Originally posted by Davidparis Howdy folks,
I'm a die-hard Pentaxian, for better or worse, and generally try to defend the brand and promote its numerous qualities. Using Pentax has forced me to become a better photographer and I'm thankful for that.
However, today I do want to ferociously complain about the DA 55-300 HD version. While the lens can indeed produce a sharp image with somewhat pleasing bokeh on still life and other non-moving subjects, for sports or anything moving the lens is an absolute loser. I've practiced enough throughout the years with my previous version. We all know the screw drive is slower than molasses and louder than a train wreck. We anticipate and compensate for that. Earlier this year, I spent about 5 hours shooting a (horse) polo match from the field using AF.C and all the proper settings. Focus hit rate and keeper ratio were acceptable and I did get some sharp shots of a very dynamic sport. Pretty confident, once again, that I could tackle situations with this lens.
HOWEVER, just got back from 3 weeks in Peru. Dustier than hell, but the K-5IIs performed admirably as expected. The failure occured in the Colca Canyon region while shooting the Andean condors. Had good early-morning light, blue sky, no clouds, Condors were flying and I had several good spots to shoot from. The birds were soaring peacefully anywhere from 30 to 80 meters from my shooting position.
The DA 55-300 HD was literally an absolute catastrophe. Hunting, whining, whirring, spitting, coughing and protesting continuously. Jumped from AF.C to AF.S and myriad complmentary settings to get it right for the conditions. Lots of thinking and anticipation coupled with many years of experience produced very poor results. Of about 350 shots of condors in flight, I swear I may have 10 keepers, none of which I'd dare publish here for fear of being ridiculed to no end...It was an unbelievable session. The lens was just clearly out of its league. The challenge was too great and the lens failed miserably. OOF rate was astronomical.
The Canon guys with their long white lenses seemed content enough, probably due to the quick focus capability of their equipment.
My gripes here are known to all of us. When will Pentax produce an AF system capable of rivaling Canikon and allowing action/sports shooting on a reasonable level? Why didn't Pentax produce this updated lens with the same motor drive as the DA18-135 and DA16-85? Why is the newest 55-300 PLM incompatible with my K-30 and K-5IIs? Will it perform better on an appropriate body?
I still enjoy Pentax and am pleased with my other shots. However, it is disappointing to realize that action/sports remain a serious shortcoming for the brand. Hopefully, Ricoh will make some progress on this aspect in the future.
OK, my group therapy session on PF was successful as I feel better now...but it still sucks thinking about those amazing condors I attempted to capture with an inadequate lens.
Good day to all.
You have reached a critical juncture in your DSLR life. I had a similar experience with a K5iis in Yellowstone in 2013. I almost jumped shipped.
Yes, the DA55-300 failed you, but honestly, as others have pointed out, it's a consumer zoom, you can't compare it to pro Canikon lenses costing 10-20x as much.
But it is also your camera body. The K5iis just is not capable of performing at the level of your expectations.
You can save up for a 150-450, but it still won't be "enough"
Unless you couple that 150-450 with a K3 (at a minimum), you will be back here in a year ranting about the next missed opportunity.
I love Pentax, but I'm also a realist.
I know what I can and can't do with it.
I also make some money with my kit, and between the K1 and my wildlife lenses I have spent close to 20x what your K5iis body and DA55-300 are currently worth.
Are your expectations that high?
Therefore I suggest you choose your next steps carefully, because shooting wildlife is the MOST expensive pursuit you can undertake as a photographer.
It's time to decide how "high" you are going to raise the bar.
If your budget won't allow, then maybe it's time to temper your expectations.
Last edited by nomadkng; 08-22-2016 at 12:50 PM.