[cooldude14es]

I know they dont play at the same league, but maybe it is an excellent alternative to the DA*50-135mm so I can save money and buy a second lens, for example Sigma 10-20mm and DA55-300mm instead of DA*.

What do you think?

Thanks.

[Eliasson]

weee! I ordered mine today. Too badd sweden don´t get the lenses until end of may

[user440]

It looks like PriceGrabber prices for this lens are from $350-$400 while the Sigma is about $200 even. How long will it be before the Pentax price comes down? Yes - I'm cheap. I have too many hobbies.

[devs66]

I could have never done this with the Sigma!

First Moon Shots






DEVS

[AML]

The moon shots look great, Devs. You are making it harder for me not to put in an order.

[heatherslightbox]

I know they dont play at the same league, but maybe it is an excellent alternative to the DA*50-135mm so I can save money and buy a second lens, for example Sigma 10-20mm and DA55-300mm instead of DA*.

What do you think?

Thanks.

I would tend to agree with you that the 55-300 is an excellent alternative to the *50-135, plus it has a lot more reach.

I'm thinking along the same lines of also getting the Sigma 10-20 eventually. I've had one on loan for the last week and it's a new, different, fun experience for me. Today, it goes back in the mail to it's rightful owner (sigh)...

Heather

[Fototim]

I would tend to agree with you that the 55-300 is an excellent alternative to the *50-135, plus it has a lot more reach.
...

Heather

What makes you think this? Have you seen any tests comparing them?

The DA* 50-135 is a prime killer. I am seriously debating to sell my FA* 85/1,4 because of it. And before buying the * 50-135 I concidered the FA* to be the lens I wanted to be burried with.
The pictures I've seen from the DA 55-300 so far indicates it is a good lens for the price. But I've seen nothing indicating it is in the same class as the * 50-135.

[cooldude14es]

Well, I am waiting to read a full review of DA55-300, but for me the most important part of the lens is its optical quality. For my photography I do not really need ultrasonic focus speed nor sealed lens... and I am afraid that this is mostly what you pay for on the DA*. Maybe I am completely wrong.

[heatherslightbox]

In a telezoom, most people don't need constant aperture or other pro-level features, nor can they afford them (ie--the *60-250/4), so when you compare the 55-300 to other telezooms in it's class (ie--the Tamron or Sigma 70-300s), the 55-300 is a good deal. If you don't need the pro-level features, then why buy the *50-135 that doesn't have as much reach and is twice as expensive?

Each person has to decide for themselves what works best for them in terms of gear and their budget and not necessarily what everbody else is buying. If a 55-300 works better than a*50-135 for someone, then more power to them.

Heather

[cooldude14es]

Yes, I agree with you. Right now the pro-features are not my first target, but the optical quality. I suppose DA*50-135 is better than DA55-300 but probably not that better to pay the difference between them.

I think I will wait for a full review and then take a decision.

[OniFactor]

can someone get a side by side comparison of this and the 50-200, please? the actual lens, not their images. i wanna know how much bigger it is, and if it'd easily fill the spot of my 50-200...

[simonkit]

can someone get a side by side comparison of this and the 50-200, please? the actual lens, not their images. i wanna know how much bigger it is, and if it'd easily fill the spot of my 50-200...

Don't have comparison images but here are the links for the official stats if its any use - both have fact sheets giving all dimensions etc

simon

smc DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 ED - System KB Zoom - PENTAX U.K. Limited

smc DA 50 - 200 mm / 4~5,6 ED - System KB Zoom - PENTAX U.K. Limited

[AML]

Two days ago my 50-200mm stopped auto focusing and has been sent away for repair. Since i now don't have a tele zoom for at least the next 3- 6 weeks, i took the plunge and ordered the 55-300mm from Adorama. Hopefully it won't be to long a wait until they receive more stock.
At around $230 -$250 cheaper (even with UPS shipping) than what i could get it for in Oz, it's worth ordering OS.

[staal571]

After 2 weeks waiting my Photo shop called me last week That my Pentax smc DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 ED lens was arived, I Bought it as a replacement for my Sigma 70-300 Apo macro.
I am wondered about the much higher prices I See on the internet, I See prices much higher than I Paid for € 275.--, I am verry pleased with this lens it is very sharp and has a nice bokeh and make perfect pictures, and lukely not so soft as the Sigma at 300 mm, and the lens dont creep out, what the Sigma did everytime
It has no macro function but I dont mis the macro function because therefor I use my Sigma 105 mm 2.8 macro lens.
Gr Peter




K10D, BG2 Grip, Pentax DA 12-24, Pentax DA 55-300, Sigma DC 18-50 2.8 EX, Sigma DC 105 2.8 macro, Tamron 18-250 DI, Lensbaby 3G, Metz 48 AF1 Dig., Manfrotto 055Xprob, Manfrotto Ball 486RC2, Gorillapos SLR

[jamesm007]

Just going to chime in as another very happy DA55-300mm owner of about a month now. Before this I had two copies of the Tamron and the Sigma 70-300 APO, the Sigma was great for CA/PF and up to 200mm but left a lot to be desired between 200-300mm. This Pentax is superb I can not ask for more, that should say a lot. There is one thing I could ask for and do wish it had sometimes and that's macro. But its performance is so superior to my copies of the other lens I just dont care. To this day I still am not sure which is the best to recommend for a budget telephoto the Tamron 70-300, or Sigma APO version, but I know what lens is best for a bit more. Now I know the primes are even better, but I like zoom lens and having a sharp usable wide open 55-300mm make me want to say thanks Pentax and who ever did this one.