Pentax DA 55 - 300 f/4 - 5.6

Ed in GA · 04-08-2008, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by hwblanks

Since the 55-300 is available for preorder, I'm assuming it won't be too long before it'll ship. Does anybody have any idea of when it supposed to start shipping?

Thanks!
Heather

Presumably, the End of May. Probably sometime in June.

namstoop · 04-08-2008, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by Ed in GA

Presumably, the End of May. Probably sometime in June.

I guess this is only once in the lifetime - that we have here, in Estonia something in store before US

And since yesterday we do have 55-300 in stock. OK, price is not so good (around $490), but still - if I want it I can go and buy it.

And of cource we have new DA* 300mm F4,0 ED [IF] SDM and DA 35mm F2,8 Macro Limited also ;-)

clawhammer · 04-08-2008, 11:17 PM

For the record, I am totally jealous!

Ed in GA · 04-09-2008, 02:59 AM

Originally posted by namstoop

I guess this is only once in the lifetime - that we have here, in Estonia something in store before US

And since yesterday we do have 55-300 in stock. OK, price is not so good (around $490), but still - if I want it I can go and buy it.

And of cource we have new DA* 300mm F4,0 ED [IF] SDM and DA 35mm F2,8 Macro Limited also ;-)

That's good to know.

Maybe we will have it here before the end of May.

Thanks,

Ed

Gerrys · 04-09-2008, 12:20 PM

I really want that lens. I am going on a safari to Kenya and this would be perfect match for my K10D. Hope it comes sooner than later

Gerrys · 04-09-2008, 12:27 PM

You have pre-ordered this lens? Where can you do that?

Ed in GA · 04-09-2008, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by Gerrys

You have pre-ordered this lens? Where can you do that?

Amazon.com Adorama.co & Calumetphoto.com

Last edited by Ed in GA; 04-09-2008 at 01:24 PM.

Miserere · 04-09-2008, 01:22 PM

No interest here. I have the Sigma 70-300mm APO, which cost me $219 + shipping. I can't spend $130 bucks more (plus what I would lose in the sale of the Sigma) just for the quick-shift focus and non-rotating front element, while losing the macro capability (which I find very useful).

Still, I'm glad Pentax is bringing this option out, and for under $400.

Fl_Gulfer · 04-09-2008, 03:01 PM

If the price is that cheap it can't be a very good lens, pentax prices there lenses accordingly.

clawhammer · 04-09-2008, 03:38 PM

It's roughly the same price as the Nikon 70-300 ED. It's not meant to compete with the super expensive optics, but it should compete handily with the Nikon/Canon lenses of a similar range.

Ed in GA · 04-09-2008, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer

If the price is that cheap it can't be a very good lens, pentax prices there lenses accordingly.

It's about $200 more than the current going price for the DA 50-200 which is a pretty fine lens itself.

creampuff · 04-09-2008, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer

If the price is that cheap it can't be a very good lens, pentax prices there lenses accordingly.

The lens covers a popular range of focal lengths. It is priced as a consumer grade lens. However it's relative low price does not mean it's performance can't be good. I'd wait for the objective tests first.

Ed in GA · 04-10-2008, 12:17 PM

I just spoke with Calumet Photo in Chicago and got this information.

The sales person, with whom I've done business before, told me that Pentax has given them a target ship date of April 20 on this lens.

So, my guess is that it will be available early to mid May.

I'm going to wait a few days and not pre-order so that I can see what the actual selling price is.

digital_aspirin · 04-11-2008, 02:41 PM

samples!!!

Peter Zack · 04-11-2008, 06:11 PM

Those shots look very good at all lengths. Sharper at f8 than wide open at the long end but still very good wide open from these samples. Looks pretty sharp wide open below 200mm or so. Overall a nice looking series with very good colours and pretty smooth bokeh in most of the shots (sunflowers and daragon fly) Thanks for finding these and sharing them.

04-09-2008, 12:27 PM	#21
Gerrys Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New jersey Photos: Gallery Posts: 152	Pre order Da55-300? You have pre-ordered this lens? Where can you do that?

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04-08-2008, 07:32 AM	#16
Ed in GA Guest	Originally posted by hwblanks Since the 55-300 is available for preorder, I'm assuming it won't be too long before it'll ship. Does anybody have any idea of when it supposed to start shipping? Thanks! Heather Presumably, the End of May. Probably sometime in June.

04-08-2008, 11:13 PM	#17
namstoop New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: EST Posts: 2	Originally posted by Ed in GA Presumably, the End of May. Probably sometime in June. I guess this is only once in the lifetime - that we have here, in Estonia something in store before US And since yesterday we do have 55-300 in stock. OK, price is not so good (around $490), but still - if I want it I can go and buy it. And of cource we have new DA* 300mm F4,0 ED [IF] SDM and DA 35mm F2,8 Macro Limited also ;-)

04-08-2008, 11:17 PM	#18
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	For the record, I am totally jealous!

04-09-2008, 02:59 AM	#19
Ed in GA Guest	Originally posted by namstoop I guess this is only once in the lifetime - that we have here, in Estonia something in store before US And since yesterday we do have 55-300 in stock. OK, price is not so good (around $490), but still - if I want it I can go and buy it. And of cource we have new DA* 300mm F4,0 ED [IF] SDM and DA 35mm F2,8 Macro Limited also ;-) That's good to know. Maybe we will have it here before the end of May. Thanks, Ed

04-09-2008, 12:20 PM	#20
Gerrys Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New jersey Photos: Gallery Posts: 152	I really want that lens. I am going on a safari to Kenya and this would be perfect match for my K10D. Hope it comes sooner than later

04-09-2008, 01:14 PM	#22
Ed in GA Guest	Originally posted by Gerrys You have pre-ordered this lens? Where can you do that? Amazon.com Adorama.co & Calumetphoto.com Last edited by Ed in GA; 04-09-2008 at 01:24 PM.

04-09-2008, 01:22 PM	#23
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	No interest here. I have the Sigma 70-300mm APO, which cost me $219 + shipping. I can't spend $130 bucks more (plus what I would lose in the sale of the Sigma) just for the quick-shift focus and non-rotating front element, while losing the macro capability (which I find very useful). Still, I'm glad Pentax is bringing this option out, and for under $400.

04-09-2008, 03:01 PM	#24
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	If the price is that cheap it can't be a very good lens, pentax prices there lenses accordingly.

04-09-2008, 03:38 PM	#25
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	It's roughly the same price as the Nikon 70-300 ED. It's not meant to compete with the super expensive optics, but it should compete handily with the Nikon/Canon lenses of a similar range.

04-09-2008, 03:46 PM	#26
Ed in GA Guest	Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer If the price is that cheap it can't be a very good lens, pentax prices there lenses accordingly. It's about $200 more than the current going price for the DA 50-200 which is a pretty fine lens itself.

04-09-2008, 05:57 PM	#27
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer If the price is that cheap it can't be a very good lens, pentax prices there lenses accordingly. The lens covers a popular range of focal lengths. It is priced as a consumer grade lens. However it's relative low price does not mean it's performance can't be good. I'd wait for the objective tests first.

04-10-2008, 12:17 PM	#28
Ed in GA Guest	I just spoke with Calumet Photo in Chicago and got this information. The sales person, with whom I've done business before, told me that Pentax has given them a target ship date of April 20 on this lens. So, my guess is that it will be available early to mid May. I'm going to wait a few days and not pre-order so that I can see what the actual selling price is.

04-11-2008, 02:41 PM	#29
digital_aspirin New Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Agios Dimitrios Posts: 16	samples!!!

04-11-2008, 06:11 PM	#30
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Those shots look very good at all lengths. Sharper at f8 than wide open at the long end but still very good wide open from these samples. Looks pretty sharp wide open below 200mm or so. Overall a nice looking series with very good colours and pretty smooth bokeh in most of the shots (sunflowers and daragon fly) Thanks for finding these and sharing them.