| Author: | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 207
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 10, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $489.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Versatility | | Cons: | A little heavy | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-50
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Im a newbie but I wanted something larger than my 18-55 kit lens.
I took to my roof and shot various images for a quick test. The sharpness above 150mm was fine, and aberration was nonexistent.
Cant wait to use it w/ portraits and some nature shots.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 26, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $446.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Weight, Sharpness, Low light performance | | Cons: | Auto focus | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3
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Not much of a step up from the older version. Except for the WR.
Overall good IQ, I find that from 5.6-8 is the best when it comes to sharpness. With the HD coating, you can see quite a bit of difference compared to the old version, especially in low light situations, however image will tend to be softer at f4.
Aberration is very well handled.
Feels firm and solid.
Once you zoom over 150 the auto focus will slow down but that's when the quick shift is really helpful. To get it roughly in focus and let the camera do the rest. It's a little bit noisy but nothing too big of a worry.
For the value I think it's a good lens for general purposes, not for professional use of course.
http://500px.com/photo/58834378
http://500px.com/photo/58834380
Unedited.
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: Florence Posts: 7
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 6, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | WR and easy to carry | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3
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 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2014 Location: St Petersburg Posts: 402
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 18, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $410.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | IQ is scary(good), Fast to operate, Great Walker | | Cons: | Screw motor (but who cares while walking :) ) | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3
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Inexpensive, light reach... Longer walker, use with 18-135WR. I drag out the FA*s when IQ/ Big glass is needed.. Live in a bird preserve, this lens is good uo to 60yds for pelicans and the biggies...
Quick focus add-on is great for swimming flocks where one needs to "tweak)
This was a walk-around on friday
 | | | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2014 Posts: 1
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 27, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | light, WR, solid build, quite fast, colors, contrast | | Cons: | slow noisy AF | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K200D
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After 2 months reading comments and impressions about this lens, I decided to get one to complete my focal range with kit DA 18-55 mm AL II lens.
First impressions after box opening were very positive, concerning a very solid but light build and of course WR feature. Focus and zoom rings are quite tight but smooth and you need some strenght to turn them but for me this just improves solidity impression as out in the field manual focusing or zooming never got tricky.
Last saturday I went out for my first shots with the lens during a sunny day with a nice light.
I was very surprised with lens all around capability as 55 mm never got too much for street or landscape photography. AF is a little bit noisy going up and down focal range but using quick shift focus can help with that. Quite fast (you get 4.5 aperture up to 200 mm). Sharpness is quite good at FA, but closing one stop really helps to get sharper images, with a pleasant bokeh. Color output and contrast are fantastic.
Of course I hope to confirm first impressions but I think this is a really must have lens with a very high quality/price ratio.
Here are some shots...
    | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 731
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 1, 2014 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Light weight, Sharp Sharp Sharp!, Weather Sealed, Build Quality, 300mm!!! | | Cons: | Slow auto focus, A little pricy, | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 5
Handling: 8
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-5II
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Before I received this lens as a christmas present (Very generous gift!) I was using the 50-200 WR. I was spoiled by its fast auto focus and sharp images, but disappointed at its lack of reach. While I know 200mm is a nice zoom and 300mm is not a "Huge" jump, for me this range is more what I would expect from a telephoto zoom. I originally was very interested in the 55-300 before weather sealing, but was greatly discouraged this feature was not available. I am often times in very rugged environments and the safety of my camera equipment is a priority. Choosing the 55-200 WR was my obvious next best choice. Fast forward to the announcement of this lens.... WOW!!! I was very very very excited and was very excited to have received such a lens for Christmas.
Over all the build of this lens is Solid with a noticeable heft, but not unwieldy. The barrel extension of this lens is manageable. I am still getting used to this lens, but in my experience images start becoming extremely sharp at f8. The K-5ii is a perfect match for this lens. From the official review of this site, the K-5iis and K-3 are equally matched for this lens producing fantastic results.
My only problem with this lens is the auto focusing. It is still a screw driven lens with the all too familiar whirl of the winding motor. This is not too distracting except that with the long focus throw.. the lens can tend to hunt providing plenty of opportunity for missing the shot. In my experience, portrait/landscape work will be the most comfortable use of this lens. Action/wildlife will require some planning, pre-focusing, or manual focusing in order to get the shot.
Overall this lens is fantastic, for the money and the features you really really can't beat it.
   | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda, Fl Posts: 16
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 3, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $439.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Small, light, good build, good value | | Cons: | Focus motor not as good as the 18-135mm | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 5
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K 5
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Cost was not a big factor but everybody likes a bargain. I ordered and received the Pentax 60-250 DA*. I was willing to spend the money as long as I got results. But I was not happy with the 60-250mm. It was big and heavy. But that was not the issue. It lacked sharpness at all focal settings etc. I sent it back, Did not try another copy. Then I read the review in the forum. I liked what I read about the 55-300mm as it compared pretty good to the 60-250mm for 1/3 of the price. After getting it, spent a day in the Fl Everglades using it in diverse conditions. It gave me images as good or better then my Pentax 18-135mm lens. Handles far better then the 60-250. Really it seems like an extension of my 18-135. Handles just as good but with a lot more reach. I like the motor in the 18-135 better. The only complaint I have with the 55-300 is the focus. A little slow and noisy. When I compare sharpness my FA 50mm f1.4 is the benchmark. It doesn't compare with the nifty fifty but is more then satisfactory and gives a lot of bang for the buck. It is not going back.
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2013 Posts: 6 | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2012 Posts: 17
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 3, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $446.95
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Bokeh, WR, Sharpness | | Cons: | autofocus, heavy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-30
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I am not a pro lens reviewer. But this is what I have felt that it is a good value for money. Here are some shots that I took a two days ago.
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2010 Posts: 7,403
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 21, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $394.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Good IQ stopped down, Weather Resistant | | Cons: | AF hunts furiously | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 6
Autofocus: 4
Handling: 7
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-5 II
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This dog can hunt! And by hunt.. I mean it does a lot of hunting with the focus... zeet zerrt zeeet zerrrrt urrt urrt zeert zeet zerrt.  
I use center focus point and, even so, it enjoys trying to refocus even when the focus has changed minutely.
That is fine. However, Instead of going the correct millimeter to refocus, it goes the opposite direction, then discovers after it has gone the full focus range the other direction THEN doubles back to where it should have gone. *facepalm*
The only lens I've seen behave this was was a cheap Sigma 18-200 DC lens.
Oh yeah this is also a screwdrive lens.. so it is rather loud when racking back and forth attempting to focus and refocus.
It is so annoying, it led me tonight to post this review.
Otherwise I really enjoy the lens. The IQ is quite good, especially stopped down to around f/8. But even without it is pretty sharp at any focal length.
I will also say min focusing is pretty far away.. several feet. Which can be troublesome depending on your location to the subject (too close).
I mainly bought this lens because I wanted a weather sealed zoom and the extra 100mm over the cheap Sigma since I moved on to a Pentax 18-135mm WR as my walkaround. The IQ on this 55-300 is far better than that Sigma lens.. but I guess that goes without saying. haha.
Handling is nice. It is plastic but feels fine. It is a fairly long lens so I'm glad it isn't all metal as it would weight a ton.
This has Quick Shift focusing which is helpful due to the AF flaws. This lens needs some focusing help and a DC motor like my 18-135mm WR has. All that said, I've only missed a couple photos (of hummingbirds -- which are very small and very fast) so the issue isn't end of the world or a deal breaker to me. Just have to be mindful of how you use the lens in certain situations with a lot of dynamism.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2013 Posts: 206
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 7, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Relatively Light weight, weather sealed, sharp, | | Cons: | Loud AF, autofocus a bit on the slow side | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3
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I bought this lens from B&H when it first came out and got it shipped to Australia. The First lens was a lemon but the second copy was great.
The 55-300 wr is a bit hit and miss when it comes to auto focus, but when you get a good lock the image that turns out is as sharp as you could want a zoom to be, however still not prime quality. I rarely experience chromatic aberrations and the bokeh can be a bit messy at times as you need to stop down to f8 to obtain a sharp image. If you are close enough to your subject the bokeh is fine though.
Sample shots:
Striated pardalote by Reptilezz, on Flickr
Striated Pardalote by Reptilezz, on Flickr
Osprey on an overcast day - Pentax K-3 HD DA55-300wr by Reptilezz, on Flickr
Rainbow lorikeet by Reptilezz, on Flickr
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: March, 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 35 | | Review Date: November 26, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $325.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Image Quality, Colors | | Cons: | Noisy and slow AF | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 5
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K20D
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Bought this lens just to evaluate and decided to keep it even though I am not happy with the slow auto focus. The images produced are sharper then expected. Definetly not a lens for action photography.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2011 Posts: 968
10 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 29, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Weather Sealed, Excellent Value, Versatile and Excellent Zoom, Especially for Beginners as "First Telephoto Zoom" | | Cons: | Noisy AF, Hexagonal Bokeh after stopping down, Soft Corners | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-7, K-30, K-5 IIs, K-3
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As the author of the PF in-depth review, everything I can say about the lens is captured in the
massively comprehensive 19-page review there with hundreds of sample photos.
There are also 6 pages solely dedicated to a comparison between it and the DA* 60-250 for:
- magnification/macro,
- sharpness,
- bokeh,
- starbursts,
- vignetting, and
- autofocus.
Best consumer tele zoom lens there is, imo.
-Heie
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2013 Location: Tompkins County, NY Posts: 546
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 27, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $269.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very sharp, lightweight, weather resistant | | Cons: | Sometimes AF struggles | |
The HD DA 55-300 ED WR lens is an excellent value, considering its price!
It's easily the finest consumer-grade telephoto lens I've ever owned. I have used similar lenses by Nikon, Canon, Tamron, and Sigma. The HD coatings really make a difference. Some may balk at the plastic build quality, but it keeps the lens lightweight. Weather resistant sealing makes this lens an essential part of any Pentax shooter's kit that's geared for travel/outdoor photography. Sometimes AF struggles to lock. That's the only downside. But it's by any measure a deal-breaker. It will happen, though, so be prepared to use Quick-Shift, or aim the lens at something more contrasty to achieve focus lock, and then quickly recompose. Also, the zoom ring on this new version of the 55-300 requires more effort to rotate than prior versions did. That's not necessarily a bad thing though. The zoom ring of the HD 55-300 WR I've got is definitely more sure-footed and exact than earlier versions of this lens. Perhaps it's due to the weather sealing. It's very gratifying when people ask me if photos I've made with this lens were made with much more expensive lenses They never imagined such outstanding sharpness and saturation could be produced by a modestly priced lens like the HD DA 55-300 ED WR!
Highly recommended! | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: June, 2012 Location: South Coast, NSW Posts: 286
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 5, 2015 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | sharp, light, WR | | Cons: | Noisy autofocus that hunts | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 5
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3
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Auto focus hunts and scares the birds but when focused it is sharp and gives quite nice images
Other than the AF it seems to be a nice light versatile lens.
WR is a BIG plus and really, at this price it is very good value and probably a must in any travel kit.
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