Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
05-05-2012, 04:52 PM   #1
Inactive Account




Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 59
DA 55-300 vs F 70-210?

So-- this is pure curiosity on my part. I own the F 70-210 (the version with SMC) but have not used the DA 55-300 before. I quite like the F lens, but have often heard good things about the 55-300. Wonder if anyone has had experience with both lenses, and could comment on how you felt they differed, and which one you preferred.

Feel free to comment on any characteristic that strikes you as setting the lenses apart-- not just sharpness, but also color and contrast, handling, etc. (Apart from the obvious difference in focal length! )

05-05-2012, 06:09 PM - 1 Like   #2
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
jatrax's Avatar

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington Cascades
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,991
I own both and like both. They are quite different in rendering however. The F 70-210 definitely has a 'film' look to it and seems to be more contrasty and have a greener color while the 55-300 renders things cooler. Neither is bad, just a little different. I believe I like the F 70-210 better for IQ.

However, I carry the 55-300 far more often. It has a better range and weighs a lot less. It is just easier to work with.

These are not the best shots and taken about 45 minutes apart so the light is even worse on the second shot but it's the only two I could find of nearly the same subject. Both oddly enough taken at 170mm.

Here is a shot with the F 70-210:
View Picture EXIF
Name:  2012.02.04@10.09.39.jpg
Views: 1602
Size:  403.2 KB





And here is one with DA L 55-300:
View Picture EXIF
Name:  2012.02.04@10.43.45.jpg
Views: 2377
Size:  425.5 KB
05-05-2012, 06:50 PM   #3
Veteran Member




Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 824
I tend to like the first a little better than second, though both look nice to me. A little different composition, in addtion. I may have to look for a 70-210, though I enjoy my 55-300 very much. Thanks. Glenn
05-05-2012, 07:17 PM   #4
Inactive Account




Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 59
Original Poster
Thanks Jatrax for sharing. Your pictures do seem to show some of the differences you described, especially the contrast and the green, almost aqua color of the sea.

Your pictures actually reminded me of the oceanside landscapes that Greg (the Northcoast Phototographer) often shows in his lens reviews. Do you happen to live close to him?

And Glenn-- if you ever decide to get the 70-210-- this is one of the lenses where bargains can be had if you look carefully/ wait patiently enough. I once saw one that went for $58 (I remember this well because that lens got eBay sniped from under my nose while I was at work! )

05-06-2012, 01:37 AM   #5
V10
Senior Member




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: B.C., Canada
Posts: 116
I too have both and I find the the F's colors to be less richer compared to the DA 55-300.

I like the DA better because its focal length is much more versatile for me, it's lighter, has faster autofocus, and speaking of autofocus, each time I focus the F it feels like a beginner driving manual for the first time. That said the F does win points for having 9 blades (DA has 6) and using 49mm filters.
05-06-2012, 08:13 AM   #6
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
jatrax's Avatar

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington Cascades
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,991
QuoteOriginally posted by V10 Quote
speaking of autofocus, each time I focus the F it feels like a beginner driving manual for the first time
Odd, because one of things I like about my F 70-210 is that it focuses much faster then my 55-300. Noisy, but almost an instant lock on, no back & forth, just 'zippp', done.

Do you have the Pentax F 70-210 (red lettering) or the Takumar F 70-210 (white lettering)?
05-06-2012, 08:19 AM   #7
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
jatrax's Avatar

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington Cascades
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,991
QuoteOriginally posted by Weber Quote
actually reminded me of the oceanside landscapes that Greg (the Northcoast Phototographer)
I believe he is in northern California, I am in Oregon though I drive through his area on business several times a year. The coast is similar from Eureka north and some of my shots are actually from California but most from Oregon. The ones posted here are from just north of Canon Beach, in Ecola State Park, Oregon.

And that is quite a complement because Greg actually has talent for this, I just collect lenses and pretend I'm a photographer.

05-06-2012, 08:20 AM   #8
Veteran Member
causey's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Arlington, VA
Photos: Albums
Posts: 3,757
QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
Odd, because one of things I like about my F 70-210 is that it focuses much faster then my 55-300. Noisy, but almost an instant lock on, no back & forth, just 'zippp', done.

Do you have the Pentax F 70-210 (red lettering) or the Takumar F 70-210 (white lettering)?
I have the Takumar, and my AF experience with it is similar to your experience with the F 70-210: definitely faster than 55-300's AF. I had a DA L 55-300 and recently ordered a DA 55-300 (the metal mount version), which is an excellent and versatile lens, but I'll keep my Takumar for events and such, where AF speed is important. (I think it has visibly better bokeh than the DA 55-300mm.)
05-06-2012, 12:26 PM   #9
Inactive Account




Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 59
Original Poster
My AF experience with the F 70-210 (I have the SMC version with red lettering) has been that it's deceptive-- the hand-feel made me think it was a slow focuser, but after using it for a while, especially to shoot events, I realize that it actually focuses fast. Fast enough to track people running on the far side of a hockey rink, for instance (with AF-C).

Maybe the heavy jerking and thudding* when it's focusing makes us subconsciously perceive it as slower than it really is?


*like a sledgehammer coming to a stop, oh yeah
05-06-2012, 01:01 PM   #10
Inactive Account




Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 59
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by causey Quote
I think it has visibly better bokeh than the DA 55-300mm.
Agreed that it has nice bokeh, though I don't know if it's better than the DA because I don't own the latter.

The 9 aperture blades do seem to have an effect.

05-06-2012, 11:12 PM   #11
V10
Senior Member




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: B.C., Canada
Posts: 116
QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
Odd, because one of things I like about my F 70-210 is that it focuses much faster then my 55-300. Noisy, but almost an instant lock on, no back & forth, just 'zippp', done.

Do you have the Pentax F 70-210 (red lettering) or the Takumar F 70-210 (white lettering)?
I have the Pentax F. I haven't used either lens in awhile -- not really a zoom or a telephoto guy -- so I'll play around with the two to compare the differences between AF speed once I get the chance.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
da, da 55-300 vs, k-mount, lenses, pentax lens, slr lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Kiron 28mm F2.0 P/K and Several other K-mount lenses MightyMike Sold Items 136 10-11-2012 09:04 PM
For Sale - Sold: Sigma 17-70,Tamron ad2 70-210 f/3.5,Tair-3 300 f/4.5/Tokina A 400 f/5.6 (World hinman Sold Items 26 01-10-2011 11:02 PM
DA 50-200 vs DA 55-300 vs Vivitar S1 70-210 vs Pentax-A 70-210; Tele-Zoom Comparo PentHassyKon Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 16 04-28-2010 03:40 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:38 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top