Pentax DA 55-300 handson experiences

[darrrrrrrrrr]

Need one for indoor though . . . So still need to put money aside for a 2.8 and get one for all purpose

i thought of trading/selling my DA* 50-135 for a 70-200, but after shooting with it last night, i realised that the DA* is a total keeper. with the new cameras' high MP count one can easily crop for a tighter shot.

the 55-300 looks good, i want to try it someday and compare it to the tamron 70-300, which i find better than the sigma 70-300.

 

[felixcat8888]

i thought of trading/selling my DA* 50-135 for a 70-200, but after shooting with it last night, i realised that the DA* is a total keeper. with the new cameras' high MP count one can easily crop for a tighter shot.

the 55-300 looks good, i want to try it someday and compare it to the tamron 70-300, which i find better than the sigma 70-300.

So, interms of the 2.8s, our 50-135 is still much better?

I used to have the Sigma 70-300 until fungus got to it. Will scout around slowly then . . .

 

[darrrrrrrrrr]

So, interms of the 2.8s, our 50-135 is still much better?

I used to have the Sigma 70-300 until fungus got to it. Will scout around slowly then . . .

AF not very quick but the IQ is really good and the 50-70mm range is very useful on crop sensor format. most impty the 70-200mm lenses are huge.

as usual, happy shopping!

 

[istDeS]

The FA80-320 is a good lens, but this DA lens is a better one

I'm just keeping it as a spare, only take it out once a while to see the sun. One from today with 80-320. :bsmilie:

 

[P3ntx]

I could have believe u, if you had told me it's a 50-135* but only FA 80-320... is hard to swallow ..really good len.

 

[johnnsom]

Is this lens the same with the DAL version aside from the plastic mount? I might get K-x with the 2-kits as package.. thanks!

 

[fengwei]

Some of mine

need to train iron-hand

Better get closer to your target next time, you'd get even better shots

Use it for a while, you might like it more

 

[fengwei]

Need one for indoor though . . . So still need to put money aside for a 2.8 and get one for all purpose

Indoor you either need a flash, or a fast 2.8 zoom. With a flash, even a kit lens can get the job done

the 55-300 looks good, i want to try it someday and compare it to the tamron 70-300, which i find better than the sigma 70-300.

Someone at Pentaxforum compared the Tamron and DA55300, seems his Tamron copy is slightly sharper than his DA55300 at the tele end. Kinda different from my own experience though. But both are consumer level tele zoom lenses, we can't expect too much I guess.

For now, I'm very happy w/ the DA55300 for what it's capable of

 

[fengwei]

I'm just keeping it as a spare, only take it out once a while to see the sun. One from today with 80-320. :bsmilie:

That's a nice capture As I said, the FA80-320 is a very good lens, it got quite some happy owners too.

Is this lens the same with the DAL version aside from the plastic mount? I might get K-x with the 2-kits as package.. thanks!

Actually someone said the DAL lens is probably even better, w/ less hunting problem at least The only differences between these two:

1. DAL got a plastic mount while the DA got a metal one.
2. DAL doesn't come w/ quick shift (for quick shifting to manual focusing even when the camera is set to AF)
3. DAL doesn't come w/ a hood

I'd go w/ the DAL if it's much cheaper

 

[nik34]

Someone at Pentaxforum compared the Tamron and DA55300, seems his Tamron copy is slightly sharper than his DA55300 at the tele end. Kinda different from my own experience though. But both are consumer level tele zoom lenses, we can't expect too much I guess.

For now, I'm very happy w/ the DA55300 for what it's capable of [/QUOTE]




Not try Tamron before but for this shot i'm pleased with the result from DA55300 tele end,
shot taken at 300mm 200/5.6 handheld but offcos thanks to the SR system too.

 

[art2d2]

Nice shots Fengwei, its indeed a good lens. After using this lens for the past 5 months its currently my 2nd most used lens (DA 21mm is still my favourite). Open wide is a lot better than the DA 50-200mm that I use to own. Just some shots taken with the DA 55-300.

DA55-300 @ 210mm, F5.6, 1/80, iso500

DA55-300 @ 300mm, F5.8, 1/1600, iso400

DA55-300 @ 135mm, F4.5, 1/100, iso400

And most of my Beijing zoo shots http://art2d2.clubsnap.org/gallery/bjzoo0609

 

[felixcat8888]

So looks like I will get the 55-300mm. Mmm . . . Wonder how much it will cost . . .;p