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

normhead · 05-23-2018, 07:17 AM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by northcoastgreg

I'm shocked how good the PLM is on the wide end. At 55mm it produces more contrasty, saturated images than my A 50 macro, and is nearly as sharp. And while it can't quite match the artistic rendering of the DFA 100 macro at 100mm, it doesn't give up all that much in terms of sharpness to the macro

I had the same experience, it's a great walk around lens. The DA 55-300 PLM, the 21 ltd. and 40 XS is great "do anything super lightweight walk around kit.

More from today.

Last edited by normhead; 05-23-2018 at 01:43 PM.

northcoastgreg · 05-23-2018, 03:13 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by normhead

it's a great walk around lens. The DA 55-300 PLM, the 21 ltd. and 40 XS is great "do anything super lightweight walk around kit.

Agreed. My lightweight kit is DA 15, DA 21, DA 35 Ltd, along with the PLM.

From Bald Hills in Redwood NP:

**acoufap** · 05-24-2018, 12:27 PM - **3 Likes**

From todays evening walk - first walk with KP • DA55-300PLM combo ... really nice with great results and not too heavy!

@Normhead, I like to create macro like images too ...

... all 300mm free-hand shots.

P.s.

If you are interested in some info about the KPs user interface compared to the K-1s you can find such with link to a blog article I wrote on my website here (english).
I bought the DA55-300PLM shortly after it entered the market and was immediately keen on it. Wrote some posts on PF and a blog article on my website. If you are interested and able to the read german you find it here (images: DA55-300PLM@K-1).

northcoastgreg · 06-03-2018, 08:04 PM - **3 Likes**

Sunset over Stone Lagoon, with KP, @300mm:

DrawsACircle · 06-04-2018, 10:38 AM - **5 Likes**

---------- Post added 06-04-18 at 10:46 AM ----------

And he did look like a lost dog forgotten by his family

**eyrr** · 06-06-2018, 06:37 PM - **3 Likes**

I've got one on loan to try for a couple of weeks while its owner is abroad. So far, I'm very impressed. I tried my luck with tiny game this weekend.

swanlefitte · 06-07-2018, 08:19 PM

3 different focuses and great results.

honey bo bo · 06-08-2018, 06:07 AM - **1 Like**

I've had the PLM version for a couple months now and have had a chance to try a lot of different scenarios all with pleasing results.

This is the last one that gives me the confidence to use it any time any where. I shoot with back focus spot focus with the 1.4 TC and without and up to now free handed (the basic reason I purchased it ). These are cropped to the N'th degree and I have included the original Pic. Aircraft 6.5 miles away in upper atmosphere hand held with spot focus.

Sub Info : Hand Held by an Old Guy; one eyed with so many Health Problems that to shorten the response to "how are you" I just respond "I'm not pregnant; the tests for Insanity are inconclusive but I've got or getting everything else !

Terrific lens and I'm good to go ! Might even try using a pod from Time to Time

Edit : Sorry these shots were focused @ 9 point; not spot

**eyrr** · 06-09-2018, 07:13 PM - **2 Likes**

A couple from today, both cropped. The hummingbird was at a high iso because the light wasn't great but I wanted the high shutter speed. The chipmunk was at the full 300mm. I never before noticed how the stripes on their faces align with their bodies.

swanlefitte · 06-09-2018, 07:29 PM

like the sigma 70, I think I dislike how it handles reds. I must test this.

**acoufap** · 06-10-2018, 04:58 AM - **3 Likes**

Pentax KP • DA55-300PLM@300 (a wonderful combo, handheld)

ISO100 • f/8 •1/50s

C1P modified B&W Panchromatic conversion

**eyrr** · 06-10-2018, 07:26 PM

I caught the tail end of a pretty good sunset; I didn't have time to get to a more open sky location so i grabbed the camera with this on it and shot from the end of the driveway. Cropped out a utility pole.

northcoastgreg · 06-10-2018, 07:41 PM - **5 Likes**

Castle Crags, shot at 70mm with the KP using Pixel Shift:

**acoufap** · 06-12-2018, 12:01 PM - **3 Likes**

KP • DA55-300PLM@190 • ISO100 • f/6.3 • 1/50s

**Mikesul** · 06-12-2018, 02:57 PM - **2 Likes**

Sort of in memory of Rupert.
K3II DA 55-300 PLM

05-24-2018, 12:27 PM - 3 Likes	#33
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,187	From todays evening walk - first walk with KP • DA55-300PLM combo ... really nice with great results and not too heavy! @Normhead, I like to create macro like images too ... ... all 300mm free-hand shots. P.s. If you are interested in some info about the KPs user interface compared to the K-1s you can find such with link to a blog article I wrote on my website here (english). I bought the DA55-300PLM shortly after it entered the market and was immediately keen on it. Wrote some posts on PF and a blog article on my website. If you are interested and able to the read german you find it here (images: DA55-300PLM@K-1).

06-04-2018, 10:38 AM - 5 Likes	#35
DrawsACircle Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Ulfborg, Denmark Photos: Albums Posts: 434	Buster taking a bath, K-70, 55-300mm PLM ---------- Post added 06-04-18 at 10:46 AM ---------- And he did look like a lost dog forgotten by his family

06-08-2018, 06:07 AM - 1 Like	#38
honey bo bo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 768	55-300 plm + 1.4 x tc hd @ extreme end / hand held I've had the PLM version for a couple months now and have had a chance to try a lot of different scenarios all with pleasing results. This is the last one that gives me the confidence to use it any time any where. I shoot with back focus spot focus with the 1.4 TC and without and up to now free handed (the basic reason I purchased it ). These are cropped to the N'th degree and I have included the original Pic. Aircraft 6.5 miles away in upper atmosphere hand held with spot focus. Sub Info : Hand Held by an Old Guy; one eyed with so many Health Problems that to shorten the response to "how are you" I just respond "I'm not pregnant; the tests for Insanity are inconclusive but I've got or getting everything else ! Terrific lens and I'm good to go ! Might even try using a pod from Time to Time Edit : Sorry these shots were focused @ 9 point; not spot Last edited by honey bo bo; 08-07-2018 at 04:32 AM.

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05-23-2018, 07:17 AM - 5 Likes	#31
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by northcoastgreg I'm shocked how good the PLM is on the wide end. At 55mm it produces more contrasty, saturated images than my A 50 macro, and is nearly as sharp. And while it can't quite match the artistic rendering of the DFA 100 macro at 100mm, it doesn't give up all that much in terms of sharpness to the macro I had the same experience, it's a great walk around lens. The DA 55-300 PLM, the 21 ltd. and 40 XS is great "do anything super lightweight walk around kit. More from today. Last edited by normhead; 05-23-2018 at 01:43 PM.

05-23-2018, 03:13 PM - 3 Likes	#32
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Originally posted by normhead it's a great walk around lens. The DA 55-300 PLM, the 21 ltd. and 40 XS is great "do anything super lightweight walk around kit. Agreed. My lightweight kit is DA 15, DA 21, DA 35 Ltd, along with the PLM. From Bald Hills in Redwood NP:

06-03-2018, 08:04 PM - 3 Likes	#34
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Sunset over Stone Lagoon, with KP, @300mm:

06-07-2018, 08:19 PM	#37
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	3 different focuses and great results.

06-09-2018, 07:29 PM	#40
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	like the sigma 70, I think I dislike how it handles reds. I must test this.

06-10-2018, 04:58 AM - 3 Likes	#41
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,187	Pentax KP • DA55-300PLM@300 (a wonderful combo, handheld) ISO100 • f/8 •1/50s C1P modified B&W Panchromatic conversion

06-10-2018, 07:41 PM - 5 Likes	#43
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Castle Crags, shot at 70mm with the KP using Pixel Shift:

06-12-2018, 12:01 PM - 3 Likes	#44
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,187	KP • DA55-300PLM@190 • ISO100 • f/6.3 • 1/50s

06-12-2018, 02:57 PM - 2 Likes	#45
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Sort of in memory of Rupert. K3II DA 55-300 PLM