[Des]

DA L 55-300mm is possibly the best consumer zoom in K-mount... add in the low price-point and it just sweetens the deal...

Well many would find the lack of QS a real issue, given the way focus can hunt (although personally it doesn't bother me). And of course AF isn't a patch on the PLM and the bokeh isn't as good. But the resolution from the screw-driven 55-300 rivals that of the PLM, maybe even beats it at the long end (my copies anyway), especially when stopped down. I completely agree that for <$US100 for one in good condition, the DA-L is a great buy.

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Last edited by Des; 12-17-2018 at 10:36 PM.

[mikesbike]

The K-5 II is a premium-built WR camera body, but not WR unless having a WR lens on it. The WR version of the DA55-300mm is the way to go, and cost is still reasonable. You also get the newer HD coatings with the WR version, which I found to provide slightly better imaging quality than the non-HD WR version, and I had both for a time, but now only have the better one. The new price for a WR lens for Canon or Nikon falls in the $1,000 US category.