55-300mm DA vs DAL

kenyee · 11-24-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by skid2964

It does? The 18-55mm DA L has different optics than the 18-55mm AL II ?

Not optics...coatings.
Someone on DPR said they looked at both lenses in a store and the reflections were different colors. I've never looked at both, so I'm just happily repeating this rumor

ladyhawke · 01-08-2010, 01:10 AM

Could someone check this rumour about different coatings? I would like to know, if I can use hood from 50-200

Blue · 01-08-2010, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by ladyhawke

Could someone check this rumour about different coatings? I would like to know, if I can use hood from 50-200

The only difference would be if they left of the SP coating in the L version. I don't know whether they left out the SP or not. The DA 18-55mm AL II and 18-55mm AL WR both have the SP.

According to Dimitrov site, the 50-200mm WR has the Ghostless Coating and SP. The original version apparently didn't have SP. I don't know about the L version of it. This is what I gleaned from Pentax Imaging site.

Igilligan · 01-08-2010, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by Gregor

That helps alot. Thanks. Sounds like it might be worth it to try to pick up a used DA and skip the kit lens, though it is hard to pass up.

You all are crazy sick... You are talking him out of a great lens at an unbelievable price!

GREGOR, Please take all this stuff with a grain of salt. Honestly with the kx + 18-55 + 55-300 kit at $645 on amazon... The darn 55-300 is costing you about 140 bucks... Only a terminally crazy Pentaxian would spend $350 dollars on something you can get for $140...

Buy a cheap threaded hood off of ebay. Lack of Quick shift AF is easily worked around by AFing and then flip'n the mf switch on the camera.
The plastic mount is no big deal. In fact, if you drop your camera and lens... the metal mount may cause even more damage.

There are plenty of other things to spend that $200 on.

PS.. I now have the 18-55II and the 18-55L... I dont see any difference in actual IQ

Last edited by Igilligan; 01-08-2010 at 02:21 PM.

tigershoot · 01-08-2010, 02:20 PM

From what I can see it's $849 not $649. If only...

Igilligan · 01-08-2010, 03:04 PM

go to this link in amazon and then click the Amazon link under more buying choices on the right side of the page...

Amazon.com: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses (Black): Electronics

$643.99 I got mine already... Everyone should get this kit as it is an amazing price

Pentaxor · 01-08-2010, 03:43 PM

Originally posted by Igilligan

You all are crazy sick... You are talking him out of a great lens at an unbelievable price!

GREGOR, Please take all this stuff with a grain of salt. Honestly with the kx + 18-55 + 55-300 kit at $645 on amazon... The darn 55-300 is costing you about 140 bucks... Only a terminally crazy Pentaxian would spend $350 dollars on something you can get for $140...

Buy a cheap threaded hood off of ebay. Lack of Quick shift AF is easily worked around by AFing and then flip'n the mf switch on the camera.
The plastic mount is no big deal. In fact, if you drop your camera and lens... the metal mount may cause even more damage.

There are plenty of other things to spend that $200 on.

PS.. I now have the 18-55II and the 18-55L... I dont see any difference in actual IQ

Gus, are you willing to offer the OP a $200 lens from your lens collection?

mbny1975 · 01-08-2010, 10:49 PM

I looked at that deal on Amazon, but it says ships in 1-2 months...

If prices were the same, would you always go for the 300mm over the 200mm? Bit of an amateur here shopping for their first DSLR camera.

Thanks

BillM · 01-09-2010, 01:23 AM

Antioxidents,Antioxidents,think theres a chance some type WR Antioxidents will be added in the
future for DA 55-300

**Ex Finn.** · 01-09-2010, 09:31 AM

Quick shift focus is very useful with this lens. I dare to say, a must have.

Cheers, Mike.

goss · 01-09-2010, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by ladyhawke

Could someone check this rumour about different coatings? I would like to know, if I can use hood from 50-200

The hoods are completely different as the barrel size of the 55-300 is a good bit larger.

Marc Sabatella · 01-09-2010, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by mbny1975

If prices were the same, would you always go for the 300mm over the 200mm?

Most people would, sure - the only downside would be that the 55-300 is a bit larger (and therefore also slower focusing). I might still go for the 50-200 on that basis, but probably not.

Blue · 01-09-2010, 10:59 AM

The only thing that would make me pick the 50-200 over the 55-300mm would be the WR.

Nick Siebers · 01-09-2010, 02:12 PM

I have the FA-J 70-300mm lens, which is similar to the DA L in many ways (plastic mount, no quick shift) and probably not as good optically. As a newbie, you won't go wrong with the DA L.

GerryL · 01-09-2010, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by ladyhawke

I would like to know, if I can use hood from 50-200

Different, one is 52mm (DA 18-55mm & DA 50-200mm) and the other 58mm (DA 55-300m).
The FA J 75-300mm version, if you can find one will fit (both 58mm).

01-08-2010, 01:41 PM	#18
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by ladyhawke Could someone check this rumour about different coatings? I would like to know, if I can use hood from 50-200 The only difference would be if they left of the SP coating in the L version. I don't know whether they left out the SP or not. The DA 18-55mm AL II and 18-55mm AL WR both have the SP. According to Dimitrov site, the 50-200mm WR has the Ghostless Coating and SP. The original version apparently didn't have SP. I don't know about the L version of it. This is what I gleaned from Pentax Imaging site. Last edited by Blue; 01-08-2010 at 01:50 PM.

01-08-2010, 01:54 PM	#19
Igilligan Guest	My goodness you guys Originally posted by Gregor That helps alot. Thanks. Sounds like it might be worth it to try to pick up a used DA and skip the kit lens, though it is hard to pass up. You all are crazy sick... You are talking him out of a great lens at an unbelievable price! GREGOR, Please take all this stuff with a grain of salt. Honestly with the kx + 18-55 + 55-300 kit at $645 on amazon... The darn 55-300 is costing you about 140 bucks... Only a terminally crazy Pentaxian would spend $350 dollars on something you can get for $140... Buy a cheap threaded hood off of ebay. Lack of Quick shift AF is easily worked around by AFing and then flip'n the mf switch on the camera. The plastic mount is no big deal. In fact, if you drop your camera and lens... the metal mount may cause even more damage. There are plenty of other things to spend that $200 on. PS.. I now have the 18-55II and the 18-55L... I dont see any difference in actual IQ Last edited by Igilligan; 01-08-2010 at 02:21 PM.

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11-24-2009, 04:58 PM	#16
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Originally posted by skid2964 It does? The 18-55mm DA L has different optics than the 18-55mm AL II ? Not optics...coatings. Someone on DPR said they looked at both lenses in a store and the reflections were different colors. I've never looked at both, so I'm just happily repeating this rumor

01-08-2010, 01:10 AM	#17
ladyhawke New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wrocław Posts: 3	Could someone check this rumour about different coatings? I would like to know, if I can use hood from 50-200

01-08-2010, 02:20 PM	#20
tigershoot Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ashford, Kent Posts: 63	From what I can see it's $849 not $649. If only...

01-08-2010, 03:04 PM	#21
Igilligan Guest	go to this link in amazon and then click the Amazon link under more buying choices on the right side of the page... Amazon.com: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses (Black): Electronics $643.99 I got mine already... Everyone should get this kit as it is an amazing price

01-08-2010, 03:43 PM	#22
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by Igilligan You all are crazy sick... You are talking him out of a great lens at an unbelievable price! GREGOR, Please take all this stuff with a grain of salt. Honestly with the kx + 18-55 + 55-300 kit at $645 on amazon... The darn 55-300 is costing you about 140 bucks... Only a terminally crazy Pentaxian would spend $350 dollars on something you can get for $140... Buy a cheap threaded hood off of ebay. Lack of Quick shift AF is easily worked around by AFing and then flip'n the mf switch on the camera. The plastic mount is no big deal. In fact, if you drop your camera and lens... the metal mount may cause even more damage. There are plenty of other things to spend that $200 on. PS.. I now have the 18-55II and the 18-55L... I dont see any difference in actual IQ Gus, are you willing to offer the OP a $200 lens from your lens collection?

01-08-2010, 10:49 PM	#23
mbny1975 New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1	I looked at that deal on Amazon, but it says ships in 1-2 months... If prices were the same, would you always go for the 300mm over the 200mm? Bit of an amateur here shopping for their first DSLR camera. Thanks

01-09-2010, 01:23 AM	#24
BillM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ferguson, Mo. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,348	Antioxidents,Antioxidents,think theres a chance some type WR Antioxidents will be added in the future for DA 55-300

01-09-2010, 09:31 AM	#25
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Quick shift focus is very useful with this lens. I dare to say, a must have. Cheers, Mike.

01-09-2010, 10:11 AM	#26
goss Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1	Originally posted by ladyhawke Could someone check this rumour about different coatings? I would like to know, if I can use hood from 50-200 The hoods are completely different as the barrel size of the 55-300 is a good bit larger.

01-09-2010, 10:48 AM	#27
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by mbny1975 If prices were the same, would you always go for the 300mm over the 200mm? Most people would, sure - the only downside would be that the 55-300 is a bit larger (and therefore also slower focusing). I might still go for the 50-200 on that basis, but probably not.

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01-09-2010, 10:59 AM	#28
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	The only thing that would make me pick the 50-200 over the 55-300mm would be the WR.

01-09-2010, 02:12 PM	#29
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I have the FA-J 70-300mm lens, which is similar to the DA L in many ways (plastic mount, no quick shift) and probably not as good optically. As a newbie, you won't go wrong with the DA L.

01-09-2010, 06:18 PM	#30
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by ladyhawke I would like to know, if I can use hood from 50-200 Different, one is 52mm (DA 18-55mm & DA 50-200mm) and the other 58mm (DA 55-300m). The FA J 75-300mm version, if you can find one will fit (both 58mm).