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SenorBeef · 05-10-2012, 05:37 PM

The DA 55-300 is up to $430 in the US because of the new pricing policy, but you can still find the DA-L for under $250 if you look hard enough. I guess this is because the DA-L has no official MSRP because it's seperated out of kits to be sold.

Can the DA 55-300 justify being almost double the price? The difference as I understand it is just the metal mount, quick shift, and hood, right? And you can get a cheap replacement hood off ebay. Would you be able to tell which lens made a picture by looking at it, or is the picture quality identical?

What are the real risks with the plastic bayonet? Do you have to treat the camera delicately? Can the plastic flake off over time and scratch the sensor or mirror or anything like that?

**boriscleto** · 05-10-2012, 05:54 PM

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-d...d-samples.html

**interested_observer** · 05-10-2012, 08:37 PM

Since they are both the same in terms of the optical formula, you should not be able to tell the difference. In terms of the plastic mount, the L has been out for several years and I do not remember reading about any problems here. You can do a search and see.

jimr-pdx · 05-10-2012, 08:44 PM

I have had two of each, all four gave me equivalent and excellent results.
Quick-shift can be addicting, it's a real convenience - but $200 in one's pocket (or bank account, or next-lens fund) is nice too

SenorBeef · 05-10-2012, 11:27 PM

Amazon had the 55-300 at $430 for 5 straight weeks, but today they dropped it to $360, which was close enough to its pre-spike price for me to snatch up the DA version. I don't know how much I'll use quick shift but I'd like to have the option. I've read that the lens focuses quicker going from infinity down rather than close focus up - so if timing is critical I can pre-set the quick shift for faster focusing.

Tonto · 05-11-2012, 12:54 AM

I have a DAL and the quickfocus would add ALOT to the use of the lens - would help to minimise focus hunting while birding.
Also remember a hood costs money too and the DAL doesn't come in a official box or lens case so better for potential re-sale.

05-10-2012, 05:37 PM	#1
SenorBeef Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 77	DA 55-300 vs DA-L 55-300 The DA 55-300 is up to $430 in the US because of the new pricing policy, but you can still find the DA-L for under $250 if you look hard enough. I guess this is because the DA-L has no official MSRP because it's seperated out of kits to be sold. Can the DA 55-300 justify being almost double the price? The difference as I understand it is just the metal mount, quick shift, and hood, right? And you can get a cheap replacement hood off ebay. Would you be able to tell which lens made a picture by looking at it, or is the picture quality identical? What are the real risks with the plastic bayonet? Do you have to treat the camera delicately? Can the plastic flake off over time and scratch the sensor or mirror or anything like that?

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05-10-2012, 05:54 PM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-d...d-samples.html

05-10-2012, 08:37 PM	#3
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Since they are both the same in terms of the optical formula, you should not be able to tell the difference. In terms of the plastic mount, the L has been out for several years and I do not remember reading about any problems here. You can do a search and see.

05-10-2012, 08:44 PM	#4
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	I have had two of each, all four gave me equivalent and excellent results. Quick-shift can be addicting, it's a real convenience - but $200 in one's pocket (or bank account, or next-lens fund) is nice too

05-10-2012, 11:27 PM	#5
SenorBeef Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 77 Original Poster	Amazon had the 55-300 at $430 for 5 straight weeks, but today they dropped it to $360, which was close enough to its pre-spike price for me to snatch up the DA version. I don't know how much I'll use quick shift but I'd like to have the option. I've read that the lens focuses quicker going from infinity down rather than close focus up - so if timing is critical I can pre-set the quick shift for faster focusing.

05-11-2012, 12:54 AM	#6
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	I have a DAL and the quickfocus would add ALOT to the use of the lens - would help to minimise focus hunting while birding. Also remember a hood costs money too and the DAL doesn't come in a official box or lens case so better for potential re-sale.

DA 55-300 vs DA-L 55-300

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