Looking for first tele zoom lens!

C_Jones · 01-23-2018, 05:46 PM

The newer 55-300 (PLM) has quiet AF.

**Ex Finn.** · 01-23-2018, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

The DA 55-300 is a good choice

I second that.
A long time ago, when at an air-show, standing next to a guy shooting Nikon, the screw-drive noise made him do a double-take...

**Canada_Rockies** · 01-23-2018, 07:02 PM

I owned the DA-L 55-300 and the only reason I swapped it out was for a DA 55-300 for the quick shift. Quick shift can speed up AF acquisition. Get it close and let the camera finish the final touch.
The PLM version is a definite temptation because of the super speed AF, but retirees don't have all that many $$$ lying around, and SWMBO has put the big NO on any additional photo stuff.

**pres589** · 01-23-2018, 07:26 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

I owned the DA-L 55-300 and the only reason I swapped it out was for a DA 55-300 for the quick shift. Quick shift can speed up AF acquisition. Get it close and let the camera finish the final touch.
The PLM version is a definite temptation because of the super speed AF, but retirees don't have all that many $$$ lying around, and SWMBO has put the big NO on any additional photo stuff.

Ha, I have almost as many 28mm primes as you've got lenses in your entire collection. That said, all your lenses are pretty good stuff, and half of my 28's are decidedly not that hot.

janelgreo · 01-23-2018, 07:32 PM

Thanks everyone for the great replies! I've learned a lot just from posting this thread. So glad I went with Pentax over Canikon, especially for this community!

I've always had my eye out on the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE, only thing that has been stopping me was the price. Unfortunately all the other lenses I was looking at I was more on the fence about, this was the only telezoom lens I was "sure" on. Fortunately, I am in no rush to get a telezoom lens and the 16-45 + the 55mm will serve my purposes for now. I think I will go ahead and save up a couple months and get the PLM. It just seems like the best way to go, especially with the WR ( a lot of rainy days in FL ) and the amazing reviews. Now if it was around $600 I'd have to give it a hard pass but $400 is definitely doable.

Originally posted by kjphilippona

How often are you planning to use the lens? Just to have for once or twice a year, get the DA55-300 of any variant. The K70 can produce some super images, save your money and gat a lens that will make your K70 shine. You have one of the best portrait lenses in the DA*55, I would get the DA*50-135 or DA*60-250, you wont regret it!

Thank you kjphilippona, wow those lenses are expensive! the DA*50-135 is double the price of the PLM

I will just go with the PLM, as said above. Maybe ONE DAY get the premium stuff!

surfar · 01-23-2018, 07:49 PM

Originally posted by janelgreo

-Pentax DA 55-300mm f4-5.8 ED

Its probably good on K-70,but PLM version sounds VERY good.

janelgreo · 01-23-2018, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by surfar

Its probably good on K-70,but PLM version sounds VERY good.

Yeah, out of all the 55-300's, it seems from the reviews and it's features the PLM is the best. Probably why it is the most expensive of the 55-300's

surfar · 01-23-2018, 08:20 PM

The previous 2 versions are old,I have both....newer usually comes at a cost.

**aslyfox** · 01-24-2018, 02:08 AM

of course, you can have problems with any lens

but the OP may want to review this thread

Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - Page 2 - PentaxForums.com

especially these posts:

Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com

Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com

Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com

before buying the PLM version

janelgreo · 01-24-2018, 03:02 AM

Originally posted by Aslyfox

of course, you can have problems with any lens

but the OP may want to review this thread

Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - Page 2 - PentaxForums.com

especially these posts:

Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com

Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com

Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com

before buying the PLM version

Wow... VERY INTERESTING! Thank you very much for informing us here @aslyfox. I will definitely take that into consideration!

**aslyfox** · 01-24-2018, 03:17 AM

Originally posted by janelgreo

Wow... VERY INTERESTING! Thank you very much for informing us here @aslyfox. I will definitely take that into consideration!

just a friendly heads up

I am not saying such failures are common but for some reason if power to the lens is lost, it appears to be little more than a paper weight

______________________

in fact, talking about reported problems and lenses

I am hoping that my D FA 150-450mm zoom doesn't suffer the same fate as three forum members have reported has happened to them

the lens literally falls apart in their hands

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01-23-2018, 05:46 PM	#16
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,088	The newer 55-300 (PLM) has quiet AF.

01-23-2018, 05:50 PM	#17
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by UncleVanya The DA 55-300 is a good choice I second that. A long time ago, when at an air-show, standing next to a guy shooting Nikon, the screw-drive noise made him do a double-take...

01-23-2018, 07:02 PM	#18
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I owned the DA-L 55-300 and the only reason I swapped it out was for a DA 55-300 for the quick shift. Quick shift can speed up AF acquisition. Get it close and let the camera finish the final touch. The PLM version is a definite temptation because of the super speed AF, but retirees don't have all that many $$$ lying around, and SWMBO has put the big NO on any additional photo stuff.

01-23-2018, 07:26 PM	#19
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies I owned the DA-L 55-300 and the only reason I swapped it out was for a DA 55-300 for the quick shift. Quick shift can speed up AF acquisition. Get it close and let the camera finish the final touch. The PLM version is a definite temptation because of the super speed AF, but retirees don't have all that many $$$ lying around, and SWMBO has put the big NO on any additional photo stuff. Ha, I have almost as many 28mm primes as you've got lenses in your entire collection. That said, all your lenses are pretty good stuff, and half of my 28's are decidedly not that hot.

01-23-2018, 07:32 PM	#20
janelgreo New Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 15 Original Poster	Thanks everyone for the great replies! I've learned a lot just from posting this thread. So glad I went with Pentax over Canikon, especially for this community! I've always had my eye out on the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE, only thing that has been stopping me was the price. Unfortunately all the other lenses I was looking at I was more on the fence about, this was the only telezoom lens I was "sure" on. Fortunately, I am in no rush to get a telezoom lens and the 16-45 + the 55mm will serve my purposes for now. I think I will go ahead and save up a couple months and get the PLM. It just seems like the best way to go, especially with the WR ( a lot of rainy days in FL ) and the amazing reviews. Now if it was around $600 I'd have to give it a hard pass but $400 is definitely doable. Originally posted by kjphilippona How often are you planning to use the lens? Just to have for once or twice a year, get the DA55-300 of any variant. The K70 can produce some super images, save your money and gat a lens that will make your K70 shine. You have one of the best portrait lenses in the DA55, I would get the DA50-135 or DA60-250, you wont regret it! Thank you kjphilippona, wow those lenses are expensive! the DA50-135 is double the price of the PLM I will just go with the PLM, as said above. Maybe ONE DAY get the premium stuff!

01-23-2018, 07:49 PM	#21
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,141	Originally posted by janelgreo -Pentax DA 55-300mm f4-5.8 ED Its probably good on K-70,but PLM version sounds VERY good.

01-23-2018, 08:16 PM	#22
janelgreo New Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 15 Original Poster	Originally posted by surfar Its probably good on K-70,but PLM version sounds VERY good. Yeah, out of all the 55-300's, it seems from the reviews and it's features the PLM is the best. Probably why it is the most expensive of the 55-300's

01-23-2018, 08:20 PM	#23
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,141	The previous 2 versions are old,I have both....newer usually comes at a cost.

01-24-2018, 02:08 AM	#24
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	of course, you can have problems with any lens but the OP may want to review this thread Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - Page 2 - PentaxForums.com especially these posts: Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com before buying the PLM version

01-24-2018, 03:02 AM	#25
janelgreo New Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 15 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aslyfox of course, you can have problems with any lens but the OP may want to review this thread Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - Page 2 - PentaxForums.com especially these posts: Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com Unable to focus DA 55-300 WR PLM on K3 - PentaxForums.com before buying the PLM version Wow... VERY INTERESTING! Thank you very much for informing us here @aslyfox. I will definitely take that into consideration!

01-24-2018, 03:17 AM	#26
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by janelgreo Wow... VERY INTERESTING! Thank you very much for informing us here @aslyfox. I will definitely take that into consideration! just a friendly heads up I am not saying such failures are common but for some reason if power to the lens is lost, it appears to be little more than a paper weight ______________________ in fact, talking about reported problems and lenses I am hoping that my D FA 150-450mm zoom doesn't suffer the same fate as three forum members have reported has happened to them the lens literally falls apart in their hands