Originally posted by acoufap If you use the DA55-300PLM with a not compatible camera like the K-5 you only get proper exposure when you set open aperture at the camera for the focal length.
If you choose to close aperture in AV mode, by example by 1 stop, the camera doubles exposure time. Since the lens doesn't recognise the aperture command "close by one stop", your image will be overexposed by one stop and Exif shows the wrong dialed-in aperture for this exposure.
So if you use the lens in AV mode dial in open aperture for the chosen focal length. Then exposure should be ok. AF also works.
Exactly. If you set the K-5 with the lens at 55mm, to ƒ/4.5 when you zoom in and out it will maintain the accurate shutter speed throughout if in AV mode.
You also get 7 times the AF speed at 55mm, twice the AF speed at 300mm (compared to the screw drive version, your K-5 never had it so good.
2 new added elements, one extra group, much better corrected and sharper.
Quiet operation as opposed to screw drive.
Light weight, collapsing design for easy travel and portability.
K-5 and DA 55-300 PLM
Is it the best light weight option for both the K-1 and K-5? Absolutely.
All images taken with the K-5 (original).
You have to be aware of what you're doing... even though it "doesn't work correctly" compared to manual focus it's awesome. Compared to screw drive noise it's awesome. Does it take good pictures? ... it is still best in class, and best for the K-5 despite it's limitations.
If you are going to have no options for changing your f-stop, 55mm 4.5 and 300 mm ƒ/6.3 are great all purpose options.
If you have the lens and a K-5, it won't take you more than a few minutes to figure it out.
If you don't, you'll probably just keep spouting half truths.
And the big bonus, if you upgrade your body, you're all set.
So sad, after taking this lens on a 19 day canoe trip and using it on both the K-1 and K-5, even though it theoretically it isn't optimized for either camera, the results were excellent and we have dozens of good images taken with the two bodies.Yet people keep discouraging people from trying this combo.
So who has it wrong?