Kiwi Pentaxians

richandfleur · 03-01-2018, 10:06 PM

Originally posted by richandfleur

Pentax HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR Lens 22270 B&H Photo
About $230NZ landed in NZ

@Ross, you have this lens right? What are your thoughts on it over the same non WR/HD model?

Thanks.

**NZ_Ross** · 03-02-2018, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by richandfleur

@Ross, you have this lens right? What are your thoughts on it over the same non WR/HD model?

Thanks.

Yes, I brought it at B&H in New York the same day I brought my K-3, 4 years ago nearly. Prior to that I had the standard model.

Thoughts - I upgraded from the K-5 at the same time and the K-3 focusses better than the K-5 - so the hunting I used to experience with the standard lens was more to do with the body I think.

The differences were the HD coating and the WR, pretty much everything else was the same. Still sharpest at F11-13.

I brought the upgrade for the WR so that I now have a fully WR 3 lens travelling kit, the DA 20-40 Limited, DA*55/1.4 and the HD DA 55-300 that fits nicely with the body into a small-ish shoulder bag.

That is a pretty sharp price for the HD DA 55-300.

If I was looking to buy one from scratch now I think I would go to the PLM model as it is still WR and faster/better focusing. It is not a lens I ever use in the dark, so the aperture range change wouldn't be an issue for me. Having said that, I have been happy enough with the HD-WR model I have that I haven't jumped and brought the PLM.

Cheers

Ross

richandfleur · 03-02-2018, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by NZ_Ross

Yes, I brought it at B&H in New York the same day I brought my K-3, 4 years ago nearly. Prior to that I had the standard model.

Thoughts - I upgraded from the K-5 at the same time and the K-3 focusses better than the K-5 - so the hunting I used to experience with the standard lens was more to do with the body I think.

The differences were the HD coating and the WR, pretty much everything else was the same. Still sharpest at F11-13.

I brought the upgrade for the WR so that I now have a fully WR 3 lens travelling kit, the DA 20-40 Limited, DA*55/1.4 and the HD DA 55-300 that fits nicely with the body into a small-ish shoulder bag.

That is a pretty sharp price for the HD DA 55-300.

If I was looking to buy one from scratch now I think I would go to the PLM model as it is still WR and faster/better focusing. It is not a lens I ever use in the dark, so the aperture range change wouldn't be an issue for me. Having said that, I have been happy enough with the HD-WR model I have that I haven't jumped and brought the PLM.

Cheers

Ross

Thanks Ross. Yes I saw a video of the PLM lens focussing recently and it’s another league altogether. Some sort of magic going on there!

Appreciate the feedback.

**microlight** · 03-02-2018, 03:18 PM

Hehe, been using my PLM to capture yellow-eyed penguins way down south, and it does a fine job. Lightning fast, locks well, and tracks focus well too. I'll post a pic or two when I get back to Blighty.

Kiwigeezer · 03-02-2018, 05:52 PM

ABSOLUTE STEAL: The 55-300mm is just $147 ($250 off!)

No longer... :-(

**Clarkey** · 03-02-2018, 08:23 PM - **2 Likes**

Back in the cold. Is it always like this, the day you leave? Near Katikati:

Morning Sun by Aaron, on Flickr

**microlight** · 03-02-2018, 10:50 PM

Just wow.

We're just east of Manapouri and the rain is coming down in stair rods!

NatureSeeker808 · 03-03-2018, 08:35 AM

Indeed, lovely bokeh from the FA 50 f1.4.....nicely done.

Transit · 03-03-2018, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by Clarkey

Back in the cold. Is it always like this, the day you leave? Near Katikati:

bloody cold by the look of it ! Hope you had a great time

**GUB** · 03-04-2018, 03:15 AM - **1 Like**

K1 Pentax K1 outfit | Trade Me

**NZ_Ross** · 03-04-2018, 04:21 AM

Thanks GUB, be interesting to see what happens with that one

**Clarkey** · 03-04-2018, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by Transit

bloody cold by the look of it ! Hope you had a great time

Yeah, I did thanks! - Across the North Island to visit pretty much all family. In time for days of rain and humidity in the Waikato, and then the cyclone.
Still, the end of the trip was all good, and it is showing signs of spring here - not like the poor souls in Europe.

**pixelsaurus** · 03-04-2018, 11:59 AM

Fun for some in Palmy at the end of the month.

Kiwi645hauler · 03-04-2018, 01:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by GUB

K1 Pentax K1 outfit | Trade Me

I know the camera... it is one of my good customers here in the shop. The gear is MINT! It will genuinely have no more than 1900 frames on it when the auction closes and he REALLY looks after his gear.

richandfleur · 03-04-2018, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by pixelsaurus

Fun for some in Palmy at the end of the month.

Thanks!

03-04-2018, 11:59 AM	#14833
pixelsaurus Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Te Kuiti, NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 986	Fun for some in Palmy at the end of the month. Attached Images

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03-01-2018, 10:06 PM	#14821
richandfleur Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Photos: Albums Posts: 1,788	Originally posted by richandfleur Pentax HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR Lens 22270 B&H Photo About $230NZ landed in NZ @Ross, you have this lens right? What are your thoughts on it over the same non WR/HD model? Thanks.

03-02-2018, 12:22 PM	#14822
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,225	Originally posted by richandfleur @Ross, you have this lens right? What are your thoughts on it over the same non WR/HD model? Thanks. Yes, I brought it at B&H in New York the same day I brought my K-3, 4 years ago nearly. Prior to that I had the standard model. Thoughts - I upgraded from the K-5 at the same time and the K-3 focusses better than the K-5 - so the hunting I used to experience with the standard lens was more to do with the body I think. The differences were the HD coating and the WR, pretty much everything else was the same. Still sharpest at F11-13. I brought the upgrade for the WR so that I now have a fully WR 3 lens travelling kit, the DA 20-40 Limited, DA*55/1.4 and the HD DA 55-300 that fits nicely with the body into a small-ish shoulder bag. That is a pretty sharp price for the HD DA 55-300. If I was looking to buy one from scratch now I think I would go to the PLM model as it is still WR and faster/better focusing. It is not a lens I ever use in the dark, so the aperture range change wouldn't be an issue for me. Having said that, I have been happy enough with the HD-WR model I have that I haven't jumped and brought the PLM. Cheers Ross

03-02-2018, 01:32 PM	#14823
richandfleur Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Photos: Albums Posts: 1,788	Originally posted by NZ_Ross Yes, I brought it at B&H in New York the same day I brought my K-3, 4 years ago nearly. Prior to that I had the standard model. Thoughts - I upgraded from the K-5 at the same time and the K-3 focusses better than the K-5 - so the hunting I used to experience with the standard lens was more to do with the body I think. The differences were the HD coating and the WR, pretty much everything else was the same. Still sharpest at F11-13. I brought the upgrade for the WR so that I now have a fully WR 3 lens travelling kit, the DA 20-40 Limited, DA*55/1.4 and the HD DA 55-300 that fits nicely with the body into a small-ish shoulder bag. That is a pretty sharp price for the HD DA 55-300. If I was looking to buy one from scratch now I think I would go to the PLM model as it is still WR and faster/better focusing. It is not a lens I ever use in the dark, so the aperture range change wouldn't be an issue for me. Having said that, I have been happy enough with the HD-WR model I have that I haven't jumped and brought the PLM. Cheers Ross Thanks Ross. Yes I saw a video of the PLM lens focussing recently and it’s another league altogether. Some sort of magic going on there! Appreciate the feedback.

03-02-2018, 03:18 PM	#14824
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Hehe, been using my PLM to capture yellow-eyed penguins way down south, and it does a fine job. Lightning fast, locks well, and tracks focus well too. I'll post a pic or two when I get back to Blighty.

03-02-2018, 05:52 PM	#14825
Kiwigeezer Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Nelson Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 266	ABSOLUTE STEAL: The 55-300mm is just $147 ($250 off!) No longer... :-(

03-02-2018, 08:23 PM - 2 Likes	#14826
Clarkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,456	Back in the cold. Is it always like this, the day you leave? Near Katikati: Morning Sun by Aaron, on Flickr

03-02-2018, 10:50 PM	#14827
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Just wow. We're just east of Manapouri and the rain is coming down in stair rods!

03-03-2018, 08:35 AM	#14828
NatureSeeker808 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Twin Cities, MN, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 145	Indeed, lovely bokeh from the FA 50 f1.4.....nicely done.

03-03-2018, 02:30 PM	#14829
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Originally posted by Clarkey Back in the cold. Is it always like this, the day you leave? Near Katikati: bloody cold by the look of it ! Hope you had a great time

03-04-2018, 03:15 AM - 1 Like	#14830
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	K1 Pentax K1 outfit \| Trade Me

03-04-2018, 04:21 AM	#14831
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,225	Thanks GUB, be interesting to see what happens with that one

03-04-2018, 09:04 AM	#14832
Clarkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,456	Originally posted by Transit bloody cold by the look of it ! Hope you had a great time Yeah, I did thanks! - Across the North Island to visit pretty much all family. In time for days of rain and humidity in the Waikato, and then the cyclone. Still, the end of the trip was all good, and it is showing signs of spring here - not like the poor souls in Europe.

03-04-2018, 01:19 PM - 1 Like	#14834
Kiwi645hauler Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Dunedin Posts: 394	Originally posted by GUB K1 Pentax K1 outfit \| Trade Me I know the camera... it is one of my good customers here in the shop. The gear is MINT! It will genuinely have no more than 1900 frames on it when the auction closes and he REALLY looks after his gear.

03-04-2018, 02:10 PM	#14835
richandfleur Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Photos: Albums Posts: 1,788	Originally posted by pixelsaurus Fun for some in Palmy at the end of the month. Thanks!