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06-07-2018, 12:47 PM - 1 Like   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by grafoxy Quote
Good review is nice to see. It’s in my Amazon wish list waiting for prove to come down a bit.
I'm having a hard time convincing myself to purchase anything from Amazon - I felt this way several weeks ago, because of reports concerning how some of their professional employees are treated, and editorial policies exercised by their subsidiary DPR just add to that reluctance. Once I get a camera that supports KAF4, I will purchase this from B&H or Roberts, even if both have higher prices.

06-08-2018, 01:47 AM   #17
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I have a Cosina 100-300 from film days, which worked quite well on my first DSLR, a K110D.
After losing interest for a while I then bought the K70, and went through the usual Sigma 70-300 enigma variations, as they are so cheap second hand.
Then to the DA-L 55-300
Then the DA WR version of the above
And then finally to the PLM which I love.

It isn't that any of the above are BAD lenses, I have (in my opinion) good shots from all. But the Sigma's were hit & miss for quality, my DA-L was/is very noisy, and I found the DA WR hunts a lot for focus on the K70.
The PLM is simply miles ahead because of quick, silent focus which when shooting bird life is a godsend. Image quality is excellent and colours rich but natural.

I think the guys & gals who designed and developed it need a bonus
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Last edited by MrMojo; 06-08-2018 at 02:04 AM.
06-08-2018, 06:54 AM   #18
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took the plunge

It has just been delivered, have played with it for the past couple of hours. No regrets, very very impressed so far.
06-08-2018, 07:01 AM   #19
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I bought one to be my low footprint just in case I need a telephoto option. I quite like it. But I seriously wish it was a little stronger in the long end. But then it would be like my DA*60-250 and would have a 60-250 price tag, weight and size.

That being said. With the 21 and 40xs, it is excellent hiking /travelling kit.

06-08-2018, 07:07 AM   #20
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I picked up a copy about a year ago, and it was a great decision. Love this lens - excellent image quality, good, quiet, quick focusing and small. This one's a home run
06-08-2018, 07:19 AM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
I bought one to be my low footprint just in case I need a telephoto option. I quite like it. But I seriously wish it was a little stronger in the long end. But then it would be like my DA*60-250 and would have a 60-250 price tag, weight and size.
What do you mean by "stronger"?
06-08-2018, 07:28 AM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by reh321 Quote
What do you mean by "stronger"?
I shoot with 4 telephotos. DA*200 , DA*60-250, Tamron 300 2.8. SO far, I don't have an image from the 300 as good as what I get from the other lenses, despite usually shooting all of them at ƒ8. I've tried it in my blind and the results were more Sigma 70-300ish than DA* ish. I've seen some posted on the forum that looked really good, but it would seem to me a little more hit and miss with the 55-300. Maybe it's just my copy, (always more of a thought when you buy second hand) but I find the long end to usually be softer than my other telephotos. It's a lens to take when you really don't expect to use it at 300mm but don't want to get skunked if you do come across something. But it is strong enough 55-200 that it's a valued contributor, even if not in the long end, and if I do need it for 300m that will be bonus, but if I'm sure I'm going to need 300, I'm not taking it.

My guess is the AF of the faster lenses is more reliable. You have better odds of nailing the focus.


Last edited by normhead; 06-08-2018 at 07:35 AM.
06-08-2018, 07:31 AM   #23
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Compared to * lenses, this is to be expected IMO (but no less true)
06-08-2018, 07:35 AM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
I shoot with 4 telephotos. DA*200 , DA*60-250, Tamron 300 2.8. SO far, I don't have an image from the 300 as good as what I get from the other lenses, despite usually shooting all of them at ƒ8. I've seen some posted not the forum , but it would seem tone little more hit and miss with the 55-300. Maybe it's just my copy, (always more of a thought when you buy second hand) but I find the long end to usually be softer than my other telephotos. It' lens to take when you really don't expect to use it at 300mm but don't want to get skunked if you do come across something. Butis; strong enough 55-200 that it's values contributor, even if not in the long end,
Agreed. In my comparison shots the DA* 60-250 with the HD DA 1.4X was sharper than my DA 55-300. In fact cropping the 60-250 was typically better than the 55-300, but this was more subtle. Honestly the 55-300 is quite good but the 60-250 is just that much better. However light weight makes a huge difference, if I don't have the 60-250 with me I'm very happy to carry the 55-300.
06-08-2018, 07:37 AM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
Agreed. In my comparison shots the DA* 60-250 with the HD DA 1.4X was sharper than my DA 55-300. In fact cropping the 60-250 was typically better than the 55-300, but this was more subtle. Honestly the 55-300 is quite good but the 60-250 is just that much better. However light weight makes a huge difference, if I don't have the 60-250 with me I'm very happy to carry the 55-300.
Exactly. having a 60-250 doesn't mean can't make use of a 55-300.
06-08-2018, 07:41 AM   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
Exactly. having a 60-250 doesn't mean can't make use of a 55-300.
I've never carried both, so I'll have to take your word for it. I typically toss it in a sling bag along with the k-3 and 18-135 or 18-50 for a nice light all around kit when I've no specific plans.

Edit. I misread you. Lol. I will leave this here to remind me to re-read before replying.
06-08-2018, 07:53 AM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
I shoot with 4 telephotos. DA*200 , DA*60-250, Tamron 300 2.8. SO far, I don't have an image from the 300 as good as what I get from the other lenses, despite usually shooting all of them at ƒ8. I've tried it in my blind and the results were more Sigma 70-300ish than DA* ish. I've seen some posted on the forum that looked really good, but it would seem to me a little more hit and miss with the 55-300. Maybe it's just my copy, (always more of a thought when you buy second hand) but I find the long end to usually be softer than my other telephotos. It's a lens to take when you really don't expect to use it at 300mm but don't want to get skunked if you do come across something. But it is strong enough 55-200 that it's a valued contributor, even if not in the long end, and if I do need it for 300m that will be bonus, but if I'm sure I'm going to need 300, I'm not taking it.

My guess is the AF of the faster lenses is more reliable. You have better odds of nailing the focus.
I don't see a Sigma on your list in the first sentence. Do you mean the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO lens? Is this just another case of your getting what you pay for something? {both of the DA 55-300mm lenses are in my price range, which means I can't expect DA* performance from them}
06-08-2018, 08:12 AM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by reh321 Quote
I don't see a Sigma on your list in the first sentence. Do you mean the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO lens? Is this just another case of your getting what you pay for something? {both of the DA 55-300mm lenses are in my price range, which means I can't expect DA* performance from them}
The MO of the 55-300 is it's the best at 300 of the 70-300 type lenses. So I was kind of hoping it was a little more like the 60-250 and a little like the less like the Sigma 70-300 than it is. But I also have some images taken with the 70-300 that I can't find fault with, so I'm sure over time this lens will prove itself.

But yes, you get what you pay for.

---------- Post added 06-08-18 at 11:13 AM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
I've never carried both, so I'll have to take your word for it. I typically toss it in a sling bag along with the k-3 and 18-135 or 18-50 for a nice light all around kit when I've no specific plans.

Edit. I misread you. Lol. I will leave this here to remind me to re-read before replying.
Ya, I don't carry them both at the same time, it's one or the other, but I have used them both in my blind for the same type of image.
06-08-2018, 08:24 AM   #29
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I had the original DA 55-300 and was mostly ok with the performance, but... Last year I purchased the PLM 55-300 and was MUCH happier with both the focusing performance and the image quality (both lenses used on a K-3). Never owned a * lens - wish I had.
06-08-2018, 08:29 AM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by ChipB Quote
I had the original DA 55-300 and was mostly ok with the performance, but... Last year I purchased the PLM 55-300 and was MUCH happier with both the focusing performance and the image quality (both lenses used on a K-3). Never owned a * lens - wish I had.

ya, that's a thing, the speed of focusing makes it fun to use.
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