What's the difference? 55-300 DA vs 55-300 DA L

tenthumbs · 01-13-2011, 12:24 PM

I'm looking to buy a SMC PENTAX DA 55-300MM and it seems two different lenses come up as I Google for pricing. DA and DA L both come up but it's not clear to me what the difference is. The DA L always shows up being cheaper. Am I looking at the same lens or is there a definite difference?

Thank you

pxpaulx · 01-13-2011, 12:28 PM

Optically the same. The L version lacks the following:

No Hood.
No Quick shift.
Plastic Vs Metal Mount.
No Case if bought separately.

Technically, the L version is only sold in camera kits, and if you are buying it separately, it has been separated from a 2 lens kit (both the K-x and K-r have 2 lens kits from which the DA L version comes from).

tenthumbs · 01-13-2011, 12:36 PM

Thank you for the quick reply. This is helpful and I appreciate it.

**Spodeworld** · 05-25-2012, 12:09 PM

I thought that the DA was supposed to be optically superior to the DA L. Is that really not the case?

Buschmaster · 05-25-2012, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by tenthumbs

What's the difference? 55-300 DA vs 55-300 DA L

An L.

Oh, and the things pxpaul mentioned.

KevinR · 05-25-2012, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by Spodeworld

I thought that the DA was supposed to be optically superior to the DA L. Is that really not the case?

Optically identical according to all credible references.

Pen-A · 05-25-2012, 01:08 PM

Get the DA version.. the quick shift alone is worth the extra bucks with this lens IMO.

ultraviolet · 05-25-2012, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by Pen-A

extra bucks

Here In Canada
DA $449.00 - DA L $249.00= $200 (Metal mount, Hood, QS)

[B&H does not have DAl but DA is $429]

rawr · 05-25-2012, 04:58 PM

Optically identical.

Even the DXO Optics Pro lens module for the DA 55-300 (which I don't have) works perfectly with the DAL 55-300 (which I do have).

frank · 05-25-2012, 07:13 PM

Heard the DAL version is less hunting on AF, probably true 'cause I do feel the DAL55-300 (which I have now) is a bit snappier than the DA55-300 (which I had before). Optically should be the same.

MegaPower · 05-25-2012, 07:59 PM

I had both and I would choose the DAL version.

01-13-2011, 12:24 PM	#1
tenthumbs New Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14	What's the difference? 55-300 DA vs 55-300 DA L I'm looking to buy a SMC PENTAX DA 55-300MM and it seems two different lenses come up as I Google for pricing. DA and DA L both come up but it's not clear to me what the difference is. The DA L always shows up being cheaper. Am I looking at the same lens or is there a definite difference? Thank you

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01-13-2011, 12:28 PM	#2
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Optically the same. The L version lacks the following: No Hood. No Quick shift. Plastic Vs Metal Mount. No Case if bought separately. Technically, the L version is only sold in camera kits, and if you are buying it separately, it has been separated from a 2 lens kit (both the K-x and K-r have 2 lens kits from which the DA L version comes from).

01-13-2011, 12:36 PM	#3
tenthumbs New Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14 Original Poster	Thank you for the quick reply. This is helpful and I appreciate it.

05-25-2012, 12:09 PM	#4
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370	I thought that the DA was supposed to be optically superior to the DA L. Is that really not the case?

05-25-2012, 12:17 PM	#5
Buschmaster Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 806	Originally posted by tenthumbs What's the difference? 55-300 DA vs 55-300 DA L An L. Oh, and the things pxpaul mentioned.

05-25-2012, 12:43 PM	#6
KevinR Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 653	Originally posted by Spodeworld I thought that the DA was supposed to be optically superior to the DA L. Is that really not the case? Optically identical according to all credible references.

05-25-2012, 01:08 PM	#7
Pen-A Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 675	Get the DA version.. the quick shift alone is worth the extra bucks with this lens IMO.

05-25-2012, 02:06 PM	#8
ultraviolet Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 687	Originally posted by Pen-A extra bucks Here In Canada DA $449.00 - DA L $249.00= $200 (Metal mount, Hood, QS) [B&H does not have DAl but DA is $429]

05-25-2012, 04:58 PM	#9
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Optically identical. Even the DXO Optics Pro lens module for the DA 55-300 (which I don't have) works perfectly with the DAL 55-300 (which I do have).

05-25-2012, 07:13 PM	#10
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Heard the DAL version is less hunting on AF, probably true 'cause I do feel the DAL55-300 (which I have now) is a bit snappier than the DA55-300 (which I had before). Optically should be the same.

05-25-2012, 07:59 PM	#11
MegaPower Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 636	I had both and I would choose the DAL version.