| Latest Review Posted | HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
This is a fantastic lens. Arguably the best quality/price tele for pentax.
I've extensively used the DA* 60-250, to which I can compare.
Sharpness:
Until 200mm : Excellent at the center ! It's hard to tell the difference with DA*60-250. Micro-contrast is excellent also.
Ok on edges/corners, but a step down the DA* telezoom.
At 300mm, sharpness across the frame is WAY worse.
Colour rendition:
It's OK but I prefer the rendition of the DA* 60-250.
The 55-300 feels in the same league as other DA (not star *) lenses, while the DA* 60-250 if more of the DA* / Limited rendering.
Bokeh:
To me, better than the DA* 60-250.
The smaller aperture make it sometimes impossible to achieve though, but on proxy shots it's gorgeous.
Autofocus:
Blazing fast AF, great subject tracking, provided the light is good.
Once it gets really cloudy, or at the shadows, AF is not that good and it can be difficult to follow a slow moving subject getting images sufficiently sharp.
Handling:
It's a joy to use : lightweight, compact, reactive.
Only downside would be the barrel extension while zooming... but you can't have it all ! Even the DA*60-250 extends.
And for having used both for maybe 30 000 shots each, the latter feels a lot more bulkier. Manipulating the new 55-300 is a pleasure.
Value:
Unbeatable !
Other pros:
Wide range, sharp wide open, quite small retracted.
For the story, I've broken my DA* 60-250 and had to use my "backup" 55-300 PLM for a few weeks of everyday ri... |
