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12-16-2013, 10:30 AM   #16
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And if you don't want to hear someone else's opinion, why did you post here?


Sorry for the misunderstood.


Last edited by grahame; 12-16-2013 at 10:48 AM.
12-16-2013, 10:32 AM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by grahame Quote
Your experience counts for a lot…TO ME.
You have to find yours by yourself, if their's experience doesn't count to you.
I meant that having owned both lenses, which I haven't, you have a step up on most of the rest of us, who have owned one or the other. There is so much info out there, getting pointed in the right direction can be a big help, if for no other reason to know where focus you're own research. Everyone has to do their own research to their own satisfaction, but an informed opinion can save hours.

The research has been most informative.

The most interesting being that using a 55-300 on my K-3 might give me better IQ that a DA* 300 on a K-5 (which my wife shoots with). SInce I expect within a short period of time a K-3 and an 55-300 may be about the same price, that's the kind of thing you want to know when considering an upgrade path.
12-16-2013, 10:48 AM   #18
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Sorry I misunderstood what you said.
I had both lenses for >3 years, used them on K5 and K5II.
Because the IQ difference, I used 18-250 very occasionally, only when I really don;t want to bring more than one lens or changing lens is impossible.
I eventually sold the 18-250, and never thought of buying an upgrade, say 18-270.
I sold DA 55-300, and bought WR 55-300, for WR. You can see how I value these two lenses.
But the fist WR came was very bad. I can tell immediately even on camera's LCD screen.
So, even a side-by-side comparing can only tell you part of the story. If you got a super good 18-250, comparing with my returned 55-300 wr, you might have different conclusion.

BTW,will k3 be at same price range as 55-300 very soon?
12-16-2013, 10:57 AM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by grahame Quote
BTW,will k3 be at same price range as 55-300 very soon?
I think he meant DA*300...

12-16-2013, 11:01 AM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by grahame Quote
Sorry I misunderstood what you said.
I had both lenses for >3 years, used them on K5 and K5II.
Because the IQ difference, I used 18-250 very occasionally, only when I really don;t want to bring more than one lens or changing lens is impossible.
I eventually sold the 18-250, and never thought of buying an upgrade, say 18-270.
I sold DA 55-300, and bought WR 55-300, for WR. You can see how I value these two lenses.
But the fist WR came was very bad. I can tell immediately even on camera's LCD screen.
So, even a side-by-side comparing can only tell you part of the story. If you got a super good 18-250, comparing with my returned 55-300 wr, you might have different conclusion.

BTW,will k3 be at same price range as 55-300 very soon?
What I'm considering is my wife has always wanted a high quality 300mm lens, but doesn't want the weight. SO she wants a 300 ƒ 4 or ƒ 4.5. But if she upgrades to a K-3 and 55-300, she could end up with the same IQ was she'd have with her K-5 and DA*300 in a much lighter package.

The K-3 might give her the quality she wants at 300mm, plus make everyone of her other lenses better. ALthough she might also end up thinking, "if I can get this IQ with a 55-300, think what I could get with a DA* 300." The world is fraught with LBA dangers.
12-16-2013, 11:11 AM   #21
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it is great that your wife also likes photograph and you can share the gear.
To be host, I don't think a 55-300 on K3 can be as good, or close to a 300/4 DA* on k5.
If possible, try sigma apo dg 70-300, or Tamron 70-300. light and still compact, faster than 55-300, and a good copy can be much sharper than 55-300. Never compared with DA 300 side-by-side, but no way any of my zooms at that range can match my DA* 300 IQ wise.
12-16-2013, 11:39 AM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by grahame Quote
If possible, try sigma apo dg 70-300, or Tamron 70-300. light and still compact, faster than 55-300, and a good copy can be much sharper than 55-300.
Then I must have an unusually good copy of the DA L 55-300...

12-16-2013, 02:47 PM   #23
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I used a Sigma 70-300 apo dg macro and replaced it for the Pentax DA 55-300 and I claim that Pentax sharper throughout the range and has a beautiful color and the Sigma is faster focusing, I chose quality of sharpness and beautiful colors and Pentax DA a quick focus
12-16-2013, 07:25 PM   #24
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I agree that DA has better color and it is a very good lens, that is why I kept both.
Below are two testing photos, 1st from sigma apo dg 70-300 and 2nd from DA 55-300, on K-01. So focusing should not be an issue.
Two photos are taken at 300mm wide open (F 5.6 for Sigma and F 6.3 for DA). ~120% crop from center. Corners from sigma are even better than from DA.
The DA 55-300 is a better copy between the two I tested when bought it new, and is much better than the HD WR one I returned. The sigma is also the best one among three 70-300 I tested.
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