new smc PENTAX-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

Stringmike · 09-20-2010, 04:27 PM

..as already discussed may be Pentax's answer to a simple direct electric drive focusing motor. It does not operate at ultrasonic frequencies but from the patent appears to use pulsed direct current (DC). The design drives the focus ring by magnetic coupling and is mechanically very simple. The electronic drive circuitry is also lower voltage and simpler than those used for ultrasonic motors.

My guess would be that the poor reliability of SDM has given Pentax an incentive to go with a new design.

Mike

HeavyD · 09-20-2010, 04:52 PM

Photography Review has the price being $529. For that price I could get a Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM or a nice used DA* 50-135mm. $529 is to much, the Sigma 18-125mm HSM is only $300.

Pentax smc DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Zoom Lens | Camera News & Reviews

Jend · 09-20-2010, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by HeavyD

Photography Review has the price being $529. For that price I could get a Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM or a nice used DA* 50-135mm. $529 is to much, the Sigma 18-125mm HSM is only $300.
Pentax smc DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Zoom Lens | Camera News & Reviews

Considering that lenses such as the DA 40mm Limited retails for $500, and sells for $330 from B&H, it won't take long for this lens to be selling for around the $375 neighborhood. I think that is a pretty fair price for the added benefits of being more compact, weather resistent, and not a Sigma.

**Clarkey** · 09-20-2010, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by HeavyD

Photography Review has the price being $529. For that price I could get a Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM or a nice used DA* 50-135mm. $529 is to much, the Sigma 18-125mm HSM is only $300.

Pentax smc DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Zoom Lens | Camera News & Reviews

Weather sealing is a unique feature on this zoom range, to be honest I was expecting around $600 USD. Point taken though, I think Sigma has really upped their ante with this years releases/value.

Originally posted by Jend

Considering that lenses such as the DA 40mm Limited retails for $500, and sells for $330 from B&H, it won't take long for this lens to be selling for around the $375 neighborhood. I think that is a pretty fair price for the added benefits of being more compact, weather resistent, and not a Sigma.

Agreed, I've noted all of the street prices have been slowly creeping back down after the ridiculous list price increases at the beginning of 2009. Still, I don't think we are going to see (using your example) the 40mm at ~$230 US again. The rising yen has taken care of that (even though the lenses are now made in Vietnam).

Last edited by Clarkey; 09-20-2010 at 06:29 PM. Reason: putting things in the right place.....

Arpe · 09-20-2010, 06:34 PM

So nobody knows if DC is faster than SDM or faster than Canon's or Nikon's version?

deadwolfbones · 09-20-2010, 06:45 PM

Not until someone actually uses it.

**Rondec** · 09-20-2010, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by Clarkey

Weather sealing is a unique feature on this zoom range, to be honest I was expecting around $600 USD. Point taken though, I think Sigma has really upped their ante with this years releases/value.

Very true. This could be a great hiking set up 18-135 plus K7/5. Light, weather sealed in a package other than point and shoot -- something that is pretty unique for Pentax as compared to the other major players.

Lampo · 09-21-2010, 12:24 AM

I do not know whether someone has already post this pic of a fully extended 18-135:

KungPOW · 09-21-2010, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by Stringmike

..as already discussed may be Pentax's answer to a simple direct electric drive focusing motor. It does not operate at ultrasonic frequencies but from the patent appears to use pulsed direct current (DC). The design drives the focus ring by magnetic coupling and is mechanically very simple. The electronic drive circuitry is also lower voltage and simpler than those used for ultrasonic motors.

My guess would be that the poor reliability of SDM has given Pentax an incentive to go with a new design.

Mike

So, if the new patent uses pulsed DC curent, then this lens might be the first with the new drive. Or, it is just a DC micro motor (like all other SDM lenses I understand), and the DC code is not to indicate a new drive, but a revamped micro motor drvie.

Maybe Pentax is going to start using true ultrasonic ring motors. These use high frequency AC current. So maybe we will see AC SDM lenses for the true ring motors, and DC SDM lenses for the micro motors.

Either way, Pentax has, or is changing the SDM drive system.

Someone needs to take a lens apart and tell us what they find inside.

I nominate Falk, as he is at Photokina.

janneman · 09-21-2010, 12:43 AM

Originally posted by fzwo

It certainly is not the same construction as the Tokina.

About the focus motor: Yes, unfortunate name choice. .

Come on, it is not a bad effort by a company with brought us DSLR's like *ist. *istD, *istDs....

janneman · 09-21-2010, 12:44 AM

Originally posted by KungPOW

So, if the new patent uses pulsed DC curent, then this lens might be the first with the new drive. Or, it is just a DC micro motor (like all other SDM lenses I understand), and the DC code is not to indicate a new drive, but a revamped micro motor drvie.

Maybe Pentax is going to start using true ultrasonic ring motors. These use high frequency AC current. So maybe we will see AC SDM lenses for the true ring motors, and DC SDM lenses for the micro motors.

Either way, Pentax has, or is changing the SDM drive system.

Someone needs to take a lens apart and tell us what they find inside.

I nominate Falk, as he is at Photokina.

The ring motor patent was from december 2009, I very much doubt if it could already be implemented

Gimbal · 09-21-2010, 12:46 AM

Originally posted by zackspeed

new motordesign.
dc motor like in patent,but without the old af gear.

ROTARY ACTUATOR

That patent does not describe a Direct Current (DC)-motor. A direct current motor runs on direct current, the one described in the patent needs alternating phases or pulses to run.

A DC-motor is usually found in the cheapest of toys. So it's probably a new micromotor with a new name to differentiate it from the old ones. Nothing fancy at all.

janneman · 09-21-2010, 12:47 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Very true. This could be a great hiking set up 18-135 plus K7/5. Light, weather sealed in a package other than point and shoot -- something that is pretty unique for Pentax as compared to the other major players.

K-5 may be priced a bit high but the K-5 + 18-135 combo is very nice priced considering what other brands ask

Steelski · 09-21-2010, 01:50 AM

Originally posted by Gimbal

That patent does not describe a Direct Current (DC)-motor. A direct current motor runs on direct current, the one described in the patent needs alternating phases or pulses to run.

A DC-motor is usually found in the cheapest of toys. So it's probably a new micromotor with a new name to differentiate it from the old ones. Nothing fancy at all.

I think you need to read the patent. It talks about DC motor.
page 12!!!

blende8 · 09-21-2010, 02:00 AM

Perhaps Pentax wants to avoid the term SDM, because it carries very negative connotations in the Pentax community and rightly so.

09-20-2010, 04:27 PM	#136
Stringmike Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 283	DC Motor... ..as already discussed may be Pentax's answer to a simple direct electric drive focusing motor. It does not operate at ultrasonic frequencies but from the patent appears to use pulsed direct current (DC). The design drives the focus ring by magnetic coupling and is mechanically very simple. The electronic drive circuitry is also lower voltage and simpler than those used for ultrasonic motors. My guess would be that the poor reliability of SDM has given Pentax an incentive to go with a new design. Mike

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09-20-2010, 04:52 PM	#137
HeavyD Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 155	Photography Review has the price being $529. For that price I could get a Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM or a nice used DA* 50-135mm. $529 is to much, the Sigma 18-125mm HSM is only $300. Pentax smc DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Zoom Lens \| Camera News & Reviews

09-20-2010, 05:26 PM	#138
Jend New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: United States Posts: 24	Originally posted by HeavyD Photography Review has the price being $529. For that price I could get a Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM or a nice used DA* 50-135mm. $529 is to much, the Sigma 18-125mm HSM is only $300. Pentax smc DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Zoom Lens \| Camera News & Reviews Considering that lenses such as the DA 40mm Limited retails for $500, and sells for $330 from B&H, it won't take long for this lens to be selling for around the $375 neighborhood. I think that is a pretty fair price for the added benefits of being more compact, weather resistent, and not a Sigma.

09-20-2010, 06:29 PM	#139
Clarkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,456	Originally posted by HeavyD Photography Review has the price being $529. For that price I could get a Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM or a nice used DA* 50-135mm. $529 is to much, the Sigma 18-125mm HSM is only $300. Pentax smc DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Zoom Lens \| Camera News & Reviews Weather sealing is a unique feature on this zoom range, to be honest I was expecting around $600 USD. Point taken though, I think Sigma has really upped their ante with this years releases/value. Originally posted by Jend Considering that lenses such as the DA 40mm Limited retails for $500, and sells for $330 from B&H, it won't take long for this lens to be selling for around the $375 neighborhood. I think that is a pretty fair price for the added benefits of being more compact, weather resistent, and not a Sigma. Agreed, I've noted all of the street prices have been slowly creeping back down after the ridiculous list price increases at the beginning of 2009. Still, I don't think we are going to see (using your example) the 40mm at ~$230 US again. The rising yen has taken care of that (even though the lenses are now made in Vietnam). Last edited by Clarkey; 09-20-2010 at 06:29 PM. Reason: putting things in the right place.....

09-20-2010, 06:34 PM	#140
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	So nobody knows if DC is faster than SDM or faster than Canon's or Nikon's version?

09-20-2010, 06:45 PM	#141
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Not until someone actually uses it.

09-20-2010, 07:33 PM	#142
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Originally posted by Clarkey Weather sealing is a unique feature on this zoom range, to be honest I was expecting around $600 USD. Point taken though, I think Sigma has really upped their ante with this years releases/value. Very true. This could be a great hiking set up 18-135 plus K7/5. Light, weather sealed in a package other than point and shoot -- something that is pretty unique for Pentax as compared to the other major players.

09-21-2010, 12:24 AM	#143
Lampo Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Leiden Posts: 59	I do not know whether someone has already post this pic of a fully extended 18-135:

09-21-2010, 12:41 AM	#144
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	Originally posted by Stringmike ..as already discussed may be Pentax's answer to a simple direct electric drive focusing motor. It does not operate at ultrasonic frequencies but from the patent appears to use pulsed direct current (DC). The design drives the focus ring by magnetic coupling and is mechanically very simple. The electronic drive circuitry is also lower voltage and simpler than those used for ultrasonic motors. My guess would be that the poor reliability of SDM has given Pentax an incentive to go with a new design. Mike So, if the new patent uses pulsed DC curent, then this lens might be the first with the new drive. Or, it is just a DC micro motor (like all other SDM lenses I understand), and the DC code is not to indicate a new drive, but a revamped micro motor drvie. Maybe Pentax is going to start using true ultrasonic ring motors. These use high frequency AC current. So maybe we will see AC SDM lenses for the true ring motors, and DC SDM lenses for the micro motors. Either way, Pentax has, or is changing the SDM drive system. Someone needs to take a lens apart and tell us what they find inside. I nominate Falk, as he is at Photokina.

09-21-2010, 12:43 AM	#145
janneman Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 908	Originally posted by fzwo It certainly is not the same construction as the Tokina. About the focus motor: Yes, unfortunate name choice. . Come on, it is not a bad effort by a company with brought us DSLR's like ist. istD, *istDs....

09-21-2010, 12:44 AM	#146
janneman Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 908	Originally posted by KungPOW So, if the new patent uses pulsed DC curent, then this lens might be the first with the new drive. Or, it is just a DC micro motor (like all other SDM lenses I understand), and the DC code is not to indicate a new drive, but a revamped micro motor drvie. Maybe Pentax is going to start using true ultrasonic ring motors. These use high frequency AC current. So maybe we will see AC SDM lenses for the true ring motors, and DC SDM lenses for the micro motors. Either way, Pentax has, or is changing the SDM drive system. Someone needs to take a lens apart and tell us what they find inside. I nominate Falk, as he is at Photokina. The ring motor patent was from december 2009, I very much doubt if it could already be implemented

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09-21-2010, 12:46 AM	#147
Gimbal Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,106	Originally posted by zackspeed new motordesign. dc motor like in patent,but without the old af gear. ROTARY ACTUATOR That patent does not describe a Direct Current (DC)-motor. A direct current motor runs on direct current, the one described in the patent needs alternating phases or pulses to run. A DC-motor is usually found in the cheapest of toys. So it's probably a new micromotor with a new name to differentiate it from the old ones. Nothing fancy at all.

09-21-2010, 12:47 AM	#148
janneman Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 908	Originally posted by Rondec Very true. This could be a great hiking set up 18-135 plus K7/5. Light, weather sealed in a package other than point and shoot -- something that is pretty unique for Pentax as compared to the other major players. K-5 may be priced a bit high but the K-5 + 18-135 combo is very nice priced considering what other brands ask

09-21-2010, 01:50 AM	#149
Steelski Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Varna Posts: 470	Originally posted by Gimbal That patent does not describe a Direct Current (DC)-motor. A direct current motor runs on direct current, the one described in the patent needs alternating phases or pulses to run. A DC-motor is usually found in the cheapest of toys. So it's probably a new micromotor with a new name to differentiate it from the old ones. Nothing fancy at all. I think you need to read the patent. It talks about DC motor. page 12!!!

09-21-2010, 02:00 AM	#150
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	Perhaps Pentax wants to avoid the term SDM, because it carries very negative connotations in the Pentax community and rightly so.