Zoom lens advice

lonerider41life · 06-11-2019, 01:25 PM

Hello.
I'm looking for a tele zoom lens for my Pentax K5. I can not change this camera in the next future and I have just a lens kit is SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR ( and other fixed manual lenses). The budget is around 350 USD
I watch for a 55-300mm lens and find these (around me):
SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED (used, around 160$)
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR (new in box with two years guarantee, 360$ and used aorund 290$)
HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE (new in box with two years guarantee, 460$) over the budget.
Which one could be a good choice? I'm not a professional, I just use the camera in vacancy, and occasionally.
Thank you.

**boriscleto** · 06-11-2019, 01:34 PM - **1 Like**

The PLM is not fully compatible with the K-5, scratch it off the list...

The DA, DA WR, and DA L versions are all optically the same. The DA L has a plastic mount and lacks quick shift. Obviously the WR has newer coatings and is WR but is that worth $130 extra to you?

DeadJohn · 06-11-2019, 01:50 PM

Do you want to take photos during snow or rain? If yes, get the WR version (not PLM). You'll need to decide on new or used based on your desire for warranty, and the reputation of the used seller.

If you don't plan to photograph in bad weather, the used DA version will perform identically to the WR version, for much less money.

lonerider41life · 06-11-2019, 01:52 PM

Yes, I found DA-L lenses, cheap of course, no one new, under 100$, without hood, but I don't like them. I suppose a good choice will be the new one WR, somewhere around 360$. There is a difference of 70$ between new and used one...

---------- Post added 06-11-19 at 01:56 PM ----------

Originally posted by DeadJohn

Do you want to take photos during snow or rain? If yes, get the WR version (not PLM). You'll need to decide on new or used based on your desire for warranty, and the reputation of the used seller.

If you don't plan to photograph in bad weather, the used DA version will perform identically to the WR version, for much less money.

Yes, I use the camera during rain or snow. I never found used one with warranty, only new one. I'm talking around me and is a criteria to evaluate or testing it on my camera...

grispie · 06-11-2019, 11:55 PM

Originally posted by lonerider41life

Yes, I use the camera during rain or snow. I never found used one with warranty, only new one. I'm talking around me and is a criteria to evaluate or testing it on my camera...

personally i'd take the WR. I took mine (non wr version) on safari once (dusty) and since then the AF is more hesitant. Not sure whether it relates to the dust or not.
But i think the WR will last you longer. For the price it is a very good lens.
I'd buy new. the price difference is not big enough..

However, 160$ is really not a lot for the non-wr if the lens is in good shape!...

lonerider41life · 06-12-2019, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by grispie

......
However, 160$ is really not a lot for the non-wr if the lens is in good shape!...

That one (smc 55-300 non wr) I found it on a local auction site, in fact a private seller site, not like ebay, more like craiglist. Just see pictures, read description. If buy it, i must to trust and believe the seller...
So, I prefer the new one (with warranty)

Spacedave · 06-14-2019, 06:57 AM

I have been happy with the DA 18-270 ED SDM, find it covers about everything I want on vacation. Wide angle allows city street views or mass plantings at gardens and tele gives good views of architectural features, flowers, odd things a way off. It was about perfect for a visit to Kew Gardens last month, although sometimes I wished for an even shorter focal length; vast vistas there. Having the convenience of wide angle through tele on without having to change lenses makes up for any defects compared with prime lenses, gives me the opportunity to compose scenes without having to stop and change lenses. I also take along the WR 18-55 kit lens for those days that are damp, can always zoom and crop images with some quality loss.

**aslyfox** · 06-14-2019, 07:53 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by grispie

personally i'd take the WR. I took mine (non wr version) on safari once (dusty) and since then the AF is more hesitant. Not sure whether it relates to the dust or not.
But i think the WR will last you longer. For the price it is a very good lens.
I'd buy new. the price difference is not big enough..

However, 160$ is really not a lot for the non-wr if the lens is in good shape!...

with regard to the WR [ as well as AW ] language for Pentax gear

these thread are good ones to review:

About those WR body weather seals...User responsibility and best practice - Page 4 - PentaxForums.com

AW vs WR - Page 3 - PentaxForums.com

WR and AW lenses: a difference you may not even know existed - PentaxForums.com

they are not the same and may not mean what you think they mean

lonerider41life · 06-25-2019, 12:43 PM - **1 Like**

@aslyfox@ thank you for thread links

**aslyfox** · 06-26-2019, 04:00 PM

you are welcomed

ghosteclipse · 10-06-2019, 07:13 PM

Sometimes a 50-135 goes on sale for $350 here. It might be a bit short but in terms of IQ it is very good. If you are going to buy a lens why not get the best for less. But for real budget consider the old F 70-210.

**Ex Finn.** · 10-06-2019, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by lonerider41life

@aslyfox@ thank you for thread links

So what did you end up getting?

ecostigny · 10-25-2019, 07:19 PM

If you haven't made the purchase yet, I picked up a new HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR a couple of years ago for my K-5 and have had no troubles with it (apart from its not being able to get as sharp at 300mm as lenses that cost several times as much).

I should point out that, in addition to the previously-mentioned weather resistance, this lens uses the newest HD lens coating, as compared to SMC lens coating from the older 55-300mm zoom. The difference between the coatings is mostly subtle, but you might come across a situation where the newer coating might benefit you.

I hope this advice helps (if it is still needed).

**Biff** · 10-25-2019, 09:09 PM

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but why isn't the PLM fully compatible with the K5?

swanlefitte · 10-25-2019, 09:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Biff

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but why isn't the PLM fully compatible with the K5?

New kaf4 mount. Firmware to work is for k50 forward only.

06-11-2019, 01:25 PM	#1
lonerider41life Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Alba Iulia, AB Posts: 41	Zoom lens advice Hello. I'm looking for a tele zoom lens for my Pentax K5. I can not change this camera in the next future and I have just a lens kit is SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR ( and other fixed manual lenses). The budget is around 350 USD I watch for a 55-300mm lens and find these (around me): SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED (used, around 160$) HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR (new in box with two years guarantee, 360$ and used aorund 290$) HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE (new in box with two years guarantee, 460$) over the budget. Which one could be a good choice? I'm not a professional, I just use the camera in vacancy, and occasionally. Thank you.

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06-11-2019, 01:34 PM - 1 Like	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,473	The PLM is not fully compatible with the K-5, scratch it off the list... The DA, DA WR, and DA L versions are all optically the same. The DA L has a plastic mount and lacks quick shift. Obviously the WR has newer coatings and is WR but is that worth $130 extra to you?

06-11-2019, 01:50 PM	#3
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Do you want to take photos during snow or rain? If yes, get the WR version (not PLM). You'll need to decide on new or used based on your desire for warranty, and the reputation of the used seller. If you don't plan to photograph in bad weather, the used DA version will perform identically to the WR version, for much less money.

06-11-2019, 01:52 PM	#4
lonerider41life Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Alba Iulia, AB Posts: 41 Original Poster	Yes, I found DA-L lenses, cheap of course, no one new, under 100$, without hood, but I don't like them. I suppose a good choice will be the new one WR, somewhere around 360$. There is a difference of 70$ between new and used one... ---------- Post added 06-11-19 at 01:56 PM ---------- Originally posted by DeadJohn Do you want to take photos during snow or rain? If yes, get the WR version (not PLM). You'll need to decide on new or used based on your desire for warranty, and the reputation of the used seller. If you don't plan to photograph in bad weather, the used DA version will perform identically to the WR version, for much less money. Yes, I use the camera during rain or snow. I never found used one with warranty, only new one. I'm talking around me and is a criteria to evaluate or testing it on my camera...

06-11-2019, 11:55 PM	#5
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199	Originally posted by lonerider41life Yes, I use the camera during rain or snow. I never found used one with warranty, only new one. I'm talking around me and is a criteria to evaluate or testing it on my camera... personally i'd take the WR. I took mine (non wr version) on safari once (dusty) and since then the AF is more hesitant. Not sure whether it relates to the dust or not. But i think the WR will last you longer. For the price it is a very good lens. I'd buy new. the price difference is not big enough.. However, 160$ is really not a lot for the non-wr if the lens is in good shape!...

06-12-2019, 09:07 PM	#6
lonerider41life Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Alba Iulia, AB Posts: 41 Original Poster	Originally posted by grispie ...... However, 160$ is really not a lot for the non-wr if the lens is in good shape!... That one (smc 55-300 non wr) I found it on a local auction site, in fact a private seller site, not like ebay, more like craiglist. Just see pictures, read description. If buy it, i must to trust and believe the seller... So, I prefer the new one (with warranty)

06-14-2019, 06:57 AM	#7
Spacedave New Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 20	I have been happy with the DA 18-270 ED SDM, find it covers about everything I want on vacation. Wide angle allows city street views or mass plantings at gardens and tele gives good views of architectural features, flowers, odd things a way off. It was about perfect for a visit to Kew Gardens last month, although sometimes I wished for an even shorter focal length; vast vistas there. Having the convenience of wide angle through tele on without having to change lenses makes up for any defects compared with prime lenses, gives me the opportunity to compose scenes without having to stop and change lenses. I also take along the WR 18-55 kit lens for those days that are damp, can always zoom and crop images with some quality loss.

06-14-2019, 07:53 AM - 1 Like	#8
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,576	Originally posted by grispie personally i'd take the WR. I took mine (non wr version) on safari once (dusty) and since then the AF is more hesitant. Not sure whether it relates to the dust or not. But i think the WR will last you longer. For the price it is a very good lens. I'd buy new. the price difference is not big enough.. However, 160$ is really not a lot for the non-wr if the lens is in good shape!... with regard to the WR [ as well as AW ] language for Pentax gear these thread are good ones to review: About those WR body weather seals...User responsibility and best practice - Page 4 - PentaxForums.com AW vs WR - Page 3 - PentaxForums.com WR and AW lenses: a difference you may not even know existed - PentaxForums.com they are not the same and may not mean what you think they mean

06-25-2019, 12:43 PM - 1 Like	#9
lonerider41life Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Alba Iulia, AB Posts: 41 Original Poster	@aslyfox@ thank you for thread links

06-26-2019, 04:00 PM	#10
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,576	you are welcomed

10-06-2019, 07:13 PM	#11
ghosteclipse Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 165	Sometimes a 50-135 goes on sale for $350 here. It might be a bit short but in terms of IQ it is very good. If you are going to buy a lens why not get the best for less. But for real budget consider the old F 70-210.

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10-06-2019, 07:21 PM	#12
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by lonerider41life @aslyfox@ thank you for thread links So what did you end up getting?

10-25-2019, 07:19 PM	#13
ecostigny Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Branford, CT Posts: 561	If you haven't made the purchase yet, I picked up a new HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR a couple of years ago for my K-5 and have had no troubles with it (apart from its not being able to get as sharp at 300mm as lenses that cost several times as much). I should point out that, in addition to the previously-mentioned weather resistance, this lens uses the newest HD lens coating, as compared to SMC lens coating from the older 55-300mm zoom. The difference between the coatings is mostly subtle, but you might come across a situation where the newer coating might benefit you. I hope this advice helps (if it is still needed).

10-25-2019, 09:09 PM	#14
Biff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Photos: Albums Posts: 1,081	Don't mean to hijack the thread, but why isn't the PLM fully compatible with the K5?

10-25-2019, 09:17 PM - 1 Like	#15
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Originally posted by Biff Don't mean to hijack the thread, but why isn't the PLM fully compatible with the K5? New kaf4 mount. Firmware to work is for k50 forward only.