[Pentaxina]

Hi,

I really like the DA 55-300 and I'm just curious whether or not it is better wih the K-3 than with the K-5 IIs? also, what about the new HD version?

thanks

[DSims]

The DA55-300 is good, but with that class of camera you probably want to start looking at better lenses first.

[normhead]

Somewhere on the net, there was a report that looking at the D7000 and D7100 the lenses that benefitted the most were the Sigma 18-250 and 18-200 which experienced a 60 % increase in resolution, so personally, I'd wait for reports from owners before I jumped to any conclusions. There could be a dramatic increase in resolution with the K-3. At minimum the k-3 should give you a 20-30% increase in resolution. Whoever it was didn't find a single lens that didn't benefit from the new sensor. And the notion that the weakest lenses might benefit the most is intriguing.

From what I understand the new HD version is mostly about flare. Someone said, with no coating flare should be about 5% (of what I don't remember, probably total light transmitted,) . WIth the SMC coating that's reduced to 1%. With the new HD coating it might be 25% better, so instead of 1%, .75%. The Pentax coatings were apparently already pretty good.

That's a lot of hearsay, but I don't write down everything I read, or where I read it, so that's the best I can do.

[Adam]

Hi,

I really like the DA 55-300 and I'm just curious whether or not it is better wih the K-3 than with the K-5 IIs? also, what about the new HD version?

thanks

The 55-300mm isn't particularly stellar on either camera as it's not quite sharp enough for you to benefit from the filterless sensor design. The weather sealing is nice but I'd strongly recommend the 60-250mm if you're going to invest in either of those bodies.

Adam
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[Pentaxina]

thank you everyone! I
think I might try the 60-250mm

[wgb]

Just joined PF and upgraded to the new HD 55-300 and K-3 from the old 55-300 and K-5. Must say I'm actually very impressed by the increase in both autofocus performance and IQ. Even at 300mm, I find that I can get some very sharp shots now (see two recent images in the User Photo Gallery, under my login, of a Nasturtium and a Finch with apples, both at 300mm and ISO 400). When viewed at 1:1 or more, the HD 55-300 is certainly not as sharp across the frame as, say, my Sigma 70mm EX DG Macro, but seems plenty sharp enough for PF-sized purposes. Tried including the two images here as attachments, but that seemed to further decrease the resolution beyond the reduction to 2MB for the UPG, so I guess I'll just leave them in the UPG, with apologies for my limited knowledge at this point of how best to handle such things on the site -- sure appreciate all the discussion by those of you with far more experience, including that most helpful review of the K-3, Adam.

[normhead]

thank you everyone! I
think I might try the 60-250mm

If you can afford a 60-250 don't waste your time on a lessor lens. My old 70-300 sits unused in my cupboard most of the time. I get it out when it amuses me, and would never use it for anything serious since I got the 60-250. Mind you, I have taken it when I didn't want to carry the 60-250. Before I bought the DA* someone advised me that nothing sucks the life out of you like a heavy lens. The DA* is one such lens. Be prepared to suffer for your quest for IQ. I've compared mine to my Tamron 90 at 90mm, and the images are very close, and that's a very good prime. They are about the same for resolution, the Tamron has better micro-contrast and cleaner colour.

[Pentaxina]

If you can afford a 60-250 don't waste your time on a lessor lens. My old 70-300 sits unused in my cupboard most of the time. I get it out when it amuses me, and would never use it for anything serious since I got the 60-250. Mind you, I have taken it when I didn't want to carry the 60-250. Before I bought the DA* someone advised me that nothing sucks the life out of you like a heavy lens. The DA* is one such lens. Be prepared to suffer for your quest for IQ. I've compared mine to my Tamron 90 at 90mm, and the images are very close, and that's a very good prime. They are about the same for resolution, the Tamron has better micro-contrast and cleaner colour.

yes, I also consider the weight. I'll take a look and try the 60-250mm..

[wgb]

Just posted four more shots with the new HD 55-300 and K-3 in the User Photo Gallery under my login. All six of the shots I have recently posted were handheld. Again, after using the old non-HD 55-300 and K-5 for the past two years, I'm very impressed with how much better the performance and IQ of the new combo are.

[klaus123]

I had the opportunity to test the new HD 55-300 on my K3 and was quite impressed.
The pictures in my Blog are all taken with that lens (Sorry for the German text)
Klaus-macht-Bilder - Der Blog: #Pentax Promo - Vorstellung der #K3 in Hattingen

[Sailor]

You know, this is a thought-provoking thread. A long time ago, I abandoned lugging around big muthas with the mass of the 60-250 and other DA* lenses, and in recent years I've acquired lighter stuff (like a DA 55-300 and five DA Limited primes) to add to my collection of other DA, A, M and K lenses accumulated over the last four decades. It just occurred to me that the vast majority of my lenses are probably like swine before the pearl of a K-3's resolution. Indeed, in the Forum's test of the K-3, of the lenses with the chops for a K-3, only three of my gang - a DA 70 Limited, DFA 100 macro (which I never use) and DA 35 Limited (which I've never liked) - make the grade. I am - of course - being purposely sarcastic (I rarely get the chance with my wife around ), but it does raise the question: if one is unwilling to use excellent but heavy glass, does the K-3 make sense?

Jer

[klaus123]

Some people like driving a Porsche - even with a genaral speed limit in place

[bxf]

Some people like driving a Porsche - even with a genaral speed limit in place

Not the same. A Porsche is meant to impress, and does so successfully. Few are likely to be impressed by your fast glass or latest camera body

[DDoram]

While the DA 60-250 is likely one of Pentax's best zooms (I have owned one), I am considering the DA 55-300 WR for lightness and as a travel lens to go with the DA 18-135. This would supply a relatively light 2 lens travel kit.

Dale

[Sailor]

Some people like driving a Porsche - even with a genaral speed limit in place

An excellent point, my friend! How could I argue with such sound logic?

I very much like using my 55-300 because of it's small size and light weight, and I've always been happy with the images it produces with my K-5. It's output on a K-3 would certainly be no worse, so it dawns on me that if I'm happy with the lens now, I should be no less happy with it mounted to a K-3.

Thanks for the wise council, klaus.

Jer