Even at the wide end this a very nice lens....

[asdf]

Even at the wide end this a very nice lens....

Try it on a human being. At 55mm and ~f/8, it's actually an alright portrait lens.

[emalvick]

I used to use my Tammy 70-300 until I found that it was not very good once I got to my typical outdoors bird and nature shots. I went to the 55-300, and I found it night and day. The 55-300 seems to have the 300 in mind, and I get fantastic shots with it at that range. I also find it does well at the wide end.

I've gotten so acustomed to the camera that I had forgotten about the Tammy, but recently remembered that its strength really is for the closer shots. At a short range it does out perform my Pentax 55-300 at the long end, but the differences aren't that big.

[the swede]

I find Photozones test of the lens to be a bit strange. I've seen amazing pics around 300mm from this lens. And yet Photozone rates Nikons 70-300 much higher on the MTF.

They must have gotten a bad sample of the Pentax lens?

[timo]

I find Photozones test of the lens to be a bit strange. I've seen amazing pics around 300mm from this lens. And yet Photozone rates Nikons 70-300 much higher on the MTF.

They must have gotten a bad sample of the Pentax lens?

I am not that happy with the results from mine between 200 and 300mm - you have to stop down to f11 to clean it up fully at 300mm, which makes it a very slow lens for practical purposes. It went back to Pentax twice who declared it 'within spec'. So clearly some variation is permitted with the manufacturers' tolerances.

With several lenses I have found my experience differs from test results - sometimes better, sometimes worse.

[MD Optofonik]

Wow. Thanks for the pix. I've decided to order another 55-300 and test it accordingly - indoors and out this time. I'll also do a ff/bf test (any links to a primer on conducting such a test would be appreciated - I'll be searching for a one over the next few days) I've read and re-read almost every review of this lens on the web so I may have had a less than stellar copy. I guess my next lens would be a fast 300mm prime but considering the prices I'll be using the 55-300 for some time. Thanks for all the great insight.


Mick

[Alfisti]

Photozone.de test results show that at 300mm, wide open, the DA-55-300 on a Pentax is significantly sharper than the Sigma 70-300 on a crop Canon both center and edges.

No, no, no and no. Please read the signs on photozone.

[Alfisti]

I find Photozones test of the lens to be a bit strange. I've seen amazing pics around 300mm from this lens. And yet Photozone rates Nikons 70-300 much higher on the MTF.

Does no one read the bloody big warning on Photozone not to compare results across different mounts. Short of a Chuck Norris chin punch whenever you view the site, i am not sure what else klaus is supposed to do to make people aware.

[MD Optofonik]

Makes one wonder. On a Pentax, could the Sigma be sharper than the 55-300mm? "The world may never know."

[Jasvox]

What happened to people testing their lenses in a real world shooting scenario? If it is sharp, produces excellent colors and contrast, the rest is up to your skills and how you apply them.

Jason

[interested_observer]

Here are some links on front / back focusing test procedures and charts......

• AF adjustment test chart to help with the Pentax K20D Custom Setting No.34 - Digital Cameras - Zimbio
  
• PENTAX DSLRs: PART-1. Autofocus Adjustment for the Pentax K20D, Custom Setting No 35
  
• PENTAX DSLRs: PART-2. Autofocus Adjustment for the Pentax K20D, Custom Setting No 35
  
• Camera Focus Test Chart

I have never done the test, but am interested in seeing the results....

[newarts]

Does no one read the bloody big warning on Photozone not to compare results across different mounts. Short of a Chuck Norris chin punch whenever you view the site, i am not sure what else klaus is supposed to do to make people aware.

Of course I read the cross-mount warning and understand it.

That's why I specifically said "Photozone.de test results show that at 300mm, wide open, the DA-55-300 on a Pentax is significantly sharper than the Sigma 70-300 on a crop Canon both center and edges."

You are right, the 6% difference in wide open center sharpness measured between the Sigma on Canon and Pentax on Pentax sensors may not be significant, but I'll bet the relative edge sharpness is significant:

Center/Edge:
Pentax on Pentax 1769/1557
Sigma on Canon 1676/955

Dave