Screw drive firmware for SDM lenses

**Ash** · 11-26-2009, 02:03 PM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

Rondec, I've reiterated this many times and would like to see action on the part of concerned users.
Express the concerns to Pentax Corp - mount pressure on them to get SDM right.
Individually, or Collectively.
If we care enough for Pentax gear, we should care enough to voice these issues continually until we see results.

Russell-Evans · 11-29-2009, 05:59 AM

Originally posted by Ash

I've reiterated this many times and would like to see action on the part of concerned users.

Sometimes people have to get together before they act so that they can see that they aren't alone in their thinking and or simply to know that they aren't alone. Having this poll is partly about that. I think the term is critical mass.

Thank you
Russell

**Ash** · 11-29-2009, 04:34 PM

Perhaps so, but even if one person is passionate enough about a significant change for the better, regardless of the perceived outcome, he/she should act.

I've done so myself without needing people to back me up. But I take your point - would it make any difference if a petition were lodged? Perhaps.

Russell-Evans · 11-29-2009, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by Ash

Perhaps so, but even if one person is passionate enough about a significant change for the better, regardless of the perceived outcome, he/she should act.

I've done so myself without needing people to back me up. But I take your point - would it make any difference if a petition were lodged? Perhaps.

I started another thread asking opinions about the "act" as I didn't think it would do any good to post it here. I was hoping someone with more experience with consumer activism would post an idea or two to this thread and hopefully other people that are just interested parties would respond with what they thought the best way to heard would be. I don't personally think a single voice of passion is going to change anything, but maybe a multitude of users can change things.

Here is the post.

Quote:

A number of people are suggesting writing "Pentax" to express concern over the SDM issue. "Pentax" seems to be run by country or region. This makes it seem that a user in AU writing to Pentax AU, a user in the US writing to Pentax US, a user in CA writing to Pentax CA, and another in the EU writing to Pentax EU, will be less effective than those same four users writing to a common "Pentax". Maybe Pentax headquarters?

So the question is, do Japanese consumers petition Japanese business? I know this is an accepted practice in the US, but have no idea in other cultures.

Thank you
Russell

Last edited by Russell-Evans; 11-29-2009 at 07:01 PM.

Russell-Evans · 12-02-2009, 10:25 AM

arbib · 12-15-2009, 06:39 PM

Don't own an SDM lens...But I understood the lenses did not have a screw drive, just the AF contacts

SOldBear · 12-15-2009, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by arbib

Don't own an SDM lens...But I understood the lenses did not have a screw drive, just the AF contacts

Pentax SDM lenses have both; at least my DA 50-135mm and DA 60-250mm do. I believe this is the case with all Pentax SDM lenses.

Third party lenses may be different. Sigma HSM (SDM equivalent) lenses do not have screwdrive.

arbib · 12-15-2009, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

Pentax SDM lenses have both; at least my DA 50-135mm and DA 60-250mm do. I believe this is the case with all Pentax SDM lenses.

Third party lenses may be different. Sigma HSM (SDM equivalent) lenses do not have screwdrive.

OK, Now I can vote.....

EDIT: Voted
I will not buy a SDM lens until I have the ability to choose the focus mechanism.
I would like the 17-70 f/4 SDM...as my walk about lens when I don't need the f/2.8 as on my Sigma EX 24-70. Since one is FF and one is CROP lens, I don't mind the duplicate focal lengths. Who, Knows, I may load some film :-Q in my PK film camera for a true 24mm....OR...Pentax may someday have a FF DSLR... We'll See...I guess 2011 or 12 for under 1.7k. By then, Sony and Canon and Nikon may have a REAL sub 2k in the mix.

calicojack · 12-15-2009, 07:16 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

Pentax SDM lenses have both; at least my DA 50-135mm and DA 60-250mm do. I believe this is the case with all Pentax SDM lenses.

Third party lenses may be different. Sigma HSM (SDM equivalent) lenses do not have screwdrive.

The DA* lenses have both SDM & screw drive focus. But the new(ish) DA 17-70 is SDM only. On older non SDM cameras its manual focus only. That also means SDM failure = manual focus only and no firmware upgrade can correct that.

arbib · 12-15-2009, 07:32 PM

Originally posted by calicojack

The DA* lenses have both SDM & screw drive focus. But the new(ish) DA 17-70 is SDM only. On older non SDM cameras its manual focus only. That also means SDM failure = manual focus onlyand no firmware upgrade can correct that.

DANG..... Well, then Pentax has to get a higher QC or something on SDM lenses... I don't hear of Sigma HSM failings in the forums across boards...

Russell-Evans · 12-16-2009, 08:33 PM

I wonder how hard it would be to get seven people together to purchase these seven Tamron F 1.4x TCs for $1400. Two hundred a TC isn't bad for the Tamron. I think I've seen it go for $350 here.

SEVEN Tamron for Pentax 1.4X Pz-AF MC4 Teleconverters - eBay (item 110469105510 end time Jan-10-10 15:14:38 PST)

Thank you
Russell

NeverSatisfied · 12-17-2009, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by Russell-Evans

I wonder how hard it would be to get seven people together to purchase these seven Tamron F 1.4x TCs for $1400. Two hundred a TC isn't bad for the Tamron. I think I've seen it go for $350 here.

SEVEN Tamron for Pentax 1.4X Pz-AF MC4 Teleconverters - eBay (item 110469105510 end time Jan-10-10 15:14:38 PST)

Thank you
Russell

Wow, $350??? Good grief, I think I paid about $115 for a new one just over a year ago. The apparent effect of supply and demand!

heliphoto · 12-17-2009, 10:34 PM

Originally posted by Russell-Evans

I wonder how hard it would be to get seven people together to purchase these seven Tamron F 1.4x TCs for $1400. Two hundred a TC isn't bad for the Tamron. I think I've seen it go for $350 here.
...

Thank you
Russell

I think you must be thinking of the Pentax-F 1.7x AF Adapter. Those go for $300-350, these 1.4x TCs (and their Kenko 1.5x cousins) go for around $90-120 generally if I'm not mistaken...

BTW, what does this have to do with SDM lenses???

Russell-Evans · 12-18-2009, 03:48 AM

Originally posted by heliphoto

BTW, what does this have to do with SDM lenses???

This TC is one of the few that is reported to work with some of the SDM lenses. The lack of a SDM TC is one of the reasons for wanting the firmware to allow the use of the screw driven AF on dual drive lenses.

As for the price, I think I was remembering this post in this tamron-tc-converter-pics thread from long ago.

Thank you
Russell

Peter Zack · 12-18-2009, 07:34 AM

The price on these has risen quite a bit lately. There have been sales as high as $275.00 on ebay and the most recent low price has been just over $150.00. You will not find these under $150.00 any more unless you score some hidden deal.

For a lot this size $1400.00 is too much. It should be $1000 to a max of 1100.00 ($157.00 - $140.00) that would be fair if someone wants to make the guy an offer.

View Poll Results: Select the option that best describes your agreement with the statement
I have a dual SDM and screw drive lens and I want the ability to choose the focus mechanism.	202	58.38%
I am planning on buying a SDM/screw drive lens and I want the ability to choose the focus mechanism.	69	19.94%
I will not buy a SDM lens until I have the ability to choose the focus mechanism.	75	21.68%
Voters: 346. You may not vote on this poll

12-02-2009, 10:25 AM	#170
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553 Original Poster	I searched through DPR to find the SDM posts, I want keep this updated, so I'll post it here. A Schamber http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33120751 AlbertSiegel http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33546220 AndresEE http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33083361 Anilla http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=27935843 CarlosRG http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33213757 Cideway http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33039468 Dale108 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=30157976 DarylK http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33545316 Dave istDS http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31008147 dick eduard http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33038889 donla http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33507525 Eric C in OK http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31062799 faither http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33101357 flash1100 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33710456 FranckB http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33197800 gerard boulanger http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33097101 hanssont http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33039363 HonourableTyr http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=27960508 HotJapaneseCamera http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33041357 inferno10 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=32669604 janneman02 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31056881 Jim King http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33662578 JoeLim http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33057921 John Shakespeare http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=32982613 jonny1976 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=29751478 Joseph Tainter http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33042333 Larry Paris http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31007030 Les Lammers http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=34248338 LKeithR http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31088734 magicone http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=27554660 Mark Dimo http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33123640 Mike V99 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33041441 mnovikov http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33039357 Moosemilk http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33211173 Neil Morgan http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33038703 nickmtl http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31007142 noser http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33059637 owmike http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33921500 Pakhead http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33787066 paul_do http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=30779252 Paul_E http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33059369 PentaxPoke http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33043538 picsbydan http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31458695 psu28k http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31458091 pundit http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33105329 Reg Quiring http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31555825 Richardday http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=35197534 RobertBarnett http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33063806 robt61x49 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=29441448 rogerstpierre http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31753287 ropen http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33041448 roxalo http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31467906 Rupert60 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=30724929 SanMat http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=34554165 shane gerrish http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33038876 sinus007 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33041746 Sophie Wilson http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=26431788 SpartanWarrior http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=34537603 thxbb12 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=34310716 WildSammy http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33074041 Zevon http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33039134 ZorKa http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=27981535 Thank you Russell Last edited by Russell-Evans; 04-30-2010 at 10:13 PM.

12-15-2009, 07:15 PM	#173
arbib Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Camby, Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 379	Originally posted by SOldBear Pentax SDM lenses have both; at least my DA 50-135mm and DA 60-250mm do. I believe this is the case with all Pentax SDM lenses. Third party lenses may be different. Sigma HSM (SDM equivalent) lenses do not have screwdrive. OK, Now I can vote..... EDIT: Voted *I will not buy a SDM lens until I have the ability to choose the focus mechanism.* I would like the 17-70 f/4 SDM...as my walk about lens when I don't need the f/2.8 as on my Sigma EX 24-70. Since one is FF and one is CROP lens, I don't mind the duplicate focal lengths. Who, Knows, I may load some film :-Q in my PK film camera for a true 24mm....OR...Pentax may someday have a FF DSLR... We'll See...I guess 2011 or 12 for under 1.7k. By then, Sony and Canon and Nikon may have a REAL sub 2k in the mix. Last edited by arbib; 12-15-2009 at 07:27 PM.

12-15-2009, 07:16 PM	#174
calicojack Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,124	Originally posted by SOldBear Pentax SDM lenses have both; at least my DA 50-135mm and DA 60-250mm do. I believe this is the case with all Pentax SDM lenses. Third party lenses may be different. Sigma HSM (SDM equivalent) lenses do not have screwdrive. The DA* lenses have both SDM & screw drive focus. But the new(ish) DA 17-70 is SDM only. On older non SDM cameras its manual focus only. That also means SDM failure = manual focus only and no firmware upgrade can correct that. Last edited by calicojack; 12-15-2009 at 07:48 PM.

12-18-2009, 03:48 AM	#179
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553 Original Poster	Originally posted by heliphoto BTW, what does this have to do with SDM lenses??? This TC is one of the few that is reported to work with some of the SDM lenses. The lack of a SDM TC is one of the reasons for wanting the firmware to allow the use of the screw driven AF on dual drive lenses. As for the price, I think I was remembering this post in this tamron-tc-converter-pics thread from long ago. Thank you Russell Last edited by Russell-Evans; 12-18-2009 at 12:20 PM.

11-26-2009, 02:03 PM	#166
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Rondec, I've reiterated this many times and would like to see action on the part of concerned users. Express the concerns to Pentax Corp - mount pressure on them to get SDM right. Individually, or Collectively. If we care enough for Pentax gear, we should care enough to voice these issues continually until we see results.

11-29-2009, 05:59 AM	#167
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ash I've reiterated this many times and would like to see action on the part of concerned users. Sometimes people have to get together before they act so that they can see that they aren't alone in their thinking and or simply to know that they aren't alone. Having this poll is partly about that. I think the term is critical mass. Thank you Russell

11-29-2009, 04:34 PM	#168
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Perhaps so, but even if one person is passionate enough about a significant change for the better, regardless of the perceived outcome, he/she should act. I've done so myself without needing people to back me up. But I take your point - would it make any difference if a petition were lodged? Perhaps.

11-29-2009, 06:55 PM	#169
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ash Perhaps so, but even if one person is passionate enough about a significant change for the better, regardless of the perceived outcome, he/she should act. I've done so myself without needing people to back me up. But I take your point - would it make any difference if a petition were lodged? Perhaps. I started another thread asking opinions about the "act" as I didn't think it would do any good to post it here. I was hoping someone with more experience with consumer activism would post an idea or two to this thread and hopefully other people that are just interested parties would respond with what they thought the best way to heard would be. I don't personally think a single voice of passion is going to change anything, but maybe a multitude of users can change things. Here is the post. Quote: A number of people are suggesting writing "Pentax" to express concern over the SDM issue. "Pentax" seems to be run by country or region. This makes it seem that a user in AU writing to Pentax AU, a user in the US writing to Pentax US, a user in CA writing to Pentax CA, and another in the EU writing to Pentax EU, will be less effective than those same four users writing to a common "Pentax". Maybe Pentax headquarters? So the question is, do Japanese consumers petition Japanese business? I know this is an accepted practice in the US, but have no idea in other cultures. Thank you Russell Last edited by Russell-Evans; 11-29-2009 at 07:01 PM.

12-15-2009, 06:39 PM	#171
arbib Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Camby, Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 379	Don't own an SDM lens...But I understood the lenses did not have a screw drive, just the AF contacts

12-15-2009, 06:44 PM	#172
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by arbib Don't own an SDM lens...But I understood the lenses did not have a screw drive, just the AF contacts Pentax SDM lenses have both; at least my DA 50-135mm and DA 60-250mm do. I believe this is the case with all Pentax SDM lenses. Third party lenses may be different. Sigma HSM (SDM equivalent) lenses do not have screwdrive.

12-15-2009, 07:32 PM	#175
arbib Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Camby, Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 379	Originally posted by calicojack The DA* lenses have both SDM & screw drive focus. But the new(ish) DA 17-70 is SDM only. On older non SDM cameras its manual focus only. That also means SDM failure = manual focus onlyand no firmware upgrade can correct that. DANG..... Well, then Pentax has to get a higher QC or something on SDM lenses... I don't hear of Sigma HSM failings in the forums across boards...

12-16-2009, 08:33 PM	#176
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553 Original Poster	I wonder how hard it would be to get seven people together to purchase these seven Tamron F 1.4x TCs for $1400. Two hundred a TC isn't bad for the Tamron. I think I've seen it go for $350 here. SEVEN Tamron for Pentax 1.4X Pz-AF MC4 Teleconverters - eBay (item 110469105510 end time Jan-10-10 15:14:38 PST) Thank you Russell

12-17-2009, 05:32 PM	#177
NeverSatisfied Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 688	Originally posted by Russell-Evans I wonder how hard it would be to get seven people together to purchase these seven Tamron F 1.4x TCs for $1400. Two hundred a TC isn't bad for the Tamron. I think I've seen it go for $350 here. SEVEN Tamron for Pentax 1.4X Pz-AF MC4 Teleconverters - eBay (item 110469105510 end time Jan-10-10 15:14:38 PST) Thank you Russell Wow, $350??? Good grief, I think I paid about $115 for a new one just over a year ago. The apparent effect of supply and demand!

12-17-2009, 10:34 PM	#178
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Originally posted by Russell-Evans I wonder how hard it would be to get seven people together to purchase these seven Tamron F 1.4x TCs for $1400. Two hundred a TC isn't bad for the Tamron. I think I've seen it go for $350 here. ... Thank you Russell I think you must be thinking of the Pentax-F 1.7x AF Adapter. Those go for $300-350, these 1.4x TCs (and their Kenko 1.5x cousins) go for around $90-120 generally if I'm not mistaken... BTW, what does this have to do with SDM lenses???

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
645D, K-m2 and NEW LENSES DA10-16/4 SDM, DA20/2 SDM, DA*28/2 SDM	ogl	Pentax News and Rumors	165	08-11-2010 03:26 AM
pentax SDM firmware	impish	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	04-02-2010 10:05 AM
Screw-drive auto-focus from the inside	Just1MoreDave	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	07-28-2009 03:56 PM
New SDM rear TC, SDM only or SDM + screw drive?	morfic	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	1	10-01-2008 08:23 AM
Explain k10 AF Screw Drive, SDM Terms ?	voicelit	Pentax DSLR Discussion	0	09-08-2008 10:15 PM

12-18-2009, 07:34 AM	#180
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	The price on these has risen quite a bit lately. There have been sales as high as $275.00 on ebay and the most recent low price has been just over $150.00. You will not find these under $150.00 any more unless you score some hidden deal. For a lot this size $1400.00 is too much. It should be $1000 to a max of 1100.00 ($157.00 - $140.00) that would be fair if someone wants to make the guy an offer.