[UncleVanya]

---------- Post added 09-19-16 at 09:23 PM ----------

a) I find that unlikely. AF.C is just rapidly cycling AF.S. Focusing, re-estimating, focusing again, ideally actually predicting the movement of the subject ... But that's the camera's AF system's job, not the lens'. The lens just needs to focus as the camera tells it. The only effect the lens has is that it needs to be able to focus in small enough increments and smoothly enough for AF.C to work, and apparently screw-drive isn't well suited to that. But this is a PLM lens, so why would it be worse in AF.C than AF.S? Add to that the fact that Pentax has specifically claimed the PLM to be a major improvement for AF.C in movie mode, and I don't see how the PLM would be responsible for poor AF.C performance.

b) Not only is that high-end full frame 8 years old, and you would expect a current flagship APS-C DSLR to be able to do better than that, 12 MP should be more than good enough to be able to judge sharpness. 24 MP may bring to light some very minor inaccuracies that aren't visible on 12 MP, but really, if he says his D700 can keep track of a running dog whereas the K3 II "consistently [focused] behind the desired point and resulting in blurry images", then that's not due to the minor difference between 12 and 24 MP.

How was it tuned? Does he know Pentax well enough to set up the af.c to be correct for the test? I don't know. I also know flagship bodies can be way ahead of their time.

[reh321]

a) I find that unlikely. AF.C is just rapidly cycling AF.S. Focusing, re-estimating, focusing again, ideally actually predicting the movement of the subject ... But that's the camera's AF system's job, not the lens'. The lens just needs to focus as the camera tells it. The only effect the lens has is that it needs to be able to focus in small enough increments and smoothly enough for AF.C to work, and apparently screw-drive isn't well suited to that. But this is a PLM lens, so why would it be worse in AF.C than AF.S? Add to that the fact that Pentax has specifically claimed the PLM to be a major improvement for AF.C in movie mode, and I don't see how the PLM would be responsible for poor AF.C performance.

"Constantly behind" could be something as simple as inadequate acceleration of the focus group or too much friction. I believe Nikon has more experience in in-lens motors, so Pentax may just be a step behind on the learning curve.

[acoufap]

This lens is a 300mm f/8 or f/9 with the 1.4x HD teleconvertor ? How well is the focusing with the teleconverter ?

f/9.5

---------- Post added 2016-09-27 at 18:29 ----------

I wanted a long FL zoom lens for hiking up to more than 20 kilometers. For me the DFA150-450 and DA60-250 are simply too heavy for this purpose - although I really would like to have the DFA150-450. The older versions of the 55-300 I tried and didn't like it because of its autofocus. Autofocus changed with the new one and the hands on review seemed promising to me. So I ordered the new one.

IMO the lens is well made and it's incredibly lightweight compared to the DFA150-450 and DA60-250. Simply nice to handle and image quality good and sufficient for my purpose. And it seems to work with the DA 1.4x TC ... but I didn't try seriously until now.

First day pictures - all handheld


K1 - FF mode - f/6.3@300 - "DA dark corners"


K1 - APSC mode - f/7.1@230 - bokeh


K1 - APSC mode - f/6.3@300 - hairy details


K1 - APSC mode - f/5.6@230 - rosy color


K1 - APSC mode - f/8.0@300 - squirrel, cropped to frame 2828 x 4242px

[acoufap]

Originally posted by mee
This lens is a 300mm f/8 or f/9 with the 1.4x HD teleconvertor ? How well is the focusing with the teleconverter ?
f/9.5

Some of you may be interested in more infos about open aperture at different focal lengths and what happens if we use the DA 1.4 TC in addition.

Here are the results:

Focal length	Open Aperture	+ DA TC1.4	Open Aperture
55	4.5	77	6.7
63	4.5	88	6.7
70	4.5	98	6.7
78	4.5	109	6.7
88	4.5	123	6.7
98	4.5	137	6.7
108	4.5	151	6.7
120	4.5	168	6.7
135	4.5	189	6.7
150	5.6	210	8.0
170	5.6	238	8.0
190	5.6	266	8.0
210	5.6	294	8.0
230	5.6	322	8.0
260	5.6	364	8.0
300	6.3	420	9.5

My Conclusion:

• DA18-135 shows at 31 - 68mm f/4.5, above until 135mm f/5.6 - in comparison DA55-300PLM looks not that bad IMO!
• At 78mm we can change from DA18-135 to DA55-300PLM if we like to get a more open aperture (f/4.5). Of course there may be other reasons not to do so.

If anybody is interested I'll post a bit more about my experiences provided I find the time to practice the next days.

[RGlasel]

Niether the 200 or 60-250 are small enough.

Then any of the 55-300's are your only practical option, but I can't see either the screwdrive or PLM versions working with your teleconvertor, except in good light. I didn't realize the DA* 200 is 400 grams heavier and an inch longer than even the screwdrive 55-300. I can still see the benefit of using the DA* 200 with a teleconvertor, but there is definitely a size and weight penalty.

In terms of sharpness, I find the DA 55-300 to be close to the DA 18-135, it's the AF that I find so disappointing. Unfortunately for you and I, unless Pentax provides a firmware upgrade so older bodies can use KAF4 lenses, just buying the PLM version doesn't help.

Here's a recent shot at 260mm with the HD DA 55-300, no cropping. I don't have any of the 18-250's or 70-300's to compare it to.

[acoufap]

Then any of the 55-300's are your only practical option, but I can't see either the screwdrive or PLM versions working with your teleconvertor, except in good light. I didn't realize the DA* 200 is 400 grams heavier and an inch longer than even the screwdrive 55-300. I can still see the benefit of using the DA* 200 with a teleconvertor, but there is definitely a size and weight penalty.

In terms of sharpness, I find the DA 55-300 to be close to the DA 18-135, it's the AF that I find so disappointing. Unfortunately for you and I, unless Pentax provides a firmware upgrade so older bodies can use KAF4 lenses, just buying the PLM version doesn't help.

Here's a recent shot at 260mm with the HD DA 55-300, no cropping. I don't have any of the 18-250's or 70-300's to compare it to.

A f4/100-300 that also would be a nice option will be too heavy. I think the DA55-300PLM is a nice lens. So I don't need other options. Unfortunately it can only be used at open aperture on my K-5, AF works. I get great results with the DA18-135 and this new lens also delivers. Hard to say which one is better concerning sharpness. There are others on PF who know how to measure and assess. AF was the reason I didn't buy the HD DA55-300 some time ago. The new PLM seems a lot better. Although from near to far also takes some time.

At the moment I try to understand and learn what I can do with this lens. I also see applications using it with the DA TC. It's not only interesting for reach but also because of its closeup capabilities - nearest distance 95 cm. Here an example f9.5@420mm - I used a flash:

After I saw what normhead does using DA* 200 plus TCs - simply great IMO - I also considered the DA* 200. But I was more interested in a convenient zoom. I suppose I will like the DA15-300PLM. But it's definitely not even near to FF compatible - unfortunately hopes not fulfilled. Some images of my lightbox - K-1 FF mode all open aperture:

f/4.5@55


f/4.5@70


f/4.5@98


f/5.6@190


f/6.3@300

[jgnfld]

Today's Newfoundland hike with 55-300 PLM RE. All at ISO 320 as conditions were dark as usual. K-70. (Click for exifs.)

xposted to K-70 photos thread.



My opinion of the lens remains very high.

---

Last edited by jgnfld; 09-28-2016 at 04:00 PM.

[acoufap]

DA55-300PLM f/8@55



DA55-300PLM f/8@120

---------- Post added 2016-09-30 at 17:40 ----------

f/6.3@300


f5.6@190

[acoufap]

Another couple

[Nicolas06]

The pictures posted in the previous posts look really good. Fantastic pictures. But I wonder honestly... Would their respective poster couldn't make that on the older HD or DA/DAL version or sigma 70-300?

The thing I have against my HD55-300 is the sharpness on 100% crop that also mean I can crop as I'd want when the subject is too far and yep rendering is not as good as FA77. But for the price feature, I'd don't think I could expect more...

I mean all lenses can do great pictures, what would be interresting is to understand the difference with the previous version of that lens... Can you crop much more as an example? Can you shoot more often wide open?

[acoufap]

The pictures posted in the previous posts look really good. Fantastic pictures. But I wonder honestly... Would their respective poster couldn't make that on the older HD or DA/DAL version or sigma 70-300?

Thank you for the kind words! I don't own the older Version and sigma 70-300 - so I surely cannot.

I mean all lenses can do great pictures, what would be interresting is to understand the difference with the previous version of that lens... Can you crop much more as an example? Can you shoot more often wide open?

Why there may be a difference between the new lens and the older ones I must leave to speculation. You have to consider the new one IMO is a new optical design and as you know there are differences between the copies of models.

Today I was at the Munich Zoo "Tierpark Hellabrunn" and tested K-1 plus lens further, especially at the long end and open aperature and with DA TC 1.4x. As far as I can say this lens delivers magnificent. Of course not every capture is spot on. There are so many other factors that influence sharpness. Here's one shot where you can see, what the lens can do if everything fits - at least I don't expect more from a lens like this.

Chimp on high trunk (Tierpark Hellabrunn, Munich)


DA55-300@300, ISO 100, f/6.3 (open aperture), 1/250, Monopod


100% crop

More attributes of the new lens:

• I like the retractable mechanism
• Extremly noiseless (big difference to the older versions)
• Very often I use quick shift in combination with the autofocus. Quick shift works very very smooth - easier than on DA18-135
• Good chromatic aberration control IMO
• Seems to work flawlessly with DA TC1.4x

[acoufap]

More DA55-300PLM images taken by me you can see in these threads (direct links):

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/314413-post-your-k-1-pictu...ml#post3788410

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club...ml#post3788423

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/132843-boke...ml#post3788955

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/26-mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/89...ml#post3788936

[acoufap]

It's raining outside.

So why not just test the new lens further? Until now I didn't put my Macro Achromat on it. First try:

Pile of Books.

DA55-300PLM f4.5/63 + StepUp 58-62 + Macro Achromat 330(+3), near distance

To develop my skills on photography I use the internet, read books about different topics and of course the most important - practice. A good understanding of how things work helps me to get the results I'm imagining.

[Zygonyx]

Nice picts acoufap and jgnfld !

I find this 55-300 incrediblingly compact...



my first shots with this lens and K-S1

[acoufap]

Nice picts acoufap and jgnfld !

I find this 55-300 incrediblingly compact...



my first shots with this lens and K-S1

Thank you! - Yes, it is really compact, delivers very good image quality and a lot more. Great for hiking.

At the long end using FF mode you only need to crop a little bit and you get a nice image - an example.