro 2

**Rondec** · 03-02-2014, 05:08 AM

A couple of shots with DA *16-50.

**Rondec** · 03-03-2014, 05:10 AM

Another 16-50 shot.

repaap · 03-05-2014, 03:16 PM

Here is one stitch with DA*55

and another.

**mattb123** · 03-06-2014, 11:07 AM

K-3 & DA* 60-250 (x-post)

Driline · 03-06-2014, 05:50 PM

DA*16-50.....This lens is starting to take longer to "wake" up after I power up the camera. Time to convert to screw drive.
I love the deep colors this lens provides. Something you can't get with Sigma or Tamron.

calicojack · 03-06-2014, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by Driline

DA*16-50.....This lens is starting to take longer to "wake" up after I power up the camera. Time to convert to screw drive. <snip>

I know it's still a leap of faith, but I just had the SDM fixed by CRIS on my 50-135 based on the thought that Pentax has corrected the problem. CRIS fit a new motor and a new PCB. I've been waiting several years to hear of a reliable fix for the SDM problem. There are several posts in these forums suggesting that the repairs done now will last. The cost was just a bit over $200.
My repair is also motivated by my purchase of a K5ii which won't screw drive focus a DA* lens. My older camera is a K10D which I was able to revert to V1.2 firmware (doesn't use SDM, just screw drive). Now I'm back to what seems to be reliable SDM focusing. (YAY).

Driline · 03-06-2014, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by calicojack

I know it's still a leap of faith, but I just had the SDM fixed by CRIS on my 50-135 based on the thought that Pentax has corrected the problem. CRIS fit a new motor and a new PCB. I've been waiting several years to hear of a reliable fix for the SDM problem. There are several posts in these forums suggesting that the repairs done now will last. The cost was just a bit over $200.
My repair is also motivated by my purchase of a K5ii which won't screw drive focus a DA* lens. My older camera is a K10D which I was able to revert to V1.2 firmware (doesn't use SDM, just screw drive). Now I'm back to what seems to be reliable SDM focusing. (YAY).

Well I do have a warranty from Henry's so I could send it to them for SDM repair FREE, but I thought maybe I would try the screwdrive approach first and if it does succeed I won't have to wait 2 months for it to return.

calicojack · 03-07-2014, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by Driline

Well I do have a warranty from Henry's so I could send it to them for SDM repair FREE, but I thought maybe I would try the screwdrive approach first and if it does succeed I won't have to wait 2 months for it to return.

Ah, CRIS got my lens back to me in about 3 weeks (that included waiting for parts from Pentax and shipping times both ways).
I did run my 50-135 on screw drive only for several years while waiting to see if the SDM issue ever got sorted out. Very dependable and sort of quick on my K10D. A little noisy, but that really doesn't make a difference to me.

Driline · 03-07-2014, 06:12 AM

Originally posted by calicojack

Ah, CRIS got my lens back to me in about 3 weeks (that included waiting for parts from Pentax and shipping times both ways).
I did run my 50-135 on screw drive only for several years while waiting to see if the SDM issue ever got sorted out. Very dependable and sort of quick on my K10D. A little noisy, but that really doesn't make a difference to me.

Did you follow the instructions on the forum to convert from SDM to screwdrive? I find them confusing at best. I attempted to re-write the original posters directions but am still uncertain if it is correct. I posted them on the SDM screwdrive thread if you dare to take a look.

calicojack · 03-07-2014, 06:50 AM

No. In my case, working with a K10D, there was a "hack" available to revert the firmware back to version 1.0 from 1.3. I then reset the firmware to version 1.2 and left it there. It wasn't until V1.3 that the K10 was capable of focusing using the SDM, so my lens automatically ran on the screw drive.
Unfortunately for most others, every later model (K20D, K200D, or newer) came SDM ready and didn't have an option of reverting.
The recently posted method of changing the lens from SDM to screw drive only is something I never even considered (and hopefully won't have to).

Driline · 03-07-2014, 07:09 AM

Hmmmmm... Maybe I should just send it in then.

MRHPhoto · 03-07-2014, 10:00 PM - **1 Like**

Here are 3 I snapped at the WIAA State Individual matches a week ago. All were with a DA* 55mm and K5-II. While the AF doesn't keep up with sports very well between the lens/camera, when it gets it right at big apertures...it works very well.

DogLover · 03-08-2014, 12:57 AM

Originally posted by MRHPhoto

Here are 3 I snapped at the WIAA State Individual matches a week ago. All were with a DA* 55mm and K5-II. While the AF doesn't keep up with sports very well between the lens/camera, when it gets it right at big apertures...it works very well.

Excellent job! First one in particular is outstanding. Really surprised to see that these were with the 55. Definitely not a lens that comes to mind for sports. As a former high school wrestler, this really took me back to the tournaments we used to travel to.

Sinister · 03-08-2014, 11:31 AM - **1 Like**

Great shots MRHPhoto!

DA* 50-135mm (best acquisition in a long time - apart from the bike

)

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03-01-2014, 08:41 AM	#2161
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	With the DA* 16-50. Didn't realize I still had it set to F8 and ISO 16,000 from the burlesque show last weekend, so it was very grainy. Processed in Silver Efex Pro 2

03-02-2014, 05:08 AM	#2162
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,668	A couple of shots with DA *16-50.

03-03-2014, 05:10 AM	#2163
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,668	Another 16-50 shot.

03-05-2014, 03:16 PM	#2164
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Here is one stitch with DA*55 and another.

03-06-2014, 11:07 AM	#2165
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,874	K-3 & DA* 60-250 (x-post)

03-06-2014, 05:50 PM	#2166
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,708	DA*16-50.....This lens is starting to take longer to "wake" up after I power up the camera. Time to convert to screw drive. I love the deep colors this lens provides. Something you can't get with Sigma or Tamron.

03-06-2014, 07:42 PM	#2167
calicojack Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,124	Originally posted by Driline DA16-50.....This lens is starting to take longer to "wake" up after I power up the camera. Time to convert to screw drive. <snip> I know it's still a leap of faith, but I just had the SDM fixed by CRIS on my 50-135 based on the thought that Pentax has corrected the problem. CRIS fit a new motor and a new PCB. I've been waiting several years to hear of a reliable fix for the SDM problem. There are several posts in these forums suggesting that the repairs done now will last. The cost was just a bit over $200. My repair is also motivated by my purchase of a K5ii which won't screw drive focus a DA lens. My older camera is a K10D which I was able to revert to V1.2 firmware (doesn't use SDM, just screw drive). Now I'm back to what seems to be reliable SDM focusing. (YAY).

03-06-2014, 09:46 PM	#2168
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,708	Originally posted by calicojack I know it's still a leap of faith, but I just had the SDM fixed by CRIS on my 50-135 based on the thought that Pentax has corrected the problem. CRIS fit a new motor and a new PCB. I've been waiting several years to hear of a reliable fix for the SDM problem. There are several posts in these forums suggesting that the repairs done now will last. The cost was just a bit over $200. My repair is also motivated by my purchase of a K5ii which won't screw drive focus a DA* lens. My older camera is a K10D which I was able to revert to V1.2 firmware (doesn't use SDM, just screw drive). Now I'm back to what seems to be reliable SDM focusing. (YAY). Well I do have a warranty from Henry's so I could send it to them for SDM repair FREE, but I thought maybe I would try the screwdrive approach first and if it does succeed I won't have to wait 2 months for it to return.

03-07-2014, 05:55 AM	#2169
calicojack Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,124	Originally posted by Driline Well I do have a warranty from Henry's so I could send it to them for SDM repair FREE, but I thought maybe I would try the screwdrive approach first and if it does succeed I won't have to wait 2 months for it to return. Ah, CRIS got my lens back to me in about 3 weeks (that included waiting for parts from Pentax and shipping times both ways). I did run my 50-135 on screw drive only for several years while waiting to see if the SDM issue ever got sorted out. Very dependable and sort of quick on my K10D. A little noisy, but that really doesn't make a difference to me.

03-07-2014, 06:12 AM	#2170
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,708	Originally posted by calicojack Ah, CRIS got my lens back to me in about 3 weeks (that included waiting for parts from Pentax and shipping times both ways). I did run my 50-135 on screw drive only for several years while waiting to see if the SDM issue ever got sorted out. Very dependable and sort of quick on my K10D. A little noisy, but that really doesn't make a difference to me. Did you follow the instructions on the forum to convert from SDM to screwdrive? I find them confusing at best. I attempted to re-write the original posters directions but am still uncertain if it is correct. I posted them on the SDM screwdrive thread if you dare to take a look.

03-07-2014, 06:50 AM	#2171
calicojack Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,124	No. In my case, working with a K10D, there was a "hack" available to revert the firmware back to version 1.0 from 1.3. I then reset the firmware to version 1.2 and left it there. It wasn't until V1.3 that the K10 was capable of focusing using the SDM, so my lens automatically ran on the screw drive. Unfortunately for most others, every later model (K20D, K200D, or newer) came SDM ready and didn't have an option of reverting. The recently posted method of changing the lens from SDM to screw drive only is something I never even considered (and hopefully won't have to).

03-07-2014, 07:09 AM	#2172
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,708	Hmmmmm... Maybe I should just send it in then.

03-07-2014, 10:00 PM - 1 Like	#2173
MRHPhoto Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Delavan, Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 183	Here are 3 I snapped at the WIAA State Individual matches a week ago. All were with a DA* 55mm and K5-II. While the AF doesn't keep up with sports very well between the lens/camera, when it gets it right at big apertures...it works very well.

03-08-2014, 12:57 AM	#2174
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Originally posted by MRHPhoto Here are 3 I snapped at the WIAA State Individual matches a week ago. All were with a DA* 55mm and K5-II. While the AF doesn't keep up with sports very well between the lens/camera, when it gets it right at big apertures...it works very well. Excellent job! First one in particular is outstanding. Really surprised to see that these were with the 55. Definitely not a lens that comes to mind for sports. As a former high school wrestler, this really took me back to the tournaments we used to travel to.

03-08-2014, 11:31 AM - 1 Like	#2175
Sinister Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Berlin Posts: 1,045	Great shots MRHPhoto! DA* 50-135mm (best acquisition in a long time - apart from the bike )

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