What is the difference between these two 55-300mm lenses?

RUSBoris · 10-11-2010, 04:16 PM

I got the Kx kit with the two lenses, one being the 55-300mm. There is a silver ring on it. Looking at Amazon, they have the exact same name lens (Amazon.com: Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo)

But it has a green ring. What does it mean? And if one is better than the other, how come they have the exact same name??

Just noticed the one on Amazon also has numbering on the focus ring

Last edited by RUSBoris; 10-11-2010 at 04:27 PM.

dgaies · 10-11-2010, 04:30 PM

The silver ring version is the less expensive DAL lens with a plastic mount and no quick-shift focusing. It also doesn't come with a hood nor a pouch.

The DA version you linked to has a metal mount, quick-shift focusing and comes with a pouch and hood.

Optically, however, they are the same.

**interested_observer** · 10-11-2010, 06:15 PM

Kx Kit with both lens = $578
Amazon.com: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses (Black): Electronics

Kx Kit with just the Kit lens = $458
Amazon.com: Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black): Electronics

So with purchasing the 55-300 DL version in the 2 lens kit costs 578-458=$120

This is against the $421 for the 55-300 non DL version. So with the plastic mount, no quick shift nor hood, you save $300

dgaies · 10-11-2010, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by interested_observer

Kx Kit with both lens = $578
Amazon.com: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses (Black): Electronics

Kx Kit with just the Kit lens = $458
Amazon.com: Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black): Electronics

So with purchasing the 55-300 DL version in the 2 lens kit costs 578-458=$120

This is against the $421 for the 55-300 non DL version. So with the plastic mount, no quick shift nor hood, you save $300

I think you're numbers are a bit off. The Kx + 18-55 + 55-300 costs about $700, not 578. That puts the difference at about $225, which is generally what the 55-300 DAL sells for. The DA (metal mount w/ quick-shift) sells brand new for 350. So it's much closer to a $125-130 difference (as opposed to $300). So the question becomes is quick-shift, a metal mount, hood and case worth about $125? That's a much closer call, IMO.

**interested_observer** · 10-11-2010, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by dgaies

I think you're numbers are a bit off. The Kx + 18-55 + 55-300 costs about $700, not 578. That puts the difference at about $225, which is generally what the 55-300 DAL sells for. The DA (metal mount w/ quick-shift) sells brand new for 350. So it's much closer to a $125-130 difference (as opposed to $300). So the question becomes is quick-shift, a metal mount, hood and case worth about $125? That's a much closer call, IMO.

Amazon's dynamic pricing is all I can say. I now see $705, but a few minutes ago I saw the lower price. The point of the post is that there is a savings when the 2 lens kit is purchased over the standalone lens - and of course the value will vary.

I must admit that at the time, it did look like a very competitive price.

glanglois · 10-11-2010, 06:41 PM

For those who are puzzled by dynamic pricing, Amazon tries various new price and promotion schemes by showing them to only a percentage of visitors to the site.

They can see very quickly what works and what doesn't.

And they don't have to affect their entire customer base to do that. Very smart.

dgaies · 10-11-2010, 07:49 PM

Originally posted by interested_observer

Amazon's dynamic pricing is all I can say. I now see $705, but a few minutes ago I saw the lower price. The point of the post is that there is a savings when the 2 lens kit is purchased over the standalone lens - and of course the value will vary.

I must admit that at the time, it did look like a very competitive price.

Agreed; buying the kit with the 55-300 is almost always the way to go.

10-11-2010, 04:16 PM	#1
RUSBoris New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 19	What is the difference between these two 55-300mm lenses? I got the Kx kit with the two lenses, one being the 55-300mm. There is a silver ring on it. Looking at Amazon, they have the exact same name lens (Amazon.com: Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo) But it has a green ring. What does it mean? And if one is better than the other, how come they have the exact same name?? Just noticed the one on Amazon also has numbering on the focus ring Last edited by RUSBoris; 10-11-2010 at 04:27 PM.

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10-11-2010, 04:30 PM	#2
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	The silver ring version is the less expensive DAL lens with a plastic mount and no quick-shift focusing. It also doesn't come with a hood nor a pouch. The DA version you linked to has a metal mount, quick-shift focusing and comes with a pouch and hood. Optically, however, they are the same.

10-11-2010, 06:15 PM	#3
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Kx Kit with both lens = $578 Amazon.com: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses (Black): Electronics Kx Kit with just the Kit lens = $458 Amazon.com: Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black): Electronics So with purchasing the 55-300 DL version in the 2 lens kit costs 578-458=$120 This is against the $421 for the 55-300 non DL version. So with the plastic mount, no quick shift nor hood, you save $300

10-11-2010, 06:21 PM	#4
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by interested_observer Kx Kit with both lens = $578 Amazon.com: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses (Black): Electronics Kx Kit with just the Kit lens = $458 Amazon.com: Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black): Electronics So with purchasing the 55-300 DL version in the 2 lens kit costs 578-458=$120 This is against the $421 for the 55-300 non DL version. So with the plastic mount, no quick shift nor hood, you save $300 I think you're numbers are a bit off. The Kx + 18-55 + 55-300 costs about $700, not 578. That puts the difference at about $225, which is generally what the 55-300 DAL sells for. The DA (metal mount w/ quick-shift) sells brand new for 350. So it's much closer to a $125-130 difference (as opposed to $300). So the question becomes is quick-shift, a metal mount, hood and case worth about $125? That's a much closer call, IMO.

10-11-2010, 06:34 PM	#5
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Originally posted by dgaies I think you're numbers are a bit off. The Kx + 18-55 + 55-300 costs about $700, not 578. That puts the difference at about $225, which is generally what the 55-300 DAL sells for. The DA (metal mount w/ quick-shift) sells brand new for 350. So it's much closer to a $125-130 difference (as opposed to $300). So the question becomes is quick-shift, a metal mount, hood and case worth about $125? That's a much closer call, IMO. Amazon's dynamic pricing is all I can say. I now see $705, but a few minutes ago I saw the lower price. The point of the post is that there is a savings when the 2 lens kit is purchased over the standalone lens - and of course the value will vary. I must admit that at the time, it did look like a very competitive price.

10-11-2010, 06:41 PM	#6
glanglois Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Madison, Wis., USA Posts: 1,506	For those who are puzzled by dynamic pricing, Amazon tries various new price and promotion schemes by showing them to only a percentage of visitors to the site. They can see very quickly what works and what doesn't. And they don't have to affect their entire customer base to do that. Very smart.

10-11-2010, 07:49 PM	#7
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by interested_observer Amazon's dynamic pricing is all I can say. I now see $705, but a few minutes ago I saw the lower price. The point of the post is that there is a savings when the 2 lens kit is purchased over the standalone lens - and of course the value will vary. I must admit that at the time, it did look like a very competitive price. Agreed; buying the kit with the 55-300 is almost always the way to go.