[pepperberry farm]

Lucky seven?! Haha! I thought it was lucky 245,277,779,426! Keep workin, pepper. :-)

and M42 lens #8 arriving later this week...

[Lev]

I'd like to have A 50mm 1.2 but it's expensive

[pepperberry farm]

I'd like to have A 50mm 1.2 but it's expensive

depends upon which one you want - there's more than just the Pentax 50/1.2 out there....

[Lev]

depends upon which one you want - there's more than just the Pentax 50/1.2 out there....

SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.2

[aslyfox]

still looking for more suggestions and advice: see post number 25

Gear Acquisition Syndrome - PentaxForums.com
______________

years ago, I learned some basic stuff about photography from my dad, some of which I follow: put that strap around your neck before you pick up the camera, you paid for it - use it. some not so much any more: use a filter to protect the front lens and its threads

he told me that a zoom lens was a compromise and never as good as a prime, not sure that is all that true any more, and a zoom is more convenient for sure
_____________________

so do I want the " convenience " of the HD Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE and its size/weight advantage or not

Diam x Length 76.5 x 89 mm (3.01 x 3.5 in.)
Weight 442 g (15.6 oz.)

while knowing that although " the HD Pentax DA 55-300mm F4.5–6.3 ED PLM WR RE is an improvement in almost every conceivable way over its predecessor. It's smaller. It's lighter. It's tougher. It's faster. It's quieter. It's sharper. And it has less distortion. . . . There simply isn't a better non-pro telephoto zoom option in the Pentax lineup, and no third-party lens rivals its abilities or price. . . . "

Read more at: HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 PLM WR RE Review - Conclusion | PentaxForums.com Reviews

it isn't up to the level of some of my current lenses and I worry about the comments on its autofocus re:

" Unfortunately, as fast and accurate as it is, the PLM motor doesn't address most of Pentax’s other issues with autofocus. Action photographers will still have plenty to complain about here because of the in-body AF system. "

Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/hd-pentax-da-55-300mm-f45-63-ed-plm-wr/...#ixzz5Y9XthgBi

current equipment covering the " same " range

HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
Diam x Length 95 x 241.5 mm (3.7 x 9.5 in.)
Weight 2000 g (70.5 oz.)
w/ Hood: +130g
w/ Tripod Foot: +195g

SMC Pentax-DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
Diam x Length 83 x 184 mm (3.3 x 7.2 in.)
Weight 1070 g (37.7 oz.)
w/ Hood: +90g
w/ Tripod Foot: +80g

HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW
Diam x Length 91.5 x 203 mm (3.6 x 8 in.)
Weight 1755 g (61.9 oz.)
w/ Hood: +80g
w/ Tripod Foot: +191g

SMC Pentax-A 135mm F2.8
Diam x Length 65 x 77 mm
Weight 340 g

SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro
Diam x Length 67.5 x 80.5 mm (2.7 x 3.2 in.)
Weight 345 g (12.2 oz.)
w/ Hood: +38g
_____________________________

and I also have the HD Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter

please advise me the deal on the new zoom ends soon

[SSGGeezer]

so do I want the " convenience " of the HD Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE and its size/weight advantage or not

Allen, the PLM is great in fair to good light and easy to carry around while hiking, just look at the amazing images someone like @northcoastgreg posts. He gets great results even shooting it as a landscape lens.

For critters, stopped down to f/8 or 9 and whatever you need shutter speed-wise and let the ISO ride is the way to go. Mine is generally mounted on my KP unless I have a specific idea for what I want to shoot when I leave the house. Take that and a short prime and it weighs less than any of the high end lenses while doing a pretty darn good job. I wouldn't bother with the TC on the PLM unless it is high noon though!

[aslyfox]

B H is matching price $346.95 until Nov 30 '18 at 4:15 pm ET

Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Lens 21277

Adorama has told me via chat their sale price can be changed at any time

https://www.adorama.com/px55300wre.html?emailprice=t

amazon is now matching the price


https://www.amazon.com/Pentax-55-300mm-4-5-6-3-PLM-Lens/dp/B01GVYHK42/ref=sr...-6.3+PLM+WR+RE

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Last edited by aslyfox; 11-28-2018 at 04:45 PM.

[northcoastgreg]

The thing about the 55-300 PLM, it's better as telephoto landscape lens than as a critter lens, partly because of the slower aperture (you don't need a fast lens for landscapes), but also because it's a better lens in the range you're most likely to use it for landscapes (i.e., in the 55-200 range). It's still relatively decent as a critter lens, but at the longer end of the lens, it's not as sharp and it's a bit slow. In any case, at 300mm, the PLM is not in the same league as the DA* 300, that's for sure. Whereas if you were to compare the PLM to a lens like the Tamron 70-200, you're not going to see much difference, and to the extent that you do, it won't always be in favor of the Tamron. The main advantage of the Tamron is its faster aperture. The PLM is contrastier, features better color rendering, is significantly lighter, offers more focal range, and provides comparable sharpness.

[pres589]

GAS kind of bit me; I got what I thought was a great deal on a Tamron 24mm f2.5 01BB and after studying it a bit, it appears that the lens barrel is slightly misaligned. Leans over in the main body at a couple degrees. Got it through e(vil)bay and it's as-is etc etc. This was meant for my m42 film kit and honestly I wonder if I would even notice given the situation. Not sure what to do about it. Cosmetically outside of this issue the lens looks very good, B+ or better I think. What to do? I paid $60 for it.

[jcdoss]

I thought I shook the GAS bug several months ago, then I had a major relapse. I think I'm over it again.

[Docrwm]

I thought I shook the GAS bug several months ago, then I hsdva major relapse. I think I'm over it again.

Shook it.....you were merely in remission.

[VAV]

Are you sick with this disease? how deep and what will be your next acquisition on black friday?

Severely afflicted... Bought a KP and a DFA 15-30 while there were on discount! Been eyeing them for a while now and finally pulled the trigger. I was also being pulled by the Fujifilm E3 + 23mm f2 lens (mainly for the Acros film simulation) but decided instead to focus on building my Pentax kit

[aslyfox]

I have fallen off the wagon big time this month

first from a forum member:

a SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.4

then an Ebay auction winner:

a SMC Pentax-A 135 F2.8 for under $70

and now taking advantage of the offer from Adorama:

the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

photos have been, or will be posted in " your latest acquisition " thread

[ combination Xmas and birth day presents - my wife is very nice to me ]

[Lev]

I thought I shook the GAS bug several months ago, then I had a major relapse. I think I'm over it again.

oh man, releasing from gas is only temporary

---------- Post added 11-30-18 at 03:15 PM ----------

Severely afflicted... Bought a KP and a DFA 15-30 while there were on discount! Been eyeing them for a while now and finally pulled the trigger. I was also being pulled by the Fujifilm E3 + 23mm f2 lens (mainly for the Acros film simulation) but decided instead to focus on building my Pentax kit

hey, looks like how I was struggling with decisions. Almost month before black friday I started digging into Fuji system. Read unlimited reviews about lenses which are indeed very nice you know, XF 50mm F/2 WR, XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR, X-T2, X-H1 bodies. But.... X-H1 is about the same price as K1 or even K1-II FULL FRAME!!. I know it's technically advanced, fast autofocus, eye tracking etc etc but how it can be in the same price category as a full frame beast hard to believe. I better give this amount to Pentax to farther develop great products

[aslyfox]

. . . hey, looks like how I was struggling with decisions. Almost month before black friday I started digging into Fuji system. Read unlimited reviews about lenses which are indeed very nice you know, XF 50mm F/2 WR, XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR, X-T2, X-H1 bodies. But.... X-H1 is about the same price as K1 or even K1-II FULL FRAME!!. I know it's technically advanced, fast autofocus, eye tracking etc etc but how it can be in the same price category as a full frame beast hard to believe. I better give this amount to Pentax to farther develop great products

don't give into the dark side

fight, fight, fight

come back to the light