01-12-2015, 11:12 AM
AFAIK only 2 - the firsts - of the SDM lenses were known to have SDM issues; however, to the point I would never buy a second hand 16-50 (I would not buy a 16-50 at all, if I can get by without one). Indeed, a nasty problem for the owners.
Indeed, the last Pentax SDM lenses were the 60-250 (which I own, and I'm happy with) and the 55 f/1.4, well, not really - there was the D FA645 25mm as well (what's happening with that lens? It's MIA on Ricoh Imaging Japan's site... perhaps a DC motor upgrade? :lol: ). Nothing out of the ordinary AFAIK... except that they do use consumer-level "ultrasonic" micromotors, a big no-no for a high-end lens.
I think I've read about one DC motor failure... but yeah, those things are reliable. The one problem left to solve is speed.
Does Pentax have a WOW factor these days? I say they do. Just hold a K-3, with one of their compact, high quality primes. Pentax is about user experience, and less about benchmarks and specifications.
Indeed, the last Pentax SDM lenses were the 60-250 (which I own, and I'm happy with) and the 55 f/1.4, well, not really - there was the D FA645 25mm as well (what's happening with that lens? It's MIA on Ricoh Imaging Japan's site... perhaps a DC motor upgrade? :lol: ). Nothing out of the ordinary AFAIK... except that they do use consumer-level "ultrasonic" micromotors, a big no-no for a high-end lens.
I think I've read about one DC motor failure... but yeah, those things are reliable. The one problem left to solve is speed.
Does Pentax have a WOW factor these days? I say they do. Just hold a K-3, with one of their compact, high quality primes. Pentax is about user experience, and less about benchmarks and specifications.