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**DW58** · 10-04-2019, 09:11 AM

Changes over time but recently the 55-300 PLM is on my K-70 and 28-105 is on my K-1 II most of the time.

Marcel K · 10-04-2019, 11:47 AM - **1 Like**

I like my DA 300 lots and cycle it with DA15 and DA70/DFA100macro

**mikesbike** · 10-04-2019, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Don't worry - it has plenty of fans. Myself included.

The 20-40 on the KP, with the DA* 50-135 and DA* 11-18 in the bag is a killer combination.

But back to the original question: the idea of a single go-to lens is simply preposterous - that's why we have interchangeable lenses

My position exactly.

And this camera body/lens combo is certainly as described! Except in my case I went for the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 but for keeping to maximum compactness with greatest quality and capability, subbing the DA 15mm LTD at the short end.

**Ex Finn.** · 10-04-2019, 04:38 PM

20-40 ltd then the *11-18. Should I get the 55-300 PLM ???

**Des** · 10-04-2019, 05:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

Should I get the 55-300 PLM ???

For a lightweight, affordable, compact and capable telephoto zoom, definitely. AF is amazing. Image quality is very good for a consumer zoom: see HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE - Show us what it can do, what it CAN'T! - PentaxForums.com

If weight and cost are not an issue, consider the DA*60-250 f4 primarily for landscape or the DFA 150-450 primarily for wildlife. If you need f2.8, consider the DA*50-135, the DFA 70-200 or the DA*200.

Sandy Hancock · 10-04-2019, 06:33 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

20-40 ltd then the *11-18. Should I get the 55-300 PLM ???

Absolutely! When I'm going really light, 10-17, 20-40, 55-300 pretty much does it all. The Fisheye @ 17mm and de-fished in PP almost perfectly matches the field of view of the DA15.

**ramseybuckeye** · 10-04-2019, 08:09 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by gump

It surprised me but the 55-300 PLM is what is on the K-70 more than others. it is far more versatile that I thought.

Since I got the 55-300 PLM it has become my most used lens. Small size with great IQ, fast focus, and surprisingly focuses much closer than the specs say. I had the old DA 55-300 and really liked it, but the slow noisy autofocus was annoying at times. The 15 Ltd has to come along also.

Originally posted by Photobill

20-40 LTD
I do not own one and am VERY curious about it. It seams like it would be a perfect fit on an APSc body. Paired with a Pentax WR body you should have the perfect outdoor all weather combo. Does it just not excite people?

I just got one and I'm excited about it. I like the zoom range, it's relatively fast, pretty small, and it is WR. It's going to compete with the 55-300 for the amount of usage.

**Ex Finn.** · 10-05-2019, 02:49 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Des

consider the DA*60-250 f4 primarily for landscape or the DFA 150-450

I use both of them. The 150-450 works great on the KP but I think I need a lightweight travel lens.

**Ex Finn.** · 10-05-2019, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Absolutely! When I'm going really light, 10-17, 20-40, 55-300 pretty much does it all. The Fisheye @ 17mm and de-fished in PP almost perfectly matches the field of view of the DA15.

I might have to pull a trigger on the PLM.

MikeyBugs95 · 10-05-2019, 03:28 PM

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

I might have to pull a trigger on the PLM.

Me too. I've been wanting to get one for a while as a very small, lightweight alternative to my Bigma that I can carry anywhere but the price just puts me off at the moment.

Fenwoodian · 10-05-2019, 03:41 PM - **1 Like**

.
My favorite is my latest lens - the "35th Anniversary" Tamron SP 180 mm LD (IF) f/ 2.5 Adaptall-2 (Model 63B).

I love it's sharpness and incredible bokeh so much that I just purchased a second copy.
.

**Ex Finn.** · 10-05-2019, 04:48 PM

OK. PLM on its way from Adorama, will be interesting to compare it with my old 55-300.

gatorguy · 10-05-2019, 06:10 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

OK. PLM on its way from Adorama, will be interesting to compare it with my old 55-300.

MUCH faster to focus, and while I no longer have both to test it the images seem "livelier" on the current one in my limited use. But I'm a prime guy and like my *200 and 300 too much.

If you liked the original 55-300 at all you'll probably love the new version tho, and a whole lot less than going for those primes.

**Des** · 10-05-2019, 06:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

OK. PLM on its way from Adorama, will be interesting to compare it with my old 55-300.

What you will notice most:
- fast and quiet AF
- compact when retracted
- shorter MFD (0.95m v 1.4m)
- about 1/3rd stop slower aperture across most of the range
- similar resolution, but the PLM is better wide open
- f6.3 v f5.8 at 300mm can make it harder to AF; but if you back off to 260mm the maximum aperture is f5.6
- bokeh and overall rendering are much improved
- like most of the latest zooms, the focus ring is close to the body which is not so easy to use

gatorguy · 10-05-2019, 06:20 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Des

What you will notice most:
- fast and quiet AF
- compact when retracted
- shorter MFD (0.95m v 1.4m)
- about 1/3rd stop slower aperture across most of the range
- similar resolution, but the PLM is better wide open
- f6.3 v f5.8 at 300mm can make it harder to AF; but if you back off to 260mm the maximum aperture is f5.6
- bokeh and overall rendering are much improved
- like most of the latest zooms, the focus ring is close to the body which is not so easy to use

Very helpful!

Validates my impression of better "liveliness".

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10-04-2019, 09:11 AM	#61
DW58 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Rural Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,083	Changes over time but recently the 55-300 PLM is on my K-70 and 28-105 is on my K-1 II most of the time.

10-04-2019, 11:47 AM - 1 Like	#62
Marcel K Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 82	I like my DA 300 lots and cycle it with DA15 and DA70/DFA100macro

10-04-2019, 03:34 PM	#63
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,566	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Don't worry - it has plenty of fans. Myself included. The 20-40 on the KP, with the DA* 50-135 and DA* 11-18 in the bag is a killer combination. But back to the original question: the idea of a single go-to lens is simply preposterous - that's why we have interchangeable lenses My position exactly. And this camera body/lens combo is certainly as described! Except in my case I went for the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 but for keeping to maximum compactness with greatest quality and capability, subbing the DA 15mm LTD at the short end.

10-04-2019, 04:38 PM	#64
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	20-40 ltd then the *11-18. Should I get the 55-300 PLM ???

10-04-2019, 05:19 PM - 1 Like	#65
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by Ex Finn. Should I get the 55-300 PLM ??? For a lightweight, affordable, compact and capable telephoto zoom, definitely. AF is amazing. Image quality is very good for a consumer zoom: see HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE - Show us what it can do, what it CAN'T! - PentaxForums.com If weight and cost are not an issue, consider the DA60-250 f4 primarily for landscape or the DFA 150-450 primarily for wildlife. If you need f2.8, consider the DA50-135, the DFA 70-200 or the DA*200.

10-04-2019, 06:33 PM - 1 Like	#66
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,276	Originally posted by Ex Finn. 20-40 ltd then the *11-18. Should I get the 55-300 PLM ??? Absolutely! When I'm going really light, 10-17, 20-40, 55-300 pretty much does it all. The Fisheye @ 17mm and de-fished in PP almost perfectly matches the field of view of the DA15.

10-04-2019, 08:09 PM - 1 Like	#67
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,296	Originally posted by gump It surprised me but the 55-300 PLM is what is on the K-70 more than others. it is far more versatile that I thought. Since I got the 55-300 PLM it has become my most used lens. Small size with great IQ, fast focus, and surprisingly focuses much closer than the specs say. I had the old DA 55-300 and really liked it, but the slow noisy autofocus was annoying at times. The 15 Ltd has to come along also. Originally posted by Photobill 20-40 LTD I do not own one and am VERY curious about it. It seams like it would be a perfect fit on an APSc body. Paired with a Pentax WR body you should have the perfect outdoor all weather combo. Does it just not excite people? I just got one and I'm excited about it. I like the zoom range, it's relatively fast, pretty small, and it is WR. It's going to compete with the 55-300 for the amount of usage.

10-05-2019, 02:49 PM - 2 Likes	#68
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by Des consider the DA*60-250 f4 primarily for landscape or the DFA 150-450 I use both of them. The 150-450 works great on the KP but I think I need a lightweight travel lens.

10-05-2019, 02:52 PM	#69
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Absolutely! When I'm going really light, 10-17, 20-40, 55-300 pretty much does it all. The Fisheye @ 17mm and de-fished in PP almost perfectly matches the field of view of the DA15. I might have to pull a trigger on the PLM.

10-05-2019, 03:28 PM	#70
MikeyBugs95 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,206	Originally posted by Ex Finn. I might have to pull a trigger on the PLM. Me too. I've been wanting to get one for a while as a very small, lightweight alternative to my Bigma that I can carry anywhere but the price just puts me off at the moment.

10-05-2019, 03:41 PM - 1 Like	#71
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,875	. My favorite is my latest lens - the "35th Anniversary" Tamron SP 180 mm LD (IF) f/ 2.5 Adaptall-2 (Model 63B). I love it's sharpness and incredible bokeh so much that I just purchased a second copy. .

10-05-2019, 04:48 PM	#72
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	OK. PLM on its way from Adorama, will be interesting to compare it with my old 55-300.

10-05-2019, 06:10 PM - 1 Like	#73
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,094	Originally posted by Ex Finn. OK. PLM on its way from Adorama, will be interesting to compare it with my old 55-300. MUCH faster to focus, and while I no longer have both to test it the images seem "livelier" on the current one in my limited use. But I'm a prime guy and like my *200 and 300 too much. If you liked the original 55-300 at all you'll probably love the new version tho, and a whole lot less than going for those primes.

10-05-2019, 06:15 PM - 1 Like	#74
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by Ex Finn. OK. PLM on its way from Adorama, will be interesting to compare it with my old 55-300. What you will notice most: - fast and quiet AF - compact when retracted - shorter MFD (0.95m v 1.4m) - about 1/3rd stop slower aperture across most of the range - similar resolution, but the PLM is better wide open - f6.3 v f5.8 at 300mm can make it harder to AF; but if you back off to 260mm the maximum aperture is f5.6 - bokeh and overall rendering are much improved - like most of the latest zooms, the focus ring is close to the body which is not so easy to use

10-05-2019, 06:20 PM - 1 Like	#75
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,094	Originally posted by Des What you will notice most: - fast and quiet AF - compact when retracted - shorter MFD (0.95m v 1.4m) - about 1/3rd stop slower aperture across most of the range - similar resolution, but the PLM is better wide open - f6.3 v f5.8 at 300mm can make it harder to AF; but if you back off to 260mm the maximum aperture is f5.6 - bokeh and overall rendering are much improved - like most of the latest zooms, the focus ring is close to the body which is not so easy to use Very helpful! Validates my impression of better "liveliness".

Goto lens?

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