WR 55-300mm?

**Hannican** · 10-21-2010, 06:05 PM

Anyone know if a weather sealed 55-300mm lens is in the works? I would buy it IMMEDIATELY if they put one out. I've heard rumors before, but I don't have time to track the news and rumors section daily, and most of what I see here is K5 stuff.

You people are too obsessed with cameras! It's the LENSES that count!!! (end rant)

SpecialK · 10-21-2010, 08:45 PM

No answer from a forum is going to be very reliable. You could ask pentaxusa, which may be only slightly more so :-)

Happy hunting.

gazonk · 10-22-2010, 12:59 AM

Originally posted by Hannican

Anyone know if a weather sealed 55-300mm lens is in the works? I would buy it IMMEDIATELY if they put one out.

AOL! But if they don't hurry up I'll soon give up and put the non-WR on my Christmas wish list.

Quote:

You people are too obsessed with cameras! It's the LENSES that count!!! (end rant)

Basically, I agree, but the K-5 seems to be such a huge step ahead of my K10D that I consider it to be equivalent to a new lens in the same price league.

dankoBanana · 10-22-2010, 02:37 AM

Originally posted by Hannican

Anyone know if a weather sealed 55-300mm lens is in the works? I would buy it IMMEDIATELY if they put one out.

yup .. I want it too.

Biro · 10-22-2010, 11:04 AM

Yeah, this is pretty much a no-brainer. A DA 55-300mm WR would be a smash hit. But there's no telling what Pentax will do... and they are not likely to show their hand until days before a release.

Here's another idea: a WR 135-400 to go with the new 18-135 WR. This is not a rumor... just me saying it would be an excellent idea for Pentax. I'd go for it.... anyone else?

mikemike · 10-22-2010, 12:15 PM

Originally posted by Biro

Yeah, this is pretty much a no-brainer. A DA 55-300mm WR would be a smash hit. But there's no telling what Pentax will do... and they are not likely to show their hand until days before a release.

Here's another idea: a WR 135-400 to go with the new 18-135 WR. This is not a rumor... just me saying it would be an excellent idea for Pentax. I'd go for it.... anyone else?

Or a DA* 135-400 f/2.8

REM · 10-22-2010, 12:35 PM

I love how this subject pops up about every month or so.

I'm also hoping for this WR lens too, I'll hold out until next spring/early summer or until the next lens announcement ,which ever comes first. If it doesnt come, I'll just buy the normal one and sell it dirt cheap whenever a WR version comes along.

I have a macro lens to buy first, so still have to wait anyway.

glanglois · 10-22-2010, 12:48 PM

I was agitating for the 55-300 WR, as well.

But upon reflection, I'd rather have the 18-135 WR first. I can live with 135mm at the long end but I'm reluctant to change lenses (from my 18-55 WR to a 55-300 WR) in an inclement environment. I can leave the 18-135mm in place and worry not.

The K-5 should give me the ability to crop enough to get close to 200mm if it's important. Good enough for now ....

**Aristophanes** · 10-22-2010, 03:13 PM

It's called either the 18-135 or 60-250.

gazonk · 10-22-2010, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

It's called either the 18-135 or 60-250.

18-135? That's a completely different lens. A 55-300 WR would be a perfect match for the 18-135, though.

gazonk · 10-22-2010, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by glanglois

The K-5 should give me the ability to crop enough to get close to 200mm if it's important.

That depends on the quality of the 18-135 on the long end...

REM · 10-22-2010, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

It's called either the 18-135 or 60-250.

It's been mentioned before the 60-250 is a different animal. Yes, it's weather-sealed, but its huge, heavy, has SDM, and costs about $1200 USD at B&H right now. Some people don't want to lug around a big lens. Some folks still distrust SDM. And of course some folk don't want to shell out big dough for a lens.

The 55-300 costs about $350 USD at B&H right now. Say a WR version in the $350 to $550 ballpark would probably do well. It will be WR, and light, more portable, and have the stable screwdrive focusing. It would still be a good companion to the 18-55 or the new 18-135 WR lenses. It would be a more mid-tier lens, the cheaper 50-200 being low tier, and the * 60-250 being the high tier.

Blue · 10-22-2010, 08:05 PM

They may think the 18-55 AL II WR and the 50-200mm WR have the budget WR zoom covered in addition to the new 18-135 that is coming out. I was hoping for the WR version of the 50-300mm myself or I wouldn't have been so quick to sell mine when I got the DA* 300mm.

Edit: Since being part of Hoya, Pentax is close to the vest, so we are unlikely to know about one until it is announced.

gazonk · 10-23-2010, 02:39 AM

Originally posted by Blue

They may think the 18-55 AL II WR and the 50-200mm WR have the budget WR zoom covered in addition to the new 18-135 that is coming out.

The problem with this line of thinking, is that they end up offering better double kits for the K-x (and now the K-r) than they do for the K-7 and K-5. Looking at the bcnranking.jp Japanese sales statistics, K-x 18-55+55-300 kits are always the best sellers, and the first K-r kits to appear in the statistics were also double zoom kits with the 55-300.

Cannikin · 10-23-2010, 05:43 AM

Yes please!

I would get this lens the instant it came out. I live in Seattle, and the rainy season is starting to pick up here. The 18-135 and a 55-300 WR would make a perfect combo. The only WR lens I have right now is the 18-55.

10-21-2010, 06:05 PM	#1
Hannican Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 485	WR 55-300mm? Anyone know if a weather sealed 55-300mm lens is in the works? I would buy it IMMEDIATELY if they put one out. I've heard rumors before, but I don't have time to track the news and rumors section daily, and most of what I see here is K5 stuff. You people are too obsessed with cameras! It's the LENSES that count!!! (end rant)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DA 55-300mm shoots some pretty decent pseudo-macro shots at 300mm	G-Diesel	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	14	10-19-2010 07:47 PM
Pentax 55-300mm versus Sigma 70-300mm DG APO Macro	mazdamazda	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	49	07-27-2010 12:46 AM
Pentax DA 55-300mm vs Tamron 70-300mm at long end (brickwall)	tcdk	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	17	11-15-2009 12:52 AM

10-21-2010, 08:45 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	No answer from a forum is going to be very reliable. You could ask pentaxusa, which may be only slightly more so :-) Happy hunting.

10-22-2010, 12:59 AM	#3
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by Hannican Anyone know if a weather sealed 55-300mm lens is in the works? I would buy it IMMEDIATELY if they put one out. AOL! But if they don't hurry up I'll soon give up and put the non-WR on my Christmas wish list. Quote: You people are too obsessed with cameras! It's the LENSES that count!!! (end rant) Basically, I agree, but the K-5 seems to be such a huge step ahead of my K10D that I consider it to be equivalent to a new lens in the same price league.

10-22-2010, 02:37 AM	#4
dankoBanana Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 533	Originally posted by Hannican Anyone know if a weather sealed 55-300mm lens is in the works? I would buy it IMMEDIATELY if they put one out. yup .. I want it too.

10-22-2010, 11:04 AM	#5
Biro Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,200	Yeah, this is pretty much a no-brainer. A DA 55-300mm WR would be a smash hit. But there's no telling what Pentax will do... and they are not likely to show their hand until days before a release. Here's another idea: a WR 135-400 to go with the new 18-135 WR. This is not a rumor... just me saying it would be an excellent idea for Pentax. I'd go for it.... anyone else?

10-22-2010, 12:15 PM	#6
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	Originally posted by Biro Yeah, this is pretty much a no-brainer. A DA 55-300mm WR would be a smash hit. But there's no telling what Pentax will do... and they are not likely to show their hand until days before a release. Here's another idea: a WR 135-400 to go with the new 18-135 WR. This is not a rumor... just me saying it would be an excellent idea for Pentax. I'd go for it.... anyone else? Or a DA* 135-400 f/2.8

10-22-2010, 12:35 PM	#7
REM Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 78	I love how this subject pops up about every month or so. I'm also hoping for this WR lens too, I'll hold out until next spring/early summer or until the next lens announcement ,which ever comes first. If it doesnt come, I'll just buy the normal one and sell it dirt cheap whenever a WR version comes along. I have a macro lens to buy first, so still have to wait anyway.

10-22-2010, 12:48 PM	#8
glanglois Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Madison, Wis., USA Posts: 1,506	I was agitating for the 55-300 WR, as well. But upon reflection, I'd rather have the 18-135 WR first. I can live with 135mm at the long end but I'm reluctant to change lenses (from my 18-55 WR to a 55-300 WR) in an inclement environment. I can leave the 18-135mm in place and worry not. The K-5 should give me the ability to crop enough to get close to 200mm if it's important. Good enough for now ....

10-22-2010, 03:13 PM	#9
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	It's called either the 18-135 or 60-250.

10-22-2010, 03:48 PM	#10
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by Aristophanes It's called either the 18-135 or 60-250. 18-135? That's a completely different lens. A 55-300 WR would be a perfect match for the 18-135, though.

10-22-2010, 03:49 PM	#11
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by glanglois The K-5 should give me the ability to crop enough to get close to 200mm if it's important. That depends on the quality of the 18-135 on the long end...

10-22-2010, 07:53 PM	#12
REM Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 78	Originally posted by Aristophanes It's called either the 18-135 or 60-250. It's been mentioned before the 60-250 is a different animal. Yes, it's weather-sealed, but its huge, heavy, has SDM, and costs about $1200 USD at B&H right now. Some people don't want to lug around a big lens. Some folks still distrust SDM. And of course some folk don't want to shell out big dough for a lens. The 55-300 costs about $350 USD at B&H right now. Say a WR version in the $350 to $550 ballpark would probably do well. It will be WR, and light, more portable, and have the stable screwdrive focusing. It would still be a good companion to the 18-55 or the new 18-135 WR lenses. It would be a more mid-tier lens, the cheaper 50-200 being low tier, and the * 60-250 being the high tier.

10-22-2010, 08:05 PM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	They may think the 18-55 AL II WR and the 50-200mm WR have the budget WR zoom covered in addition to the new 18-135 that is coming out. I was hoping for the WR version of the 50-300mm myself or I wouldn't have been so quick to sell mine when I got the DA* 300mm. Edit: Since being part of Hoya, Pentax is close to the vest, so we are unlikely to know about one until it is announced.

10-23-2010, 02:39 AM	#14
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by Blue They may think the 18-55 AL II WR and the 50-200mm WR have the budget WR zoom covered in addition to the new 18-135 that is coming out. The problem with this line of thinking, is that they end up offering better double kits for the K-x (and now the K-r) than they do for the K-7 and K-5. Looking at the bcnranking.jp Japanese sales statistics, K-x 18-55+55-300 kits are always the best sellers, and the first K-r kits to appear in the statistics were also double zoom kits with the 55-300.

10-23-2010, 05:43 AM	#15
Cannikin Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SW Washington Posts: 833	Yes please! I would get this lens the instant it came out. I live in Seattle, and the rainy season is starting to pick up here. The 18-135 and a 55-300 WR would make a perfect combo. The only WR lens I have right now is the 18-55.