[Biff]

Howdy-

While back I sold my DA 55-300 wanting to upgrade. Now there is the PLM as a choice.

Before I pull the trigger, any thoughts if there will be an upgrade (i.e. reliable) version of the 60-250? I've always held off on it, worried about its "issues," not wanting to deal with the hassle. Thinking that it would otherwise be a perfect lens in terms of quality build and output.

Now there is also the DFA 70-210 to consider.

I've held off this long and since some new lenses may be coming out thought I'd ask about it before pulling the trigger on something else.

Thanks.

[Sandy Hancock]

I doubt we'll see an upgraded DA* 60-250 anytime soon. Your options are as you have already laid out above.

[Biff]

Thanks. Figured I'd ask, appreciate your reply.

[clickclick]

The PLM is a really nice lens, and if I'm shooting with my K-3 II, it comes, and my 60-250 stays home. If you think you might want full frame capability, then the new 70-210 would be the one.

[ramseybuckeye]

I had the old DA55-300 (pre WR) was a good lens, but the PLM is in a different league with its fast autofocus . For myself zoom that only goes to 250mm could not replace one that goes to 300mm. I could live with the 150-450, because the long end is more useful, I do have other lens to cover the short end.

[bdery]

The 60-250 is one of my most-used, and most-loved, lenses. That being said, it's much larger and heavier than the 55-300 versions. It's up to you to decide if the size is a problem. The IQ and DOF control will be an improvement over the 55-300 that's for sure.

[normhead]

The DA 55-300 PLM is about the same as the DA*60-250 with the TC on it. Plenty sharp enough for anything I do.

But the DA*60-250 is ƒ4. The PLM is ƒ6.3. Even with the 1.4 TC on the 60-250 is ƒ5.6.

If you're a bright sunshine shooter the PLM is great. Most of the time it makes no difference because I want to shoot at ƒ8 anyway. SO you don't get a whole lot extra for the 60-250. Most of the time it's just extra weight.

A couplel DA 55-300 images.







DA*60-250 with the 1.4 TC.


For me, it it's bright and sunny I take the 55-300, overcast I take the 60-250.

It kind of reminds me of the old Pentax design quandary, a sharp lens that makes feathers look like hard plastic, or a bit softer lens that produces images that make the feathers look like they would if we were just looking at the bird. It's quite possible to prefer the DA 55-300 PLM images straight up.

The DA 55-300 is so easy to carry and use I had to go back to Dec. 2018 to even find a DA* 60-250 image.

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Last edited by normhead; 02-12-2020 at 06:50 AM.

[lsimpkins]

I have both the original 55-300 and the DA*60-250. Perhaps due to unit to unit variation, I see substantially better images from my K-3 with the latter lens. In reading various reviews and feedback comments, the SDM does not seem to be much of a problem with the 60-250. I've had none with mine (purchased used from B&H). I've barely used the 55-300 since I bought the 60-250, as I find the latter's images that much better. I have to admit, though, that its AFC, for anything moving faster than walking pace, leaves a lot of images uncaptured. It would be perfect for me with contemporary AF capability!

[bdery]

Most of the time it makes no difference because I want to shoot at ƒ8 anyway

I regularly use the 60-250 at F4 or F4.5, in fact I rarely do anything else. At F8 there is no poiint in lugging that heavy lens around.