pentax 55-300 PLM: best in class for Digital Camera Magazine

normhead · 06-21-2018, 12:31 PM - **2 Likes**

The 55-300 is getting to be my preferred walk around. Just carry the 21 ltd in my pocket for when I need it.

Last edited by normhead; 06-21-2018 at 01:50 PM.

**ellicottva** · 06-21-2018, 06:34 PM - **2 Likes**

Here are some I took a few days ago.

reh321 · 06-21-2018, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by ellicottva

Here are some I took a few days ago.

The PLM is certainly delivering for you.

reh321 · 06-21-2018, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by ellicottva

I have a KS-2 with both the 18-135 (bought as a kit) and now the 55-300 plm. Works great but despite salivating for the KP, I just think my prudence dictates I wait for the next iteration of the K-3. For now the KS-2 seems adequate for my amateur needs.

My point was that I'll be purchasing a PLM as soon as I have a camera that can handle it.

**ellicottva** · 06-21-2018, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by reh321

The PLM is certainly delivering for you.

Yes it is! I love it and it's on my KS-2 all the time

**bhbrake** · 06-21-2018, 09:48 PM

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

Update your firmware and the PLM will work fine.

Thanks for the info! I was under the impression that they weren't releasing a firmware upgrade for the K3 to run PLM for some reason.
Now I have another excuse to blow cash.. perfect

SSGGeezer · 06-21-2018, 09:51 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by bhbrake

Thanks for the info! I was under the impression that they weren't releasing a firmware upgrade for the K3 to run PLM for some reason.
Now I have another excuse to blow cash.. perfect

That is just the way LBA works its wallet destroying magic on it's sufferers. Join the club!

**Des** · 06-21-2018, 10:49 PM

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

That is just the way LBA works its wallet destroying magic on it's sufferers.

Ah, but think of the saving for @bhbrake in not having to buy a new camera. :-)

Incidentally, one thing about the PLM is that it evens up AF performance between flagship bodies and entry-level bodies. I can't discern any difference in AF speed with the PLM lens on the K-S2 or the K-3. By contrast, my screw-driven lenses all focus noticeably faster with the K-3. Accuracy, of course, is another matter, but at least the K-S2 is in the game for birds in flight, which it wasn't so much with the DA-L 55-300 or the FA*300.

**Rondec** · 06-22-2018, 02:33 AM

Originally posted by Larrymc

Probably not a lot of difference in price my DA 55-300 PLM cost me $366 from B&H not long ago. The DFA * 50 might set you back a bit.

BTW, who is the guy who fixes aperture block failure K-50s for $100?

Larry

This is his web address: Pentax Camera Repair - Aperture Control Repair

I got my daughter's KS-1 repaired there and he did a good job.

**Larrymc** · 06-22-2018, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

This is his web address: Pentax Camera Repair - Aperture Control Repair

I got my daughter's KS-1 repaired there and he did a good job.

Thanks Vince,

I've bookmarked the site. My k-50 is still operating fine but if it does have problems this guy will get my little K-50. I gave it to my daughter along with two lens.

Thanks again

Larry

jgnfld · 06-23-2018, 03:36 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

That is just the way LBA works its wallet destroying magic on it's sufferers. Join the club!

Personally, I have found that owning and using the 16-85 and 55-300 PLM combo to be a pretty effective methadone treatment for LBA.

reh321 · 06-23-2018, 04:17 AM

Originally posted by jgnfld

Personally, I have found that owning and using the 16-85 and 55-300 PLM combo to be a pretty effective methadone treatment for LBA.

At what cost??

LensBeginner · 06-23-2018, 04:37 AM

Originally posted by reh321

At what cost??

...I guess nothing, if you already own them!

**Pål Jensen** · 06-23-2018, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by Des

Yes the PLM works perfectly with the K-3 once you install the latest firmware.

Really?
I was under the impression that hardware changes were necessary to support Kaf4.

swanlefitte · 06-23-2018, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

Really?
I was under the impression that hardware changes were necessary to support Kaf4.

Read post 34 in this thread. "I went out with he K-1 and 50 macro, and K-3 and 55-300. Some lo my best shots were with the 55-300 PLM which were essentially taken as reference shots."

06-23-2018, 06:36 AM	#119
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by Des Yes the PLM works perfectly with the K-3 once you install the latest firmware. Really? I was under the impression that hardware changes were necessary to support Kaf4. Last edited by Pål Jensen; 06-23-2018 at 08:41 AM.

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06-21-2018, 12:31 PM - 2 Likes	#106
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	The 55-300 is getting to be my preferred walk around. Just carry the 21 ltd in my pocket for when I need it. Last edited by normhead; 06-21-2018 at 01:50 PM.

06-21-2018, 06:45 PM	#108
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,179	Originally posted by ellicottva Here are some I took a few days ago. The PLM is certainly delivering for you.

06-21-2018, 06:47 PM	#109
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,179	Originally posted by ellicottva I have a KS-2 with both the 18-135 (bought as a kit) and now the 55-300 plm. Works great but despite salivating for the KP, I just think my prudence dictates I wait for the next iteration of the K-3. For now the KS-2 seems adequate for my amateur needs. My point was that I'll be purchasing a PLM as soon as I have a camera that can handle it.

06-21-2018, 07:00 PM	#110
ellicottva Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 76	Originally posted by reh321 The PLM is certainly delivering for you. Yes it is! I love it and it's on my KS-2 all the time

06-21-2018, 09:48 PM	#111
bhbrake Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 332	Originally posted by SSGGeezer Update your firmware and the PLM will work fine. Thanks for the info! I was under the impression that they weren't releasing a firmware upgrade for the K3 to run PLM for some reason. Now I have another excuse to blow cash.. perfect

06-21-2018, 09:51 PM - 1 Like	#112
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by bhbrake Thanks for the info! I was under the impression that they weren't releasing a firmware upgrade for the K3 to run PLM for some reason. Now I have another excuse to blow cash.. perfect That is just the way LBA works its wallet destroying magic on it's sufferers. Join the club!

06-21-2018, 10:49 PM	#113
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by SSGGeezer That is just the way LBA works its wallet destroying magic on it's sufferers. Ah, but think of the saving for @bhbrake in not having to buy a new camera. :-) Incidentally, one thing about the PLM is that it evens up AF performance between flagship bodies and entry-level bodies. I can't discern any difference in AF speed with the PLM lens on the K-S2 or the K-3. By contrast, my screw-driven lenses all focus noticeably faster with the K-3. Accuracy, of course, is another matter, but at least the K-S2 is in the game for birds in flight, which it wasn't so much with the DA-L 55-300 or the FA*300.

06-22-2018, 02:33 AM	#114
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by Larrymc Probably not a lot of difference in price my DA 55-300 PLM cost me $366 from B&H not long ago. The DFA * 50 might set you back a bit. BTW, who is the guy who fixes aperture block failure K-50s for $100? Larry This is his web address: Pentax Camera Repair - Aperture Control Repair I got my daughter's KS-1 repaired there and he did a good job.

06-22-2018, 05:20 AM	#115
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,251	Originally posted by Rondec This is his web address: Pentax Camera Repair - Aperture Control Repair I got my daughter's KS-1 repaired there and he did a good job. Thanks Vince, I've bookmarked the site. My k-50 is still operating fine but if it does have problems this guy will get my little K-50. I gave it to my daughter along with two lens. Thanks again Larry

06-23-2018, 03:36 AM - 1 Like	#116
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,789	Originally posted by SSGGeezer That is just the way LBA works its wallet destroying magic on it's sufferers. Join the club! Personally, I have found that owning and using the 16-85 and 55-300 PLM combo to be a pretty effective methadone treatment for LBA.

06-23-2018, 04:17 AM	#117
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,179	Originally posted by jgnfld Personally, I have found that owning and using the 16-85 and 55-300 PLM combo to be a pretty effective methadone treatment for LBA. At what cost??

06-23-2018, 04:37 AM	#118
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by reh321 At what cost?? ...I guess nothing, if you already own them!

06-23-2018, 12:49 PM	#120
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Originally posted by Pål Jensen Really? I was under the impression that hardware changes were necessary to support Kaf4. Read post 34 in this thread. "I went out with he K-1 and 50 macro, and K-3 and 55-300. Some lo my best shots were with the 55-300 PLM which were essentially taken as reference shots."