HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE

mee · 06-25-2016, 10:15 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Vantage-Point

Well perhaps now Pentax will redesign the DA* 16-50 and the DA* 50-135 mm lenses with the PLM motor so they will be able to focus quicker, or maybe a hybrid DC/ PLM motor like the original lenses have SDM/ screw drive motors.

That would be nice.. a DC motor would be a wonderful upgrade imo. At this point, however, that 16-50 really needs a formula update as well.. and new coatings. CA is it's downfall and its rather soft at f/2.8

thibs · 06-25-2016, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by D1N0

The PLM motor is for focus, not aperture, that is a seperate module

Indeed but as they, for now at least, tend to go to a common goal (Video) I expect Pentax to use both at the same time.
I'm not quite sure PLM has a huge advantage over DC in a different context and IMO PLM is not easily (if at all) applicable to bigger lenses.

totsmuyco · 06-25-2016, 10:06 PM

I don't know if this lens is just for video oriented users or if they'll still manufacture older ones with the manual aperture lever. But would it be advantageous if electronic levers will be used for all lenses in future? As a still user, I don't shift the aperture as often.

Adam · 06-26-2016, 12:13 AM

Originally posted by totsmuyco

I don't know if this lens is just for video oriented users or if they'll still manufacture older ones with the manual aperture lever. But would it be advantageous if electronic levers will be used for all lenses in future? As a still user, I don't shift the aperture as often.

For still shots the implementation makes no difference. For video, however, the ability for the camera to smoothly adjust the aperture is nice.

I don't think all future lenses will use KAF4. Those lenses designed to be ultra-compact wouldn't have space for the necessary hardware, for instance.

Adam
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totsmuyco · 06-26-2016, 05:04 AM

I hope you're right Adam. I still don't want to give up my k-5II. I love it.

D1N0 · 06-26-2016, 05:23 AM

KAF 4 is the ability to set the aperture through electronic means. It doesn't need any hardware in the camera (but older camera's don't have enough space left to update the firmware) but it needs an electronic aperture in the lens. So yes this lens is KAF 4.

formercanuck · 07-02-2016, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by Adam

For still shots the implementation makes no difference. For video, however, the ability for the camera to smoothly adjust the aperture is nice.

I don't think all future lenses will use KAF4. Those lenses designed to be ultra-compact wouldn't have space for the necessary hardware, for instance.

I do think that an electronic aperture is a good thing for 3rd party manufacturers though. If I'm not mistaken, many didn't like the mechanical linkage that the existing lenses have. I personally have had issues with my K-30 and aperture not always being properly set during LV or for some pictures. Its possible that this can be remedied with in-lens aperture actuation. Sad part - camera body can be cheaper to upgrade than some lenses, and is necessary after many (tens of thousands) of images. Lenses - many can (and have ) lives on for many decades. My only worry about the mass of electronics in the lenses - having to keep up / purchase new lenses more often.

Adam · 07-02-2016, 07:48 PM

Originally posted by formercanuck

I do think that an electronic aperture is a good thing for 3rd party manufacturers though. If I'm not mistaken, many didn't like the mechanical linkage that the existing lenses have. I personally have had issues with my K-30 and aperture not always being properly set during LV or for some pictures. Its possible that this can be remedied with in-lens aperture actuation. Sad part - camera body can be cheaper to upgrade than some lenses, and is necessary after many (tens of thousands) of images. Lenses - many can (and have ) lives on for many decades. My only worry about the mass of electronics in the lenses - having to keep up / purchase new lenses more often.

Interesting point- though I don't think Pentax is going to release the spec to third parties unless they pay!

mee · 07-02-2016, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Interesting point- though I don't think Pentax is going to release the spec to third parties unless they pay!

I don't think Sigma ever pays.. they'll buy a few, study, then reverse engineer if they so choose to support K mount any more...

totsmuyco · 07-02-2016, 10:00 PM

Originally posted by mee

I don't think Sigma ever pays.. they'll buy a few, study, then reverse engineer if they so choose to support K mount any more...

I hope they'll continue to support the k-mount. Lesser third party supporters would push new comers away from Pentax. A lot of people would like to have a good support of third party lenses.

anu l · 07-03-2016, 02:26 AM

Originally posted by formercanuck

I do think that an electronic aperture is a good thing for 3rd party manufacturers though. If I'm not mistaken, many didn't like the mechanical linkage that the existing lenses have. I personally have had issues with my K-30 and aperture not always being properly set during LV or for some pictures. Its possible that this can be remedied with in-lens aperture actuation. Sad part - camera body can be cheaper to upgrade than some lenses, and is necessary after many (tens of thousands) of images. Lenses - many can (and have ) lives on for many decades. My only worry about the mass of electronics in the lenses - having to keep up / purchase new lenses more often.

pretty Interesting,

but I had read that the exclusions of mechanical interfacing, & replacing it with a simplified all electronic interface would simplify lens production process for 3rd party manufacturers. Would like to hear more about it though.

Just hope we see more 3rd party support for Pentax by Tamorn, Sigma, Rokinon etc.

Poit · 08-04-2016, 05:00 PM - **2 Likes**

The new tech in this lens is great news. Yet another indication that the Pentax line is making progress.

I'm a K-3 owner, but the introduction of KAF4 doesn't bother me in the slightest. If I could afford to upgrade my lenses every time a new one was released, then I could also afford a new body capable of using KAF4. I think by the time there are a significant number of KAF4 lenses, the camera bodies available will also have significant upgrades in AF capability. I'll upgrade my lenses AND camera body when I think the increased capability is worth the investment.

There's a hell-of-a-lot of crying going on over a relatively small issue. Progress in Pentaxland should be embraced and cheered for.

Zygonyx · 08-05-2016, 07:33 AM

Btw, does anyone know when this first PLM will be available ?

OoKU · 08-05-2016, 07:48 AM

D1N0 · 08-05-2016, 08:01 AM - **2 Likes**

nice! now shoot a movie of a approaching bike with a dpreview writer on it.

07-02-2016, 07:48 PM	#368
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Originally posted by formercanuck I do think that an electronic aperture is a good thing for 3rd party manufacturers though. If I'm not mistaken, many didn't like the mechanical linkage that the existing lenses have. I personally have had issues with my K-30 and aperture not always being properly set during LV or for some pictures. Its possible that this can be remedied with in-lens aperture actuation. Sad part - camera body can be cheaper to upgrade than some lenses, and is necessary after many (tens of thousands) of images. Lenses - many can (and have ) lives on for many decades. My only worry about the mass of electronics in the lenses - having to keep up / purchase new lenses more often. Interesting point- though I don't think Pentax is going to release the spec to third parties unless they pay! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

07-03-2016, 02:26 AM	#371
anu l Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 216	3rd party lens manufacturing process for Pentax mount. Originally posted by formercanuck I do think that an electronic aperture is a good thing for 3rd party manufacturers though. If I'm not mistaken, many didn't like the mechanical linkage that the existing lenses have. I personally have had issues with my K-30 and aperture not always being properly set during LV or for some pictures. Its possible that this can be remedied with in-lens aperture actuation. Sad part - camera body can be cheaper to upgrade than some lenses, and is necessary after many (tens of thousands) of images. Lenses - many can (and have ) lives on for many decades. My only worry about the mass of electronics in the lenses - having to keep up / purchase new lenses more often. pretty Interesting, but I had read that the exclusions of mechanical interfacing, & replacing it with a simplified all electronic interface would simplify lens production process for 3rd party manufacturers. Would like to hear more about it though. Just hope we see more 3rd party support for Pentax by Tamorn, Sigma, Rokinon etc.

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06-25-2016, 10:15 AM - 1 Like	#361
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by Vantage-Point Well perhaps now Pentax will redesign the DA* 16-50 and the DA* 50-135 mm lenses with the PLM motor so they will be able to focus quicker, or maybe a hybrid DC/ PLM motor like the original lenses have SDM/ screw drive motors. That would be nice.. a DC motor would be a wonderful upgrade imo. At this point, however, that 16-50 really needs a formula update as well.. and new coatings. CA is it's downfall and its rather soft at f/2.8

06-25-2016, 03:14 PM	#362
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by D1N0 The PLM motor is for focus, not aperture, that is a seperate module Indeed but as they, for now at least, tend to go to a common goal (Video) I expect Pentax to use both at the same time. I'm not quite sure PLM has a huge advantage over DC in a different context and IMO PLM is not easily (if at all) applicable to bigger lenses.

06-25-2016, 10:06 PM	#363
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	I don't know if this lens is just for video oriented users or if they'll still manufacture older ones with the manual aperture lever. But would it be advantageous if electronic levers will be used for all lenses in future? As a still user, I don't shift the aperture as often.

06-26-2016, 12:13 AM	#364
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Originally posted by totsmuyco I don't know if this lens is just for video oriented users or if they'll still manufacture older ones with the manual aperture lever. But would it be advantageous if electronic levers will be used for all lenses in future? As a still user, I don't shift the aperture as often. For still shots the implementation makes no difference. For video, however, the ability for the camera to smoothly adjust the aperture is nice. I don't think all future lenses will use KAF4. Those lenses designed to be ultra-compact wouldn't have space for the necessary hardware, for instance. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-26-2016, 05:04 AM	#365
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	I hope you're right Adam. I still don't want to give up my k-5II. I love it.

06-26-2016, 05:23 AM	#366
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	KAF 4 is the ability to set the aperture through electronic means. It doesn't need any hardware in the camera (but older camera's don't have enough space left to update the firmware) but it needs an electronic aperture in the lens. So yes this lens is KAF 4.

07-02-2016, 07:42 PM	#367
formercanuck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 518	Originally posted by Adam For still shots the implementation makes no difference. For video, however, the ability for the camera to smoothly adjust the aperture is nice. I don't think all future lenses will use KAF4. Those lenses designed to be ultra-compact wouldn't have space for the necessary hardware, for instance. I do think that an electronic aperture is a good thing for 3rd party manufacturers though. If I'm not mistaken, many didn't like the mechanical linkage that the existing lenses have. I personally have had issues with my K-30 and aperture not always being properly set during LV or for some pictures. Its possible that this can be remedied with in-lens aperture actuation. Sad part - camera body can be cheaper to upgrade than some lenses, and is necessary after many (tens of thousands) of images. Lenses - many can (and have ) lives on for many decades. My only worry about the mass of electronics in the lenses - having to keep up / purchase new lenses more often.

07-02-2016, 08:40 PM	#369
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by Adam Interesting point- though I don't think Pentax is going to release the spec to third parties unless they pay! I don't think Sigma ever pays.. they'll buy a few, study, then reverse engineer if they so choose to support K mount any more...

07-02-2016, 10:00 PM	#370
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	Originally posted by mee I don't think Sigma ever pays.. they'll buy a few, study, then reverse engineer if they so choose to support K mount any more... I hope they'll continue to support the k-mount. Lesser third party supporters would push new comers away from Pentax. A lot of people would like to have a good support of third party lenses.

08-04-2016, 05:00 PM - 2 Likes	#372
Poit Banned Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 423	The new tech in this lens is great news. Yet another indication that the Pentax line is making progress. I'm a K-3 owner, but the introduction of KAF4 doesn't bother me in the slightest. If I could afford to upgrade my lenses every time a new one was released, then I could also afford a new body capable of using KAF4. I think by the time there are a significant number of KAF4 lenses, the camera bodies available will also have significant upgrades in AF capability. I'll upgrade my lenses AND camera body when I think the increased capability is worth the investment. There's a hell-of-a-lot of crying going on over a relatively small issue. Progress in Pentaxland should be embraced and cheered for.

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08-05-2016, 07:33 AM	#373
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,032	Btw, does anyone know when this first PLM will be available ?

08-05-2016, 07:48 AM	#374
OoKU Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 740

08-05-2016, 08:01 AM - 2 Likes	#375
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	nice! now shoot a movie of a approaching bike with a dpreview writer on it.