50-135 : Worth the SDM risk?

I am considering buying this lens. I am worried. I have intentionally avoiding SDM lenses for years now given the intermittant problems. What are your thoughts for those that own the lens? Should I take the risk? It's not a lens I would use frequently, perhaps 1-2x per month. Thoughts?

buy it, if its broken send it in on warranty, that's what the warranty is there for. too many people just ship it back to the store for another copy and the store are too lazy to send the product back for servicing kind of like the photographers who are also too lazy for the same reason. Then the store resells the item to the next unsuspecting customer. sure there are bad copies out there and the SDM is known to break down but i doubt its as bad as most would suggest it is on the forum.
--
Mike from Canada

'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote '



http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?sort_order=views%20DESC&first_this_page=0&page_limit=180&&emailsearch=mighty_mike88%40hotmail.com&thumbnails=

SDM failures are over-reported, especially on forums like these. For each person who has had an SDM lens fail on them, you'll have hundreds of posts where other people repeat the same thing even though they have never had an SDM lens fail on them.

However, if you're going to use it once or twice a month you might get better mileage out of some other purchase.

--
PPG - http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/philipgoh

I'd say it's worth it. Neither my 50-135 nor my 16-50 has had any SDM problems.

However, whether they have or not is completely anecdotal.
Their optical qualities are not.

I'd buy the DA* 50-135 again in a heart beat, even if it was a manual focus lens. It is a wonderful piece of glass.

/ Richie - http://www.carpelux.net

During my 2 years of ownership of this lens, shooting with it every week, no SDM problem at all, and you know I'm not a Pentax apologist.

If you're afraid, get it new and have it fixed under warranty if anything breaks.

If you think you need it and have the funds, just get this lens, you won't regret one bit. It's the best K mount portrait lens and general tele I've used. Better than the SMCT 85/1.8 I also owned. Probably better than the FA* 80-200 too after comparing what I read for these 2 lenses.

One advice I see around here is to keep your battery level high when you use this lens. I have not verified its validity because this lens did not break on me and I pretty much shoot until a battery runs out before swapping in a new one.

Kyle Logan said:

I am considering buying this lens. I am worried. I have intentionally avoiding SDM lenses for years now given the intermittant problems. What are your thoughts for those that own the lens? Should I take the risk? It's not a lens I would use frequently, perhaps 1-2x per month. Thoughts?

Click to expand...

Because there's no risk.
I did have an SDM failure being one of the biggest supporters of the DA*16-50.
But the DA*50-135 is working since day one as a great lens.

Do I have fear? No. But I did. And did everything to break it during the warranty period. Everything that was posted here on the forum that could give the SDM failure, I repeated at home. Not in use for a month (that one was really hard). Take it out with the camera on... etc...
And it is a year and a half after, working flawlessly.
I don't regret buying it.
--
Alan Schamber

Progress is not possible without deviation from the norm - Frank Zappa

and it is still going strong. I got it from the first batch in NL and worked flawless ever since. Optical it's a gem, AF speed is good but on the slow side.

My 16-50 2.8 is the same age and is also working without a glitch. AF is a speedy as the Canon 17-40 L on my 7D.

--
Bye4now



http://www.indots.nl

I have the deepest respect for all those people who like me.

Philip Goh said:

SDM failures are over-reported, especially on forums like these.

Click to expand...

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tytSIc_52GQo_jdEMXdcEmg&output=html

Lens: number of SDM issues reported
16-50mm: 51
50-135mm: 44
17-70mm: 11
60-250mm: 1
55mm: 0
200mm: 2
300mm: 6
Total: 115

90 posters reporting issues. Links to posts included so you can determine the accuracy or not of the table, or can decide on the inclusion or exclusion of posts reporting the issue.

I personally would buy the lens, but I would buy the lens with an extended warranty.

Thank you
Russell

--
http://waorak.tripod.com/

Those with a lens suffering SDM failure will tell you that the risk is very high, those with a working SDM lens will tell you that the problem is blown out of proportion

One thing Id keep in mind is the long perspective. As someone using a lot of lenses made the last 20-40 years, Id expect an expensive lens I buy today to last at least 20 years. Do you expect SDM to hold up for that long, and if it does not, do you think anyone will be doing SDM repairs 20 years from now? Or even 10, considering that Pentax has now introduced a new in-lens motor (the DC motor in the 18-135).

The only data I have seen was from the SDM poll here on this forum, where some conclusions could be drawn from those with multiple lenses. Obviously everyone in the list was among the unlucky that had lenses fail. However, many of them owned at least 1 more SDM lens. If the SDM failure rate had been 10%, then on average 10% of those lenses beyond the first failed lens should also fail. Unfortunately, the rate was over 30%, and that was for lenses at most 2 years old. The data is not perfect, as for example humidity or usage patterns may affect the statistics, but Id be surprised if SDM failure rate was below 20% for the first 3 years.

--
My Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36164047@N06/

Mine is still going strong after 2+ years. Luck of the draw but I believe this is a lot more reliable than 16-50mm but this is entirely anecdotal.

Believe me, when you will see the images you will use it more often than that

Some had problems some don't...i've never had any problem with mine, such a great lens!

--
Leopold
Pentax forever
http://smarcoux.zenfolio.com/

SDM failures are one of the few reasons I bought a into Canon.

I'll never own a SDM lens, new, or used.

Good Luck !

CANIKONTAXIAN said:

SDM failures are one of the few reasons I bought a into Canon.

I'll never own a SDM lens, new, or used.

Good Luck !

Click to expand...

USM failure is also to be expected on some of the Canon lenses. I have seen in my classes 3 USM motor failures on L lenses not older then 2 years! I don't have a clue what this means in a broader picture but it happens.

But also IS/VR failures are known in Canon and Nikon lenses. The problem is that lenses are not as reliably any more on the long run as the non electronic versions of the past.

It's the burden of progression....more advanced...more vulnerable in the long run.

Your remark here is only to gospel doom, without real life experience with SDM yourself. I used mine now for 3 years plus and they still work without a glitch. SDM will for sure fail in the future, that is a fact. But is the failure rate, over many years of use, that much different then from other brands? That is the real question.

--
Bye4now



http://www.indots.nl

I have the deepest respect for all those people who like me.

Personally, I'm not buying another SDM lens. There is no point. SDM is all hype. No real benefit.

I have the 50-135 lens, which is REALLY a good lens optically. Then came the SDM issues. The SDM autofocus has SLOWED DOWN over time. It still does AF but noticably slower and squeakier. AF is slow on the 50-135 anyway. As a photog, you can mask that issue, dance around it, re-route it, act as if isn't important to your style of shooting, whatever. Bottom line is it's $900 with questionable AF.

I'm going for the Sigma 50-150 lens now.

My theory is that the problems have been for the most part solved by now because we don't hear of the problem near as much as we used to. Unfortunately, I was one of those "early adopters" who had bad luck with the SDM driven 50-135:

• purchased in May 2008
• went bad after around 6 months or so
• replaced for free under warrantee with another (but with lower serial # which I assume meant earlier manufacture date)
• the replacement went bad after approx 6 months use
• sent in for repair (treated as a warrantee repair by Pentax even though more than a year since my lens purchase). They had to order replacement parts from Japan - thankfully I had the 55-300 purchased by then.

Since then it's been reliable .

In spite of my unfortunate sequence of events, I wouldn't fear ordering another as long as it was a recent production model. Pentax treated me well by accepting the later repair as a warrantee repair even though they could have argued otherwise. For that I'm thankful and not complaining at all.

One other theory - I think that camera models have dedicated batteries may fare better with SDMs as a general rule because of the higher voltage they deliver. My K200D uses 4 AA batteries, producing a max of 6 volts of lens driving power, while I'm pretty sure the dedicated batteries are around 7.5 volts.

My rambling 2 cents...
--
DarylK

Nikon warranties their glass for 5 years here in USA.

As you experience trumps others, I've yet to suffer any failure with $12,000 in Canon gear I bought new.

If something breaks, I'll send it to Canon and get it repaired. Its all well made to begin with, so I have high expectations it will continue to perform flawlessly as is or if ever repaired.

Whereas Pentax sells very few SDM lenses and there are numerous owner reports of failures. Statistically it is significant considering Pentax takes just 4-6% marketshare.

Canon still has 3 factory service centers in USA, Pentax has Zero.

I've never read of any Canon IS gyro failure, I assume you've got a bunch of links you'd like to share ?

Richard Smals said:

CANIKONTAXIAN said:

SDM failures are one of the few reasons I bought a into Canon.

I'll never own a SDM lens, new, or used.

Good Luck !

Click to expand...

USM failure is also to be expected on some of the Canon lenses. I have seen in my classes 3 USM motor failures on L lenses not older then 2 years! I don't have a clue what this means in a broader picture but it happens.

But also IS/VR failures are known in Canon and Nikon lenses. The problem is that lenses are not as reliably any more on the long run as the non electronic versions of the past.

It's the burden of progression....more advanced...more vulnerable in the long run.

Your remark here is only to gospel doom, without real life experience with SDM yourself. I used mine now for 3 years plus and they still work without a glitch. SDM will for sure fail in the future, that is a fact. But is the failure rate, over many years of use, that much different then from other brands? That is the real question.

--
Bye4now



http://www.indots.nl

I have the deepest respect for all those people who like me.

Click to expand...

CANIKONTAXIAN said:

I've never read of any Canon IS gyro failure, I assume you've got a bunch of links you'd like to share ?

Click to expand...

No i don't have any links to share, because it's a silly question. You want prove from others but don't give prove yourself.

I give honest information based on experience in the field, this in conjunction with over 400 students I had the pleasure to worked with. If you question my honesty or knowledge that is up to you.

So my view is based on actual practising photography and not on spitting in forums and collecting links.

--
Bye4now



http://www.indots.nl

I have the deepest respect for all those people who like me.

I've heard of Canon USM failures, but those being actually repaired. With Pentax SDM, I haven't experienced, but I've read of many sending lenses in and getting them back with the SAME problems, the repair center saying that the lens is fine.

With Canon, if I had to send a lens in, I would have fewer qualms about sending the lens to a repair center, because I'd expect it to come back actually repaired.

CANIKONTAXIAN said:

I've yet to suffer any failure with $12,000 in Canon gear I bought new.

Click to expand...

Oh my, such a big deal my friend. I've often wondered why you are in this Pentax forum other than to bash Pentax? Now, I finally realize it is to "brag". OK, I can brag a bit also.

I've yet to suffer any failure with $24,000 in Pentax gear that I bought new or used. I own ALL of the SDM lenses and there has been zero failures.

So there....

EDIT: You are such a phony CANIKONTAXIAN. Only worthy of ignore IMO.

Cheers.

Ron

--
Ron - 'We don't have time to go take pics this afternoon Carl.'
Carl - 'What do you mean? It will only take 1/1000s.'

'Keep your eyes looking forward. However, glance back now and then to see where you've come from. It will put a smile on your face.' ~ brandrx

I have wanted this lens for 3 years.... no way will I end up with it since the SDM issues are still there. And it is a measly 1 year warranty in the US
--
'Nothing is worse than active ignorance'

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe