First DA* Lens (Possible) Issue

Hmong_Xiong · 12-18-2014, 06:52 PM

So I just bought my DA* Lens (used) from Amazon's Warehouse Deals and at first, it wouldn't autofocus. Now it's auto focusing and it works great, super silent. But i can twist my focus ring endlessly. Is that twist normal or not? To clarify more, the focus would stop at INFINITY to 1ft/0.3m but i can still spin the focus ring. So i was wondering if that spinning is normal

GaryH · 12-18-2014, 07:10 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Hmong_Xiong

So I just bought my DA* Lens (used) from Amazon's Warehouse Deals and at first, it wouldn't autofocus. Now it's auto focusing and it works great, super silent. But i can twist my focus ring endlessly. Is that twist normal or not? To clarify more, the focus would stop at INFINITY to 1ft/0.3m but i can still spin the focus ring. So i was wondering if that spinning is normal

That is normal for the DA* lenses

Hmong_Xiong · 12-18-2014, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by GaryH

That is normal for the DA* lenses

So you're telling me that I just scored a working DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 for ~$500?
That's awesome!! You don't know how happy I really am

aleonx3 · 12-18-2014, 07:43 PM

Originally posted by Hmong_Xiong

So you're telling me that I just scored a working DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 for ~$500?
That's awesome!! You don't know how happy I really am

You can also check against the serial number list here.
If the serial number of the lens corresponds to dates closer to recent batches, chance of having SDM failure could be minimized. It is definitely a good price for a working copy; use it more so you can get comfortable with it. I have an earliest version of this lens (SDM motor fixed and no problem since then) and it is workhorse for me for any event/stage gigs. Enjoy!!

**david94903** · 12-19-2014, 12:01 AM

There is also an extremely helpful thread on PF on how to deactivate SDM and allow for screw drive autofocus when your SDM fails. And I say "when" because mine failed twice but works perfectly as a screw drive lens. So you did good. It's a great lens.

AquaDome · 12-19-2014, 07:35 AM

Originally posted by Hmong_Xiong

So I just bought my DA* Lens (used) from Amazon's Warehouse Deals and at first, it wouldn't autofocus. Now it's auto focusing and it works great, super silent. But i can twist my focus ring endlessly. Is that twist normal or not? To clarify more, the focus would stop at INFINITY to 1ft/0.3m but i can still spin the focus ring. So i was wondering if that spinning is normal

You say at first it wouldn't autofocus. Sounds like the early stages of SDM failure.

narual · 12-19-2014, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by AquaDome

You say at first it wouldn't autofocus. Sounds like the early stages of SDM failure.

Or early stage of "oops I had the MF switch turned on"

Most modern lenses don't have a hard stop at infinity, or anywhere else. You'll feel a little different resistance when you spin the focus outside of the range it actually focuses in, but it doesn't do anything.

Hmong_Xiong · 12-19-2014, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by AquaDome

You say at first it wouldn't autofocus. Sounds like the early stages of SDM failure.

I really hope not :3

Originally posted by narual

Or early stage of "oops I had the MF switch turned on"

Most modern lenses don't have a hard stop at infinity, or anywhere else. You'll feel a little different resistance when you spin the focus outside of the range it actually focuses in, but it doesn't do anything.

I had both AF switches on but it still didnt focus and i got really frustrated,

Originally posted by david94903

There is also an extremely helpful thread on PF on how to deactivate SDM and allow for screw drive autofocus when your SDM fails. And I say "when" because mine failed twice but works perfectly as a screw drive lens. So you did good. It's a great lens.

Ok thanks man

12-18-2014, 06:52 PM	#1
Hmong_Xiong Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 45	*First DA Lens (Possible) Issue** So I just bought my DA* Lens (used) from Amazon's Warehouse Deals and at first, it wouldn't autofocus. Now it's auto focusing and it works great, super silent. But i can twist my focus ring endlessly. Is that twist normal or not? To clarify more, the focus would stop at INFINITY to 1ft/0.3m but i can still spin the focus ring. So i was wondering if that spinning is normal

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12-18-2014, 07:10 PM - 1 Like	#2
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	Originally posted by Hmong_Xiong So I just bought my DA* Lens (used) from Amazon's Warehouse Deals and at first, it wouldn't autofocus. Now it's auto focusing and it works great, super silent. But i can twist my focus ring endlessly. Is that twist normal or not? To clarify more, the focus would stop at INFINITY to 1ft/0.3m but i can still spin the focus ring. So i was wondering if that spinning is normal That is normal for the DA* lenses

12-18-2014, 07:17 PM	#3
Hmong_Xiong Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 45 Original Poster	Originally posted by GaryH That is normal for the DA* lenses So you're telling me that I just scored a working DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 for ~$500? That's awesome!! You don't know how happy I really am

12-18-2014, 07:43 PM	#4
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by Hmong_Xiong So you're telling me that I just scored a working DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 for ~$500? That's awesome!! You don't know how happy I really am You can also check against the serial number list here. If the serial number of the lens corresponds to dates closer to recent batches, chance of having SDM failure could be minimized. It is definitely a good price for a working copy; use it more so you can get comfortable with it. I have an earliest version of this lens (SDM motor fixed and no problem since then) and it is workhorse for me for any event/stage gigs. Enjoy!!

12-19-2014, 12:01 AM	#5
david94903 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Rafael, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 806	There is also an extremely helpful thread on PF on how to deactivate SDM and allow for screw drive autofocus when your SDM fails. And I say "when" because mine failed twice but works perfectly as a screw drive lens. So you did good. It's a great lens.

12-19-2014, 07:35 AM	#6
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	Originally posted by Hmong_Xiong So I just bought my DA* Lens (used) from Amazon's Warehouse Deals and at first, it wouldn't autofocus. Now it's auto focusing and it works great, super silent. But i can twist my focus ring endlessly. Is that twist normal or not? To clarify more, the focus would stop at INFINITY to 1ft/0.3m but i can still spin the focus ring. So i was wondering if that spinning is normal You say at first it wouldn't autofocus. Sounds like the early stages of SDM failure.

12-19-2014, 08:50 AM	#7
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by AquaDome You say at first it wouldn't autofocus. Sounds like the early stages of SDM failure. Or early stage of "oops I had the MF switch turned on" Most modern lenses don't have a hard stop at infinity, or anywhere else. You'll feel a little different resistance when you spin the focus outside of the range it actually focuses in, but it doesn't do anything.

12-19-2014, 01:09 PM	#8
Hmong_Xiong Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 45 Original Poster	Originally posted by AquaDome You say at first it wouldn't autofocus. Sounds like the early stages of SDM failure. I really hope not :3 Originally posted by narual Or early stage of "oops I had the MF switch turned on" Most modern lenses don't have a hard stop at infinity, or anywhere else. You'll feel a little different resistance when you spin the focus outside of the range it actually focuses in, but it doesn't do anything. I had both AF switches on but it still didnt focus and i got really frustrated, Originally posted by david94903 There is also an extremely helpful thread on PF on how to deactivate SDM and allow for screw drive autofocus when your SDM fails. And I say "when" because mine failed twice but works perfectly as a screw drive lens. So you did good. It's a great lens. Ok thanks man