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rustynail925 · 03-18-2010, 01:15 AM

For DA*50-135mm f2.8 owners and ex owners
If you own twice like the other is working and the first you bought had problems pls choose SDM problems
If you had problems and had it repaired indicate SDM problems

LeDave · 03-18-2010, 01:25 AM

I've owned two used DA* 50-135's in the past.

I sold one after owning it for a month because I wanted the FA 77 Limited instead... That copy had no SDM problems when I sold it, it was probably a few months old with the previous owner combined.

Then after that I resold that FA 77 and bought the Tamron 70-200 because I really prefer the versatility of zooms. I then sold that and re-bought a different DA* 50-135. The size, weight, weather-sealing, and quiet AF motor was too perfect on it coupled with superb optics. Right now the current copy I own has no SDM problems and with the previous owner and me combined, it's about a year old.

rustynail925 · 03-18-2010, 03:57 AM

Also indicate how long you have the lens and how often you use it

**Rondec** · 03-18-2010, 04:11 AM

I've owned the 50-135 for about 18 months and it seems to be working fine.

GoremanX · 03-18-2010, 04:36 AM

4 months, failed to work for the first few minutes of its life and then eventually woke up. Then it failed to work again a few weeks later before waking up slowly. I have a bad feeling...

tlwyse · 03-18-2010, 07:33 PM

Mine (50-135) first started acting up about 4-5 months after I purchased it new. It would not respond for the first few minutes then all of a sudden start focusing and then be fine for the rest of the shoot, typically about 3-4 hours. It went this way for about 12-13 months.

Now after about 15 months, it's failed completely and I could kick myself for not sending it back in October when I stopped shooting for a while.

I plan on writing a letter to Pentax when I send it in explaining that it was clearly acting up PRIOR to the warranty running out. Not sure what that will get me but it's worth a shot.

As an aside, I was at a photo show last month checking out the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 when the Tamron rep scolded me for turning the focusing ring without disabling AF....he explained that manually turning the focusing ring in AF mode torques the motor and will cause it to prematurely fail. I know that our SDM lenses with Quick Focus are supposed to be able to handle that but it got me thinking whether that could be what's contributing to these SDM failures. I know, for example, when I was trying to fix a back focusing problem using my LensAlign tool that I was repeatedly refocusing the lens back to infinity and then engaging the AF to force it to auto-focus back to the target again. As far as I know, it's supposed to be OK to do that with the Pentax SDM lenses but now I wonder.

Terry

GoremanX · 03-18-2010, 10:36 PM

Originally posted by tlwyse

As an aside, I was at a photo show last month checking out the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 when the Tamron rep scolded me for turning the focusing ring without disabling AF....he explained that manually turning the focusing ring in AF mode torques the motor and will cause it to prematurely fail. I know that our SDM lenses with Quick Focus are supposed to be able to handle that but it got me thinking whether that could be what's contributing to these SDM failures. I know, for example, when I was trying to fix a back focusing problem using my LensAlign tool that I was repeatedly refocusing the lens back to infinity and then engaging the AF to force it to auto-focus back to the target again. As far as I know, it's supposed to be OK to do that with the Pentax SDM lenses but now I wonder.

With a quick-shift lens, you're not actually turning the motor. The motor isn't engaged to the focus ring at all as long as the motor isn't spinning. It's perfectly safe and not a contributing factor, especially not on SDM lenses.

saien · 03-19-2010, 12:12 AM

I've had mine for half a year, previous owner had it for about the same. Haven't had any problems so far, I've had probably ~4000 shots with it now.

little laker · 03-19-2010, 12:30 AM

so.... how can those of us, whom don't own the lens see the poll. Without signing out that is.

solisti · 03-19-2010, 12:37 AM

Originally posted by little laker

so.... how can those of us, whom don't own the lens see the poll. Without signing out that is.

The situation now is 30% (7) with faults and 70% (16) without. My 6 months old lens was one of the 7 and broke down, the focusing system got stuck so it couldn't be used even in manual focus mode.

rustynail925 · 03-19-2010, 02:38 AM

Originally posted by solisti

The situation now is 30% (7) with faults and 70% (16) without. My 6 months old lens was one of the 7 and broke down, the focusing system got stuck so it couldn't be used even in manual focus mode.

How often do you use yours? any idea what caused the trouble?

Naim Khan · 03-19-2010, 03:03 AM

Hi,
I have bought mine just 3 or 4 weeks ago and have only taken a few pictures with it. I will now keep on praying that it remains healthy because you guys have really scared me. The lens isrefurbished so there is only a 6 month warranty on it!

solisti · 03-19-2010, 03:40 AM

Originally posted by rustynail925

How often do you use yours? any idea what caused the trouble?

I bought it used in mint condition and had a nice month with the lens.
Took perhaps 200-300 pics with it and the previous user hadn't used it that much either. It seemed a bit slow on response just before it broke down.

The lens is in Germany at the moment for a service, so I don't have an idea about the cause yet...there's no service capable of servicing DA*-lenses in Finland. My guess is that the SDM motor burned and got stuck giving so much friction that the quick focus system couldn't move either when using MF.

xGene · 03-19-2010, 07:25 AM

Brought the second one to Pentax Canada's service dept. yesterday (I work 2 blocks away). Was hoping to meet Stephen Ho to discuss the matter with him but again, I was told he was on vacation... (I really want to work for Pentax Canada... they seem to have unparalleled benefits!!!!)
In a nutshell, here's how it went:
Gene: G'day, I am here to bring back the 50-135 that you replaced for me in October 2009, it has the same issue now, I need to keep my finger on the AF button for at least 5 minutes for it to wake-up and start focusing...
Pentax Dude: Mmm... let's see. Never heard this before...
Gene: Oh please! this is the replacement for a lens I brought you in October with the same issue....
PD: Ah. Yes. Remember now... We have couple of these...
PD: When you purchased lens?
Gene: The original, in December of 2007.
PD: Ah! This not covered with Warranty!
Gene: You're joking, right? This lens is not even 6 months old!!! (trying to stay calm...)
PD: No no! Warranty from original lens purchase only. Now expired!
Gene: (biting my tongue!) Serioulsy, this is my second failure, same model, same issue, now on a different body. Can you do something?
PD: You asking for goodwill warranty?
Gene: Not only "me asking" but Pentax should provide an extended warranty on these!
PD: Me not allowed to offer, you must request...
Gene (getting red in the face): Me wholeheartedly, firmly and unequivocally ASKING for a goodwill warranty!
PD: OK Sir, me see what I can do, will call you with results...
Gene: Thank you! BTW, I really love the optics, it is flawless, so I'd prefer you fix it rather than relpace it this time.
PD: Yes, 50-135 optics very good, but SDM not so good... (then, as he was looking at my 16-50): For 16-50, SDM OK, but optically, not so good...
Gene (now looking totally baffled!): OK, thanks for the insight... Ciao!
Will keep you posted....
Gene

By the way, should I vote twice, as I had 2 failures on different lenses?

solisti · 03-19-2010, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by xGene

By the way, should I vote twice, as I had 2 failures on different lenses?

Register another account and vote

.

Hope all the best with the result.

View Poll Results: for thos who own or have used the DA*50-135mm f2.8 Hows the SDM?
SDM Problems	25	39.06%
No Problem / SDM works fine	39	60.94%
Voters: 64. You may not vote on this poll

03-18-2010, 01:15 AM	#1
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	*DA50-135mm f2.8 SDM Problems / No Problem** For DA*50-135mm f2.8 owners and ex owners If you own twice like the other is working and the first you bought had problems pls choose SDM problems If you had problems and had it repaired indicate SDM problems

03-19-2010, 07:25 AM	#14
xGene Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 151	Second failed 50-135 DA* Brought the second one to Pentax Canada's service dept. yesterday (I work 2 blocks away). Was hoping to meet Stephen Ho to discuss the matter with him but again, I was told he was on vacation... (I really want to work for Pentax Canada... they seem to have unparalleled benefits!!!!) In a nutshell, here's how it went: Gene: G'day, I am here to bring back the 50-135 that you replaced for me in October 2009, it has the same issue now, I need to keep my finger on the AF button for at least 5 minutes for it to wake-up and start focusing... Pentax Dude: Mmm... let's see. Never heard this before... Gene: Oh please! this is the replacement for a lens I brought you in October with the same issue.... PD: Ah. Yes. Remember now... We have couple of these... PD: When you purchased lens? Gene: The original, in December of 2007. PD: Ah! This not covered with Warranty! Gene: You're joking, right? This lens is not even 6 months old!!! (trying to stay calm...) PD: No no! Warranty from original lens purchase only. Now expired! Gene: (biting my tongue!) Serioulsy, this is my second failure, same model, same issue, now on a different body. Can you do something? PD: You asking for goodwill warranty? Gene: Not only "me asking" but Pentax should provide an extended warranty on these! PD: Me not allowed to offer, you must request... Gene (getting red in the face): Me wholeheartedly, firmly and unequivocally ASKING for a goodwill warranty! PD: OK Sir, me see what I can do, will call you with results... Gene: Thank you! BTW, I really love the optics, it is flawless, so I'd prefer you fix it rather than relpace it this time. PD: Yes, 50-135 optics very good, but SDM not so good... (then, as he was looking at my 16-50): For 16-50, SDM OK, but optically, not so good... Gene (now looking totally baffled!): OK, thanks for the insight... Ciao! Will keep you posted.... Gene By the way, should I vote twice, as I had 2 failures on different lenses? Last edited by xGene; 03-19-2010 at 07:26 AM. Reason: added sentence

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03-18-2010, 01:25 AM	#2
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	I've owned two used DA* 50-135's in the past. I sold one after owning it for a month because I wanted the FA 77 Limited instead... That copy had no SDM problems when I sold it, it was probably a few months old with the previous owner combined. Then after that I resold that FA 77 and bought the Tamron 70-200 because I really prefer the versatility of zooms. I then sold that and re-bought a different DA* 50-135. The size, weight, weather-sealing, and quiet AF motor was too perfect on it coupled with superb optics. Right now the current copy I own has no SDM problems and with the previous owner and me combined, it's about a year old.

03-18-2010, 03:57 AM	#3
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Also indicate how long you have the lens and how often you use it

03-18-2010, 04:11 AM	#4
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	I've owned the 50-135 for about 18 months and it seems to be working fine.

03-18-2010, 04:36 AM	#5
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	4 months, failed to work for the first few minutes of its life and then eventually woke up. Then it failed to work again a few weeks later before waking up slowly. I have a bad feeling...

03-18-2010, 07:33 PM	#6
tlwyse Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Waxhaw, NC, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 211	Mine (50-135) first started acting up about 4-5 months after I purchased it new. It would not respond for the first few minutes then all of a sudden start focusing and then be fine for the rest of the shoot, typically about 3-4 hours. It went this way for about 12-13 months. Now after about 15 months, it's failed completely and I could kick myself for not sending it back in October when I stopped shooting for a while. I plan on writing a letter to Pentax when I send it in explaining that it was clearly acting up PRIOR to the warranty running out. Not sure what that will get me but it's worth a shot. As an aside, I was at a photo show last month checking out the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 when the Tamron rep scolded me for turning the focusing ring without disabling AF....he explained that manually turning the focusing ring in AF mode torques the motor and will cause it to prematurely fail. I know that our SDM lenses with Quick Focus are supposed to be able to handle that but it got me thinking whether that could be what's contributing to these SDM failures. I know, for example, when I was trying to fix a back focusing problem using my LensAlign tool that I was repeatedly refocusing the lens back to infinity and then engaging the AF to force it to auto-focus back to the target again. As far as I know, it's supposed to be OK to do that with the Pentax SDM lenses but now I wonder. Terry

03-18-2010, 10:36 PM	#7
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by tlwyse As an aside, I was at a photo show last month checking out the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 when the Tamron rep scolded me for turning the focusing ring without disabling AF....he explained that manually turning the focusing ring in AF mode torques the motor and will cause it to prematurely fail. I know that our SDM lenses with Quick Focus are supposed to be able to handle that but it got me thinking whether that could be what's contributing to these SDM failures. I know, for example, when I was trying to fix a back focusing problem using my LensAlign tool that I was repeatedly refocusing the lens back to infinity and then engaging the AF to force it to auto-focus back to the target again. As far as I know, it's supposed to be OK to do that with the Pentax SDM lenses but now I wonder. With a quick-shift lens, you're not actually turning the motor. The motor isn't engaged to the focus ring at all as long as the motor isn't spinning. It's perfectly safe and not a contributing factor, especially not on SDM lenses.

03-19-2010, 12:12 AM	#8
saien Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hobart, Australia Posts: 79	I've had mine for half a year, previous owner had it for about the same. Haven't had any problems so far, I've had probably ~4000 shots with it now.

03-19-2010, 12:30 AM	#9
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	so.... how can those of us, whom don't own the lens see the poll. Without signing out that is.

03-19-2010, 12:37 AM	#10
solisti Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 70	Originally posted by little laker so.... how can those of us, whom don't own the lens see the poll. Without signing out that is. The situation now is 30% (7) with faults and 70% (16) without. My 6 months old lens was one of the 7 and broke down, the focusing system got stuck so it couldn't be used even in manual focus mode.

03-19-2010, 02:38 AM	#11
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Originally posted by solisti The situation now is 30% (7) with faults and 70% (16) without. My 6 months old lens was one of the 7 and broke down, the focusing system got stuck so it couldn't be used even in manual focus mode. How often do you use yours? any idea what caused the trouble?

03-19-2010, 03:03 AM	#12
Naim Khan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire Posts: 177	Hi, I have bought mine just 3 or 4 weeks ago and have only taken a few pictures with it. I will now keep on praying that it remains healthy because you guys have really scared me. The lens isrefurbished so there is only a 6 month warranty on it!

03-19-2010, 03:40 AM	#13
solisti Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 70	Originally posted by rustynail925 How often do you use yours? any idea what caused the trouble? I bought it used in mint condition and had a nice month with the lens. Took perhaps 200-300 pics with it and the previous user hadn't used it that much either. It seemed a bit slow on response just before it broke down. The lens is in Germany at the moment for a service, so I don't have an idea about the cause yet...there's no service capable of servicing DA*-lenses in Finland. My guess is that the SDM motor burned and got stuck giving so much friction that the quick focus system couldn't move either when using MF.

03-19-2010, 07:43 AM	#15
solisti Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 70	Originally posted by xGene By the way, should I vote twice, as I had 2 failures on different lenses? Register another account and vote . Hope all the best with the result.

DA*50-135mm f2.8 SDM Problems / No Problem

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!