K-x with a SMC-P DA 55-300

schwakie · 12-29-2012, 10:32 AM

Hello-

I am new to this group and use a K-X. I have had it for about a year. I am VERY new to SLR's and I am slowly picking it up.

I do a lot of hiking and want to work on my outdoor photography. All I have is the kit lens but I would like to get a zoom lens.

I am attracted to this lens but want to know if it will work with my camera and if it's worth it.

Amazon.com: Pentax - SMC-P DA -L 55-300/4-5.8 ED Telephoto Zoom Lens For Digital SLRs (58mm): Camera & Photo

ihasa · 12-29-2012, 10:46 AM

Yes, and yes! It's a very good lens. Unlike this version, you will need to buy a lens hood separately though. I will transfer this thread to the Pentax Lens forum where you may get more advice.

Ikarus · 12-29-2012, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by schwakie

Hello-

I am new to this group and use a K-X. I have had it for about a year. I am VERY new to SLR's and I am slowly picking it up.

I do a lot of hiking and want to work on my outdoor photography. All I have is the kit lens but I would like to get a zoom lens.

I am attracted to this lens but want to know if it will work with my camera and if it's worth it.

Amazon.com: Pentax - SMC-P DA -L 55-300/4-5.8 ED Telephoto Zoom Lens For Digital SLRs (58mm): Camera & Photo

Great lens and an absolute bargain!

**jatrax** · 12-29-2012, 11:42 AM

Excellent value for the money you would have to pay 3x more to get much better. It is my go to lens for anything over 100mm and it is so light it is easy to carry when hiking.

Here are the lens reviews for that one: SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
The lens is excellent in good light, but in low light it can have trouble focusing but that is normal for a consumer zoom. When it is good it is very good.

Note that it comes in two versions DA and DAL the DAL version does not have quick shift and has no lens hood so you will need to buy one separately. Fortunately they are available cheap from aftermarket vendors.

**kiwi_jono** · 12-29-2012, 11:53 AM

I have the DAL 55-300 and the other point is that it has a plastic mount. However the mount has not been a problem for me - in fact it has survived a fall (attached to camera) on to concrete from about 3 feet (and lens still works perfectly).

Really like this lens:
The Mask - Caroline Bay | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Tims birthday surprise | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

**boriscleto** · 12-29-2012, 12:19 PM

And don't forget the lens sample archive.

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

schwakie · 01-02-2013, 02:53 PM

Thank for all the great feed back. I will be saving my pennies and this lens will be the first one that I purchase.

So glad I found this forum!

jimr-pdx · 01-03-2013, 02:07 PM

Our pleasure, ask away!
And I've had the DA and DAL versions, both are great and use identical optical design. And my hood cost maybe $8?

Loved it on my hike in Oct '11 with a k-r!

bullitt_60 · 01-03-2013, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

And don't forget the lens sample archive.

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

I didn't know that existed... what a great forum!

Ikarus · 01-04-2013, 12:54 AM

You will not regret it. Browsing my Flickr stream the other day, I realized that the DAL 55-300 is my most-used lens, and by quite a margin. It is my go-to lens for daylight tele shots and light-weight enough to be taken everywhere.

schwakie · 01-18-2013, 02:29 PM

My Pennies have been saved and I have ordered this lens.

I am going to say it one more time. Great Forum!

tibbitts · 01-19-2013, 07:16 PM

In a recent thread, I posted my experiences with needing three copies (as it happens, Amazon, B&H, and Adorama) of the DA (non-L) lens to find one that gave consistent performance across the field. So please test your lens upon receipt and return it if it's not a good copy

It's clear that good copies of this lens can take good pictures, but poor copies definitely exist.

Paul

12-29-2012, 10:32 AM	#1
schwakie New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 3	K-x with a SMC-P DA 55-300 Hello- I am new to this group and use a K-X. I have had it for about a year. I am VERY new to SLR's and I am slowly picking it up. I do a lot of hiking and want to work on my outdoor photography. All I have is the kit lens but I would like to get a zoom lens. I am attracted to this lens but want to know if it will work with my camera and if it's worth it. Amazon.com: Pentax - SMC-P DA -L 55-300/4-5.8 ED Telephoto Zoom Lens For Digital SLRs (58mm): Camera & Photo

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12-29-2012, 10:46 AM	#2
ihasa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Midlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,066	Yes, and yes! It's a very good lens. Unlike this version, you will need to buy a lens hood separately though. I will transfer this thread to the Pentax Lens forum where you may get more advice.

12-29-2012, 11:34 AM	#3
Ikarus Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: California Photos: Albums Posts: 484	Originally posted by schwakie Hello- I am new to this group and use a K-X. I have had it for about a year. I am VERY new to SLR's and I am slowly picking it up. I do a lot of hiking and want to work on my outdoor photography. All I have is the kit lens but I would like to get a zoom lens. I am attracted to this lens but want to know if it will work with my camera and if it's worth it. Amazon.com: Pentax - SMC-P DA -L 55-300/4-5.8 ED Telephoto Zoom Lens For Digital SLRs (58mm): Camera & Photo Great lens and an absolute bargain!

12-29-2012, 11:42 AM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Excellent value for the money you would have to pay 3x more to get much better. It is my go to lens for anything over 100mm and it is so light it is easy to carry when hiking. Here are the lens reviews for that one: SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database The lens is excellent in good light, but in low light it can have trouble focusing but that is normal for a consumer zoom. When it is good it is very good. Note that it comes in two versions DA and DAL the DAL version does not have quick shift and has no lens hood so you will need to buy one separately. Fortunately they are available cheap from aftermarket vendors.

12-29-2012, 11:53 AM	#5
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	I have the DAL 55-300 and the other point is that it has a plastic mount. However the mount has not been a problem for me - in fact it has survived a fall (attached to camera) on to concrete from about 3 feet (and lens still works perfectly). Really like this lens: The Mask - Caroline Bay \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! Tims birthday surprise \| Flickr - Photo Sharing!

12-29-2012, 12:19 PM	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	And don't forget the lens sample archive. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-d...d-samples.html

01-02-2013, 02:53 PM	#7
schwakie New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Thank for all the great feed back. I will be saving my pennies and this lens will be the first one that I purchase. So glad I found this forum!

01-03-2013, 02:07 PM	#8
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Our pleasure, ask away! And I've had the DA and DAL versions, both are great and use identical optical design. And my hood cost maybe $8? Loved it on my hike in Oct '11 with a k-r!

01-03-2013, 08:43 PM	#9
bullitt_60 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 320	Originally posted by boriscleto And don't forget the lens sample archive. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-d...d-samples.html I didn't know that existed... what a great forum!

01-04-2013, 12:54 AM	#10
Ikarus Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: California Photos: Albums Posts: 484	You will not regret it. Browsing my Flickr stream the other day, I realized that the DAL 55-300 is my most-used lens, and by quite a margin. It is my go-to lens for daylight tele shots and light-weight enough to be taken everywhere.

01-18-2013, 02:29 PM	#11
schwakie New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 3 Original Poster	My Pennies have been saved and I have ordered this lens. I am going to say it one more time. Great Forum!

01-19-2013, 07:16 PM	#12
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,193	In a recent thread, I posted my experiences with needing three copies (as it happens, Amazon, B&H, and Adorama) of the DA (non-L) lens to find one that gave consistent performance across the field. So please test your lens upon receipt and return it if it's not a good copy It's clear that good copies of this lens can take good pictures, but poor copies definitely exist. Paul