[thibs]

The DA 55-300mm PLM is good enough for me - and it has the flexibility I need.

I think we all got that a long time ago

[Zygonyx]

i confirm the 560's "unique" in this range/aperture handhelding capability was my main motivation, having already plenty of other glass like HD55-300mm PLM (that i use as an urban zoom), DFA150-450mm (that i keep with my second camera as an addition to the 560mm as walk-around gear), and FA*600mm and M*800mm (that i keep for fixed lookout shooting)

[noelpolar]

i confirm the 560's "unique" in this range/aperture handhelding capability was my main motivation, having already plenty of other glass like HD55-300mm PLM (that i use as an urban zoom), DFA150-450mm (that i keep with my second camera as an addition to the 560mm as walk-around gear), and FA*600mm and M*800mm (that i keep for fixed lookout shooting)

Do you go "bush walking" with the 150-450 and 560 at the same time? ..... if you have worked out a way to do that then I might have a new lens in my future....

[Zygonyx]

Yes, i'll be practissing soon.
Using "SunSipper" body-belt with 150-450 + K-3 on one side, 55mm + 645Z on the other side ; and 560 + KP in the hands
Not to mention ThinkTank Turnstyle20 with 4 other 645 lenses in my back
Don't worry, i'll make sure i can seat at some places to rest for a while

[Mistral75]

^ From Homo erectus to the round-shouldered Homo sapiens photographicensis.

[Zygonyx]

^ one way to keep fit : i'll still carry less than an alpine hunter in his sole back

[fs999]

Don't worry, i'll make sure i can seat at some places to rest for a while

You could seat comfortably on the Kp+560

[repaap]

Yes, i'll be practissing soon.
Using "SunSipper" body-belt with 150-450 + K-3 on one side, 55mm + 645Z on the other side ; and 560 + KP in the hands
Not to mention ThinkTank Turnstyle20 with 4 other 645 lenses in my back
Don't worry, i'll make sure i can seat at some places to rest for a while

If one would look at you from distance, that would be like swizzarmy knife of a photographer. You just fold out the blade you need. That said. This sounds nothing short of amazing!

[noelpolar]

Yes, i'll be practissing soon.
Using "SunSipper" body-belt with 150-450 + K-3 on one side, 55mm + 645Z on the other side ; and 560 + KP in the hands
Not to mention ThinkTank Turnstyle20 with 4 other 645 lenses in my back
Don't worry, i'll make sure i can seat at some places to rest for a while

Selfie... selfie...

[Sandy Hancock]

Note to self: despite this thread resurrection, I still do not need this lens....

[Serkevan]

Note to self: despite this thread resurrection, I still do not need this lens....

You tell yourself that... I was perfectly happy with the F50/1.7 as a normal lens and yet the silver 43 Ltd is now on the K-1 .

I personally wouldn't buy the 560 because, besides price, the only situation where I would ever see myself using it involves flying abroad and bringing it on a plane is a toss up, with the size... that and I already find the Sigma 400/5.6 too darn long for most of my uses .

[reh321]

Note to self: despite this thread resurrection, I still do not need this lens....

You tell yourself that... I was perfectly happy with the F50/1.7 as a normal lens and yet the silver 43 Ltd is now on the K-1 .

I personally wouldn't buy the 560 because, besides price, the only situation where I would ever see myself using it involves flying abroad and bringing it on a plane is a toss up, with the size... that and I already find the Sigma 400/5.6 too darn long for most of my uses .

Regardless of how many times this thread is resurrected. I personally wouldn't have this lens, partly because of its price, partly because it is so massive, but also because it is so inflexible.
Sometimes I do want a longish lens, but sometimes I need less length, and I am willing to carry only so many lenses around with me.
I know I often do not take great awe-inspiring photos, but that it not a result of my choice of lenses.
Normheld has shown what can be done with the 55-300mm PLM lens.
The life of a nuthatch - PentaxForums.com

[reh321]

The DA 55-300mm PLM is good enough for me - and it has the flexibility I need.

I think we all got that a long time ago

But it needed to be said again - people keep slobbering over this lens, but there was no reason for disinterring this thread ..... nothing has happened recently.

[Lowell Goudge]

The DA 560 went up $1,000 in price about two weeks ago. Too bad as I was just starting to like the idea of getting this lens.

In which country / seller ?

---------- Post added 31-01-21 at 08:29 ----------


I finally got my 560 one month ago.
No real comparison whatever you consider

Henry’s Canada has gone up $1100cdn since I bought minty copy in the summer.

Amazon, B&H, and Adorama.

I have the F* 250-600, but the 560 would be a little easier to hike and take handheld shots with.

I have the tamron 200-500/5.6 and while a nice lens you just can’t hand hold it, even though lighter than the DA560, the DA 560 is relatively easy to hand hold, and I have hiked up to 10km with it slung over my shoulder

Do you go "bush walking" with the 150-450 and 560 at the same time? ..... if you have worked out a way to do that then I might have a new lens in my future....

I have hiked with the DA560 over my shoulder in addition to a sigma 70-200/2.8 and 2xTC plus 2 other lenses and a second body in a back pack for at least 10km with no issue. While I spent the first 2 days working out the set up to use the DA560 on a tripod, aside from a test shot, the several thousand images taken since then have all been hand held.

[Pål Jensen]

I carried the FA* 600/4 about 4km to this fox den in order to photograph this fox puppy. It was a record distance with that lens for me. Mind you, it has the weight of two DA 560/5.6 lenses!
Even the 560 is too much to carry. I'll buy the 150-450 at some stage - that is about what I bother to carry these days....