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Clothears · 05-04-2012, 01:15 PM

Seems like it anyway. Amazon UK had nine new the other day, backordered now. This seems to happen regularly, too. And on eBay, there have been six or seven recently, going for about 65% of new. And it seems like a good lens, near as I can tell.

cott789 · 05-04-2012, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by Clothears

Seems like it anyway. Amazon UK had nine new the other day, backordered now. This seems to happen regularly, too. And on eBay, there have been six or seven recently, going for about 65% of new. And it seems like a good lens, near as I can tell.

I purchased that lens new a couple of months ago and paid about $470 US. I have to say that my expectations of it were far less (considering the low price), but matched with my K-5, I am amazed over and over how well it actually performs!

hcc · 05-04-2012, 03:12 PM

You may be interested to read the indepth reviews of the lens:
Pentax-DA 55-300mm Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com
http://www.photozone.de/pentax/396-pentax_55300_458

The lens is well regarded among the PF community and beyond.

**jatrax** · 05-04-2012, 03:13 PM

Yep,
As I review images from a shoot I will often see a nice one that looks really sharp and assume it was taken with DA*16-50 or even a prime. But checking the exif I always laugh when it says DA L 55-300. Remarkable IQ from a consumer zoom.

Ferdinand · 05-04-2012, 05:13 PM

I agree!!

Especially on relatively near targets I find contrast and sharpness top!
This lens is fully capable of producing the highest quality images. Moreover, with the low light capabilities of the K-5, along with the in camera lens corrections even some of the shortcomings of the lens are not so constraining anymore. I would find it a waste of money to get a faster but much much heavier tele lens.

Here is a squirrel that I shot with the DAL version the other day in DC:

The Mighty Gray Squiral, the King of Parks - Bild & Foto von F.F. Heinz aus Nagetiere & Hasenartige - Fotografie (27798008) | fotocommunity

Blue · 05-04-2012, 05:33 PM

I think the only 2 lenses good enough to replace it and actually be an upgrade in the Pentax line up are the DA* 300mm/4 or DA* 60-250/4.

Ferdinand · 05-04-2012, 05:41 PM

How would you characterize the difference in the image quality between the 55-300 and the two other lenses you mentioned?

Blue · 05-04-2012, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by Ferdinand

How would you characterize the difference in the image quality between the 55-300 and the two other lenses you mentioned?

I can really speak for the DA* zoom but I had the DA 55-300 until I got the DA* 300. The IQ is good throughout the range on the 55-300. The big advantage is that at 300mm the zoom is at 5.8 maximum aperture. However, in ample light that isn't an issue. The IQ is good on the 55-300 but very good on the DA* 300.

Here are some sample shots with the 55-300 on a K200d @ 300 up high in the stands.
f8

f8

@ f5.8

GlennG · 05-04-2012, 08:32 PM

I've had my 55-300 for over 2 years and have been very happy with it. Using it on a k100d Super.

**germar** · 05-05-2012, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by Blue

I can really speak for the DA* zoom but I had the DA 55-300 until I got the DA* 300. The IQ is good throughout the range on the 55-300. The big advantage is that at 300mm the zoom is at 5.8 maximum aperture. However, in ample light that isn't an issue. The IQ is good on the 55-300 but very good on the DA* 300.

Here are some sample shots with the 55-300 on a K200d @ 300 up high in the stands.
f8

f8

f8

@ f5.8

Excellent examples of what the 55-300 can do. IQ like this made me waver on buying a DA* 60-250 until .... Pentax priced it completely out of my zip code.

And I had forgotten how interesting FSU girls can look on a hot football Saturday.

lesmore49 · 05-05-2012, 11:51 AM

I have a 55-300...one of the first. I received it as a gift in June 2008, shortly after it's introduction. Fabulous lens....great price...more than compares with any of it's consumer class from other brands.

JETninja · 05-06-2012, 06:15 PM

Hmmm...love mine except up near the 280-300 range and it gets noticeably softer in the view finder on my K200D....so I never shoot at full zoom. Otherwise I love the lens!

alohadave · 05-06-2012, 06:23 PM

Originally posted by GlennG

I've had my 55-300 for over 2 years and have been very happy with it. Using it on a k100d Super.

Same here. It works really well as a portrait lens as well as a long zoom.

lesmore49 · 05-07-2012, 10:12 AM

Originally posted by JETninja

Hmmm...love mine except up near the 280-300 range and it gets noticeably softer in the view finder on my K200D....so I never shoot at full zoom. Otherwise I love the lens!

Mine is sharp from 55 to 300mm. If I recall correctly the Pop Photo test indicated that the 55-300 continued to be very sharp at the upper end ...ie; 250-300mm.

My version as mentioned earlier, is one of the first off the assembly line and has the metal lens mount. Don't know if this makes any difference.

05-04-2012, 01:15 PM	#1
Clothears Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canterbury Posts: 170	Pentax DA 55-300 going like hotcakes Seems like it anyway. Amazon UK had nine new the other day, backordered now. This seems to happen regularly, too. And on eBay, there have been six or seven recently, going for about 65% of new. And it seems like a good lens, near as I can tell.

05-04-2012, 05:53 PM	#8
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Ferdinand How would you characterize the difference in the image quality between the 55-300 and the two other lenses you mentioned? I can really speak for the DA* zoom but I had the DA 55-300 until I got the DA* 300. The IQ is good throughout the range on the 55-300. The big advantage is that at 300mm the zoom is at 5.8 maximum aperture. However, in ample light that isn't an issue. The IQ is good on the 55-300 but very good on the DA* 300. Here are some sample shots with the 55-300 on a K200d @ 300 up high in the stands. f8 f8 f8 @ f5.8 Last edited by Blue; 05-04-2012 at 06:03 PM.

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05-04-2012, 01:28 PM	#2
cott789 New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 11	Originally posted by Clothears Seems like it anyway. Amazon UK had nine new the other day, backordered now. This seems to happen regularly, too. And on eBay, there have been six or seven recently, going for about 65% of new. And it seems like a good lens, near as I can tell. I purchased that lens new a couple of months ago and paid about $470 US. I have to say that my expectations of it were far less (considering the low price), but matched with my K-5, I am amazed over and over how well it actually performs!

05-04-2012, 03:12 PM	#3
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	You may be interested to read the indepth reviews of the lens: Pentax-DA 55-300mm Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com http://www.photozone.de/pentax/396-pentax_55300_458 The lens is well regarded among the PF community and beyond.

05-04-2012, 03:13 PM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Yep, As I review images from a shoot I will often see a nice one that looks really sharp and assume it was taken with DA*16-50 or even a prime. But checking the exif I always laugh when it says DA L 55-300. Remarkable IQ from a consumer zoom.

05-04-2012, 05:13 PM	#5
Ferdinand Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Frankfurt Photos: Albums Posts: 89	I agree!! Especially on relatively near targets I find contrast and sharpness top! This lens is fully capable of producing the highest quality images. Moreover, with the low light capabilities of the K-5, along with the in camera lens corrections even some of the shortcomings of the lens are not so constraining anymore. I would find it a waste of money to get a faster but much much heavier tele lens. Here is a squirrel that I shot with the DAL version the other day in DC: The Mighty Gray Squiral, the King of Parks - Bild & Foto von F.F. Heinz aus Nagetiere & Hasenartige - Fotografie (27798008) \| fotocommunity

05-04-2012, 05:33 PM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I think the only 2 lenses good enough to replace it and actually be an upgrade in the Pentax line up are the DA* 300mm/4 or DA* 60-250/4.

05-04-2012, 05:41 PM	#7
Ferdinand Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Frankfurt Photos: Albums Posts: 89	How would you characterize the difference in the image quality between the 55-300 and the two other lenses you mentioned?

05-04-2012, 08:32 PM	#9
GlennG Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824	I've had my 55-300 for over 2 years and have been very happy with it. Using it on a k100d Super.

05-05-2012, 11:38 AM	#10
germar Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Palm Beach, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 728	Originally posted by Blue I can really speak for the DA* zoom but I had the DA 55-300 until I got the DA* 300. The IQ is good throughout the range on the 55-300. The big advantage is that at 300mm the zoom is at 5.8 maximum aperture. However, in ample light that isn't an issue. The IQ is good on the 55-300 but very good on the DA* 300. Here are some sample shots with the 55-300 on a K200d @ 300 up high in the stands. f8 f8 f8 @ f5.8 Excellent examples of what the 55-300 can do. IQ like this made me waver on buying a DA* 60-250 until .... Pentax priced it completely out of my zip code. And I had forgotten how interesting FSU girls can look on a hot football Saturday.

05-05-2012, 11:51 AM	#11
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,350	I have a 55-300...one of the first. I received it as a gift in June 2008, shortly after it's introduction. Fabulous lens....great price...more than compares with any of it's consumer class from other brands.

05-06-2012, 06:15 PM	#12
JETninja Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sammamish, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 161	Hmmm...love mine except up near the 280-300 range and it gets noticeably softer in the view finder on my K200D....so I never shoot at full zoom. Otherwise I love the lens!

05-06-2012, 06:23 PM	#13
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by GlennG I've had my 55-300 for over 2 years and have been very happy with it. Using it on a k100d Super. Same here. It works really well as a portrait lens as well as a long zoom.

05-07-2012, 10:12 AM	#14
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,350	Originally posted by JETninja Hmmm...love mine except up near the 280-300 range and it gets noticeably softer in the view finder on my K200D....so I never shoot at full zoom. Otherwise I love the lens! Mine is sharp from 55 to 300mm. If I recall correctly the Pop Photo test indicated that the 55-300 continued to be very sharp at the upper end ...ie; 250-300mm. My version as mentioned earlier, is one of the first off the assembly line and has the metal lens mount. Don't know if this makes any difference.

Pentax DA 55-300 going like hotcakes

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!