HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE - Show us what it can do, what it CAN'T!

northcoastgreg · 10-10-2019, 02:24 PM - **3 Likes**

Sunset at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone:

**Des** · 10-10-2019, 03:59 PM - **8 Likes**

K-3 + DA 55-300, images stitched in ICE.

swanlefitte · 10-10-2019, 07:52 PM

Has anyone dropped their camera with this lenses and had that piece of the lens hood snap off? I am pretty convinced it helped save both camera and lens.

**Des** · 10-11-2019, 05:33 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by swanlefitte

Has anyone dropped their camera with this lenses and had that piece of the lens hood snap off? I am pretty convinced it helped save both camera and lens.

When I dropped mine, lens down, onto the steel deck of a boat, the (mounted) lens hood survived but the barrel didn't: What to avoid with your 55-300 PLM lens! - PentaxForums.com No doubt the hood protected the front element. The lens was repairable.

Foggy morning in South Gippsland, Victoria. KP + 55-300 PLM at 300mm. (X-posted from monochrome landscapes thread)

Last edited by Des; 10-14-2019 at 01:19 AM.

jeallen01 · 10-12-2019, 06:25 AM

Just back from a Rhone river-cruise in Southern France, where we came across the largest flock of cormorants (normally quite solitary birds) that any of the passengers on the cruise ship had ever seen - must have been around 80-100 all together in one spot on the other side of the river (about 150-200m away) from us!

So, the first shot shows most of them, whilst the 1st cropped part of the same shot showing a small part, and the 2nd one is an even smaller part, of the flock shows what the K-70 + PLM can do if I get it relatively "right" - although all those images have lost quite a fair amount of the definition due to the resizing to make them acceptable to attach here.

bigbaz · 10-12-2019, 07:18 AM - **4 Likes**

It’s a great lens for aviation shots. KP & 55-300 PLM

Benz3ne · 10-12-2019, 09:20 AM - **2 Likes**

Still not absolutely certain I'm getting things right with this lens, as I keep getting some 'haloing' on pictures at 300mm f/6.3 up to around f/9. f/10 and thereafter seems to behave itself more, but this is typically occurring on white objects vs darker backgrounds, e.g. seagulls on rockery.

**Des** · 10-12-2019, 01:44 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Benz3ne

Still not absolutely certain I'm getting things right with this lens, as I keep getting some 'haloing' on pictures at 300mm f/6.3 up to around f/9. f/10 and thereafter seems to behave itself more, but this is typically occurring on white objects vs darker backgrounds, e.g. seagulls on rockery.

That sounds like PP artifacts rather than the lens itself @Benz3ene. If it's occurring with images at 300mm, maybe it's because the software is trying to compensate for a lack of resolution at that FL? Maybe back off clarity/sharpness/contrast a bit and see if that makes a difference?

Looking at recent images on your Flickr stream it seems you were often dealing with difficult light.

normhead · 10-12-2019, 03:26 PM - **3 Likes**

A few from yesterday's dog walk.

Benz3ne · 10-12-2019, 11:41 PM

Originally posted by Des

That sounds like PP artifacts rather than the lens itself @Benz3ene. If it's occurring with images at 300mm, maybe it's because the software is trying to compensate for a lack of resolution at that FL? Maybe back off clarity/sharpness/contrast a bit and see if that makes a difference?

Looking at recent images on your Flickr stream it seems you were often dealing with difficult light.

Sorry about the short reply but I’m on my mobile phone currently.
It’s evident on the camera itself when looking over photos so that removes the pp software influence.
Similarly, it is the case before any edits are applied isn’t absolutely marvellous but it has been overcast but bright, often.
I’ll keep playing but it doesn’t appear to be an issue with other lenses whatsoever (though none have the same reach) so that’s where I’m noticing it more.

**Des** · 10-13-2019, 01:43 AM

Originally posted by Benz3ne

It’s evident on the camera itself when looking over photos so that removes the pp software influence.Similarly, it is the case before any edits are applied

Of course what you see on the camera's screen is not the RAW file but the jpg generated by the camera. But If you are also seeing it in the RAW file on your computer with no edits applied, yes that rules out PP software. Hmm ... what about the in-camera image adjustments like clarity enhancement or the lens corrections? Could something strange be happening there? Turn them off and see whether the problem goes away?

Benz3ne · 10-13-2019, 02:50 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Des

Of course what you see on the phone is not the RAW file but the jpg generated by the camera. But If you are also seeing it in the RAW file on your computer with no edits applied, yes that rules out PP software. Hmm ... what about the in-camera image adjustments like clarity enhancement or the lens corrections? Could something strange be happening there? Turn them off and see whether the problem goes away?

They’re all off and it’s evident when viewing on the cameras lcd too. All adjustments are turned off except highlight and shadow corrections but they’d only apply to jpegs shot right?

I’ll keep persevering as I’m almost certain it’s my inexperience with the lens. It’s just off putting when I see some beautiful images at 300mm and f/6.3 and I cannot seem to nail it.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I’ll see if I can find a good example to highlight the issue.

**ThorSanchez** · 10-13-2019, 12:51 PM - **1 Like**

K-3ii, 55-300PLM. Early morning game at the Williamsburg Invitational.

**skolkmeier** · 10-13-2019, 01:12 PM

Moon over the ocean

northcoastgreg · 10-13-2019, 03:12 PM - **3 Likes**

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone:

10-12-2019, 07:18 AM - 4 Likes	#411
bigbaz Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 111	It’s a great lens for aviation shots. KP & 55-300 PLM Attached Images Last edited by bigbaz; 10-12-2019 at 11:01 AM. Reason: Added camera model.

10-12-2019, 01:44 PM - 1 Like	#413
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by Benz3ne Still not absolutely certain I'm getting things right with this lens, as I keep getting some 'haloing' on pictures at 300mm f/6.3 up to around f/9. f/10 and thereafter seems to behave itself more, but this is typically occurring on white objects vs darker backgrounds, e.g. seagulls on rockery. That sounds like PP artifacts rather than the lens itself @Benz3ene. If it's occurring with images at 300mm, maybe it's because the software is trying to compensate for a lack of resolution at that FL? Maybe back off clarity/sharpness/contrast a bit and see if that makes a difference? Looking at recent images on your Flickr stream it seems you were often dealing with difficult light. Last edited by Des; 10-12-2019 at 03:59 PM.

10-13-2019, 01:43 AM	#416
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by Benz3ne It’s evident on the camera itself when looking over photos so that removes the pp software influence.Similarly, it is the case before any edits are applied Of course what you see on the camera's screen is not the RAW file but the jpg generated by the camera. But If you are also seeing it in the RAW file on your computer with no edits applied, yes that rules out PP software. Hmm ... what about the in-camera image adjustments like clarity enhancement or the lens corrections? Could something strange be happening there? Turn them off and see whether the problem goes away? Last edited by Des; 10-13-2019 at 03:03 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE	MacLoz	Lens Sample Photo Archive	205	01-23-2023 08:58 AM
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE and K70 compatability	rptdc	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	15	05-05-2018 03:03 PM
Trouble with KP and HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE	talgarik	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	37	05-01-2018 01:15 PM
HD Pentax-DA 55-300MM F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE for 306 EUR	beholder3	Pentax Price Watch	3	11-18-2016 05:08 AM
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE - No reviews	whyhaveone	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	9	11-03-2016 02:36 AM

10-10-2019, 02:24 PM - 3 Likes	#406
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,175	Sunset at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone:

10-10-2019, 03:59 PM - 8 Likes	#407
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	K-3 + DA 55-300, images stitched in ICE.

10-10-2019, 07:52 PM	#408
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Has anyone dropped their camera with this lenses and had that piece of the lens hood snap off? I am pretty convinced it helped save both camera and lens.

10-11-2019, 05:33 PM - 1 Like	#409
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by swanlefitte Has anyone dropped their camera with this lenses and had that piece of the lens hood snap off? I am pretty convinced it helped save both camera and lens. When I dropped mine, lens down, onto the steel deck of a boat, the (mounted) lens hood survived but the barrel didn't: What to avoid with your 55-300 PLM lens! - PentaxForums.com No doubt the hood protected the front element. The lens was repairable. Foggy morning in South Gippsland, Victoria. KP + 55-300 PLM at 300mm. (X-posted from monochrome landscapes thread) Last edited by Des; 10-14-2019 at 01:19 AM.

10-12-2019, 09:20 AM - 2 Likes	#412
Benz3ne Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Cymru Posts: 2,356	Still not absolutely certain I'm getting things right with this lens, as I keep getting some 'haloing' on pictures at 300mm f/6.3 up to around f/9. f/10 and thereafter seems to behave itself more, but this is typically occurring on white objects vs darker backgrounds, e.g. seagulls on rockery.

10-12-2019, 03:26 PM - 3 Likes	#414
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	A few from yesterday's dog walk.

10-12-2019, 11:41 PM	#415
Benz3ne Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Cymru Posts: 2,356	Originally posted by Des That sounds like PP artifacts rather than the lens itself @Benz3ene. If it's occurring with images at 300mm, maybe it's because the software is trying to compensate for a lack of resolution at that FL? Maybe back off clarity/sharpness/contrast a bit and see if that makes a difference? Looking at recent images on your Flickr stream it seems you were often dealing with difficult light. Sorry about the short reply but I’m on my mobile phone currently. It’s evident on the camera itself when looking over photos so that removes the pp software influence. Similarly, it is the case before any edits are applied isn’t absolutely marvellous but it has been overcast but bright, often. I’ll keep playing but it doesn’t appear to be an issue with other lenses whatsoever (though none have the same reach) so that’s where I’m noticing it more.

10-13-2019, 02:50 AM - 1 Like	#417
Benz3ne Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Cymru Posts: 2,356	Originally posted by Des Of course what you see on the phone is not the RAW file but the jpg generated by the camera. But If you are also seeing it in the RAW file on your computer with no edits applied, yes that rules out PP software. Hmm ... what about the in-camera image adjustments like clarity enhancement or the lens corrections? Could something strange be happening there? Turn them off and see whether the problem goes away? They’re all off and it’s evident when viewing on the cameras lcd too. All adjustments are turned off except highlight and shadow corrections but they’d only apply to jpegs shot right? I’ll keep persevering as I’m almost certain it’s my inexperience with the lens. It’s just off putting when I see some beautiful images at 300mm and f/6.3 and I cannot seem to nail it. Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll see if I can find a good example to highlight the issue.

10-13-2019, 03:12 PM - 3 Likes	#420
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,175	Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: