Question:
Is it normal for the SDM motor to have to warm up before its focuses?

This is what I was told by a pentax empoyee when I brought it in for servicing.
Do you think I have been mislead?

The Da* 200 mm lens is the lens I'm Talking about. Iwould think it should try and focus as soon as i press the shutter, correct?



Any comments out there!

[imtheguy]

I use the da*200's cousin, the da*300, almost every day for the last 3 years. But sometimes between the weather and my own issues the lens has gone untouched for a week and I found that it needed a couple of false starts before it was fully up to speed and accuracy. When used every day it is good from the first try but if it has been sitting I always exercise the AF as i walk out the door just so its ready to go. Does not seem to be getting worse although I do not recall it acting like this the first time I used it. There was a recent thread similar to this in the last couple months and a few others also noted giving the SDM a couple front-back movements before shooting. My best guess is its lens dependent and yours may never need to stretch a little as it agess.

[jpzk]

I use the da*200's cousin, the da*300, almost every day for the last 3 years. But sometimes between the weather and my own issues the lens has gone untouched for a week and I found that it needed a couple of false starts before it was fully up to speed and accuracy. When used every day it is good from the first try but if it has been sitting I always exercise the AF as i walk out the door just so its ready to go. Does not seem to be getting worse although I do not recall it acting like this the first time I used it. There was a recent thread similar to this in the last couple months and a few others also noted giving the SDM a couple front-back movements before shooting. My best guess is its lens dependent and yours may never need to stretch a little as it agess.

I agree with you, iamtheguy!

The long DA* lenses sometimes need a "kick start", reason why I had been whining about it in another thread.

JP

[imtheguy]

I confuse the world of Pentax by leaving out the apostrophe but its still IMTHEGUY, no "A" required. :evil:

Never had the SDM refuse to start up, just had it give up too soon when its been sitting for too long; one full stroke then quits trying. But I have so many pics with that lens I can never say i didnt get my money's worth.

[asp1880]

I once read that there's a capacitor in some of the SDM lenses that discharges slowly when the lens is unmounted or powered off. It takes a little while to recharge after power-on and then the AF motor works again.

I also have the DA200 and I've never personally experienced the phenomenon. My DA200 sometimes goes unused for months - a pity though.

Regards,
--Anders.

[Pentax Michael]

Thanks for all your replies,though I'm still not sure if I should have the SDM motor replaced before the warrenty is up?
Any comments out there?

[Adam]

I would just get it replaced. Take advantage of the warranty while you've got it!

Adam
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