18-135 or new 55-300 PLM as an WR upgrade for old DA 55-300 - HELP :)

gelokrol · 12-14-2016, 02:39 PM

Hi,
I feel the need to change my old DA 55-300 to something newer and better. I just can figure out what should I buy.. ;/
I have K-70 with Sigma 17-50 and DA 55-300 and I want to keep the sigma as IQ is superb and I use it for landscapes and architecture, and night shots.

I use 55-300 for kids shots, parties, animal/bird shots mostly. All of those are usually moving fast and unpredictable + amount of light varies a lot

What I need:
- FAST AF
- single WR lens that I could go around in bad weather or bad conditions or winter etc.. when I can't take the Sigma
- basic lens that would always be with me
- lens with longer focal to shoot kids/people that are a little farther than the 17-50 reaches

I wanted 18-135 mainly due to fast AF a lot of people praises, but I read that new 55-300 PLM also has fast and good AF, and at around 100-150mm it is even sharper than 135 on the long end.

Anyone got both lens and can compare the AF speed and IQ?

I considered both and can't decide which one is better, some + and - below:
+ 18-135 wider at short end
+ 18-135 better for everyday carrying
+ 55-300 longer
- 55-300 darker
+ 55-300 i am used to those focal lenghts available
- I want to get a little more into street photography so I might not need the 150mm+ very often
+ I want 300mm for bird shots
+ 150-300mm focals might be usefull for kids shots (I have a knee condition that prevents me from running)

I considered also the 18-135mm + some long bird lens but I did not find any good long lens (might be manual) that does not cost a small car..

Anyone HELP? Anyone have had same dilema? or know other solution?

surfar · 12-14-2016, 02:54 PM

I own the DA55-300mm(no WR) and the 18-135mm....and next lens I buy is the newest 55/300 plm....

The 18-135 is good but if you add a K1, its only usable in crop mode....square crop isn't bad, the vignetting is a lot less than FF mode.

All reports on the PLM are positive, its compact and focus is miles ahead of screw drive....my DA is mainly used at the long end with a 1.4TC, so with less light than the PLM.......55/300 is a great focal range for MY walk around...many will disagree for their walk around.

I only shot birds if theres no surfers!

BUY BOTH!

bigfoxkiB · 12-14-2016, 03:00 PM

I picked the 16-85 since WR is important to me. Wider and long than Sigma, but slower...
How often do you need WR when shooting at kids and birds? If not too often, I would suggest 18-135.

dakight · 12-14-2016, 06:08 PM

The 18-135 and the 55-300 are completely different and suitable for different purposes. You have the wide end covered with the Sigma and the 18-135 will add little to that that the 55-300 wouldn't also cover.

Adam · 12-14-2016, 10:04 PM - **1 Like**

Since you already have the Sigma, I'd go for the new 55-300mm. Maybe you can add the 18-135mm later if you need a single all in one lens

gelokrol · 12-15-2016, 11:44 AM

damn.. no I think if I should leave the 55-300 for now but change the sigma to DA 16-85?

**acoufap** · 12-15-2016, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Since you already have the Sigma, I'd go for the new 55-300mm. Maybe you can add the 18-135mm later if you need a single all in one lens

In addition the 55-300PLM is a bit faster from 70 upwards. Have a look here. I listed the open aperture changes.

12-14-2016, 02:39 PM	#1
gelokrol Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Poland, Świdnik Photos: Gallery Posts: 464	18-135 or new 55-300 PLM as an WR upgrade for old DA 55-300 - HELP :) Hi, I feel the need to change my old DA 55-300 to something newer and better. I just can figure out what should I buy.. ;/ I have K-70 with Sigma 17-50 and DA 55-300 and I want to keep the sigma as IQ is superb and I use it for landscapes and architecture, and night shots. I use 55-300 for kids shots, parties, animal/bird shots mostly. All of those are usually moving fast and unpredictable + amount of light varies a lot What I need: - FAST AF - single WR lens that I could go around in bad weather or bad conditions or winter etc.. when I can't take the Sigma - basic lens that would always be with me - lens with longer focal to shoot kids/people that are a little farther than the 17-50 reaches I wanted 18-135 mainly due to fast AF a lot of people praises, but I read that new 55-300 PLM also has fast and good AF, and at around 100-150mm it is even sharper than 135 on the long end. Anyone got both lens and can compare the AF speed and IQ? I considered both and can't decide which one is better, some + and - below: + 18-135 wider at short end + 18-135 better for everyday carrying + 55-300 longer - 55-300 darker + 55-300 i am used to those focal lenghts available - I want to get a little more into street photography so I might not need the 150mm+ very often + I want 300mm for bird shots + 150-300mm focals might be usefull for kids shots (I have a knee condition that prevents me from running) I considered also the 18-135mm + some long bird lens but I did not find any good long lens (might be manual) that does not cost a small car.. Anyone HELP? Anyone have had same dilema? or know other solution?

12-14-2016, 10:04 PM - 1 Like	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Since you already have the Sigma, I'd go for the new 55-300mm. Maybe you can add the 18-135mm later if you need a single all in one lens Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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12-14-2016, 02:54 PM	#2
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,143	I own the DA55-300mm(no WR) and the 18-135mm....and next lens I buy is the newest 55/300 plm.... The 18-135 is good but if you add a K1, its only usable in crop mode....square crop isn't bad, the vignetting is a lot less than FF mode. All reports on the PLM are positive, its compact and focus is miles ahead of screw drive....my DA is mainly used at the long end with a 1.4TC, so with less light than the PLM.......55/300 is a great focal range for MY walk around...many will disagree for their walk around. I only shot birds if theres no surfers! BUY BOTH!

12-14-2016, 03:00 PM	#3
bigfoxkiB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: New York City Posts: 100	I picked the 16-85 since WR is important to me. Wider and long than Sigma, but slower... How often do you need WR when shooting at kids and birds? If not too often, I would suggest 18-135.

12-14-2016, 06:08 PM	#4
dakight Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,216	The 18-135 and the 55-300 are completely different and suitable for different purposes. You have the wide end covered with the Sigma and the 18-135 will add little to that that the 55-300 wouldn't also cover.

12-15-2016, 11:44 AM	#6
gelokrol Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Poland, Świdnik Photos: Gallery Posts: 464 Original Poster	damn.. no I think if I should leave the 55-300 for now but change the sigma to DA 16-85?

12-15-2016, 11:53 AM	#7
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,191	Originally posted by Adam Since you already have the Sigma, I'd go for the new 55-300mm. Maybe you can add the 18-135mm later if you need a single all in one lens In addition the 55-300PLM is a bit faster from 70 upwards. Have a look here. I listed the open aperture changes.