Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

Docrwm · 12-07-2018, 06:36 PM - **2 Likes**

All were taken with the same settings on my K5IIs with flash compulsory. Same target (drawing from my daughter). Same ambient light. All from tripod. No filters on any of the lenses. Max Aperture used for each lens.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

**Des** · 12-08-2018, 01:56 AM - **1 Like**

Thanks for the comparison Robert. I'd rank the 55-300 first and the others about equal.

**Cerebum** · 12-08-2018, 02:40 AM

Talk about timely, I bought the da55-300 wr yesterday. For me its the 80-320 first. It has more of a crisp feel. The 55-300 is next

great subject BTW

ChristianRock · 12-08-2018, 07:48 AM

Great subject indeed!
What was the focal length? I suspect that at shorter focal lengths they will be very similar.

Docrwm · 12-08-2018, 12:00 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Great subject indeed!
What was the focal length? I suspect that at shorter focal lengths they will be very similar.

300mm for two and as close to 300mm as the 80-320 allowed by eye.

ZombieArmy · 12-08-2018, 12:20 PM

DA 55-300>FA100-300>>>FA80-320.

Last one is pure mush.

I'm surprised how well the FA 100-300 holds up compared to the more modern optics. Good value.

Paul the Sunman · 12-08-2018, 04:07 PM - **1 Like**

DA 55-300 wins narrowly from the FA 100-300.

**mikesbike** · 12-08-2018, 05:55 PM - **1 Like**

I agree- the DA 55-300 is first. Not only that, it has the benefit of having the wider short end.

Paul the Sunman · 12-08-2018, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by mikesbike

I agree- the DA 55-300 is first. Not only that, it has the benefit of having the wider short end.

But sharpness isn't everything. I haven't used either of the FA lenses, but I am very fond of the way the DA 55-300 renders. There's a certain slightly understated "look" it produces that I find very pleasing, for both scenery and portraits. I have the old non-PLM version and have no desire to update to PLM.

SSGGeezer · 12-08-2018, 07:13 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

But sharpness isn't everything. I haven't used either of the FA lenses, but I am very fond of the way the DA 55-300 renders. There's a certain slightly understated "look" it produces that I find very pleasing, for both scenery and portraits. I have the old non-PLM version and have no desire to update to PLM.

The PLM has a bokeh advantage with those lovely curved blades though. On this comparison, I think I am with the majority in thinking that the 55-300 is best rendering, with the FA 100-300 close behind.

**Des** · 12-09-2018, 03:46 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

The PLM has a bokeh advantage with those lovely curved blades though.

On the money Tom. I also think the PLM is a bit better wide open at the long end (especially up to the point around 260mm where the maximum aperture goes from f5.6 to f6.3). At 300mm f8, the DA-L (or at least my copy) resolves as well as, or maybe better than, the PLM.

12-08-2018, 01:56 AM - 1 Like	#2
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Thanks for the comparison Robert. I'd rank the 55-300 first and the others about equal. Last edited by Des; 12-08-2018 at 02:35 AM.

12-08-2018, 12:20 PM	#6
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	DA 55-300>FA100-300>>>FA80-320. Last one is pure mush. I'm surprised how well the FA 100-300 holds up compared to the more modern optics. Good value. Last edited by ZombieArmy; 12-08-2018 at 12:27 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Abstract What FA80-320 can do.	pakinjapan	Post Your Photos!	6	12-06-2017 03:56 PM
sharing filters on different lenses (DA18-135 and DA55-300WR)	PeterL	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	9	05-09-2015 11:14 AM
FA100-300 4.7-5.8, or DA55-300, or DA18-250?? (IQ+$$=Best value))	karelson	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	11	05-30-2012 01:29 PM
Where can I get lens hood for my FA80-320?	raider	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	05-16-2008 09:39 AM

12-08-2018, 02:40 AM	#3
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	Talk about timely, I bought the da55-300 wr yesterday. For me its the 80-320 first. It has more of a crisp feel. The 55-300 is next great subject BTW

12-08-2018, 07:48 AM	#4
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,912	Great subject indeed! What was the focal length? I suspect that at shorter focal lengths they will be very similar.

12-08-2018, 12:00 PM - 1 Like	#5
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChristianRock Great subject indeed! What was the focal length? I suspect that at shorter focal lengths they will be very similar. 300mm for two and as close to 300mm as the 80-320 allowed by eye.

12-08-2018, 04:07 PM - 1 Like	#7
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,847	DA 55-300 wins narrowly from the FA 100-300.

12-08-2018, 05:55 PM - 1 Like	#8
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,562	I agree- the DA 55-300 is first. Not only that, it has the benefit of having the wider short end.

12-08-2018, 07:09 PM	#9
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,847	Originally posted by mikesbike I agree- the DA 55-300 is first. Not only that, it has the benefit of having the wider short end. But sharpness isn't everything. I haven't used either of the FA lenses, but I am very fond of the way the DA 55-300 renders. There's a certain slightly understated "look" it produces that I find very pleasing, for both scenery and portraits. I have the old non-PLM version and have no desire to update to PLM.

12-08-2018, 07:13 PM - 1 Like	#10
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman But sharpness isn't everything. I haven't used either of the FA lenses, but I am very fond of the way the DA 55-300 renders. There's a certain slightly understated "look" it produces that I find very pleasing, for both scenery and portraits. I have the old non-PLM version and have no desire to update to PLM. The PLM has a bokeh advantage with those lovely curved blades though. On this comparison, I think I am with the majority in thinking that the 55-300 is best rendering, with the FA 100-300 close behind.

12-09-2018, 03:46 AM - 1 Like	#11
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by SSGGeezer The PLM has a bokeh advantage with those lovely curved blades though. On the money Tom. I also think the PLM is a bit better wide open at the long end (especially up to the point around 260mm where the maximum aperture goes from f5.6 to f6.3). At 300mm f8, the DA-L (or at least my copy) resolves as well as, or maybe better than, the PLM.

DA55-300WR vs. FA100-300 vs. FA80-320 wide open

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!