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12-10-2013, 08:50 PM   #16
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Yes, for sure there's a difference, I'm curious if the difference is enough to mean better results can be got from the 55-300 or the 60-250 at full zoom.

12-10-2013, 09:55 PM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by twitch Quote
Yes, for sure there's a difference, I'm curious if the difference is enough to mean better results can be got from the 55-300 or the 60-250 at full zoom.


I thought you might have tested this out already but just now I realised that you have to wait another 2weeks ....

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/243742-pentax-austr...ml#post2602608 #65


I'm also curious to know if there is any difference when at 60mm and close range. Doubt it is as significant, but maybe its kind of like a "DA*50-135 f4 " when shooting close ups
12-10-2013, 10:02 PM   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by steve1307 Quote

I'm also curious to know if there is any difference when at 60mm and close range. Doubt it is as significant, but maybe its kind of like a "DA*50-135 f4 " when shooting close ups
I think you're right, what a versatile lens

Yeah my 60-250 is under the tree and my 55-300 is waiting nervously in the camera bag.
12-11-2013, 04:07 PM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by twitch Quote
If the 300mm pic is sharper then maybe we shouldn't rush to upgrade from 55-300 to 60-250 is we shoot a lot at the 300 end.
I hope the 300mm pic isnt sharper (for selfish reasons, just bought a 60-250mm....lotsa $$$)

12-11-2013, 04:55 PM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by cali92rs Quote
I hope the 300mm pic isnt sharper (for selfish reasons, just bought a 60-250mm....lotsa $$$)
same here
12-11-2013, 05:05 PM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by cali92rs Quote
I hope the 300mm pic isnt sharper (for selfish reasons, just bought a 60-250mm....lotsa $$$)
It won't be. The 55-300 (non HD anyway) gets reasonable sharpness by f8, but there is no way it can compete between f4 and f8 even though it is 50mm longer. Don't get me wrong. I really like the 55-300, but it just isn't in the same league as the DA * lenses.
12-11-2013, 05:33 PM   #22
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Very much looking forward to this one! As a new owner of both the 60-250 and HD 55-300, one thing I'd be interested in is a comparison of handheld performance with the K-3. Perhaps have the same person (or people) take several nandheld shots with each lens at various focal lengths and f stops, and compare the best and the range. Is it harder to handhold the 60-250 than the HD 55-300 (or possibly easier, with all that extra mass)? If you will have to shoot handheld, and are mostly interested in extreme telephoto performance (for photobirding, for instance), and just care about the center of the frame, is the 60-250, with cropping, a better choice or not?


Last edited by wgb; 12-11-2013 at 05:34 PM. Reason: add f stops
12-11-2013, 07:11 PM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
It won't be. The 55-300 (non HD anyway) gets reasonable sharpness by f8, but there is no way it can compete between f4 and f8 even though it is 50mm longer. Don't get me wrong. I really like the 55-300, but it just isn't in the same league as the DA * lenses.
I have both 60-250 and 55-300 wr and even though I have not compared the two, I guarantee the 60-250 is sharper. Especially at f4 and f5.6. Away from home until the 27th but will test when I get home. Btw, traveling with 16-50 and 55-300.. The 60-250 is a little heavy for traveling, when you do not anticipate a lot of use for a tele lens.
12-11-2013, 10:26 PM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by wgb Quote
Very much looking forward to this one! As a new owner of both the 60-250 and HD 55-300, one thing I'd be interested in is a comparison of handheld performance with the K-3. Perhaps have the same person (or people) take several nandheld shots with each lens at various focal lengths and f stops, and compare the best and the range. Is it harder to handhold the 60-250 than the HD 55-300 (or possibly easier, with all that extra mass)? If you will have to shoot handheld, and are mostly interested in extreme telephoto performance (for photobirding, for instance), and just care about the center of the frame, is the 60-250, with cropping, a better choice or not?
I had the 55-300mm for a while and I can say for sure it is much easier to handhold than the 60-250mm. I don't think it's because of the weight but because of the length when it is fully extended. Its quite a moment arm and cumbersome.
12-12-2013, 06:03 AM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
It won't be. The 55-300 (non HD anyway) gets reasonable sharpness by f8, but there is no way it can compete between f4 and f8 even though it is 50mm longer. Don't get me wrong. I really like the 55-300, but it just isn't in the same league as the DA * lenses.
I totally agree. The 55-300 is a nice lens, but not in the same class as the 60-250. I have the non WR and have had the 60-250 for about a month. The 55-300 will only be used when weight is an issue.
12-12-2013, 08:41 AM   #26
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Dammit fellas, now you're making my LBA flare again. Must resist... Must keep telling myself I don't need the pro 60-250...

Also WOOHOO 1K posts!
12-12-2013, 09:06 AM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by Giklab Quote
Dammit fellas, now you're making my <acronym title="Lens Buying Addiction">LBA</acronym> flare again. Must resist... Must keep telling myself I don't need the pro 60-250...

Also WOOHOO 1K posts!
Resistance to LBA is futile, you know you want it.
12-12-2013, 09:37 AM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by Primes4ever Quote
Resistance to LBA is futile, you know you want it.
I DO know I want it! That's the whole problem! Alas, my budget can only do about 80€ for a FA 100-300.
12-15-2013, 12:31 AM   #29
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Wanted to give everyone an update - the review is done except for the AF and IQ comparisons between the DA* 60-250 and the HD 55-300. Germany has entered the season of perpetual darkness and cloud cover which means I haven't seen the sun in several weeks

I don't want to give it a half-ass comparison/conclusion, so it might be a bit delayed because of that. Just wanted to give some expectation management.

-Heie
12-15-2013, 09:11 AM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by Heie Quote
Wanted to give everyone an update - the review is done except for the AF and IQ comparisons between the DA* 60-250 and the HD 55-300. Germany has entered the season of perpetual darkness and cloud cover which means I haven't seen the sun in several weeks

I don't want to give it a half-ass comparison/conclusion, so it might be a bit delayed because of that. Just wanted to give some expectation management.

-Heie
Sure looking forward to it, Heie, and hope those clouds cooperate a bit, so you can finish up before Christmas (those AF and IQ comparisons of the 60-250 and HD 55-300 included). Many thanks in advance for all the time and effort you're putting into this.
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