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07-27-2017, 12:07 PM   #1
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70-300 lenes

I have a tamron LD-DI 70-300 MAC & SIGMA DL mac super i'm not over impressed with either , not that sharp & seem soft is the pentax 55-300 better ?
or other option plaese:

07-27-2017, 12:20 PM   #2
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Yes, the Pentax 55-300mm is pretty much the best you can get in the <$400 price range, IMO.

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07-27-2017, 12:25 PM   #3
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a good place to look to see how various lenses do when the focal length is 300 mm or more is:

The 300mm plus lens Club discuss your long lenses. - PentaxForums.com

many of the posts either identify the lens and camera or has the EXIF info included so you can see what was used

here are links ( if I did it correctly ) to some posts which indicate that some form of the Pentax 55 - 300 mm was used to capture the image

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-clu...ml#post4048467

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-clu...ml#post4048287

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-clu...ml#post4047715

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-clu...ml#post4046810

Last edited by aslyfox; 07-27-2017 at 12:35 PM.
07-27-2017, 01:07 PM   #4
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I've had both. The 55-300 is way sharper, the last two versions are waterproof. You'll loose the pseudo-macro though.

07-27-2017, 01:54 PM   #5
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All of these shots were taken with the 55-300mm WR:
LB Duck Pond 15March2017 | Flickr
07-27-2017, 02:02 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by cali92rs Quote
All of these shots were taken with the 55-300mm WR:
LB Duck Pond 15March2017 | Flickr
very nice
07-27-2017, 02:52 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by cali92rs Quote
All of these shots were taken with the 55-300mm WR:
LB Duck Pond 15March2017 | Flickr
great photos thanks

07-27-2017, 03:18 PM   #8
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for what it is worth

I recently bought a used DA L 55 - 300 from KEH.com ( which has a 14 day no questions asked return policy by the way )

I believe that optically there isn't a difference between that older model and the DA and DA + WR models

seeking advice for Gear Acquistion Syndrome - Page 2 - PentaxForums.com

here is a link to some of the first photos I took using it and the K 3

seeking advice for Gear Acquistion Syndrome - PentaxForums.com

Last edited by aslyfox; 07-27-2017 at 04:44 PM. Reason: corrected error
07-27-2017, 04:32 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Aslyfox Quote
I believe that optically there isn't a difference between that older model and the DA and DA + WR and the newest PLM models
The PLM model is a new optical formula, otherwise I believe you are correct in that all of the older 55-300's have the same optics.
07-27-2017, 04:42 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
The PLM model is a new optical formula, otherwise I believe you are correct in that all of the older 55-300's have the same optics.
well it isn't the first time I have had a mistaken belief:

". . . The optical formula of this lens has been redesigned compared to the previous DA 55-300mm F4-5.8. The new lens now has a rear-mounted focus ring and internal focus, is nearly 3 cm shorter when collapsed, but also loses about half a stop of light at both ends. . . . "

Read more at: HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
07-28-2017, 12:04 AM - 1 Like   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by I robert Quote
I have a tamron LD-DI 70-300 MAC & SIGMA DL mac super i'm not over impressed with either , not that sharp & seem soft is the pentax 55-300 better ?
or other option plaese:

I have the Tamron and Sigma like you and the Pentax DA L 55-300mm.
The sharpest is the Pentax, just a little better, but the extra sharpness is not to a large degree compared to what would be provided for by a better zoom like the 60-250mm (judging by the images I have seen on the forum), or a Pentax 300mm prime.
The Tamron and Sigma can provide images that I am happy with a lot of the time, they just need to be used within their limitations and they do provide more close focussing via the "macro".
I bought the Pentax 2nd hand and am very pleased with it. Were I to be contemplating spending around £300-£400 for a new 55-300mm with the emphasis on the 300mm....I would be looking more for a 2nd hand 300mm prime and hoping to find one in my budget.
07-28-2017, 06:11 AM   #12
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The Pentax 55-300 is definitely better then the after-market options but I wasn't that impressed with the first version. Maybe I just had a bad copy.

Of course, if you want maximum quality a 300 prime is the way to go but the Pentax 300 prime options are very pricey, even second hand. Because I needed the quality for wildlife photography, I did end up buying a second-hand Pentax DA*300 lens at a good price but that was still way higher then a new Pentax 55-300 lens.
07-28-2017, 07:35 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by I robert Quote
I have a tamron LD-DI 70-300 MAC & SIGMA DL mac super i'm not over impressed with either , not that sharp & seem soft is the pentax 55-300 better ?
or other option plaese:



Probably not what you are looking for but the Tamron SP 60-300mm (23A) is worth considering if you are willing to carry and use a heavy manual lens.
I think it matches the Pentax 55-300mm I have regarding IQ and in "macro" as well as through the range it exceeds the IQ my AF Tamron and Sigma.
It has been reported as NOT a genuine 300mm lens at the long end, more like 285mm, but I cannot comment on this.
Having an Adaptall mount with an "A" setting makes it a lot easier to use than manual or green button metering but finding one that doesn't cost less than the lens is not easy, they seem to command good prices.
It is rather a good lens and is better than the other to 300mm legacy manual lenses I have tried.
07-28-2017, 12:05 PM   #14
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thanks maybe I should wait until I can afford the 60-250 or 300 prime
07-28-2017, 12:51 PM - 1 Like   #15
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The Tamron and Sigma models you have are not digital era designs - so considerable CA issues are very evident, especially on the long end (Sigma has a newer APO design that is somewhat better). The Pentax 55-300 4-5.8 is definitely sharper than the third party offerings in the 250-300 range. However, the much lower CA is probably even more noteworthy because even the best RAW converters can't remove massive CA without resulting image degradation. While the non-PLM 55-300s are optically similar, the WR version has a better build more likely to hold together than earlier builds and HD coatings yield a very slightly higher contrast.


While the 60-250 is a very good optic, keep in mind that severe focus breathing reduces reach considerably even at medium distances (20-40 feet or closer). Focusing is very slow. The lens will not perform as well overall as the 55-300 when shooting wildlife, and is not adequate for shooting birds in most situations.
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