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ChrisN · 09-13-2008, 04:14 PM

Question for people with SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED:

Zoom creep when pointed down? Does it have a lock button?

Is the lack of a tripod mount on the lens a problem? How does it balance at full extension for use on a tripod?

Thanks!

**monochrome** · 09-13-2008, 05:39 PM

There is absolutely zero zoom creep on this lens - several here have confirmed. It is quite light, so the lack of a tripod mount is not an issue in any way at any extension. There is no lock button - no need for one. Hand holding the lens is a snap - can do it all day at any extension.

IQ is excellent for a zoom lens of this price.

k100d · 09-13-2008, 05:40 PM

zoom ring is tight no worries about zoom creep

see my comments about the build quality of the lens here
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/36155-da-55-30...pressions.html

ChrisN · 09-14-2008, 02:15 PM

Thanks very much. Cheers!

Mechan1k · 09-15-2008, 07:57 AM

I got to use another forum members 55-300 ... and it wasn't too bad a lens to handhold anyway ... MF had a nice feel to it as well.

I haven't had a decent go at this lens ... light was poor at the time ... but it performed fairly well for what i saw.

**Michaelina2** · 09-15-2008, 05:18 PM

It's my walk around lens when I collar up my pup for an outing. I really like its 55-300mm versatility. Works great for both long and short shots.

**rogerstg** · 09-15-2008, 06:14 PM

No zoom creep on mine either

infosyn · 09-15-2008, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

It is quite light, so the lack of a tripod mount is not an issue in any way at any extension... Hand holding the lens is a snap - can do it all day at any extension.

I'd certainly take issue with the need for a tripod mount. Depends on shutter speed, of course, but I've seen severe motion blur at 300mm and 1/15sec on even a slightly windy day. It was so bad I could see the motion in the viewfinder! This is with a Manfrotto 055XPROB, which is about as sturdy a tripod as you can get. And using an IR remote. The head is a ball type Giotto MH1002, which is probably the weak link in this picture, but it was locked down solid.

I even tried supporting/damping the end of the lens with a finger, and that helped. But heck, my finger isn't a very stable platform either.

Fact is, a 300mm sticks out a long way. I'm trying to figure out a way to make my own mount/support for the K20D with a long lens mounted -- the supports sure are expensive to buy!

Isaac314 · 09-16-2008, 09:30 AM

The balance is a huge problem with the lens. Get a sturdy tripod...

No zoom creep, beautiful zoom action which seems to get better with time. I think this lens is worth about twice its price

My biggest problem with this lens is the focus speed. It is ok, but if it hunts which it can do if you aren't concentrating with it, it takes a few seconds. Pentax, I need a focus limiter!!!!!!!!

John Kovarik · 09-16-2008, 10:05 AM

The zoom design on the 55-300 is different than on my Tamron 18-250 with distinct feel and sound. No lock - no creep - no need. I do not use a tripod for most shots but this is an individual matter based on strength, steadiness and experience..............

deejjjaaaa · 09-16-2008, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by ChrisN

Zoom creep when pointed down?

wait for a year or two...

09-13-2008, 04:14 PM	#1
ChrisN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Downunda Photos: Gallery Posts: 212	Question for people with SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Question for people with SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED: Zoom creep when pointed down? Does it have a lock button? Is the lack of a tripod mount on the lens a problem? How does it balance at full extension for use on a tripod? Thanks!

09-15-2008, 05:18 PM	#6
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,302	DA 55-300 Walk-around It's my walk around lens when I collar up my pup for an outing. I really like its 55-300mm versatility. Works great for both long and short shots.

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09-13-2008, 05:39 PM	#2
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	There is absolutely zero zoom creep on this lens - several here have confirmed. It is quite light, so the lack of a tripod mount is not an issue in any way at any extension. There is no lock button - no need for one. Hand holding the lens is a snap - can do it all day at any extension. IQ is excellent for a zoom lens of this price.

09-13-2008, 05:40 PM	#3
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	zoom ring is tight no worries about zoom creep see my comments about the build quality of the lens here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/36155-da-55-30...pressions.html

09-14-2008, 02:15 PM	#4
ChrisN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Downunda Photos: Gallery Posts: 212 Original Poster	Thanks very much. Cheers!

09-15-2008, 07:57 AM	#5
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	I got to use another forum members 55-300 ... and it wasn't too bad a lens to handhold anyway ... MF had a nice feel to it as well. I haven't had a decent go at this lens ... light was poor at the time ... but it performed fairly well for what i saw.

09-15-2008, 06:14 PM	#7
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	No zoom creep on mine either

09-15-2008, 06:46 PM	#8
infosyn Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eugene, Oregon, US Posts: 97	Originally posted by monochrome It is quite light, so the lack of a tripod mount is not an issue in any way at any extension... Hand holding the lens is a snap - can do it all day at any extension. I'd certainly take issue with the need for a tripod mount. Depends on shutter speed, of course, but I've seen severe motion blur at 300mm and 1/15sec on even a slightly windy day. It was so bad I could see the motion in the viewfinder! This is with a Manfrotto 055XPROB, which is about as sturdy a tripod as you can get. And using an IR remote. The head is a ball type Giotto MH1002, which is probably the weak link in this picture, but it was locked down solid. I even tried supporting/damping the end of the lens with a finger, and that helped. But heck, my finger isn't a very stable platform either. Fact is, a 300mm sticks out a long way. I'm trying to figure out a way to make my own mount/support for the K20D with a long lens mounted -- the supports sure are expensive to buy!

09-16-2008, 09:30 AM	#9
Isaac314 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London Photos: Gallery Posts: 417	The balance is a huge problem with the lens. Get a sturdy tripod... No zoom creep, beautiful zoom action which seems to get better with time. I think this lens is worth about twice its price My biggest problem with this lens is the focus speed. It is ok, but if it hunts which it can do if you aren't concentrating with it, it takes a few seconds. Pentax, I need a focus limiter!!!!!!!!

09-16-2008, 10:05 AM	#10
John Kovarik Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	The zoom design on the 55-300 is different than on my Tamron 18-250 with distinct feel and sound. No lock - no creep - no need. I do not use a tripod for most shots but this is an individual matter based on strength, steadiness and experience..............

09-16-2008, 10:10 AM	#11
deejjjaaaa Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: steel city / rust belt Posts: 2,043	Originally posted by ChrisN Zoom creep when pointed down? wait for a year or two...