For Sale: SDM to Screwdrive Conversions

**For Sale**: SDM to Screwdrive Conversions · 07:27 PM

I am not home. Do not ship to my home at this time. Contact me for alternate arrangements.

PentaxForums.com Marketplace Listing

Item for Sale
SDM to Screwdrive Conversions

Asking Price
45.00 USD

Item Location
Mint Hill, NC (United States)

Item Description
As a service to fellow Pentax Forum users and with special permission from Adam I am happy to announce that I am available to convert failed SDM lenses to Screwdrive. I am only charging $45 at this time for lenses that I know how to convert. This is merely to cover my time and effort involved in tracking and sending packages and the time required to perform the conversion. The actual conversion is not hard and I encourage those willing to do this for themselves to do so but for those who want a bit of help - I'm offering this service.

The service includes:
Test Lens prior to conversion to verify that screwdrive is functional.
Backup LENSEEP.LNS file as is.
Modify a copy of this file to have screwdrive configuration.
Load modified file into the lens and test on an SDM capable body.
Return lens postage paid by owner.

Optionally: Email backup and modified files to the owner.

I have successfully converted all of these lenses:
DA* 16-50
DA* 50-135
DA* 200
DA* 300

I am unable to convert the DA* 60-250. There are no known methods for this conversion since the method that works for the other lenses is unreliable on this lens.

An example converted 16-50:

Please NOTE Lenses shipped to me without insurance that are lost are not my responsibility. I strongly suggest using a method with tracking and insurance but that is entirely up to you. My return postage will be based on your explicit instructions and I will not be responsible for lost items. I encourage the use of tracking and insurance.

I STRONGLY recommend that you include a letter inside the package identifying your Pentax Forums ID, the email you wish to be billed at and a contact phone number as well as full address. Ideally the letter should contain your address and mine just in case the label is lost for any reason. Finally if you include your postage instructions (insurance amount, signature required) it will make it easier. You should include not only an email for contact but also the specific email for me to send a paypal invoice to for payment.

Shipping Destinations
United States (Others considered on request)

Shipping Charge
Paid by Lens Owner

Shipping Services
USPS, UPS

Accepted Payment Types
PayPal

Return Policy & Additional Details
If I am unable to convert the lens I will not charge for the service. Lens owner is still responsible for return shipping.

Please send me a private message if interested in the service!

In Canada fozzfoster is offering a similar service: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/456045-sa...ns-canada.html

les3547 · 01-11-2016, 08:32 PM

Very nice. Thank you for offering such a great service. My 60-250 still works fine, but I'd like to know if/when you feel confident to tackle it because of expectations I have that I'll need help in the future.

j0n4hpk · 01-11-2016, 09:06 PM

If I ever get an SDM lens as a fixer special, I'll contact you.

**UncleVanya** · 01-11-2016, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by j0n4hpk

If I ever get an SDM lens as a fixer special, I'll contact you.

Happy to help. There is a good bit of info on how to do it. I just have the easy to use k100d and I'm happy to help those unable to navigate around the menus or a computer.

wibbly · 01-11-2016, 11:35 PM

Originally posted by les3547

Very nice. Thank you for offering such a great service. My 60-250 still works fine, but I'd like to know if/when you feel confident to tackle it because of expectations I have that I'll need help in the future.

nobody has successfully converted a 60-250 yet as far as i can tell from reading on these boards. it also doesn't seem to be a high failure rate lens

**UncleVanya** · 01-12-2016, 12:35 AM

Originally posted by wibbly

nobody has successfully converted a 60-250 yet as far as i can tell from reading on these boards. it also doesn't seem to be a high failure rate lens

I think you are correct on both counts.

**Pepe Guitarra** · 01-12-2016, 06:46 AM

Great service, thank you. BTW, my DA300/4 works marvelously, has it gone bad with others? The SDM is the great advantage of that lens.

ChatMechant · 01-12-2016, 10:42 AM

Originally posted by Pepe Guitarra

Great service, thank you. BTW, my DA300/4 works marvelously, has it gone bad with others? The SDM is the great advantage of that lens.

My DA300 sdm failed. Successfully converted to screwdrive thanks to UncleVanya. It works great and is surprisingly quiet.
One of the nice things about Pentax SDM lenses. My dad's Nikon 18-200 focus motor failed and there is no option to convert it to screwdrive.

GlennG · 01-12-2016, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

As a service to fellow Pentax Forum users and with special permission from Adam I am happy to announce that I am available to convert failed SDM lenses to Screwdrive. I am only charging $25 at this time for lenses that I know how to convert.

Thanks, Uncle. I may take you up on that at some point, since I have both the 16-50 and 50-135. I also have a K100d (S version) and may attempt the conversion myself if need be. I agree with you that there appears to be a good number of references here on how to do the conversion.

**UncleVanya** · 01-12-2016, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by GlennG

Thanks, Uncle. I may take you up on that at some point, since I have both the 16-50 and 50-135. I also have a K100d (S version) and may attempt the conversion myself if need be. I agree with you that there appears to be a good number of references here on how to do the conversion.

Funny story. I have a K100D Super. I bought the K100D after futzing about trying to get the K100D Super to work. There was a tiny mistake in the instructions - had I known I would not have needed to buy the K100D. Sigh. But on the plus side, having the K100D allows me to mount a lens with dead SDM and before doing any conversion work validate that it is working with screw drive and there isn't something more wrong with it.

If you need help with the K100D Super I think I have notes that tell me how to use it as a backup to my K100D. I'm happy to share. I'm offering this as a service and I have no intention of holding back knowledge. If anyone needs some advice we have several confusing but comprehensive threads. I still dream about putting together an article summarizing all of the info into an easier to consume resource. But for now - I'll offer my service and help anyone in need.

GlennG · 01-12-2016, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

If you need help with the K100D Super I think I have notes that tell me how to use it as a backup to my K100D. I'm happy to share.

Hey, thanks! As far as their use to convert the SDM to screw drive, I thought they just behaved the same.....guess there is a difference.

**clackers** · 01-12-2016, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by GlennG

Thanks, Uncle. I may take you up on that at some point, since I have both the 16-50 and 50-135. I also have a K100d (S version) and may attempt the conversion myself if need be. I agree with you that there appears to be a good number of references here on how to do the conversion.

Back up your files before modifying them, Glenn, UncleVanya won't be able to help you if they're borked.

**UncleVanya** · 01-12-2016, 09:16 PM

Here's my basic process:

Test lens on K100D to be sure it works.
Get into Debug mode on K100D
Backup LENSEEP.LNS from damaged lens.
Shut off camera, move SD card to laptop.
Copy and rename file so that you end up with a copy on the laptop named Original with lens info and serial number and a copy named similarly on the sd card.
Create another copy on the laptop for editing named ScrewDrive etc.
Edit this screwdrive file and make appropriate changes (I used *.txt extension and notepad for this but many other ways work)
Save the file and then put a copy of the new file on the SD card named LENSEEP.LNS
Repeat steps to get card in camera and camera in debug mode.
Load file to lens.
Shut down camera.
Move lens to K3, test.

An example set of file names on my laptop might be "50-135_SNxxxxxxxxxx_Original.LNS" and "50-135_SNxxxxxxxxxx_ScrewDrive.LNS"

mee · 01-12-2016, 09:40 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Back up your files before modifying them, Glenn, UncleVanya won't be able to help you if they're borked.

I think the only difference in the LENSEEP file is changing 80 to FF or vice versa in the same respective column.. so it seems like it wouldn't be TOO difficult to help even if one didnt have the backup so long as they didn't modify any other portions of the LENSEEP data. That said, obviously the wise decision is to BACKUP and I'd do so both on an SD card and on the hard drive.

I actually have a dedicated SD card for this with different folders to make it neat.. and it is really really easy to do once you get the hang of the process.

**UncleVanya** · 01-12-2016, 10:16 PM

Originally posted by mee

I think the only difference in the LENSEEP file is changing 80 to FF or vice versa in the same respective column.. so it seems like it wouldn't be TOO difficult to help even if one didnt have the backup so long as they didn't modify any other portions of the LENSEEP data. That said, obviously the wise decision is to BACKUP and I'd do so both on an SD card and on the hard drive.

I actually have a dedicated SD card for this with different folders to make it neat.. and it is really really easy to do once you get the hang of the process.

Did you mean C0 to 80 or did you really use FF? All the instructions I have found change C0 to 80 not FF.

UncleVanya
	View full profile
	Contact via private message
	Find other posts by UncleVanya
	Find threads started by UncleVanya
	Find threads in which UncleVanya has posted

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM converted to screwdrive	transam879	Sold Items	4	04-08-2015 09:22 AM
Modifiying lens EPROM to desactivate SDM and use screwdrive :D	aurele	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	12-21-2012 06:22 PM
SDM failure in body without default to screwdrive?	kxr4trids	Pentax DSLR Discussion	8	08-14-2010 06:41 AM
K20D defaulting to screwdrive focus instead of SDM	shemj	Pentax DSLR Discussion	15	01-26-2010 04:22 PM
SDM vs. screwdrive	SylBer	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	10-23-2009 02:03 AM

01-11-2016, 08:32 PM	#2
les3547 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sebastopol, California Posts: 2,020 Feedback Score: 28 (100%)	Very nice. Thank you for offering such a great service. My 60-250 still works fine, but I'd like to know if/when you feel confident to tackle it because of expectations I have that I'll need help in the future.

01-11-2016, 09:06 PM	#3
j0n4hpk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 293 Feedback Score: 0 (0%)	If I ever get an SDM lens as a fixer special, I'll contact you.

01-11-2016, 09:12 PM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 28,401 Feedback Score: 44 (100%) Original Poster	Originally posted by j0n4hpk If I ever get an SDM lens as a fixer special, I'll contact you. Happy to help. There is a good bit of info on how to do it. I just have the easy to use k100d and I'm happy to help those unable to navigate around the menus or a computer.

01-11-2016, 11:35 PM	#5
wibbly Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Edmonton Posts: 600 Feedback Score: 18 (100%)	Originally posted by les3547 Very nice. Thank you for offering such a great service. My 60-250 still works fine, but I'd like to know if/when you feel confident to tackle it because of expectations I have that I'll need help in the future. nobody has successfully converted a 60-250 yet as far as i can tell from reading on these boards. it also doesn't seem to be a high failure rate lens

01-12-2016, 12:35 AM	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 28,401 Feedback Score: 44 (100%) Original Poster	Originally posted by wibbly nobody has successfully converted a 60-250 yet as far as i can tell from reading on these boards. it also doesn't seem to be a high failure rate lens I think you are correct on both counts.

01-12-2016, 06:46 AM	#7
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223 Feedback Score: 26 (100%)	Great service, thank you. BTW, my DA300/4 works marvelously, has it gone bad with others? The SDM is the great advantage of that lens.

01-12-2016, 10:42 AM	#8
ChatMechant Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Matsuyama Posts: 1,284 Feedback Score: 57 (100%)	Originally posted by Pepe Guitarra Great service, thank you. BTW, my DA300/4 works marvelously, has it gone bad with others? The SDM is the great advantage of that lens. My DA300 sdm failed. Successfully converted to screwdrive thanks to UncleVanya. It works great and is surprisingly quiet. One of the nice things about Pentax SDM lenses. My dad's Nikon 18-200 focus motor failed and there is no option to convert it to screwdrive.

01-12-2016, 01:14 PM	#9
GlennG Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824 Feedback Score: 1 (100%)	Originally posted by UncleVanya As a service to fellow Pentax Forum users and with special permission from Adam I am happy to announce that I am available to convert failed SDM lenses to Screwdrive. I am only charging $25 at this time for lenses that I know how to convert. Thanks, Uncle. I may take you up on that at some point, since I have both the 16-50 and 50-135. I also have a K100d (S version) and may attempt the conversion myself if need be. I agree with you that there appears to be a good number of references here on how to do the conversion.

01-12-2016, 01:26 PM	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 28,401 Feedback Score: 44 (100%) Original Poster	Originally posted by GlennG Thanks, Uncle. I may take you up on that at some point, since I have both the 16-50 and 50-135. I also have a K100d (S version) and may attempt the conversion myself if need be. I agree with you that there appears to be a good number of references here on how to do the conversion. Funny story. I have a K100D Super. I bought the K100D after futzing about trying to get the K100D Super to work. There was a tiny mistake in the instructions - had I known I would not have needed to buy the K100D. Sigh. But on the plus side, having the K100D allows me to mount a lens with dead SDM and before doing any conversion work validate that it is working with screw drive and there isn't something more wrong with it. If you need help with the K100D Super I think I have notes that tell me how to use it as a backup to my K100D. I'm happy to share. I'm offering this as a service and I have no intention of holding back knowledge. If anyone needs some advice we have several confusing but comprehensive threads. I still dream about putting together an article summarizing all of the info into an easier to consume resource. But for now - I'll offer my service and help anyone in need.

01-12-2016, 08:34 PM	#11
GlennG Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824 Feedback Score: 1 (100%)	Originally posted by UncleVanya If you need help with the K100D Super I think I have notes that tell me how to use it as a backup to my K100D. I'm happy to share. Hey, thanks! As far as their use to convert the SDM to screw drive, I thought they just behaved the same.....guess there is a difference.

01-12-2016, 08:41 PM	#12
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 16,397 Feedback Score: 4 (100%)	Originally posted by GlennG Thanks, Uncle. I may take you up on that at some point, since I have both the 16-50 and 50-135. I also have a K100d (S version) and may attempt the conversion myself if need be. I agree with you that there appears to be a good number of references here on how to do the conversion. Back up your files before modifying them, Glenn, UncleVanya won't be able to help you if they're borked.

01-12-2016, 09:16 PM	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 28,401 Feedback Score: 44 (100%) Original Poster	Here's my basic process: Test lens on K100D to be sure it works. Get into Debug mode on K100D Backup LENSEEP.LNS from damaged lens. Shut off camera, move SD card to laptop. Copy and rename file so that you end up with a copy on the laptop named Original with lens info and serial number and a copy named similarly on the sd card. Create another copy on the laptop for editing named ScrewDrive etc. Edit this screwdrive file and make appropriate changes (I used *.txt extension and notepad for this but many other ways work) Save the file and then put a copy of the new file on the SD card named LENSEEP.LNS Repeat steps to get card in camera and camera in debug mode. Load file to lens. Shut down camera. Move lens to K3, test. An example set of file names on my laptop might be "50-135_SNxxxxxxxxxx_Original.LNS" and "50-135_SNxxxxxxxxxx_ScrewDrive.LNS"

01-12-2016, 09:40 PM	#14
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403 Feedback Score: 6 (100%)	Originally posted by clackers Back up your files before modifying them, Glenn, UncleVanya won't be able to help you if they're borked. I think the only difference in the LENSEEP file is changing 80 to FF or vice versa in the same respective column.. so it seems like it wouldn't be TOO difficult to help even if one didnt have the backup so long as they didn't modify any other portions of the LENSEEP data. That said, obviously the wise decision is to BACKUP and I'd do so both on an SD card and on the hard drive. I actually have a dedicated SD card for this with different folders to make it neat.. and it is really really easy to do once you get the hang of the process.

01-12-2016, 10:16 PM	#15
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 28,401 Feedback Score: 44 (100%) Original Poster	Originally posted by mee I think the only difference in the LENSEEP file is changing 80 to FF or vice versa in the same respective column.. so it seems like it wouldn't be TOO difficult to help even if one didnt have the backup so long as they didn't modify any other portions of the LENSEEP data. That said, obviously the wise decision is to BACKUP and I'd do so both on an SD card and on the hard drive. I actually have a dedicated SD card for this with different folders to make it neat.. and it is really really easy to do once you get the hang of the process. Did you mean C0 to 80 or did you really use FF? All the instructions I have found change C0 to 80 not FF.