Normal for this lens or odd? Concerning strange HD DA 55-300mm PLM OOF highlights

Simon K · 06-07-2023, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by ehrwien

This was shot at 300mm and f/16 and you can see some diffraction effects when you zoom in, but I find them rather pleasing and they don't look like the one in your shot

They're different and much more pleasing.

---------- Post added 06-07-23 at 08:37 AM ----------

I meet with the Vendor tomorrow to give back the lens. If he still has another copy I'll try to replicate the phenomenon. I will tell the outcome then here.

**UncleVanya** · 06-07-2023, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by Simon K

They're different and much more pleasing.

---------- Post added 06-07-23 at 08:37 AM ----------

I meet with the Vendor tomorrow to give back the lens. If he still has another copy I'll try to replicate the phenomenon. I will tell the outcome then here.

Can you reliably reproduce it now?

Simon K · 06-07-2023, 11:14 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Can you reliably reproduce it now?

I could. Will see if the other copy is any different.

**UncleVanya** · 06-07-2023, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by Simon K

I could. Will see if the other copy is any different.

Is it something you can describe fully as a test we can do with our copies?

Simon K · 06-07-2023, 11:48 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Is it something you can describe fully as a test we can do with our copies?

This is how I did reproducing it: Focus on some highlights. Then pull the focus in front of them so that the highlights are slightly out of focus. Play around with defocussing until the phenomenon shows (if there is anything to show with your copy). When I first noticed it the lens was at 230mm f6.3 distance about 7 meters but I was able to reproduce it at 300mm f6.3 and two meters distance as well. The harsher the highlights the more noticeable the effect.

**zippythezip** · 06-07-2023, 06:49 PM - **2 Likes**

I have never seen anything odd with my copy of the PLM

Simon K · 06-08-2023, 08:29 AM

Tested the second copy the vendor had in Stock, results are the same. Would be great if you guys would give it a try with your copies and tell/show the results you got here. I asume by now it's a quirk of the HD 55-300 PLM.

Attached Images

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Last edited by Simon K; 06-08-2023 at 08:41 AM.

**MortenV** · 06-20-2023, 11:12 PM - **1 Like**

I've very happy with my copy of that lens.
I've been looking at all of my photos taken with it, and only by pixel peeping found one candid that exhibits a bit of the same behaviour.
I don't know if it's exactly the same we are seeing here, but the conditions looks like yours.

Exif: 1/800 s f/8 ISO 100 210 mm

I will say that it's a very seldom phenomena for me and I haven't noticed it if I hadn't look for it.

The second image is a 100% crop from the first.

Simon K · 06-21-2023, 01:12 AM

Originally posted by MortenV

I don't know if it's exactly the same we are seeing here, but the conditions looks like yours.

Yes, this looks similar. In between I've bought the plm anyway. Aside from these effects from reflections on water I'm very pleased with its IQ.

06-07-2023, 11:48 AM - 1 Like	#20
Simon K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Is it something you can describe fully as a test we can do with our copies? This is how I did reproducing it: Focus on some highlights. Then pull the focus in front of them so that the highlights are slightly out of focus. Play around with defocussing until the phenomenon shows (if there is anything to show with your copy). When I first noticed it the lens was at 230mm f6.3 distance about 7 meters but I was able to reproduce it at 300mm f6.3 and two meters distance as well. The harsher the highlights the more noticeable the effect. Last edited by Simon K; 06-07-2023 at 12:11 PM.

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06-07-2023, 08:33 AM	#16
Simon K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by ehrwien This was shot at 300mm and f/16 and you can see some diffraction effects when you zoom in, but I find them rather pleasing and they don't look like the one in your shot They're different and much more pleasing. ---------- Post added 06-07-23 at 08:37 AM ---------- I meet with the Vendor tomorrow to give back the lens. If he still has another copy I'll try to replicate the phenomenon. I will tell the outcome then here.

06-07-2023, 11:06 AM	#17
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by Simon K They're different and much more pleasing. ---------- Post added 06-07-23 at 08:37 AM ---------- I meet with the Vendor tomorrow to give back the lens. If he still has another copy I'll try to replicate the phenomenon. I will tell the outcome then here. Can you reliably reproduce it now?

06-07-2023, 11:14 AM - 1 Like	#18
Simon K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Can you reliably reproduce it now? I could. Will see if the other copy is any different.

06-07-2023, 11:21 AM	#19
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by Simon K I could. Will see if the other copy is any different. Is it something you can describe fully as a test we can do with our copies?

06-07-2023, 06:49 PM - 2 Likes	#21
zippythezip Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Springhill Nova Scotia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 397	I have never seen anything odd with my copy of the PLM

06-21-2023, 01:12 AM	#24
Simon K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by MortenV I don't know if it's exactly the same we are seeing here, but the conditions looks like yours. Yes, this looks similar. In between I've bought the plm anyway. Aside from these effects from reflections on water I'm very pleased with its IQ.