[BigMackCam]

yesterday I made a list of twenty superb lenses, which I will most likely sell in the near future. The 55-300PLM is one of them

Oh, Sandy... must you tease us so??

In six months time I'm going to ask how many of them you sold. Really, I am

[monochrome]

This is actually the opposite of GAS - yesterday I made a list of twenty superb lenses, which I will most likely sell in the near future. The 55-300PLM is one of them, but I reserve the right to change my mind

Get behind me, Satan!

You have my PM address don’t you?

[c.a.m]

yesterday I made a list of twenty superb lenses, which I will most likely sell in the near future.

It looks like someone has hacked into @Sandy Hancock's; user account.

[bdery]

Feel free to talk me out of it. Or not

As you can see in my signature, my lineup is pretty nice, made of * and Limited lenses for a god part.

The 60-250, especially converted to full frame, is the one lens I wouldn't sell. People are criticizing its AF, and it's true that it's not as fast as the 70-200, but it's NOT horrible as some claim. Like anything else, you learn to work with your tools, that's all.

It's really a different beast than anything else on that range. Having tested/reviewed a few consumer zooms reaching up to 300mm made me realize, again, how good the 60-250 is.

So it has some focus breathing at short range. Bummer. That's exactly the range where taking one step back or up changes the FOV enough that it's not an issue. When I use it, I don't look at my FOV and say "if only it didn't have focus breathing!", I do like I do with every other lens, I look at my composition and framing.

So the lens extends when zooming out. Except if you're up against a window, it doesn't matter.

It's silent, WR, has a longer range than any comparable quality zoom (at both ends, especially 60mm which makes a world of difference), it's much lighter than the 70-200mm available, its tripod foot works very well, it's lighter than comparable alternatives. I loved it on APS-C but on full frame, it's a magical lens.

I don't understand why Pentax isn't releasing an officially FF version of this lens.

[jeffdrew]

I always consider DoF when buying fast lenses. To be comparable to 2.8 on FF the 4/3 lens would have to be a 1.4 lens. If you always shoot 5.6 or higher, for more depth of field then the advantage goes to the 4/3 camera, except for the much worse low light performance and stop lower diffraction limit.

I have some health limitations currently that caused me to investigate M43 and the Olympus line specifically. I still use Pentax, but the M43 Olympus Pen-f and Zuiko Pro lenses are exceptional, for me. Nearly all the Zuiko Pro level lenses’ sweet spots are f2.8-f4. I’ve rented several and been duly impressed. When I can, I still bag up my P67ii kit and tripod plus K3ii and a couple “cannons” and head out on safari! :-) All the stats and anecdotal testimonies don’t change physics, but I do photography for fun now.

[TerryL]

This is actually the opposite of GAS - yesterday I made a list of twenty superb lenses, which I will most likely sell in the near future. The 55-300PLM is one of them, but I reserve the right to change my mind

Get behind me, Satan!

Selling your 15-30 would be a shame.

[Sandy Hancock]

Selling your 15-30 would be a shame.

I'm in no rush

[Sandy Hancock]

Wide open with the teleconverter. Acceptable I think, but more testing required before the DA* 60-250 makes it into the bag for Le Mans.

[monochrome]

Selling your 15-30 would be a shame.

Once it is gone I don’t miss it.

[Sandy Hancock]

In six months time I'm going to ask how many of them you sold. Really, I am

Just yesterday I listed all my medium format gear. I withdrew the listing today.

Can't. Do. It

[monochrome]

Just yesterday I listed all my medium format gear. I withdrew the listing today.

Can't. Do. It

I sold the 15-30 and 70-200 and I don’t really miss them. OTOH I’m pretty disappointed with the 2nd hand 50-135 I bought to replace the 70-200 (for use on KP). I had it three weeks and the SDM died. Granted it is a 2009 lens, but I avoided those blinking stinkers for 10 years and when I finally cave - Wham! - off to UncleVanya for screw conversion. At least I only paid $350 for it. I don’t say much trash about Pentax, but I’d sell the 60-250 and any other ‘old style’ SDM lens and never look back.

If they update the DA* zooms in the fall (I wish that devil on my shoulder would shut up) I’ll be a sucker for the Trinity, but I subscribe to the FA*200 + DA1.4x RC theory for the longer zoom. Otherwise I’ll buy back the big fat FF zooms and sell all the APSc zooms. I’ll just have to deal with the weight and the slow shutter.

[Sandy Hancock]

I’d sell the 60-250 and any other ‘old style’ SDM lens and never look back.

I fear you may be right. SDM aside, I'm unconvinced about the image quality from my new copies of the DA* 50-135 and DA* 60-250 (and for what it's worth, the DA 20-40 as well). I won't be ditching the DFA 24-70, DFA 28-105 and DFA* 70-200 any time soon. There will be some concerted testing in the next couple of weeks before I decide what to take on my upcoming European trip.

The choice between the DA* 11-18 and DFA 15-30 is clearer to me. The case for the crop lens remains compelling, but I'll probably keep both

[monochrome]

I fear you may be right. SDM aside, I'm unconvinced about the image quality from my new copies of the DA* 50-135 and DA* 60-250 (and for what it's worth, the DA 20-40 as well). I won't be ditching the DFA 24-70, DFA 28-105 and DFA* 70-200 any time soon. There will be some concerted testing in the next couple of weeks before I decide what to take on my upcoming European trip.

The choice between the DA* 11-18 and DFA 15-30 is clearer to me. The case for the crop lens remains compelling, but I'll probably keep both

For now I’ll keep the crop lenses because I like the Limited primes so well. I’ll use the K-1 for manual lenses and the FA lenses I already have. I’ll sell the film cameras for whatever I can get for them.It is a shame the DA* zooms are a disappointment, but I figure I’ll eventually end up with the fat lenses again and just the KP.

[Sandy Hancock]

I've given up predicting what I'm going to do

[SteveinSLC]

I just sold my 15-30 and 70-200, and got the 11-18 and an FF converted 60-250. Certainly happy with the size and weight reduction.
But you'd have to pry the 55-300 out of my cold hands. It's super good as a lightweight hiking/travel option.