repair of 60-250 lens

wgosma · 07-21-2016, 04:27 PM

Folks,
I have a DA Series lens and the auto-focus function seems to have about ceased operation....I presume there is a small motor in the lens that is shot (?).

Can you advise options on how to have this repaired? Is this a user DIY kind of thing for a person who is mechanically proficient, etc.?

Thanks/Bill

**jatrax** · 07-21-2016, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by wgosma

Is this a user DIY kind of thing for a person who is mechanically proficient, etc.?

Assuming it is the SDM focusing motor that has gone then, no. Pentax will not sell you the part. Loss of the SDM motor on the DA 60-250 has been quite rare compared to the DA*16-50 but it has occurred. The only option is to send it in for repair.

In the USA Precision Camera Repair is the warranty repair service. However, some other shops will repair out of warranty. KEH has been advertising this lately.

There is a sticky at the top of the forum you posted in listing the available repair shops: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/189-repairs-warranty-service/316284-penta...e-listing.html

**jatrax** · 07-21-2016, 04:39 PM

Originally posted by dcshooter

Not sure if the 60-250mm is one that can be modded,

Not that anyone has found that I know of. Someone on the forum Uncle Vanya maybe?? has been offering 16-50 conversion but I saw him post last week or so that no 60-250 conversion was possible yet.

jddwoods · 07-21-2016, 05:15 PM - **1 Like**

Was the lens sitting unused for a long time? I have noticed, and others as well, that if the SDM sits a long time unused it may appear to be dead. I have a DA 17 - 70 and DA* 200 and both will appear completely dead if I haven't used them for while. What I do is turn the camera on and not try to focus for about 2 minutes. I am told that this recharges a capacitor inside the lens. If this does not get the SDM working I use quick shift on about 2 or 3 pictures. By this point both lenses, if the SDM was initially balking will start working fine. Several times I was ready to send them off for repairs, thinking the SDM was really dead, but they came back to life. I use or at least exercise the DA* 200 once every 2 months and the DA 17 - 70 every 2 weeks and this keeps the SDM motors up and working every time I use both lenses.
I hope this may be of help. Maybe I was just lucky but I have had both lenses for more than 5 years and never need to repair either one.

Adam · 07-21-2016, 05:50 PM

I'd recommend getting the lens repaired at Precision. Shouldn't be too expensive given its value.

Bob from Aus · 07-21-2016, 06:39 PM

Before you run off for a repair, I had trouble with mine. Cleaning the contacts on the lens may have fixed my problem. To early to tell.

**j5m** · 07-21-2016, 07:28 PM

Originally posted by wgosma

Folks,
I have a DA Series lens and the auto-focus function seems to have about ceased operation....I presume there is a small motor in the lens that is shot (?).

Can you advise options on how to have this repaired? Is this a user DIY kind of thing for a person who is mechanically proficient, etc.?

Thanks/Bill

i had the same problem with my 60-250 lens last summer. I eventually had to send it to a repair shop in Toronto where it got fixed for $CDN 250. Works fine now.

Wheatfield · 07-31-2016, 08:20 AM

Originally posted by wgosma

Folks,
I have a DA Series lens and the auto-focus function seems to have about ceased operation....I presume there is a small motor in the lens that is shot (?).

Can you advise options on how to have this repaired? Is this a user DIY kind of thing for a person who is mechanically proficient, etc.?

Thanks/Bill

This is not a user repairable part. I had a 60-250 that earned itself an all expenses paid trip back to the factory in Japan to replace it's SDM motor back in 2010 or so. I sold it to a member of this forum a short time ago, and the AF was DOA. I'm covering that expense for him because it's the right thing to do, but it isn't being a cheap repair.
My understanding of the SDM mechanism is it needs to be used frequently to keep working. My 60-250 would sit in the bag unused for months at a time. In the 7 years I owned it, it was used for just over 1200 images, most of which were taken over a couple of days.

wgosma · 07-31-2016, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by jddwoods

Was the lens sitting unused for a long time? I have noticed, and others as well, that if the SDM sits a long time unused it may appear to be dead. I have a DA 17 - 70 and DA* 200 and both will appear completely dead if I haven't used them for while. What I do is turn the camera on and not try to focus for about 2 minutes. I am told that this recharges a capacitor inside the lens. If this does not get the SDM working I use quick shift on about 2 or 3 pictures. By this point both lenses, if the SDM was initially balking will start working fine. Several times I was ready to send them off for repairs, thinking the SDM was really dead, but they came back to life. I use or at least exercise the DA* 200 once every 2 months and the DA 17 - 70 every 2 weeks and this keeps the SDM motors up and working every time I use both lenses.
I hope this may be of help. Maybe I was just lucky but I have had both lenses for more than 5 years and never need to repair either one.

Yes, it has sat in the bag unused for quite some time. I've seen this occur before, the motor seems to 'hesitate' to want to drive the system. Until recently if I did try to use autofocus the functionality would eventually 'kick in' and work but not it seems that nothing is happening, I can't sense that the motor is 'trying' to work when I partially depress the shutter release. Disappointing, and to some extent I wonder if it's worth the cost of repair? Reliability going forward does not seem encouraging.

Any add'l advice? Thanks/Bill

Cambo · 08-02-2016, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by wgosma

Folks,
I have a DA Series lens and the auto-focus function seems to have about ceased operation....I presume there is a small motor in the lens that is shot (?).

Can you advise options on how to have this repaired? Is this a user DIY kind of thing for a person who is mechanically proficient, etc.?

Thanks/Bill

focus TOTALLY locking up - won't even manual focus. Then sometimes it's fine. I put it on a K1, worked great, worked great on my K3ii briefly, as soon as I got it hoe it's bricked. This sucks.

Cheers,
Cameron

Benherbst · 08-03-2016, 06:56 AM

I bought Wheatfield's 60-250mm off this forum. The SDM was hesitant at first, and then after 2-3 days completely stopped working. I tried the "recharging" method by rotating the autofocus ring back and forth while half depressing the shutter release.

It worked half a day and stopped again. My understanding is that it is a capacitor that slowly discharges over time, hence it needing to be used often.

Also, one cannot convert to screwdrive as of yet, no one has done it successfully. Only the 16-50 and 50-135 can be converted I believe.

So you can have it repaired at a substantial cost or leave it to use manually.

I'm actually quite irritated by Ricoh in this regard, in my situation this is the second time the SDM has failed and Ricoh is offering no discount/apologies. I am lucky enough that Wheatfield is being so gracious. Ricoh needs to improve their aftersales support, otherwise they will start to lose their small but loyal support base.

**Yoda boy** · 08-03-2016, 03:48 PM

After 3 years, the SDM went on mine. Would not work in Manual either. Fixed at Canadian warranty depot for $300 CDN. Replaced with a new version of the SDM. Most of the cost was labor. Seems fine now after 4 months.

**pearsaab** · 08-10-2016, 07:29 AM

just repaired my husband's 60-250 sdm...sent to keh...took about 2 weeks and $250 plus us shipping to them...happy with service and lens works great

**Yoda boy** · 08-11-2016, 04:09 PM

Thanks for sharing this info.

Originally posted by jddwoods

Was the lens sitting unused for a long time? I have noticed, and others as well, that if the SDM sits a long time unused it may appear to be dead. I have a DA 17 - 70 and DA* 200 and both will appear completely dead if I haven't used them for while. What I do is turn the camera on and not try to focus for about 2 minutes. I am told that this recharges a capacitor inside the lens. If this does not get the SDM working I use quick shift on about 2 or 3 pictures. By this point both lenses, if the SDM was initially balking will start working fine. Several times I was ready to send them off for repairs, thinking the SDM was really dead, but they came back to life. I use or at least exercise the DA* 200 once every 2 months and the DA 17 - 70 every 2 weeks and this keeps the SDM motors up and working every time I use both lenses.
I hope this may be of help. Maybe I was just lucky but I have had both lenses for more than 5 years and never need to repair either one.

Kameraten · 07-06-2018, 06:36 AM

Resurrecting an old thread because I found this really valuable piece of advice on reviving an SDM lens – in minutes, at no cost. Mind you, sending the lens in for repairs don't always do the trick: been there, done that. But this did it for my 60-250:
Re: Shifted picture on portrait - what I see is not what I get: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

07-21-2016, 04:27 PM	#1
wgosma Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 128	repair of 60-250 lens Folks, I have a DA Series lens and the auto-focus function seems to have about ceased operation....I presume there is a small motor in the lens that is shot (?). Can you advise options on how to have this repaired? Is this a user DIY kind of thing for a person who is mechanically proficient, etc.? Thanks/Bill

07-21-2016, 05:50 PM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,435	I'd recommend getting the lens repaired at Precision. Shouldn't be too expensive given its value. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

08-02-2016, 05:21 PM	#10
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	Mine has the dreaded SDM Failure... Originally posted by wgosma Folks, I have a DA Series lens and the auto-focus function seems to have about ceased operation....I presume there is a small motor in the lens that is shot (?). Can you advise options on how to have this repaired? Is this a user DIY kind of thing for a person who is mechanically proficient, etc.? Thanks/Bill focus TOTALLY locking up - won't even manual focus. Then sometimes it's fine. I put it on a K1, worked great, worked great on my K3ii briefly, as soon as I got it hoe it's bricked. This sucks. Cheers, Cameron

08-03-2016, 03:48 PM	#12
Yoda boy Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Central Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 139	*DA 60-250 SDM repair** After 3 years, the SDM went on mine. Would not work in Manual either. Fixed at Canadian warranty depot for $300 CDN. Replaced with a new version of the SDM. Most of the cost was labor. Seems fine now after 4 months.

08-11-2016, 04:09 PM	#14
Yoda boy Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Central Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 139	*SDM on DA 60-250 Thanks for sharing** Thanks for sharing this info. Originally posted by jddwoods Was the lens sitting unused for a long time? I have noticed, and others as well, that if the SDM sits a long time unused it may appear to be dead. I have a DA 17 - 70 and DA* 200 and both will appear completely dead if I haven't used them for while. What I do is turn the camera on and not try to focus for about 2 minutes. I am told that this recharges a capacitor inside the lens. If this does not get the SDM working I use quick shift on about 2 or 3 pictures. By this point both lenses, if the SDM was initially balking will start working fine. Several times I was ready to send them off for repairs, thinking the SDM was really dead, but they came back to life. I use or at least exercise the DA* 200 once every 2 months and the DA 17 - 70 every 2 weeks and this keeps the SDM motors up and working every time I use both lenses. I hope this may be of help. Maybe I was just lucky but I have had both lenses for more than 5 years and never need to repair either one.

07-21-2016, 04:37 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by wgosma Is this a user DIY kind of thing for a person who is mechanically proficient, etc.? Assuming it is the SDM focusing motor that has gone then, no. Pentax will not sell you the part. Loss of the SDM motor on the DA 60-250 has been quite rare compared to the DA*16-50 but it has occurred. The only option is to send it in for repair. In the USA Precision Camera Repair is the warranty repair service. However, some other shops will repair out of warranty. KEH has been advertising this lately. There is a sticky at the top of the forum you posted in listing the available repair shops: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/189-repairs-warranty-service/316284-penta...e-listing.html

07-21-2016, 04:39 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by dcshooter Not sure if the 60-250mm is one that can be modded, Not that anyone has found that I know of. Someone on the forum Uncle Vanya maybe?? has been offering 16-50 conversion but I saw him post last week or so that no 60-250 conversion was possible yet.

07-21-2016, 05:15 PM - 1 Like	#4
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,034	Was the lens sitting unused for a long time? I have noticed, and others as well, that if the SDM sits a long time unused it may appear to be dead. I have a DA 17 - 70 and DA* 200 and both will appear completely dead if I haven't used them for while. What I do is turn the camera on and not try to focus for about 2 minutes. I am told that this recharges a capacitor inside the lens. If this does not get the SDM working I use quick shift on about 2 or 3 pictures. By this point both lenses, if the SDM was initially balking will start working fine. Several times I was ready to send them off for repairs, thinking the SDM was really dead, but they came back to life. I use or at least exercise the DA* 200 once every 2 months and the DA 17 - 70 every 2 weeks and this keeps the SDM motors up and working every time I use both lenses. I hope this may be of help. Maybe I was just lucky but I have had both lenses for more than 5 years and never need to repair either one.

07-21-2016, 06:39 PM	#6
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	Before you run off for a repair, I had trouble with mine. Cleaning the contacts on the lens may have fixed my problem. To early to tell.

07-21-2016, 07:28 PM	#7
j5m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 39	Originally posted by wgosma Folks, I have a DA Series lens and the auto-focus function seems to have about ceased operation....I presume there is a small motor in the lens that is shot (?). Can you advise options on how to have this repaired? Is this a user DIY kind of thing for a person who is mechanically proficient, etc.? Thanks/Bill i had the same problem with my 60-250 lens last summer. I eventually had to send it to a repair shop in Toronto where it got fixed for $CDN 250. Works fine now.

07-31-2016, 08:20 AM	#8
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,604	Originally posted by wgosma Folks, I have a DA Series lens and the auto-focus function seems to have about ceased operation....I presume there is a small motor in the lens that is shot (?). Can you advise options on how to have this repaired? Is this a user DIY kind of thing for a person who is mechanically proficient, etc.? Thanks/Bill This is not a user repairable part. I had a 60-250 that earned itself an all expenses paid trip back to the factory in Japan to replace it's SDM motor back in 2010 or so. I sold it to a member of this forum a short time ago, and the AF was DOA. I'm covering that expense for him because it's the right thing to do, but it isn't being a cheap repair. My understanding of the SDM mechanism is it needs to be used frequently to keep working. My 60-250 would sit in the bag unused for months at a time. In the 7 years I owned it, it was used for just over 1200 images, most of which were taken over a couple of days.

07-31-2016, 09:28 AM	#9
wgosma Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 128 Original Poster	Originally posted by jddwoods Was the lens sitting unused for a long time? I have noticed, and others as well, that if the SDM sits a long time unused it may appear to be dead. I have a DA 17 - 70 and DA* 200 and both will appear completely dead if I haven't used them for while. What I do is turn the camera on and not try to focus for about 2 minutes. I am told that this recharges a capacitor inside the lens. If this does not get the SDM working I use quick shift on about 2 or 3 pictures. By this point both lenses, if the SDM was initially balking will start working fine. Several times I was ready to send them off for repairs, thinking the SDM was really dead, but they came back to life. I use or at least exercise the DA* 200 once every 2 months and the DA 17 - 70 every 2 weeks and this keeps the SDM motors up and working every time I use both lenses. I hope this may be of help. Maybe I was just lucky but I have had both lenses for more than 5 years and never need to repair either one. Yes, it has sat in the bag unused for quite some time. I've seen this occur before, the motor seems to 'hesitate' to want to drive the system. Until recently if I did try to use autofocus the functionality would eventually 'kick in' and work but not it seems that nothing is happening, I can't sense that the motor is 'trying' to work when I partially depress the shutter release. Disappointing, and to some extent I wonder if it's worth the cost of repair? Reliability going forward does not seem encouraging. Any add'l advice? Thanks/Bill

08-03-2016, 06:56 AM	#11
Benherbst New Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 3	I bought Wheatfield's 60-250mm off this forum. The SDM was hesitant at first, and then after 2-3 days completely stopped working. I tried the "recharging" method by rotating the autofocus ring back and forth while half depressing the shutter release. It worked half a day and stopped again. My understanding is that it is a capacitor that slowly discharges over time, hence it needing to be used often. Also, one cannot convert to screwdrive as of yet, no one has done it successfully. Only the 16-50 and 50-135 can be converted I believe. So you can have it repaired at a substantial cost or leave it to use manually. I'm actually quite irritated by Ricoh in this regard, in my situation this is the second time the SDM has failed and Ricoh is offering no discount/apologies. I am lucky enough that Wheatfield is being so gracious. Ricoh needs to improve their aftersales support, otherwise they will start to lose their small but loyal support base.

08-10-2016, 07:29 AM	#13
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	just repaired my husband's 60-250 sdm...sent to keh...took about 2 weeks and $250 plus us shipping to them...happy with service and lens works great

07-06-2018, 06:36 AM	#15
Kameraten Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 214	Resurrecting an old thread because I found this really valuable piece of advice on reviving an SDM lens – in minutes, at no cost. Mind you, sending the lens in for repairs don't always do the trick: been there, done that. But this did it for my 60-250: Re: Shifted picture on portrait - what I see is not what I get: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

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