HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm Sample Photos

audiobomber · 02-28-2015, 12:27 PM - **1 Like**

No need to apologize for the doggie shot, Nick. I really like it.

We're in the deep freeze now, but here's a memory from last summer.

ckschempp · 03-31-2015, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by azcavalier

I bought this lens a few weeks ago, with this trip in mind. Every photo taken in this album was taken with the 55-300. I shot them in RAW, color corrected in Photoshop (using Curves) and added a little sharpness using the Unsharp Mask. I had my ISO and shutter speed set to auto, and my aperture set to f/5.6 (I believe). I also used AF-C, with the back AF button and burst mode shooting. I have to admit, I was impressed with the sharpness of some of these photos.

Enjoy!

Blacksburg Ward Ski Trip - Winterplace 2014 - a set on Flickr

Small world! I grew up in the Blacksburg ward and did this ski trip with the YM/YW when I was 13. It's been quite a few years, but Blacksburg will always have my heart!
Great pics! I just bought this lens and am hoping for many good shots.

**Scorpio71GR** · 11-15-2015, 01:31 PM - **2 Likes**

A few shots from my HD 55-300. When I need to travel light this goes with me.
300mm f8 on the K3 handheld

230mm f8

300mm f9

**csa** · 11-17-2015, 01:15 PM

Great shots everyone! I'm very seriously considering buying the HD WR version simply for the WR. I have the DA 55-300, and absolutely love it; but with the prices going lower, the HD version is calling my name!

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-17-2015, 03:29 PM

I'm thinking about the same thing, Carol, but to keep it in perspective, at Christmas on a whale watch in Hawaii with the weather so bad that one boat was cancelled, and our party was five of the eleven people who showed up with 55 booked for the trip. I used the DA 55-300 and it survived just fine. I just made sure no splashes on the front element.

**Scorpio71GR** · 11-17-2015, 04:01 PM

I'm more impressed with the flare resistance of the HD coating. The shot of the Heron above was right into the sun. You can see the sunlight in the tree above him. I almost was not going to take the shot. But SD card space is cheap. There have been other shots like that too. This is my only HD lens. Now I am starting to use it more just for the flare control.

audiobomber · 11-17-2015, 04:45 PM

I did the WR upgrade because my original 55-300 had a weak corner and for the weather resistance. The HD coating is good to have, but what really impressed me is the superior build quality of the WR version. My old lens was a bit of a rattlebox, the new one is tight and smooth.

**Scorpio71GR** · 11-17-2015, 04:52 PM

I do agree the build quality is exceptional especially for the price. Right now I seriously doubt you could equal anything like it for $260.

**Scorpio71GR** · 04-10-2016, 08:26 PM - **4 Likes**

Some shots from the last few weeks with the K50. Considering the camera and lens cost less than a DA*300 new it is hard to beat. Very affordable WR kit.

Robin from last week with the K50 and HD55-300.

Sparrow in a pine tree, K50 and 55-300 again.

Two for one.

I have been trying to catch this dove for awhile now. This one is a heavy crop on the 55-300.

r0ckstarr · 04-10-2016, 08:39 PM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by Scorpio71GR

Some shots from the last few weeks with the K50. Considering the camera and lens cost less than a DA*300 new it is hard to beat. Very affordable WR kit.

Robin from last week with the K50 and HD55-300.

I agree. For the image quality you get with that lens, you cannot beat the price. I got one for my girlfriend to use, and now it's the only lens she will use. She's not even interested in my lenses any more because they don't zoom.

Using my girlfriends K3 + HD 55-300 WR in the back yard.

**Scorpio71GR** · 04-11-2016, 03:58 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by r0ckstarr

Using my girlfriends K3 + HD 55-300 WR in the back yard.

If I had that in my backyard my dog would eat it.

More shots with the K50 while my walking dog.

even the ducks were cold.

jayman_1975 · 04-16-2016, 10:25 PM

One of my favourites with this lens

https://flic.kr/p/FqcxiX

Nicolas06 · 04-30-2016, 07:02 AM - **1 Like**

A few from my new to me 55-300.

Full sized picture and exif available on flickr if you click on the photos.

**Canada_Rockies** · 04-30-2016, 05:31 PM

Nice results from the 55-300, no matter which version it seems.

**Scorpio71GR** · 04-30-2016, 05:50 PM - **2 Likes**

K50 with the HD 55-300. Poor lighting, overcast, not enough light, bright white grey background. Lots of PP and cropping, the HD 55-300 handles PF very well.
European Starling

02-28-2015, 12:27 PM - 1 Like	#16
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Water ski show No need to apologize for the doggie shot, Nick. I really like it. We're in the deep freeze now, but here's a memory from last summer.

04-10-2016, 08:39 PM - 4 Likes	#25
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by Scorpio71GR Some shots from the last few weeks with the K50. Considering the camera and lens cost less than a DA300 new it is hard to beat. Very affordable WR kit. Robin from last week with the K50 and HD55-300. I agree. For the image quality you get with that lens, you cannot beat the price. I got one for my girlfriend to use, and now it's the only lens she will use. She's not even interested in my lenses any more because they don't zoom. Using my girlfriends K3 + HD 55-300 WR in the back yard. Last edited by r0ckstarr; 04-10-2016 at 08:44 PM.*

04-16-2016, 10:25 PM	#27
jayman_1975 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 385	One of my favourites with this lens https://flic.kr/p/FqcxiX Last edited by jayman_1975; 04-16-2016 at 10:37 PM.

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03-31-2015, 06:34 PM	#17
ckschempp New Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: WV Posts: 16	Originally posted by azcavalier I bought this lens a few weeks ago, with this trip in mind. Every photo taken in this album was taken with the 55-300. I shot them in RAW, color corrected in Photoshop (using Curves) and added a little sharpness using the Unsharp Mask. I had my ISO and shutter speed set to auto, and my aperture set to f/5.6 (I believe). I also used AF-C, with the back AF button and burst mode shooting. I have to admit, I was impressed with the sharpness of some of these photos. Enjoy! Blacksburg Ward Ski Trip - Winterplace 2014 - a set on Flickr Small world! I grew up in the Blacksburg ward and did this ski trip with the YM/YW when I was 13. It's been quite a few years, but Blacksburg will always have my heart! Great pics! I just bought this lens and am hoping for many good shots.

11-15-2015, 01:31 PM - 2 Likes	#18
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,014	A few shots from my HD 55-300. When I need to travel light this goes with me. 300mm f8 on the K3 handheld 230mm f8 300mm f9

11-17-2015, 01:15 PM	#19
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Great shots everyone! I'm very seriously considering buying the HD WR version simply for the WR. I have the DA 55-300, and absolutely love it; but with the prices going lower, the HD version is calling my name!

11-17-2015, 03:29 PM	#20
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I'm thinking about the same thing, Carol, but to keep it in perspective, at Christmas on a whale watch in Hawaii with the weather so bad that one boat was cancelled, and our party was five of the eleven people who showed up with 55 booked for the trip. I used the DA 55-300 and it survived just fine. I just made sure no splashes on the front element.

11-17-2015, 04:01 PM	#21
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,014	I'm more impressed with the flare resistance of the HD coating. The shot of the Heron above was right into the sun. You can see the sunlight in the tree above him. I almost was not going to take the shot. But SD card space is cheap. There have been other shots like that too. This is my only HD lens. Now I am starting to use it more just for the flare control.

11-17-2015, 04:45 PM	#22
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I did the WR upgrade because my original 55-300 had a weak corner and for the weather resistance. The HD coating is good to have, but what really impressed me is the superior build quality of the WR version. My old lens was a bit of a rattlebox, the new one is tight and smooth.

11-17-2015, 04:52 PM	#23
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,014	I do agree the build quality is exceptional especially for the price. Right now I seriously doubt you could equal anything like it for $260.

04-10-2016, 08:26 PM - 4 Likes	#24
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,014	Some shots from the last few weeks with the K50. Considering the camera and lens cost less than a DA*300 new it is hard to beat. Very affordable WR kit. Robin from last week with the K50 and HD55-300. Sparrow in a pine tree, K50 and 55-300 again. Two for one. I have been trying to catch this dove for awhile now. This one is a heavy crop on the 55-300.

04-11-2016, 03:58 PM - 1 Like	#26
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,014	Originally posted by r0ckstarr Using my girlfriends K3 + HD 55-300 WR in the back yard. If I had that in my backyard my dog would eat it. More shots with the K50 while my walking dog. even the ducks were cold.

04-30-2016, 07:02 AM - 1 Like	#28
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	A few from my new to me 55-300. Full sized picture and exif available on flickr if you click on the photos.

04-30-2016, 05:31 PM	#29
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Nice results from the 55-300, no matter which version it seems.

04-30-2016, 05:50 PM - 2 Likes	#30
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,014	K50 with the HD 55-300. Poor lighting, overcast, not enough light, bright white grey background. Lots of PP and cropping, the HD 55-300 handles PF very well. European Starling