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

normhead · 05-05-2019, 06:32 PM - **4 Likes**

I got a bit of a surprise today. I was shooting with the K-1 and Tamron 300 with Tamron 2x TC for 600mm ƒ5/6.

Eventually I started shooting with the K-3 and the Tamron 300 and 2x, just to check the image quality, I'm not sure with the 2x on the K-3 I've been getting some pretty spotty results.

Not terrible but also, I have better, shot with the Pentax 1.7x.

While I was testing the K-3 combo I put the K-1 on my lap, with the DA 55-300 PLM on it. (I didn't bring camera bag out.) I figured, frame loose, crop the corners.

Surprise. At 300mm, there was no need to crop. I did but I didn't have to.

One was taken at 230mm still no vignetting on the corners. This is the image un-cropped so you can see for yourselves.

When I get chance I'l have to check and see when the vignetting starts. So far it's good to 230mm.

**aslyfox** · 05-15-2019, 07:08 PM - **1 Like**

Tiger cub right next to the window of the enclosure

**simple1** · 05-16-2019, 10:35 PM - **5 Likes**

Tack sharp wide open. Fast, quiet focus. What's not to love? Okay...maybe a bit slow. But for the $$$ it is hard to beat.

**clackers** · 05-16-2019, 11:03 PM - **10 Likes**

K-s2, da55-300 plm.

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normhead · 05-28-2019, 08:17 AM - **4 Likes**

Some days. I just get lazy, yesterday instead of setting up the 300 2.8 and TC in the blind, I just went out and stood in the middle of my feeders to see what I got.
K-3 and 55-300 PLM.

More pop per dollar than any other lens I own.

BigNasty0213 · 05-29-2019, 06:44 AM

Originally posted by normhead

Some days. I just get lazy, yesterday instead of setting up the 300 2.8 and TC in the blind, I just went out and stood in the middle of my feeders to see what I got.
K-3 and 55-300 PLM.

More pop per dollar than any other lens I own.

I love the PLM's bokeh on linear objects like the pine needles in that 2nd shot.

normhead · 05-29-2019, 07:00 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigNasty0213

I love the PLM's bokeh on linear objects like the pine needles in that 2nd shot.

A lot of people seem to still be basing their opinions of this lens on the older 55-300s, but his lens is a complete redesign with more elements. It's sad. For the most part the bokeh is excellent.

**Mikesul** · 05-30-2019, 07:15 AM - **6 Likes**

Only processing is crop and raising shadows.

normhead · 06-07-2019, 06:34 PM - **1 Like**

K-3 and DA 55-300 PLM

swanlefitte · 06-08-2019, 04:42 PM

a couple at high iso.
3200 iso

1100 iso

**aslyfox** · 06-13-2019, 05:31 AM - **2 Likes**

we just returned late last night from a " Cubs Destination " trip to Denver [ you get tickets to 2 games, on 2nd day a private tour of the ball park, a lunch and an appearance by a member of the Cubs with ability to get one autograph and a question and answer session ]

unfortunately Monday was a good game but Cubs lost by one and Tuesday they got blown out

this is from the second game, Anthony Rizzo at bat

first photo SOOC except crop

2nd photo crop and pp

K 3 + HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

**Perfessor5646** · 06-15-2019, 03:18 PM - **3 Likes**

Last night I accompanied Tara Bassett of Take It From Tara to the Pride Parade downtown, I took my K-3ii w/ my trusted 16-85 and my K70 with the 55-300 PLM. When I shot the Easter Parade is was an overcast rain-ish day. I took my DA*55 and DA*300 and really like the IQ of the photos I shot that day even if I was self-limiting my FoV.

On Wednesday, Tara and I covered the memorial for the Pulse Night Club Massacre Anniversary and I took my 21mm Ltd, 70mm Ltd and DA*55. I ended up using the 21 and 55 for most of the shots.

Friday, I almost took the DA*300 to the Parade instead of the PLM Zoom but chickened out at the last minute not wanting to carry too much or self-limit focal length range.

It turns out my favorite shots were taken with the longer zoom. In any case, it seemed to do alright with 3 different complexions.

Edit: The eye roll in the third photo makes it my favorite of the hundreds of frames shot.

normhead · 06-22-2019, 09:51 AM - **2 Likes**

K-3 and 55-300 PLM (cross posted 4 times)

There is a hummingbird moth and part of a swallow tail in this image. Can you find them.

I can prove the Swallowtail was there, I didn't see the moth until post processing. Spotted on my Saturday morning run to the dump.

normhead · 06-24-2019, 06:27 PM - **1 Like**

Few from the doggies swimming hoe, down by the river.

K-3 and DA 55-300 PLM

normhead · 07-01-2019, 05:59 PM - **3 Likes**

Down on the Lakeshore for Canada Day. Posrted to Post your Photos, k-3 images, and DA 55-300 PLM
Party on.

K-3 and DA 55-300 PLM

2019-07-01-Rocking-out-on-Canada-Day-11 by
Norm Head, on Flickr

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05-05-2019, 06:32 PM - 4 Likes	#316
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I got a bit of a surprise today. I was shooting with the K-1 and Tamron 300 with Tamron 2x TC for 600mm ƒ5/6. Eventually I started shooting with the K-3 and the Tamron 300 and 2x, just to check the image quality, I'm not sure with the 2x on the K-3 I've been getting some pretty spotty results. Not terrible but also, I have better, shot with the Pentax 1.7x. While I was testing the K-3 combo I put the K-1 on my lap, with the DA 55-300 PLM on it. (I didn't bring camera bag out.) I figured, frame loose, crop the corners. Surprise. At 300mm, there was no need to crop. I did but I didn't have to. One was taken at 230mm still no vignetting on the corners. This is the image un-cropped so you can see for yourselves. When I get chance I'l have to check and see when the vignetting starts. So far it's good to 230mm.

05-16-2019, 10:35 PM - 5 Likes	#318
simple1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 761	Tack sharp wide open. Fast, quiet focus. What's not to love? Okay...maybe a bit slow. But for the $$$ it is hard to beat.

05-28-2019, 08:17 AM - 4 Likes	#320
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Some days. I just get lazy, yesterday instead of setting up the 300 2.8 and TC in the blind, I just went out and stood in the middle of my feeders to see what I got. K-3 and 55-300 PLM. More pop per dollar than any other lens I own.

05-29-2019, 06:44 AM	#321
BigNasty0213 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 58	Originally posted by normhead Some days. I just get lazy, yesterday instead of setting up the 300 2.8 and TC in the blind, I just went out and stood in the middle of my feeders to see what I got. K-3 and 55-300 PLM. More pop per dollar than any other lens I own. I love the PLM's bokeh on linear objects like the pine needles in that 2nd shot.

05-29-2019, 07:00 AM - 1 Like	#322
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by BigNasty0213 I love the PLM's bokeh on linear objects like the pine needles in that 2nd shot. A lot of people seem to still be basing their opinions of this lens on the older 55-300s, but his lens is a complete redesign with more elements. It's sad. For the most part the bokeh is excellent.

06-07-2019, 06:34 PM - 1 Like	#324
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	K-3 and DA 55-300 PLM

06-08-2019, 04:42 PM	#325
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	a couple at high iso. 3200 iso 1100 iso

06-22-2019, 09:51 AM - 2 Likes	#328
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	K-3 and 55-300 PLM (cross posted 4 times) There is a hummingbird moth and part of a swallow tail in this image. Can you find them. I can prove the Swallowtail was there, I didn't see the moth until post processing. Spotted on my Saturday morning run to the dump.

06-24-2019, 06:27 PM - 1 Like	#329
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Few from the doggies swimming hoe, down by the river. K-3 and DA 55-300 PLM

07-01-2019, 05:59 PM - 3 Likes	#330
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Down on the Lakeshore for Canada Day. Posrted to Post your Photos, k-3 images, and DA 55-300 PLM Party on. K-3 and DA 55-300 PLM 2019-07-01-Rocking-out-on-Canada-Day-11 by Norm Head, on Flickr