DA* 16-50mm after SDM replacement

jbriginshawphotograp · 02-25-2016, 08:18 PM

I was hoping to hear from people who have sent SDM lenses away for repair to replace the motor. Even better would be to hear from someone who sent away their DA* 16-50mm. I got a quote and gave the go ahead to have the repair done. It's not a cheap fix, but I love this lens when it's working.

I want to know if people have found that the fix has been long-lasting, and that hopefully it runs like it is brand new, or even better. What I am hoping not to hear though is people reporting that the SDM has broken down again after the repair.

Thanks!

LeDave · 02-25-2016, 08:21 PM

Mine has been partially failing but I am able to make it work like it should.

jbriginshawphotograp · 02-25-2016, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by LeDave

Mine has been partially failing but I am able to make it work like it should.

When did you have yours repaired? How long was it working until it began to fail again?

LeDave · 02-25-2016, 08:27 PM

Originally posted by jbriginshawphotograp

When did you have yours repaired? How long was it working until it began to fail again?

I just hold down the AF button for 5 seconds and then release, press down the AF button for another 5 seconds, and again, again, keep continuing for as long as several minutes or until it starts to run again.

If that doesn't work, then you'll have to resort to a more complicated way, https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/300459-foun...-failures.html

jbriginshawphotograp · 02-25-2016, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by LeDave

I just hold down the AF button for 5 seconds and then release, press down the AF button for another 5 seconds, and again, again, keep continuing for as long as several minutes or until it starts to run again.

If that doesn't work, then you'll have to resort to a more complicated way, https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/300459-foun...-failures.html

Right - That's sort of what I had been doing. Can you confirm then that you have never had it sent away for repair?

LeDave · 02-25-2016, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by jbriginshawphotograp

Right - That's sort of what I had been doing. Can you confirm then that you have never had it sent away for repair?

I've never had to get it repaired. If it ever dies entirely, but I doubt it. - I'm going to have it screw-driven if ever in-case. I've been using the AF button method and it works every time, so no need for repairs or screw-drive focusing. In fact my 16-50 is starting to reanimate, it's been working again without having to do any reviving methods. Only problem now is that it squeeks like a mouse.

Rudy · 02-25-2016, 08:55 PM

My 16-50 got a new SDM in JUne 2014 and it continues to work as new since then.

rdj92807 · 02-25-2016, 11:23 PM

When my SDM starting acting up, I converted my 16-50 to screwdrive and love it. Never have to worry again and it focuses very fast, accurately with surprisingly little noise. Honestly, it doesn't need SDM in my opinion. Would have been a better lens without it. My advice, convert it and forget it.

**clackers** · 02-26-2016, 01:50 AM

Eric Hendrickson says he's never had a replaced SDM come back to him, FWIW.

waterfall · 02-26-2016, 07:43 AM

I had KEH replace the SDM on my DA*200 over 6 months ago. No problems and hundreds of shots have been taken since the repair.

**wtlwdwgn** · 02-26-2016, 08:20 AM

Unfortunately Precision doesn't tell us what they replaced. It may well be something other than the motor. My 16-50 was repaired by them in April 2015 and failed again in December 2015. Before the first repair the lens was fine for 7 seven years. I'm hoping this repair will last a little longer. If it fails again I'm going to ask for a new lens as three strikes and you're out.

johnmflores · 02-26-2016, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Unfortunately Precision doesn't tell us what they replaced. It may well be something other than the motor. My 16-50 was repaired by them in April 2015 and failed again in December 2015. Before the first repair the lens was fine for 7 seven years. I'm hoping this repair will last a little longer. If it fails again I'm going to ask for a new lens as three strikes and you're out.

I've got a similar story. Try this.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/300459-foun...ml#post3548232

It brought my 16-50 back to life. It's now a zombie lens!

Driline · 02-26-2016, 11:08 AM

Sent my 16-50 to pentax Canada for SDM replacement. Worked great after repair. Sold it after 8 months to fund a da 200.

jbriginshawphotograp · 02-26-2016, 11:21 AM

Thanks for all of the thoughts everyone! You have left me optimistic about my decision to have it repaired. Do you end up with a warranty of sorts on the repaired part? Like if it shuts down on my again after 2 months, will they take it back for a free repair?

**wtlwdwgn** · 02-26-2016, 11:47 AM

Precision's repair warranty is 6 months.

02-25-2016, 08:18 PM	#1
jbriginshawphotograp Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 99	*DA 16-50mm after SDM replacement** I was hoping to hear from people who have sent SDM lenses away for repair to replace the motor. Even better would be to hear from someone who sent away their DA* 16-50mm. I got a quote and gave the go ahead to have the repair done. It's not a cheap fix, but I love this lens when it's working. I want to know if people have found that the fix has been long-lasting, and that hopefully it runs like it is brand new, or even better. What I am hoping not to hear though is people reporting that the SDM has broken down again after the repair. Thanks!

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02-25-2016, 08:21 PM	#2
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Mine has been partially failing but I am able to make it work like it should.

02-25-2016, 08:24 PM	#3
jbriginshawphotograp Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 99 Original Poster	Originally posted by LeDave Mine has been partially failing but I am able to make it work like it should. When did you have yours repaired? How long was it working until it began to fail again?

02-25-2016, 08:27 PM	#4
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Originally posted by jbriginshawphotograp When did you have yours repaired? How long was it working until it began to fail again? I just hold down the AF button for 5 seconds and then release, press down the AF button for another 5 seconds, and again, again, keep continuing for as long as several minutes or until it starts to run again. If that doesn't work, then you'll have to resort to a more complicated way, https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/300459-foun...-failures.html

02-25-2016, 08:34 PM	#5
jbriginshawphotograp Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 99 Original Poster	Originally posted by LeDave I just hold down the AF button for 5 seconds and then release, press down the AF button for another 5 seconds, and again, again, keep continuing for as long as several minutes or until it starts to run again. If that doesn't work, then you'll have to resort to a more complicated way, https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/300459-foun...-failures.html Right - That's sort of what I had been doing. Can you confirm then that you have never had it sent away for repair?

02-25-2016, 08:38 PM	#6
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Originally posted by jbriginshawphotograp Right - That's sort of what I had been doing. Can you confirm then that you have never had it sent away for repair? I've never had to get it repaired. If it ever dies entirely, but I doubt it. - I'm going to have it screw-driven if ever in-case. I've been using the AF button method and it works every time, so no need for repairs or screw-drive focusing. In fact my 16-50 is starting to reanimate, it's been working again without having to do any reviving methods. Only problem now is that it squeeks like a mouse.

02-25-2016, 08:55 PM	#7
Rudy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 109	My 16-50 got a new SDM in JUne 2014 and it continues to work as new since then.

02-25-2016, 11:23 PM	#8
rdj92807 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 97	When my SDM starting acting up, I converted my 16-50 to screwdrive and love it. Never have to worry again and it focuses very fast, accurately with surprisingly little noise. Honestly, it doesn't need SDM in my opinion. Would have been a better lens without it. My advice, convert it and forget it.

02-26-2016, 01:50 AM	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Eric Hendrickson says he's never had a replaced SDM come back to him, FWIW.

02-26-2016, 07:43 AM	#10
waterfall Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,812	I had KEH replace the SDM on my DA*200 over 6 months ago. No problems and hundreds of shots have been taken since the repair.

02-26-2016, 08:20 AM	#11
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,846	Unfortunately Precision doesn't tell us what they replaced. It may well be something other than the motor. My 16-50 was repaired by them in April 2015 and failed again in December 2015. Before the first repair the lens was fine for 7 seven years. I'm hoping this repair will last a little longer. If it fails again I'm going to ask for a new lens as three strikes and you're out.

02-26-2016, 11:08 AM	#12
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Unfortunately Precision doesn't tell us what they replaced. It may well be something other than the motor. My 16-50 was repaired by them in April 2015 and failed again in December 2015. Before the first repair the lens was fine for 7 seven years. I'm hoping this repair will last a little longer. If it fails again I'm going to ask for a new lens as three strikes and you're out. I've got a similar story. Try this. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/300459-foun...ml#post3548232 It brought my 16-50 back to life. It's now a zombie lens!

02-26-2016, 11:08 AM	#13
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	Sent my 16-50 to pentax Canada for SDM replacement. Worked great after repair. Sold it after 8 months to fund a da 200.

02-26-2016, 11:21 AM	#14
jbriginshawphotograp Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 99 Original Poster	Thanks for all of the thoughts everyone! You have left me optimistic about my decision to have it repaired. Do you end up with a warranty of sorts on the repaired part? Like if it shuts down on my again after 2 months, will they take it back for a free repair?

02-26-2016, 11:47 AM	#15
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,846	Precision's repair warranty is 6 months.