HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE and K70 compatability

rptdc · 05-02-2018, 05:18 AM

I purchased a HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE for my K70. K70 firmware 1.11

The lens seldom focused. Very infrequently it would focus but would then return to a rather dead state. My prime 15, 40 and 100 macro all work fine.

I did return it however wanted to add this versatility to my primes.

Bad copy? Other suggestions? Should I just be happy with a 100 mm max telephoto and let it go?

**UncleVanya** · 05-02-2018, 05:30 AM

It should work. However it uses the sdm power contacts which none of your other lenses do. It is possible that your camera body has a problem related to this or something else that the PLM lens needs to function. I wish you had an 18-135 or other lens motor equipped lens to test to help narrow this down.

There are many zooms you can try other than the PLM version if that camera is failing to work with that lens type. However if it is in warranty I would get it checked. If it isn't in warranty then the next step would be to try another copy of the lens.

If all else fails there are non-PLM DA 55-300 lenses to try.

**SteveinSLC** · 05-02-2018, 06:27 AM

I think you've got an issue either with the lens, the camera or a combination of the two. I've got the same setup for travel or when I want a little less weight than my K-1, and it works fine for me. I've attached an example from a zoo trip two weeks ago.

**DW58** · 05-02-2018, 07:23 AM

I have the K-70 and the 55-300 PLM. The two play very well together for me. Focus is fast and accurate. Your situation doesn't sound normal. I'd try another copy of the lens. Here's a heavily cropped shot with this combo.

**gump** · 05-02-2018, 08:39 AM

My lens arrived on Monday and would not focus. I went with the PF search and found an answer. Following the "fix" outlined by one user, I went to the back of the lens and around the glass is a small ring. I applied gentle pressure and it snapped into place. The lens works fine. Your problem does not sound identical but I offer this a possibility. Good luck.

MrMojo · 05-02-2018, 03:32 PM - **1 Like**

Never had an issue with the K70 and this lens, of any description. This is a big crop from that combination. Would suggest either the power contacts are flaky/faulty/dirty or you need a new lens I think

rptdc · 05-02-2018, 06:54 PM - **1 Like**

You all have convinced me to try another copy.

Marktax · 05-02-2018, 09:41 PM

My copy really delivers. Check yours carefully and exchange if needed. But don't do w/o it.

jgnfld · 05-03-2018, 04:27 AM

Originally posted by rptdc

You all have convinced me to try another copy.

I like my copy with a K-70 taking pictures from my sailboat. Hopefully you will too.

They are designed to work together.

rptdc · 05-03-2018, 06:41 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jgnfld

I like my copy with a K-70 taking pictures from my sailboat. Hopefully you will too.

They are designed to work together.

I will let you know when I get my sailboat. ☺️

SpecialK · 05-03-2018, 09:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rptdc

I will let you know when I get my sailboat. ☺️

Don't do it! Any boat will drain your finances, unlike camera gear.

rptdc · 05-04-2018, 02:02 AM

I have a new copy of HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE lens coming, hopefully arriving Saturday.

If this new copy of the 55-300 mm zoom works well with my k70, carrying it with my Pentax 100 Macro and small primes will be quite a physical burden. Or, maybe I just get that sailboat to transport my gear.

Unrelated question, which I can pose in a new thread if needed: Does the 55 - 300 PLM have any decent macro/close up capability?

rptdc · 05-04-2018, 03:05 AM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Don't do it! Any boat will drain your finances, unlike camera gear.

Ya! Will you please explain to my wife how camera gear is not draining our finances.

**UncleVanya** · 05-04-2018, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by rptdc

I have a new copy of HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE lens coming, hopefully arriving Saturday.

If this new copy of the 55-300 mm zoom works well with my k70, carrying it with my Pentax 100 Macro and small primes will be quite a physical burden. Or, maybe I just get that sailboat to transport my gear.

Unrelated question, which I can pose in a new thread if needed: Does the 55 - 300 PLM have any decent macro/close up capability?

HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Per this the max magnification is 0.3x which is slightly better than my older version of that design (DA 55-300 not WR or PLM) which gets 0.28x; I've found the close focus pseudo macro of my lens to be pretty good.

jgnfld · 05-04-2018, 06:39 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SpecialK

Don't do it! Any boat will drain your finances, unlike camera gear.

K-70/55-300 PLM pics...

05-02-2018, 05:18 AM	#1
rptdc Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 49	HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE and K70 compatability I purchased a HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE for my K70. K70 firmware 1.11 The lens seldom focused. Very infrequently it would focus but would then return to a rather dead state. My prime 15, 40 and 100 macro all work fine. I did return it however wanted to add this versatility to my primes. Bad copy? Other suggestions? Should I just be happy with a 100 mm max telephoto and let it go?

05-02-2018, 05:30 AM	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	It should work. However it uses the sdm power contacts which none of your other lenses do. It is possible that your camera body has a problem related to this or something else that the PLM lens needs to function. I wish you had an 18-135 or other lens motor equipped lens to test to help narrow this down. There are many zooms you can try other than the PLM version if that camera is failing to work with that lens type. However if it is in warranty I would get it checked. If it isn't in warranty then the next step would be to try another copy of the lens. If all else fails there are non-PLM DA 55-300 lenses to try. Last edited by UncleVanya; 05-02-2018 at 03:33 PM.

05-04-2018, 02:02 AM	#12
rptdc Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 49 Original Poster	I have a new copy of HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE lens coming, hopefully arriving Saturday. If this new copy of the 55-300 mm zoom works well with my k70, carrying it with my Pentax 100 Macro and small primes will be quite a physical burden. Or, maybe I just get that sailboat to transport my gear. Unrelated question, which I can pose in a new thread if needed: Does the 55 - 300 PLM have any decent macro/close up capability? Last edited by rptdc; 05-04-2018 at 03:50 AM.

05-04-2018, 06:39 AM - 1 Like	#15
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,789	Originally posted by SpecialK Don't do it! Any boat will drain your finances, unlike camera gear. K-70/55-300 PLM pics... Last edited by jgnfld; 05-04-2018 at 06:49 AM.

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05-02-2018, 07:23 AM	#4
DW58 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Rural Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,064	I have the K-70 and the 55-300 PLM. The two play very well together for me. Focus is fast and accurate. Your situation doesn't sound normal. I'd try another copy of the lens. Here's a heavily cropped shot with this combo.

05-02-2018, 08:39 AM	#5
gump Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,016	My lens arrived on Monday and would not focus. I went with the PF search and found an answer. Following the "fix" outlined by one user, I went to the back of the lens and around the glass is a small ring. I applied gentle pressure and it snapped into place. The lens works fine. Your problem does not sound identical but I offer this a possibility. Good luck.

05-02-2018, 06:54 PM - 1 Like	#7
rptdc Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 49 Original Poster	You all have convinced me to try another copy.

05-02-2018, 09:41 PM	#8
Marktax Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Washington DC Photos: Albums Posts: 610	My copy really delivers. Check yours carefully and exchange if needed. But don't do w/o it.

05-03-2018, 04:27 AM	#9
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,789	Originally posted by rptdc You all have convinced me to try another copy. I like my copy with a K-70 taking pictures from my sailboat. Hopefully you will too. They are designed to work together.

05-03-2018, 06:41 PM - 1 Like	#10
rptdc Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 49 Original Poster	Originally posted by jgnfld I like my copy with a K-70 taking pictures from my sailboat. Hopefully you will too. They are designed to work together. I will let you know when I get my sailboat. ☺️

05-03-2018, 09:17 PM - 1 Like	#11
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Originally posted by rptdc I will let you know when I get my sailboat. ☺️ Don't do it! Any boat will drain your finances, unlike camera gear.

05-04-2018, 03:05 AM	#13
rptdc Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 49 Original Poster	Originally posted by SpecialK Don't do it! Any boat will drain your finances, unlike camera gear. Ya! Will you please explain to my wife how camera gear is not draining our finances.

05-04-2018, 05:40 AM	#14
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Originally posted by rptdc I have a new copy of HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE lens coming, hopefully arriving Saturday. If this new copy of the 55-300 mm zoom works well with my k70, carrying it with my Pentax 100 Macro and small primes will be quite a physical burden. Or, maybe I just get that sailboat to transport my gear. Unrelated question, which I can pose in a new thread if needed: Does the 55 - 300 PLM have any decent macro/close up capability? HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Per this the max magnification is 0.3x which is slightly better than my older version of that design (DA 55-300 not WR or PLM) which gets 0.28x; I've found the close focus pseudo macro of my lens to be pretty good.