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Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

Started Jan 31, 2015 | User reviews
Michael Perham Senior Member • Posts: 1,349
Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

Only issue I have with this lens is the slow autofocus ...and had to have the SDM replaced once. Image quality is good.

 Michael Perham's gear list:Michael Perham's gear list
Fujifilm XQ1 Fujifilm X70 Pentax smc DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM Pentax smc DA 12-24mm F4.0 ED AL (IF) +3 more
Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM
Telephoto zoom lens • Pentax KAF2 • 21660
Announced: Feb 21, 2007
Michael Perham's score
4.0
Average community score
4.4
robbo d Veteran Member • Posts: 3,884
Re: Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

My copy has just been repaired (SDM failure) by CR Kennedy's the Pentax distributor in Australia as we speak ....... should be coming home soon !!

Agree with your assesment but while the AF is not fantastic I bet you could do some close action sport, especially if your already in the zone, much like the 55-300.

Optical quality, well .......... DA star and beautiful

sleepwalker400 Senior Member • Posts: 1,849
Re: Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

I am sorry ,but I would never buy this lens. Unless Pentax put in the camera tha ability to run from screw mount via firmware. But I  am not sure this lens can run from screw mount. SO they can keep it, it is ashame cuz  the image quality is there. Maybe they need to use a better motor.

 sleepwalker400's gear list:sleepwalker400's gear list
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 Pentax *ist DL Pentax K10D Pentax K-30
leggeron Senior Member • Posts: 1,077
Re: Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

I am sorry ,but I would never buy this lens. Unless Pentax put in the camera tha ability to run from screw mount via firmware. But I  am not sure this lens can run from screw mount. SO they can keep it, it is ashame cuz  the image quality is there. Maybe they need to use a better motor.

I believe it can be "hacked" at home to run on screw drive just like the 16-50 2.8
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 leggeron's gear list:leggeron's gear list
Fujifilm FinePix X100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 +14 more
nznhut Regular Member • Posts: 468
Re: Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

sleepwalker400 wrote:

I am sorry ,but I would never buy this lens. Unless Pentax put in the camera tha ability to run from screw mount via firmware. But I am not sure this lens can run from screw mount. SO they can keep it, it is ashame cuz the image quality is there. Maybe they need to use a better motor.

Yes, it can run from screwmount with a DIY firmware update.  Search this forum or Google it, there are lots of posts on it.

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sleepwalker400 Senior Member • Posts: 1,849
Re: Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

I thought so too, but it is risky  and voids the warranty on the camera. Not to mention you could brick it.

 sleepwalker400's gear list:sleepwalker400's gear list
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 Pentax *ist DL Pentax K10D Pentax K-30
sleepwalker400 Senior Member • Posts: 1,849
Re: Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

Yes but Pentax needs to put  in the menu this option.

 sleepwalker400's gear list:sleepwalker400's gear list
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 Pentax *ist DL Pentax K10D Pentax K-30
OP Michael Perham Senior Member • Posts: 1,349
Re: Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

How is the autofocus on the 60-250?  I know it's a stop slower but has a good range and I would consider this if it had faster autofocus.  I have two other DA* lenses and neither is as slow as the 50-135.

 Michael Perham's gear list:Michael Perham's gear list
Fujifilm XQ1 Fujifilm X70 Pentax smc DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM Pentax smc DA 12-24mm F4.0 ED AL (IF) +3 more
kriztian Senior Member • Posts: 1,449
Re: Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

I have had mine since 2011 anf there has never been a problem apart from  it is a Little bit slow compared to other brands. What I do is that I take it out at least once a week and focus with it back and forth using both the SDM motor as well as focus manually ( all the way ) a couple of times. I got this advice from someone at this forum.  50-135 is like a dog. You have to walk it every now and then.

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kriztian

OP Michael Perham Senior Member • Posts: 1,349
Re: Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

kriztian wrote:

50-135 is like a dog. You have to walk it every now and then.

Thanks, I'll try this.  I got a bit perturbed when I pulled it out to take the shots of the "friendly neighborhood fox" in my other post.  Hadn't used this lens for a while and it was really sluggish ...will see if exercise makes it better.

 Michael Perham's gear list:Michael Perham's gear list
Fujifilm XQ1 Fujifilm X70 Pentax smc DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM Pentax smc DA 12-24mm F4.0 ED AL (IF) +3 more
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