Pentax 55-300 DA or DA-L?

geekette · 06-02-2011, 11:45 PM

I am seriously thinking about buying the Pentax 55-300 DA (or DA-L) lens. Should I save the $100 or so and get the low cost version? Is the only difference the mount being plastic and not metal? Does this present any real problems?

Perhaps I should go with the low cost version because when the price drops (after Pentax comes out with a new and better zoom lens), I won't lose as much money? Or is this lens really something you think you'd keep for many many years to come, like the old Pentax glass.

Btw, how does the IQ at 300mm compare with the Pentax-A 300mm f4?

Adam · 06-02-2011, 11:50 PM

The other difference is that there is no hood bundled with the DA-L, and also there is no "quick shift", which means you can't make manual focus adjustments on the fly without putting the camera in MF mode.

I would go for the full DA version, as it also has higher resale value (and will keep that value later on).

Cannikin · 06-02-2011, 11:55 PM

The differences in the DA L are no Quick-Shift, no hood and a plastic mount.

I don't see Pentax replacing the 55-300 for a long, long time. It's a very good lens for the price, and fills the need for a low cost long telephoto zoom. Pentax already has a higher tier telephoto zoom covering nearly the same range (60-250).

**Ash** · 06-02-2011, 11:56 PM

Agree with Adam.
The DA version is worth the extra money in the long term.
Nevertheless, if you have no use for quick shift focusing or a lens hood, then there's no point in getting the DA version if all you need is the DAL.

geekette · 06-03-2011, 12:00 AM

Quickshift focusing sounds really handy, and so does the lens hood. Metal base is nice too I think. And resale value is important to me. I guess I'll just get the DA version, thanks you all.

Any suggestions where I should buy the Pentax 55-300 DA? I think I'll order it later today.

geekette · 06-03-2011, 12:01 AM

Are there any batches of Pentax 55-300 DA with any flaws? I want a perfect lens if I am going to pay over $300 for it. I dont know where to buy--who to trust.

UPDATE: oh wow, looks like the lens is around $400?

Cannikin · 06-03-2011, 12:08 AM

Originally posted by geekette

UPDATE: oh wow, looks like the lens is around $400?

Amazon has it for ~$360, and B&H/Adorama have it for $350 (you have to actually add it to the cart to see the real price).

nosliwmit · 06-03-2011, 12:16 AM

It's a nice lens. I'm sure you'll be happy with it. Mine focuses very fast and produces very clean images. My hood was always loose and it fell off a few times before I gooped a little rubber cement on the mounting ring so it's a snugger fit now.

mano · 06-03-2011, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by Cannikin

I don't see Pentax replacing the 55-300 for a long, long time. It's a very good lens for the price, and fills the need for a low cost long telephoto zoom. Pentax already has a higher tier telephoto zoom covering nearly the same range (60-250).

I would be grateful if they replaced it with a WR-version. I'm actually expecting the WR any day now, as I recently gave up waiting and got the current version.

Btw. I chose the non-L variant. I quite often use quick shift and generally prefer the metal mounts, although I don't have any information on the durability of the plastic one. Really nice lens.

06-02-2011, 11:45 PM	#1
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	Pentax 55-300 DA or DA-L? I am seriously thinking about buying the Pentax 55-300 DA (or DA-L) lens. Should I save the $100 or so and get the low cost version? Is the only difference the mount being plastic and not metal? Does this present any real problems? Perhaps I should go with the low cost version because when the price drops (after Pentax comes out with a new and better zoom lens), I won't lose as much money? Or is this lens really something you think you'd keep for many many years to come, like the old Pentax glass. Btw, how does the IQ at 300mm compare with the Pentax-A 300mm f4?

06-02-2011, 11:50 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The other difference is that there is no hood bundled with the DA-L, and also there is no "quick shift", which means you can't make manual focus adjustments on the fly without putting the camera in MF mode. I would go for the full DA version, as it also has higher resale value (and will keep that value later on). Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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06-02-2011, 11:55 PM	#3
Cannikin Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SW Washington Posts: 833	The differences in the DA L are no Quick-Shift, no hood and a plastic mount. I don't see Pentax replacing the 55-300 for a long, long time. It's a very good lens for the price, and fills the need for a low cost long telephoto zoom. Pentax already has a higher tier telephoto zoom covering nearly the same range (60-250).

06-02-2011, 11:56 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Agree with Adam. The DA version is worth the extra money in the long term. Nevertheless, if you have no use for quick shift focusing or a lens hood, then there's no point in getting the DA version if all you need is the DAL.

06-03-2011, 12:00 AM	#5
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528 Original Poster	Quickshift focusing sounds really handy, and so does the lens hood. Metal base is nice too I think. And resale value is important to me. I guess I'll just get the DA version, thanks you all. Any suggestions where I should buy the Pentax 55-300 DA? I think I'll order it later today.

06-03-2011, 12:01 AM	#6
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528 Original Poster	Are there any batches of Pentax 55-300 DA with any flaws? I want a perfect lens if I am going to pay over $300 for it. I dont know where to buy--who to trust. UPDATE: oh wow, looks like the lens is around $400?

06-03-2011, 12:08 AM	#7
Cannikin Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SW Washington Posts: 833	Originally posted by geekette UPDATE: oh wow, looks like the lens is around $400? Amazon has it for ~$360, and B&H/Adorama have it for $350 (you have to actually add it to the cart to see the real price).

06-03-2011, 12:16 AM	#8
nosliwmit Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 913	It's a nice lens. I'm sure you'll be happy with it. Mine focuses very fast and produces very clean images. My hood was always loose and it fell off a few times before I gooped a little rubber cement on the mounting ring so it's a snugger fit now.

06-03-2011, 12:41 AM	#9
mano Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 151	Originally posted by Cannikin I don't see Pentax replacing the 55-300 for a long, long time. It's a very good lens for the price, and fills the need for a low cost long telephoto zoom. Pentax already has a higher tier telephoto zoom covering nearly the same range (60-250). I would be grateful if they replaced it with a WR-version. I'm actually expecting the WR any day now, as I recently gave up waiting and got the current version. Btw. I chose the non-L variant. I quite often use quick shift and generally prefer the metal mounts, although I don't have any information on the durability of the plastic one. Really nice lens.