Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm SDM Issue

-Hi,

The whole SDM story is a veiled and disappointing one, firstly, OK, any manufacturer can design a system which turns out over a period of time to be "unreliable" , normally the follow on is a redesign which cures the problem and this is what happened eventually, only many years went by before they addressed themselves to the problem. These lenses are batch produced and many thousands were manufactured and stocked for sale appropriately.

What to do with these lenses after it became apparent that in fact there was a problem with the SDM system? Take them out of the warehouse and rebuild them with the new replacement motor? No, that would have cost a fortune and would have resulted in a tremendous financial loss, what to do then? Answer nothing at all, admit to a problem? well not out loud.

So they decided to say "nothing" (excepting an unofficial mutter at I think, Photokina ) knowing that the majority of the lenses would likely at least last out the one years guarantee (although many didn't) and thereafter have the customer pay for the repair. So from having a potential situation of facing a complete motor change of all their SDM lens stock and all the losses that would entail they stood back and let the customer pay.

What is the situation now?  Well the new motors are there, but there's still plenty of the old motor stock about for sale and Pentax hasn't released any serial numbers to indicate the changes, so you buy in the dark.