HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR user review

Painter · 01-19-2014, 11:16 AM

After picking up my HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR last week I started right away at testing it. I've shared my findings and user review here
HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR user review | Wallace Koopmans Artlog

Na Horuk · 01-19-2014, 12:47 PM

Looks great in that photograph, much better than the DA L versions did, more concrete

StephenHampshire · 01-19-2014, 02:32 PM

Interesting review. I sold my non-WR version to get the latest one. Construction seems tighter, as the OP noted in his review, the zoom ring has more resistance than the non-sealed version. The updated coatings do seem to give higher contrast images. With the 18-135WR and this lens you can cover a great range of subjects with a good degree of weather protection. I am still using a K5 and am happy to sue ISOs up to 6400 or higher if really neccesary, so not too worried about the relatively slow aperture.

calsan · 01-19-2014, 06:50 PM

Thanks for the review. It is one of life's great mysteries why they didn't install a dc motor during the lens upgrade.

Painter · 01-20-2014, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Looks great in that photograph, much better than the DA L versions did, more concrete

It looks like a quality lens, certainly not like a limited or the DFA 100 macro WR but it looks and feels at home on a K-3 which is built to last.

Painter · 01-27-2014, 05:30 PM

Hint its the one in the middle

azcavalier · 01-28-2014, 02:16 PM

Awesome. I picked one up a few weeks ago to go with my K3. I haven't really done much with it yet, but i'm taking it (and the kids) skiing on Thursday. I hope to get some good shots!

01-19-2014, 11:16 AM	#1
Painter Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 348	HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR user review After picking up my HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR last week I started right away at testing it. I've shared my findings and user review here HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR user review \| Wallace Koopmans Artlog

01-20-2014, 08:34 AM	#5
Painter Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 348 Original Poster	It does look good Originally posted by Na Horuk Looks great in that photograph, much better than the DA L versions did, more concrete It looks like a quality lens, certainly not like a limited or the DFA 100 macro WR but it looks and feels at home on a K-3 which is built to last.

01-27-2014, 05:30 PM	#6
Painter Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 348 Original Poster	Size comparison of the DA55-300 Hint its the one in the middle

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01-19-2014, 12:47 PM	#2
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Looks great in that photograph, much better than the DA L versions did, more concrete

01-19-2014, 02:32 PM	#3
StephenHampshire Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Winchester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,523	Interesting review. I sold my non-WR version to get the latest one. Construction seems tighter, as the OP noted in his review, the zoom ring has more resistance than the non-sealed version. The updated coatings do seem to give higher contrast images. With the 18-135WR and this lens you can cover a great range of subjects with a good degree of weather protection. I am still using a K5 and am happy to sue ISOs up to 6400 or higher if really neccesary, so not too worried about the relatively slow aperture.

01-19-2014, 06:50 PM	#4
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	Thanks for the review. It is one of life's great mysteries why they didn't install a dc motor during the lens upgrade.

01-28-2014, 02:16 PM	#7
azcavalier Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Blacksburg, VA Photos: Gallery Posts: 135	Awesome. I picked one up a few weeks ago to go with my K3. I haven't really done much with it yet, but i'm taking it (and the kids) skiing on Thursday. I hope to get some good shots!