Web Analytics RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: The SDM Petition Online

Sunday, January 17, 2010

The SDM Petition Online

Update (2-11): The Petition has been exploding! Currently there are 656 signatures already. I have not signed yet, though, so as to keep me "neutral" in the case! ;-)

--
Just read a post at the DPR Pentax SLR Forum about the subject issue, quoted:-

"Someone at Pentaxforums has created a petition regarding the unacceptable SDM from Pentax.

I think this is a good idea.
There must happen something.

Here is the link if you want to read it and sign it:
http://www.petitiononline.com/593039/petition.html"

And, the latest signature and comment page is here:-

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?593039&1

I do encourage any Pentaxian to sign and write something if you feel the same. In fact, what I think Pentax/Hoya should, in the following order of sequence and priority:-

1. Review the SDM design and/or the manufacturing process so as to improve its reliability (make it not so vulnerable) and performance (running/working at a higher speed);

2. Initiate Product Recall for all the affected users and provide Free upgrade/replacement services, after the latent defect(s) has(have) been located and hardware revision/update has been achieved;

3. Update the Firmware of Pentax DSLRs to allow an Option to select whether the users want to use SDM or screwdrive for AF if their lenses support both, i.e., namely, only the DA*16-50 and the DA*50-135.

For more SDM issues as reported and documented in my this Blog, you can use the Search funciton, e.g.:-

http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/search?q=sdm+issues

Comments (55)

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I had the 16-50mm DA* and 50-135mm DA* for a good while, used them a lot, and didn't notice anything. What's the problem with SDM?
3 replies · active 781 weeks ago
Michael A.'s avatar

Michael A. · 781 weeks ago

The DA*60-250mm (I used about 2 weeks) also has the dual system and it worked fine on ist*D and K-7. Hope folks what never used it or experienced any problem get involved as well, as it sometimes occurs (herd impulse :o)...
4 replies · active 781 weeks ago
A lot of Nikon's screw-drive lenses is faster than motor lenses. Canon too.
SDM is smooth and silence. Not speed.
16 replies · active 781 weeks ago
You use that word "assumptions" I do not think it means what you think it means... Yes I assume that if:

-Multiple Independent testing shows that SDM is sloooow
-Reports of SDM failure are posted on forums around the world
-Some of Pentax's biggest fanboys are posting their frustration with DA* lenses
-It is widely known that Pentax chose to use low-cost micromotors instead of ring motors
-No one ever posts reports of mechanical problems with Pentax screw drive lenses

then something must be wrong with Pentax SDM lenses. One can even say that to assume otherwise would be illogical.
5 replies · active 781 weeks ago
happy snapper's avatar

happy snapper · 781 weeks ago

Since the first *ist-D was out people have complained. Many at that time said honestly" Need fast AF buy another brand". No problem.
What is your point and stop fighting RH's battles ;)
A semi-offical Perntax response...not my conversation btw:
...............I've just received word from dorianb, as referred by Ken (thanks mate), which is at least something enlightening. Unfortunately that enlightenment is with a rather dim lamp - SDM issues are reportedly not common enough according to Pentax USA to consider it a systematic flaw in the technology. Return rates are apparently less than repair rates, and SDM-specific repairs are a relatively small (how small?) proportion of total repairs in the US...................................

Now do I believe that??? No, but that is the same as the whole "Pentax BAD" thing. These are "toys" for most and ALL brands have issues as I stated w/ the lens rental data...
Canon equiv lens failure rate:
Canon 17-55 f2.8 EF-S IS 29% IS failure, AF electronics, ERR99
LensRentals.com - Lens Repair Data 3.5
Another $1000 lens I'd have a hard time trusting....
# The Canon 17-55 IS has always been a high repair rate lens, although it’s been more problematic during the last 6 months than previously. We don’t think anything is really different, since the types of repairs are the same as they’ve always been and the rate, while up a bit, isn’t hugely higher.
# The Canon 50 f1.4 joins the list this period. Autofocus motor failure tended to hit hard at about one year’s use, which is why it hasn’t shown up until now — we only started stocking this lens about 18 months ago.
HELLO... CAN YOU SEE THIS?????? But I have to spell this out for you. I...am....not...using...this... to....defend... Pentax...only...to....show... you how....the...world...really....is..... Not black and white. Compared to products made 30 years ago they all are bad. Did you know sensors (sorry can't blame Pentax since they don't make them) deteriorate over time increasing hot pixels. More EVERY year...Only auto pixel mapping covers up this fact.
So do I believe Canon is junk? No. I would be leery buying that lens, just like the Pentax version... Will I go screaming ..see I told you so.. like a little child. No.
Fact of life.
Ask Klaus at photozone.de about de-centering. You may learn something if you apply yourself and stop looking for scape goats.
Ask Erwin Puts of Leia fame re: the decline of lens manufacturing over the past 20 years .Again you may learn something.
Is the a Pentax excuse? Of COURSE not.. It's just reality.......
Facts can be so inconvenient.
4 replies · active 781 weeks ago
The SDM petition has really been exploding in the last couple of days. It went up about 100 in one day alone! Maybe the word is getting out, and Pentax will actually do something! Your blog certainly helps because it is read worldwide. It would be nice to see a magazine review refer to the SDM issue, but magazines are only in the business of getting ad money from the camera companies. They would never address the truth if it costs them money. That is why they are all going bankrupt. People can get better info online, on sites like this.
1 reply · active 779 weeks ago
Anyone actually read the comments on that petition?
The majority of the undersigned have either had no failures with their lenses or don't even have an SDM lens.
The minority are the ones that have had problems.

Yet people are using this petition as data to present facts about how many failures there are. rofl
8 replies · active 769 weeks ago
I am a long time user of the DA* 16-50 f2/8 lens. I use it for the vast majority of my photos, though occasionally it gets competely baffled by the scene. Though I have lots of other lenses, the issues are not such that I use the alternatives very often
Well now even the Pro Pentax Shooter Benjikan has had an SDM failure!
Here is the link: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-len...

Still any doubters? RH is right about SDM!
5 replies · active 729 weeks ago

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