HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm Sample Photos

Nicolas06 · 07-30-2016, 01:48 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

Not looking good Arch. The 55-300mm is a sharper lens than the 18-55, IME, especially at 55mm where the 18-55 is known to be soft. At the very least they should be equal.

You say you dialed in the auto-focus. A good way to double check is with CDAF (use Live View). If that is indeed not the issue, then I'm confident in saying your 55-300 is defective. I've compared all my DA zooms, 18-55 (original & II), 16-45, 18-135, 18-250 and 55-300. My 55-300 tested sharper than all but the 16-45.

Another possibility is that you got a defective (or at least bad sample) of 18-55 then. while 55-300 good enough at 55 (but no better than 18-55), it is not that sharp at 300mm... Consumer zoom have quite some variation in quality from sample to sample, people get only their own sample to work on and even the notion of "sharp" is very different from people to people.

Here from photozone:

Last edited by Nicolas06; 07-30-2016 at 01:57 AM.

Nicolas06 · 07-30-2016, 02:05 AM

All in all actual pictures are more descriptive. But if 55-300 was even approaching DA*300 or 60-250 in sharpness at the long end, I think almost nobody would get the more expensive, heavier lenses.

At least on photozone for resolution a 18-55 approach a FA31 ltd. The difference is the apperture you need for that (FA31 need likely f/2.2 when 18-55 need f/4.5), and the overall rendering. Contrast, bokeh, colors are much better on the 31.

But if you are a better photographer you have the 18-55 and me I have the 31, there chances you may get more interresting pictures than me regardless.

The same with 55-300 and even a DA*300 I think. A better photographer would get better result with a 55-300 than a worse photographer with DA*300. Investing is gear is important, but only matter if you as a photographer follow.

**Archimedes the Dog** · 08-01-2016, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by mee

Your copy is notably soft.

Yeah, looking at other example photos I think I got a lemon. Fortunately, i seem to still eb under warranty so I'll be calling Ricoh.

bluestringer · 08-05-2016, 03:42 PM - **2 Likes**

I just got this lens a few weeks ago. I'm impressed with it. Works great for butterfly macros without scaring them away. Have not had a chance to try it on birds yet, but looking forward to it.

Last edited by bluestringer; 12-26-2016 at 09:06 AM.

**Canada_Rockies** · 08-06-2016, 07:33 AM

I've tried the 55-300 with my AFA 1.7x, and gotten pictures but nothing to write home about yet.

**Archimedes the Dog** · 01-03-2017, 04:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Archimedes the Dog

Yeah, looking at other example photos I think I got a lemon. Fortunately, i seem to still eb under warranty so I'll be calling Ricoh.

For the record, after months of no word from Ricoh or their repair partners on my warranty submission, I came back to work today to find a brand new copy of the lens waiting for me.

schnitzer79 · 01-05-2017, 11:07 AM - **2 Likes**

at 55mm f4.0

seems i got a decent copy

**boriscleto** · 05-15-2018, 08:44 AM - **1 Like**

**boriscleto** · 05-15-2018, 02:11 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

No birds in flight but a Bumblebee in flight instead. Has the tongue out ready to get in that flowering bush at the rest area in Falmouth, Maine. I had shot some with my cheapo Promaster 28-80mm but there were so many hard working Bumblebees on the flowers, I went and put my PLM back on. Close up is extreme crop of the first image. This is wide open at 300mm!

You did what I did earlier. You posted PLM photos in the non-PLM samples...

**Sholom** · 08-25-2018, 08:42 PM

I've never posted a photo here before, but I'm doing my bit to reach the K-1 giveaway goal. My copy of the 55-300 HD may not be the very sharpest, or it may be my aging arms, but I'm still happy with what a bit of post-processing can do with its images. This one has seen gentle treatment with Topaz Clarity and Detail plus toning down the bright green grass background in Photoshop.

**Sholom** · 08-25-2018, 08:56 PM

For the gardeners in the crowd, this is allium 'Sugar Melt' in bloom today in eastern Massachusetts. I leave it to others to identify the visitor. The HD 55-300 has pretty good bokeh, at least in this focal length range (c. 135mm). Processed entirely in Lighroom 5.7. The colors are out of the camera, K-5 embedded profile; I was tempted to tone them down a bit but didn't.

schnitzer79 · 02-21-2021, 09:40 AM - **1 Like**

Its been a while since I last mounted it on my K-3II, since I have much better options, but its not a bad lens after all...

**RICHARD L.** · 02-21-2021, 02:18 PM

nicolpa47 · 02-22-2021, 11:20 AM

"Dangerous Rocks" off Lizard Point, Cornwall - the scene of many a shipwreck including the largest rescue ever undertaken by the RNLI. In March 1907, the White Star ship, the Suevic ran aground off Lizard Point.

Lavender(or Heather?) at Glendurgan Garden, nr Mawnan Smith, Cornwall

**RICHARD L.** · 02-23-2021, 01:20 PM

02-21-2021, 02:18 PM	#58
RICHARD L. Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,582	Not much I can't do with this HD lens ... Fresh snow, K5, 210 mm FL.

02-23-2021, 01:20 PM	#60
RICHARD L. Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,582	End of day on the Saint Lawrence. Pentax K3 + HD DA 55-300 mm f/4-5.8 ED WR. NICE!

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07-30-2016, 01:48 AM	#46
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by audiobomber Not looking good Arch. The 55-300mm is a sharper lens than the 18-55, IME, especially at 55mm where the 18-55 is known to be soft. At the very least they should be equal. You say you dialed in the auto-focus. A good way to double check is with CDAF (use Live View). If that is indeed not the issue, then I'm confident in saying your 55-300 is defective. I've compared all my DA zooms, 18-55 (original & II), 16-45, 18-135, 18-250 and 55-300. My 55-300 tested sharper than all but the 16-45. Another possibility is that you got a defective (or at least bad sample) of 18-55 then. while 55-300 good enough at 55 (but no better than 18-55), it is not that sharp at 300mm... Consumer zoom have quite some variation in quality from sample to sample, people get only their own sample to work on and even the notion of "sharp" is very different from people to people. Here from photozone: Last edited by Nicolas06; 07-30-2016 at 01:57 AM.

07-30-2016, 02:05 AM	#47
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	All in all actual pictures are more descriptive. But if 55-300 was even approaching DA300 or 60-250 in sharpness at the long end, I think almost nobody would get the more expensive, heavier lenses. At least on photozone for resolution a 18-55 approach a FA31 ltd. The difference is the apperture you need for that (FA31 need likely f/2.2 when 18-55 need f/4.5), and the overall rendering. Contrast, bokeh, colors are much better on the 31. But if you are a better photographer you have the 18-55 and me I have the 31, there chances you may get more interresting pictures than me regardless. The same with 55-300 and even a DA300 I think. A better photographer would get better result with a 55-300 than a worse photographer with DA*300. Investing is gear is important, but only matter if you as a photographer follow.

08-01-2016, 11:43 AM	#48
Archimedes the Dog Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,146	Originally posted by mee Your copy is notably soft. Yeah, looking at other example photos I think I got a lemon. Fortunately, i seem to still eb under warranty so I'll be calling Ricoh.

08-05-2016, 03:42 PM - 2 Likes	#49
bluestringer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cotton fields of South Georgia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,748	I just got this lens a few weeks ago. I'm impressed with it. Works great for butterfly macros without scaring them away. Have not had a chance to try it on birds yet, but looking forward to it. Last edited by bluestringer; 12-26-2016 at 09:06 AM.

08-06-2016, 07:33 AM	#50
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I've tried the 55-300 with my AFA 1.7x, and gotten pictures but nothing to write home about yet.

01-03-2017, 04:06 PM - 1 Like	#51
Archimedes the Dog Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,146	Originally posted by Archimedes the Dog Yeah, looking at other example photos I think I got a lemon. Fortunately, i seem to still eb under warranty so I'll be calling Ricoh. For the record, after months of no word from Ricoh or their repair partners on my warranty submission, I came back to work today to find a brand new copy of the lens waiting for me.

01-05-2017, 11:07 AM - 2 Likes	#52
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	at 55mm f4.0 seems i got a decent copy

05-15-2018, 08:44 AM - 1 Like	#53
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475

05-15-2018, 02:11 PM - 1 Like	#54
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by SSGGeezer No birds in flight but a Bumblebee in flight instead. Has the tongue out ready to get in that flowering bush at the rest area in Falmouth, Maine. I had shot some with my cheapo Promaster 28-80mm but there were so many hard working Bumblebees on the flowers, I went and put my PLM back on. Close up is extreme crop of the first image. This is wide open at 300mm! You did what I did earlier. You posted PLM photos in the non-PLM samples...

02-21-2021, 09:40 AM - 1 Like	#57
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Its been a while since I last mounted it on my K-3II, since I have much better options, but its not a bad lens after all...

02-22-2021, 11:20 AM	#59
nicolpa47 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,031	"Dangerous Rocks" off Lizard Point, Cornwall - the scene of many a shipwreck including the largest rescue ever undertaken by the RNLI. In March 1907, the White Star ship, the Suevic ran aground off Lizard Point. Lavender(or Heather?) at Glendurgan Garden, nr Mawnan Smith, Cornwall