Welcome to PF.
Seems you've now bought the K-70 and DA 18-135 and decided on the PLM, so you are pretty much sorted. I've got both those lenses and they make a great pair. See the threads devoted to each of those lenses:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/179869-da-...at-can-do.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/365761-hd-...what-cant.html Originally posted by Oktyabr I'm in love with what I've seen and read on the 55-300 PLM and it looks like it will fit my new personal challenge; collecting at least one quality photo of every bird species in my region; and should be a good fit for the environment as well.
That's my kind of project!
One comment I'd make is that you might want to investigate using a flash - when you are limited to 300mm f6.3, there are many situations in which the light will be insufficient to get good bird shots, even with the decent high-ISO performance of the K-70. Consider getting a flash that does HSS, so you are not limited to the maximum sync speed (1/180th second). Amongst HSS-capable flashes, AFAIK the only speedlight models that are weather-resistant are the Pentax AF360FGZ (mark I or II) or AF540FGZ (mark I or II). But if you can live without that, the Shanny SN600FGZ is a cheap and powerful option. Also consider a flash extender, like the JJC (cheap and flimsy but effective), Better Beamer or MagMod Magbeam (very good but on the heavy side and not cheap).
Originally posted by richandfleur Didn’t the K-3s get an update for this mount, to be compatible with the new PLM lens?Anyone used the PLM on a K-3?
Yes and yes. The PLM works a treat on the K-3, once you have installed the latest firmware.
Originally posted by richandfleur Keen to see if it’s better IQ wise than the standard 55-300 and more importantly if the tracking AF is any better without needing the screwdrive.The demo I saw of the PLM focussing was insane. So quick and silent! Not sure how the IQ stacks up though, but it’s on my radar for sure.
I've got the DA-L 55-300, which is optically identical to the other screw-driven models (except for the HD coatings on the WR version), as well as the PLM. There's not much difference in resolution at 300mm between them (or my copies anyway); at f8 they are quite similar. The screw-driven version is about 1/3 stop faster across most of its range, and notably at 300mm it's f5.8 against f6.3 for the PLM. But the PLM is f5.6 until about 260mm, so if you back off a little you can get the extra 1/3 stop (which might matter for the camera's capacity to AF). And, significantly, the PLM is better wide open. With the DA-L I always try to stop down by one or two stops; it's not as necessary with the PLM.
Resolution with both versions is very good, for a consumer zoom. Of course each lens will struggle to provide adequate resolution when the subject is at a distance and only fills a small part of the frame. But that goes with the territory - you can't expect a lightweight compact consumer zoom at 300mm to perform like a modern 300mm prime.
The PLM has more pleasant rendering than the screw-driven version IMO, due in part to its rounded aperture blades. Images from the PLM have more of a quality look about them. Colours and contrast are good, and bokeh is quite appealing (which I can't always say about the DA-L).
The PLM has focus-breathing (unlike the screw-driven versions, which are not IF lenses), but since it also has a shorter MFD the difference is not field-relevant IMO. See the detailed tests here:
55-200, 55-200 WR, 55-300, 55-300 PLM, etc, which telezoom I should get? - PentaxForums.com
People are divided about the retractable feature of the PLM, but I like it; it folds up to a more compact size and fits neatly in my small bag (unlike the DA-L).
There's no comparison between the AF performance of the two. The DA-L is my noisiest lens (it sounds like a coffee grinder) and the PLM my quietest. Its AF speed is astounding. As for tracking, well I think that depends more on the camera. But the AF is so quick that even if it loses focus it can re-acquire it almost instantly.
Overall, the PLM is a much nicer lens to have. But the screw-driven versions are still a good option on a tight budget.
Image samples here:
Pentax DA 55-300 f4.5-6.3 PLM - images - Des(Australia) - Flickr - see the whale breaching sequence for an example of what the AF can do.
Pentax DA-L 55-300 f4-5.8 - images - Des(Australia) - Flickr
Last edited by Des; 10-14-2018 at 02:29 PM.