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

MBT74 · 10-13-2016, 03:08 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

That's a pretty good reason

Just a thought... the "old" HD 55-300 WR is still readily available here in the UK, currently at £229 (about AUD $370)... I realise there'd be shipping and import duty to pay, but you might consider buying one from here?

Yeah, I was told that I should get one from the US or Japan so that will be my route. The new PLM version is a great size and weight. It feels great on the K3 body and the focus was quick and silent. If the aperture control worked on the K3 body then I'd have been very happy with it.

Kunzite · 10-13-2016, 04:37 AM

The old (HD) version is still available in Romania; but I didn't ask if they can order more.
I only briefly tried the new RE PLM version, and I'm impressed. Except for the compatibility issue, I'd recommend it as "the" APS-C medium telezoom (optical quality evaluation pending).

**BigMackCam** · 10-13-2016, 05:01 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

I only briefly tried the new RE PLM version, and I'm impressed. Except for the compatibility issue, I'd recommend it as "the" APS-C medium telezoom (optical quality evaluation pending)

One significant thing I noticed in the spec is that MFD has reduced from 1.4m on the old version, to just 95cm on the new one - though the magnification increase is only slightly up from 0.28x to 0.3x - still an improvement, though...

Zygonyx · 10-13-2016, 06:52 AM - **1 Like**

I just got mine and must say i am also impressed.
It has an excellent build quality, metallic mount and very nice feel :
Zooming grip is very resistant, like DFA150-450mm, but doesn't need any lock due to light weight.
Aperture / fl scale is :
F/4,5 => 135mm
F/5,6 => 260mm
F/6,3 => 300mm

AF speed is the quickest any pentax lens up to 135mm. But slows down further, starting hunting as from 260mm in low light.

FantasticMrFox · 10-13-2016, 07:00 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MBT74

Because the new lens does not work properly on the K3, that's why. As much as I like the size, weight and feel of the PLM version and the silent AF, I'd prefer to be able to shoot with a setting other than wide open all the time.

Oh, well, that makes sense then

**bobbotron** · 10-13-2016, 07:02 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

One significant thing I noticed in the spec is that MFD has reduced from 1.4m on the old version, to just 95cm on the new one - though the magnification increase is only slightly up from 0.28x to 0.3x - still an improvement, though...

That is pretty awesome.

**acoufap** · 10-13-2016, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

The old (HD) version is still available in Romania; but I didn't ask if they can order more.
I only briefly tried the new RE PLM version, and I'm impressed. Except for the compatibility issue, I'd recommend it as "the" APS-C medium telezoom (optical quality evaluation pending).

I'm really happy with the lens. If interested you can find some infos and pictures posted by me in this thread here.

Kunzite · 10-13-2016, 11:21 AM

Thank you. It's an APS-C lens, though, and I'm going FF...

**acoufap** · 10-13-2016, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Thank you. It's an APS-C lens, though, and I'm going FF...

At the long end you need only a bit of cropping - i posted an example here - 4327 x 6491px crop. For me this is sufficient and I have a very lightweight lens.

surfar · 10-13-2016, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by Kunzite

It's an APS-C lens, though, and I'm going FF...

Try all your DA lenses in FF mode, the results will surprise you.Dont bother with the 18-135 though.

**acoufap** · 10-13-2016, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by surfar

Try all your DA lenses in FF mode, the results will surprise you.Dont bother with the 18-135 though.

WIth DA15 with square crop you nearly get FF square crop - ~74° in width and height. This is what you get with a 24mm lens on FF in width only! You can have a look here to see how it looks like.

Edit:
Sorry - i had to correct 20mm to 24mm

surfar · 10-13-2016, 01:53 PM

Thanks for sharing that, it opens up possibilities for other DA lenses too.

Kunzite · 10-13-2016, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by surfar

Try all your DA lenses in FF mode, the results will surprise you.Dont bother with the 18-135 though.

Negatively, they did

(the DA 70mm)

totsmuyco · 10-15-2016, 10:10 PM

Sad, I can't use this on my k-5II. I hope future lenses will have the same motor but with aperture levers.

**BigMackCam** · 10-16-2016, 12:57 AM

I visited the Digital Splash show in Liverpool yesterday, and spoke to Ricoh's representatives. Apparently, there are no plans to discontinue the screw-drive 55-300 as Ricoh recognises the need to continue support for KAF3-mount users, and because it has been one of it's (quote) "best selling lenses"

10-13-2016, 01:41 PM	#536
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,191	Originally posted by surfar Try all your DA lenses in FF mode, the results will surprise you.Dont bother with the 18-135 though. WIth DA15 with square crop you nearly get FF square crop - ~74° in width and height. This is what you get with a 24mm lens on FF in width only! You can have a look here to see how it looks like. Edit: Sorry - i had to correct 20mm to 24mm Last edited by acoufap; 10-13-2016 at 02:05 PM.

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10-13-2016, 03:08 AM	#526
MBT74 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 135	Originally posted by BigMackCam That's a pretty good reason Just a thought... the "old" HD 55-300 WR is still readily available here in the UK, currently at £229 (about AUD $370)... I realise there'd be shipping and import duty to pay, but you might consider buying one from here? Yeah, I was told that I should get one from the US or Japan so that will be my route. The new PLM version is a great size and weight. It feels great on the K3 body and the focus was quick and silent. If the aperture control worked on the K3 body then I'd have been very happy with it.

10-13-2016, 04:37 AM	#527
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	The old (HD) version is still available in Romania; but I didn't ask if they can order more. I only briefly tried the new RE PLM version, and I'm impressed. Except for the compatibility issue, I'd recommend it as "the" APS-C medium telezoom (optical quality evaluation pending).

10-13-2016, 05:01 AM	#528
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,687	Originally posted by Kunzite I only briefly tried the new RE PLM version, and I'm impressed. Except for the compatibility issue, I'd recommend it as "the" APS-C medium telezoom (optical quality evaluation pending) One significant thing I noticed in the spec is that MFD has reduced from 1.4m on the old version, to just 95cm on the new one - though the magnification increase is only slightly up from 0.28x to 0.3x - still an improvement, though...

10-13-2016, 06:52 AM - 1 Like	#529
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	I just got mine and must say i am also impressed. It has an excellent build quality, metallic mount and very nice feel : Zooming grip is very resistant, like DFA150-450mm, but doesn't need any lock due to light weight. Aperture / fl scale is : F/4,5 => 135mm F/5,6 => 260mm F/6,3 => 300mm AF speed is the quickest any pentax lens up to 135mm. But slows down further, starting hunting as from 260mm in low light.

10-13-2016, 07:00 AM - 1 Like	#530
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	Originally posted by MBT74 Because the new lens does not work properly on the K3, that's why. As much as I like the size, weight and feel of the PLM version and the silent AF, I'd prefer to be able to shoot with a setting other than wide open all the time. Oh, well, that makes sense then

10-13-2016, 07:02 AM	#531
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	Originally posted by BigMackCam One significant thing I noticed in the spec is that MFD has reduced from 1.4m on the old version, to just 95cm on the new one - though the magnification increase is only slightly up from 0.28x to 0.3x - still an improvement, though... That is pretty awesome.

10-13-2016, 10:13 AM	#532
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,191	Originally posted by Kunzite The old (HD) version is still available in Romania; but I didn't ask if they can order more. I only briefly tried the new RE PLM version, and I'm impressed. Except for the compatibility issue, I'd recommend it as "the" APS-C medium telezoom (optical quality evaluation pending). I'm really happy with the lens. If interested you can find some infos and pictures posted by me in this thread here.

10-13-2016, 11:21 AM	#533
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Thank you. It's an APS-C lens, though, and I'm going FF...

10-13-2016, 11:26 AM	#534
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,191	Originally posted by Kunzite Thank you. It's an APS-C lens, though, and I'm going FF... At the long end you need only a bit of cropping - i posted an example here - 4327 x 6491px crop. For me this is sufficient and I have a very lightweight lens.

10-13-2016, 01:32 PM	#535
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,142	Originally posted by Kunzite It's an APS-C lens, though, and I'm going FF... Try all your DA lenses in FF mode, the results will surprise you.Dont bother with the 18-135 though.

10-13-2016, 01:53 PM	#537
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,142	Thanks for sharing that, it opens up possibilities for other DA lenses too.

10-13-2016, 03:05 PM	#538
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by surfar Try all your DA lenses in FF mode, the results will surprise you.Dont bother with the 18-135 though. Negatively, they did (the DA 70mm)

10-15-2016, 10:10 PM	#539
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	Sad, I can't use this on my k-5II. I hope future lenses will have the same motor but with aperture levers.

10-16-2016, 12:57 AM	#540
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,687	I visited the Digital Splash show in Liverpool yesterday, and spoke to Ricoh's representatives. Apparently, there are no plans to discontinue the screw-drive 55-300 as Ricoh recognises the need to continue support for KAF3-mount users, and because it has been one of it's (quote) "best selling lenses"