DA* 300 focus hunting, SDM Failure?

TheGrandPrixKid · 09-17-2016, 04:50 PM

Hi I'm on my second Da* 300 (first one bought in July 2011, second may 2016) the first I sold end of 2015 due to slight focusing issue and feared it might be sdm failing. Now my new copy which is only 4 months old is no longer able to focus at all. All I get is micro adjustments back and fought then long way in slam and then all the way back and slam. My first one did this on occasions but this one started day one out of the box. Am I correct in thinking this is an sdm failure. Thanks for your help.

Adam · 09-17-2016, 05:04 PM

Sounds like it- time for a warranty repair!

**darylk** · 09-17-2016, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by TheGrandPrixKid

Hi I'm on my second Da* 300 (first one bought in July 2011, second may 2016) the first I sold end of 2015 due to slight focusing issue and feared it might be sdm failing. Now my new copy which is only 4 months old is no longer able to focus at all. All I get is micro adjustments back and fought then long way in slam and then all the way back and slam. My first one did this on occasions but this one started day one out of the box. Am I correct in thinking this is an sdm failure. Thanks for your help.

If this happens only with this lens, it may be the lens. However, your mention that it happened occasionally with your previous copy leads me to suspect it might be an issue with your focus sensor, which I believe is located in the bottom of the camera cavity. Before you go to all the trouble of sending the lens in for warranty repair, you might try giving the camera cavity (particularly the bottom of the cavity) a blast of air or two to see if the problem persists. Also, worth cleaning the contacts on your camera to make sure that is all good. My 2 cents...
Daryl

---------- Post added 09-17-16 at 08:35 PM ----------

Let me add that the typical SDM failure is characterized by no auto focus action by the lens at all. In the pre-sdm failure timeframe, the lens is sometimes slow to "wake up" but does eventually when aimed at a high contrast area and the focus button (or half press of shutter) repeatedly pressed. Bottom line, what you have described does not sound like a typical SDM failure.

Bewatek · 09-17-2016, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by TheGrandPrixKid

All I get is micro adjustments back and fought then long way in slam and then all the way back and slam. My first one did this on occasions but this one started day one out of the box.

This sounds exactly like my first copy of the DA* 300. After just 100 shots it refused to focus, always did a few microadjustments and then slammed full speed in its mechanical focus limits.
Exchanged it and the second copy works fine since three years and 20000 shots. Although the second copy sometimes fails to focus and microadjusts at difficult targets it never does the slam - thing.

TheGrandPrixKid · 09-18-2016, 03:11 AM

The previous copy was used on my K10, K5 & K3 only had problems towards the end of 2015 before never missed or made the slamming noise until the last two months I had it. The second one has only ever been used on a new K5ii. I'm sure it not the the camera as I've checked with other lenses and cleaned contacts as soon as it started. Thanks for confirming my first thoughts on needing repairing.

09-17-2016, 04:50 PM	#1
TheGrandPrixKid Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 34	*DA 300 focus hunting, SDM Failure?** Hi I'm on my second Da* 300 (first one bought in July 2011, second may 2016) the first I sold end of 2015 due to slight focusing issue and feared it might be sdm failing. Now my new copy which is only 4 months old is no longer able to focus at all. All I get is micro adjustments back and fought then long way in slam and then all the way back and slam. My first one did this on occasions but this one started day one out of the box. Am I correct in thinking this is an sdm failure. Thanks for your help.

09-17-2016, 05:04 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Sounds like it- time for a warranty repair! 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:

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09-17-2016, 06:13 PM	#3
darylk Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Blue Hill, Nebraska Photos: Gallery Posts: 494	Originally posted by TheGrandPrixKid Hi I'm on my second Da* 300 (first one bought in July 2011, second may 2016) the first I sold end of 2015 due to slight focusing issue and feared it might be sdm failing. Now my new copy which is only 4 months old is no longer able to focus at all. All I get is micro adjustments back and fought then long way in slam and then all the way back and slam. My first one did this on occasions but this one started day one out of the box. Am I correct in thinking this is an sdm failure. Thanks for your help. If this happens only with this lens, it may be the lens. However, your mention that it happened occasionally with your previous copy leads me to suspect it might be an issue with your focus sensor, which I believe is located in the bottom of the camera cavity. Before you go to all the trouble of sending the lens in for warranty repair, you might try giving the camera cavity (particularly the bottom of the cavity) a blast of air or two to see if the problem persists. Also, worth cleaning the contacts on your camera to make sure that is all good. My 2 cents... Daryl ---------- Post added 09-17-16 at 08:35 PM ---------- Let me add that the typical SDM failure is characterized by no auto focus action by the lens at all. In the pre-sdm failure timeframe, the lens is sometimes slow to "wake up" but does eventually when aimed at a high contrast area and the focus button (or half press of shutter) repeatedly pressed. Bottom line, what you have described does not sound like a typical SDM failure.

09-17-2016, 11:03 PM	#4
Bewatek Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 54	Originally posted by TheGrandPrixKid All I get is micro adjustments back and fought then long way in slam and then all the way back and slam. My first one did this on occasions but this one started day one out of the box. This sounds exactly like my first copy of the DA* 300. After just 100 shots it refused to focus, always did a few microadjustments and then slammed full speed in its mechanical focus limits. Exchanged it and the second copy works fine since three years and 20000 shots. Although the second copy sometimes fails to focus and microadjusts at difficult targets it never does the slam - thing.

09-18-2016, 03:11 AM	#5
TheGrandPrixKid Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 34 Original Poster	The previous copy was used on my K10, K5 & K3 only had problems towards the end of 2015 before never missed or made the slamming noise until the last two months I had it. The second one has only ever been used on a new K5ii. I'm sure it not the the camera as I've checked with other lenses and cleaned contacts as soon as it started. Thanks for confirming my first thoughts on needing repairing.